On the Embryogeny of Three Taxa of Paepalanthoideae (Eriocaulaceae)

Embryo development in Leiothrix nubigena, Paepalanthus bifidusand Syngonanthus nitens is described. Distinct differentiationof cotyledonary and epicotyledonary sectors in the three taxais demonstrated. The cotyledonary and the epicotylary loci shareequal amounts of the embryonic shoot apex as in most monocotyledons.The cotyledon and its adjacent epicotyl are both terminal onthe embryonic axis. The basal cell of the two-celled proembryocontributes two basal rows of cells at the radicular pole inthe ripe seed. A typical radicle is not organized. Leiothrix nubigena, Paepalanthus bifidus, Syngonanthus nitens Paepalanthoideae, Eriocaulaceae, embryogeny     

The taxonomy and morphological and anatomical differentiation of populations ofLeiothrix crassifolia (Eriocaulaceae)

The morphological and anatomical leaf and scape differentiation ofLeiothrix crassifolia is analysed and classified into seven types (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII). The species has a relatively wide distribution in the campo rupestre of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Variation in the isolated populations on different mountain ranges is complex, does not follow a clear geographical pattern, and defies taxonomic classification.L. nubigena andL. obtusifolia are included inL. crassifolia.     

Embryology ofEriocaulon setaceum (Eriocaulaceae)

Eriocaulon setaceum can be characterized by: young microsporangium wall with epidermis, endothecium (with fibrous thickenings), and glandular tapetum (uninucleate cells); pollen grains 3-celled, spiraperturate; embryo sac development according to the Polygonum type and with antipodal cyst; endosperm nuclear; embryo small, with incipient differentiation into cotyledonary and epicotylary loci; seed coat mainly from the inner layers of the integuments; pericarp 2-layered and membranous. Embryologically, theEriocaulaceae are nearer to theXyridaceae than to otherFarinosae. Their elevation to the rank of an order,Eriocaulales, therefore appears justified.     

Cladistic analysis of the subgenus Anopheles (Anopheles) Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae) based on morphological characters

In the present study, we used morphological characters to estimate phylogenetic relationships among members of the subgenus Anopheles Meigen. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out for 36 species of Anopheles (Anopheles). An. (Stethomyia) kompi Edwards, An. (Lophopodomyia) gilesi (Peryassú), Bironella hollandi Taylor, An. (Nyssorhynchus) oswaldoi (Peryassú) and An. (Cellia) maculatus Theobald were employed as outgroups. One hundred one characters of the external morphology of the adult male, adult female, fourth-instar larva, and pupa were scored and analyzed under the parsimony criterion in PAUP. Phylogenetic relationships among the series and several species informal groups of Anopheles (Anopheles) were hypothesized. The results suggest that Anopheles (Anopheles) is monophyletic. Additionally, most species groups included in the analysis were demonstrated to be monophyletic.     

A new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae) from Ethiopia

Eriocaulon crassiusculum sp. nov. is described from the Kefa province in southwestern Ethiopia. Illustrations are provided for habit as well as details of flowers (including pollen) and seeds. The new species is most closely related to E. transvaalicum , a widespread species in southern and eastern Africa.     

On the taxonomic position ofSilene thebana (Caryophyllaceae)

Silene thebana Orph. exBoiss. is transferred as a subspecies toS. fabaria (L.)Sm., resulting in the new combinationS. fabaria (L.)Sm. subsp.thebana (Orph. exBoiss.)Melzh. The chromosome count of 2n = 24 is recorded for the first time for this taxon.Dedicated to Prof. DrK. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 16th October 1986.     

Inflorescence structure in species of Scleria subgenus Hypoporum and subgenus Scleria (Sclerieae-Cyperaceae)

The objective of this study was to realize a typology approach toward the inflorescences in Scleria in order to provide characters that would have potential use in further taxonomic and phylogenetic research and that would allow identification of the tendencies and processes that could have yielded the variations within Scleria inflorescences. The majority of species studied present a main florescence; Scleria reticularis and S. melanomphala have truncated inflorescences. The variations are related to the grade of development reached by the main florescence and the different parts of the paracladial zone. Major inflorescence variability was found in section Scleria. A change in spikelet sexuality can occur toward the distal parts. There were variations in the distinct species with respect to the hierarchy of the paracladia where the change occurs. Future investigations should center on the ontogenetic aspects of inflorescence development of Scleria, integrating these results, together with those of adult inflorescences, into taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations.     

On the systematic position of the genus Coris (Primulaceae)

The systematic position of the aberrant primulaceous genus Coris was investigated by means of cladistic analysis of nucleotide sequence data from the chloroplast gene rbcL . One new sequence ( Coris ) was added to a data matrix composed of a set of previously published sequences. The notion that Coris is most closely related to the Lythraceae is rejected, and very strong support for its position within the Primulaceae was found. The clariñcation of this issue is important for future analyses of phylogenetic interrelationships in the Primulales.     

