TRIGONOBALANUS (FAGACEAE): TAXONOMIC STATUS AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS

The fagaceous genus Trigonobalanus as recently treated includes 3 species, two in Malaysia and Southeast Asia and a single species in Colombia, South America. Character analysis suggests that the genus as currently circumscribed is paraphyletic, without synapomorphies to unite the three species. Each of the three species is a morphologically distinct relict of a group that probably was ancestral to the modern genera Quercus and Fagus. Each of the three species also has at least one autapomorphy which is unique within Fagaceae. Analysis of cupule morphology in Fagaceae provides an interpretation of evolution in cupules which differs substantially from Forman's interpretation. We interpret trigonobalanoid cupules as indicative of an ancestral type of inflorescence within Fagaceae. This inflorescence type is a dichasial structure in which the outermost axes are cupular valves, but the degree of branching and subsequent number of fruits are variable. Following this model, a strict relationship exists between valve number and fruit number as seen in cupules of Trigonobalanus (valves = fruits + 1). Fossil evidence is consistent with our interpretation of the phylogenetic position of the trigonobalanoids. We propose to segregate the three species of Trigonobalanus as three monotypic genera; two of these require names which we provide here: Formanodendron and Colombobalanus.     

REDESCRIPTION OF PHYLLIDIOPSIS SINAIENSIS (YONOW, 1988) (NUDIBRANCHIA: DORIDOIDEA: PHYLLIDIIDAE), WITH A REVIEW OF THE RED SEA PHYLLIDIIDAE

Phyllidiopsis sinaiensis (Yonow, 1988), of which only one single preservedspecimen had been known, was rediscovered in the northern RedSea. The dorsal colour-pattern of living individuals is presented forthe first time, and the anatomy of P. sinaiensis is describedin detail. Major features of the holotype previously used tocharacterise the species are shown to be artifacts. Principaldistinguishing characters of P. sinaiensis include the centraltubercle ridge, large and multicompound, broad based, pink tubercles,bicoloured black and pink rhinophores, the very elongate muscularoesophageal segment, the distinct stomach and the extremelylong, convoluted prostate that is bound together by connectivetissue. In some specimens, the bases of the tubercles may fuseleading to a predominantely pink dorsum with only a few blacklines. Phyllidiopsis sinaiensis appears to be among the mostcommon nudibranchs in the Gulf of Aqaba. The fact that it has notbeen reported since its original collection in 1980 can be explainedby being confused with the externally similar, well-known speciesPhyllidiella pustulosa (Cuvier, 1804). A review of the phyllidiidfauna of the Red Sea reveals eleven valid species that can allbe identified with the key presented herein. With four out of elevenspecies, phyllidiid endemism (36%) is high in the Red Sea. This isin contrast to recent palaeobiological hypotheses of a post-glacial originof the Red Sea coral reef fauna.     

WOOD ANATOMY OF TREMANDRACEAE: PHYLOGENETIC AND ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Stems of four species of the Australian family Tremandraceae furnished sufficient material for analysis of wood anatomy. Presence of simple perforation plates on vessel elements, occurrence of libriform fibers (some septate), tendency toward vasicentric parenchyma, presence of crystalliferous axial parenchyma strands, presence of crystals singly in ray cells, and occurrence of amorphous deposits in parenchyma are all features in which Tremandraceae resemble Pittosporaceae. Wood anatomy tends to support a “rosoid” rather than a sapindalean, rutalean, or polygalalean affinity for Tremandraceae, although wood is only a preliminary indicator. By the use of numerical indices as well as such indicators as helical thickening and presence of vascular tracheids, wood of Tremandraceae is shown to be highly xeromorphic. The genus Tremandra may represent a secondary entrant into wet forests of southwestern Australia; it clearly is not relict from mesic ancestry.     

EARLIEST MEGAFOSSIL EVIDENCE OF FAGACEAE: PHYLOGENETIC AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS

Fossil evidence of Fagaceae from the Paleocene/Eocene boundary of western Tennessee is described and discussed. These fossils include a newly discovered pistillate inflorescence and dispersed fruits of subfamily Castaneoideae as well as a taxon that resembles modern trigonobalanoids (pistillate inflorescences and dispersed mature fruits). Fossil staminate catkins with fagaceous pollen, which we suggest may be conspecific with the trigonobalanoid infructescences, are also found at the locality. Two distinct types of fagaceous leaves are present at the locality. The reproductive structures are the oldest megafossils unequivocally assignable to Fagaceae and represent the oldest remains of subfamily Fagoideae and the oldest megafossil remains of Castaneoideae. In addition, the fossils provide insights into the chronology of diversification, biogeography, and phylogeny of Fagaceae. The trigonobalanoid remains may also provide insights into the timing and circumstances of the evolution of wind pollination in Fagaceae.     

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF CORALLINA AND HALIPTILON (CORALLINACEAE,RHODOPHYTA): SURFACE FEATURES AND THEIR TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS1

Scanning electron microscopy of intergenicula in members of the subfamily Corallinoideae reveals two distinctive surface morphologies: a Corallina-type (C-type) with round to irregular cell outlines and round trichocyte bases, and a Jania-type (J-type) with elongate, polygonal cell outlines and elongate trichocyte bases with excentric pores. The surface results from the calcified lateral walls of the epithallial cells projecting up from around collapsed protoplasts. Since J-type surfaces and trichocytes only occur in unequivocal members of the tribe Janieae—especially the genera Jania and Haliptilon, the presence of J-type surfaces in questionable members of Corallina reveals that they in fact belong to Haliptilon. Thus the two surface types clarify previously difficult taxonomic distinctions between Haliptilon and Corallina and allow identification to genus from purely vegetative material. Seventeen new combinations in Haliptilon are proposed. These results have considerable biogeographic implications with tropical species found to belong to Haliptilon, and Corallina sensu stricto being recognized primarily as a temperate and cold water genus.     

红色伪角毛虫的形态学重描述及与相近种的比较(纤毛门,腹毛目)

利用活体观察、蛋白银染色技术对1种海水腹毛目纤毛虫-红色伪角毛虫Pseudokeronopsis rubra的青岛种群之活体形态和纤毛图式做了研究.其特征如下:虫体呈长带状,尾钝圆,身体柔软,高度可曲;皮层颗粒棕黄色,主要呈玫瑰花形分布,其余散布;表膜下具另1种无色、双面凹形颗粒.口围带小膜数为48～55;左、右缘棘毛各1列,中腹棘毛排成典型的锯齿状并延伸至横棘毛附近;额棘毛无明确分化,呈冠状排布并与中腹棘毛列相连续;口棘毛1根,额前棘毛2根;背触毛4列.大核90～140枚.伸缩泡位于体后左侧1/3处.经比较表明,尽管纤毛图式高度相似,P.rubra仍可以很容易地依据体色、伸缩泡的位置、皮层颗粒的大小、颜色、排布等活体特征与相近种区分.说明活体观察在纤毛虫种类鉴定中具有十分重要的作用.     

VOCAL RESPONSES OF GREEN BARBET POPULATIONS,AND THE TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 1987. Vocal responses of Green Barbet populations, and the taxonomic implications. Ostrich 58:160-163.

The songs of the following populations of the Green Barbet Stactolaemu olivacea are described and found to be very similar: coastal Kenya (olivacea), northern (rung weensis) and southern Malawi (belcheri), and Zululand (woodwardi). Birds of these isolated populations react readily to the playback of songs from other areas. Vocal similarity between these isolates suggests that they are no more than subspecifically distinct, including the Zululand population.     

PHYLOGENETIC IMPLICATIONS OF DIVERSE SEED TYPES,CHROMOSOME NUMBERS,AND POLLEN MORPHOLOGY IN HOUSTONIA (RUBIACEAE)

Seed and pollen morphology were studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in 39 North and Central American species of Houstonia (including Hedyotis, but excluding Oldenlandia). Chromosome counts were obtained for eight taxa, of which five lacked previous chromosome data. A chromosome number of n = 17 for Houstonia gracilis is a new base number for the genus. Seed external morphology in the genus is very diverse, including variation in compression, margins, testa surfaces, and elaboration of ventral cavities or depressions and hilar ridges or their absence. Three types of pollen apertures are recognized: colporate with type A os, colpororate, and colporate with type B os, the last the most advanced type, occurring in H. caerulea and related species. The 39 species are arranged in twelve groups, based on correlation of seed, pollen, and chromosome data. Geographic distribution provides supplementary evidence for the distinctness and integrity of the six principal groups each composed of 2–9 species. Five of the six minor groups each with one species need chromosome data to facilitate future taxonomic decisions. Chromosome numbers of x = 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 17 are now known in this genus, and phylogenetic implications of the combined data are discussed.     

钩圆跳属在中国的首次发现及原野钩圆跳再描述(弹尾目,愈腹亚目,钩圆跳科)

报道中国弹尾目钩圆跳科1新纪录属和1新纪录种,即钩圆跳属Bourletiella和原野钩圆跳Bourletiella arvalis(Fitch)。共计1头雄性和8头雌性采自新疆伊犁,对其进行了再描述。该虫已知分布于欧洲、北美洲和澳洲,目前仅在中国西部地区发现。     

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES BELONGING TO THE FAMILY PHYLLIDIIDAE (NUDIBRANCHIA: DORIDOIDEA)

A new genus of phyllidiid nudibranch, Reticulidia, is described.Distinguishing features are the reticulate pattern of smoothridges on the dorsum and the radially arranged, glandular discswhich make up the pharyngeal bulb. Additional features of theforegut are described and compared with other genera. The importanceof the alimentary system for the separation of genera withinthe Phyllidiidae is supported and its validity reinforced bythis new genus. One species, Reticulidia halgerda, is describedas new and differentiated from a second, sympatric species.Reticulidia is presently known from the eastern Indian Ocean,South China Sea and western Pacific Ocean. ^*Present address: Australian Biological and Environmental Survey,Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. GPO Box 1383,Canberra. ACT 2601. Australia. (Received 15 August 1989; accepted 8 January 1990)     

A SYSTEMATIC CIRCUMSCRIPTION OF CAREX MITCHELLIANA (CYPERACEAE) WITH REFERENCE TO TAXONOMIC STATUS

Carex mitchelliana M. A. Curtis, first described in 1843, is a cryptic member of the C. crinita Lam. species complex. Although recently attributed varietal status, historically it has been treated as both a species and a variety. In order to determine the taxonomic distinctness of this taxon, data were collected from a variety of sources including: morphology, scanning electron microscopy, chromosome counts, and biogeography. Results from scanning electron microscopy and statistical analyses of morphological data provide the strongest support for recognition of C. mitchelliana. Perigynia of C. mitchelliana are uniformly papillate; the length of the elongate papilla differs significantly among taxa (P < 0.001). Additionally, a variety of qualitative and quantitative morphological characters distinguish this taxon from the others in the complex; these include attributes of the pistillate scale, achene, perigynium, sheathing leaves, and habit. These data support and enhance those results previously reported from allozyme analyses of electrophoretic data. Although the geographical range of extant C. mitchelliana has been reduced, the historic range extends from Massachusetts to northern Florida and eastern Alabama. Chromosome counts, though not divergent from the other taxa in the complex, are presented for the first time for this species (n = 33).     

THE MORPHOLOGY, POSTEMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION OF STRIDULITRA IN REDUVIIDAE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR TAXONOMIC IMPORTANCE (HETEROPTERA: REDUVIOIDEA)

Abstract  Data on stridulitral types, strial rumber, width, interspace and ontogenetic changes of stridulitral structures are provided and analyzed. Its significance on taxonomy is discussed.