The phylogenetic position of Apterosperma (Theaceae) based on morphological and karyotype characters

Classifications of Theaceae have usually placed the endangered monotypic genus Apterosperma in tribe Schimeae (x=18), whereas recent molecular phylogenetic evidence supports its transfer to tribe Theeae (x=15). Molecular data have not resolved the phylogenetic position of Apterosperma within Theeae. We investigated the chromosome number and karyotype of Apterosperma in the context of molecular and morphological phylogenetic evidence to provide further insight into the placement of Apterosperma within Theaceae. The chromosome number and karyotype was found to be 2n = 30 = 26m + 4sm, consistent with the transfer of Apterosperma to tribe Theeae. When the chromosome data were incorporated into a data set of 46 other nonmolecular characters, Apterosperma was placed as the first-diverging lineage within the clade comprising tribe Theeae. This supports its placement based on molecular data. The low intrachromosomal asymmetry (type 1A) of Apterosperma, presumably ancestral for the family, is also consistent with this placement. Character optimization strongly supports a base chromosome number of x=15 for tribe Theeae. Because of variable and sometimes conflicting chromosome count reports of species in tribes Schimeae and Stewartieae, the base chromosome number of Theaceae could be either x=15 or 17.     

Revision of Anemia subgenus Anemiorrhiza (Schizaeaceae)

This distinctive subgenus, limited to calcareous rocks of the Caribbean basin, is discussed in terms of its taxonomy and relationships. Two new species,A. alternifolia andA. pumilio are described, and two new combinations,A. mexicana var.makrinii andA. coriacea f. nipeensis are made. Drawings of all taxa are provided.     

Systematics of Tillandsia subgenus Pseudalcantarea (Bromeliaceae)

Tillandsia subg.Pseudalcantarea (Bromeliaceae) includes four species as currently delimited. The phylogenetic relationships of the species in this group are investigated by a cladistic analysis using 16 morphological characters, withVriesea subg.Alcantarea employed as the outgroup.Tillandsia subg.Pseudalcantarea is found to be paraphyletic.Tillandsia grandis andT. paniculata are transferred toTillandsia subg.Tillandsia because they are hypothesized to share a more recent common ancestor withT. utriculata, the type of the genus, than they do with the other two species placed in subg.Pseudalcantarea, i.e.,T. baliophylla andT. viridiflora. These latter two species possibly constitute a basal clade withinTillandsia and are provisionally retained within subg.Pseudalcantarea.     

Taxonomy of Cordylanthus subgenus Hemistegia (Scrophulariaceae)

A taxonomic revision ofCordylanthus subg.Hemistegia based on evidence from morphology, chromosome numbers, habitat, ecology, and geographic distribution is presented, recognizing four species and five subspecies. Three new combinations on the subspecific level are proposed. The first chromosome counts for subg.Hemistegia are reported with haploid numbers ofn = 14, 15, and 21. Each species is illustrated with line drawings showing habit and floral morphology; distribution maps indicate sites of known populations. The possible extinction ofC. mollis ssp.mollis andC. pamatus is discussed, and the urgent need for preservation of their saline and alkaline habitats is emphasized.     

New combinations for Panicum subgenus Panicum and subgenus Dichanthelium (Poaceae) of the Southeastern United States

Twenty-two new varietal combinations are made for the treatment of the genusPanicum of the Southeastern United States. The following 3 new combinations are made in the subgenusPanicum:Panicum rigidulum var.elongatum, P. rigidulum var.pubescens, P. rigidulum var.combsii. The following 19 new combinations are made in the subgenusDichanthelium:P. strigosum var.glabrescens P. strigosum var.leucoblepharis, P. dichotomum var.roanokense, P. dichotomum var.lucidum, P. dichotomum var.ramulosum, p. dichotomum var.mattamuskeetense, P. dichotomum var.yadkinense, P. ensifolium var.curtifolium, P. chamaelonche var.breve, P. portoricense var.nashianum, P. acuminatum var.fasciculatum, P. acuminatum var.unciphyllum, P. acuminatum var.columbianum, P. acuminatum var.lindheimeri, P. acuminatum var.densiflorum, P. acuminatum varlongiligulatum, P. acuminatum var.leucothrix, P. ovale var.pseudopubescens, andP. ovale var.villosum.     

Phylogeny of bumble bees in the New World subgenus Fervidobombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae): congruence of molecular and morphological data

We present new DNA sequence data (12S, 16S, and opsin gene fragments) and morphological characters of the male genitalia for a phylogenetic analysis of the bumble bee subgenus Fervidobombus. There is no significant incongruence between the three molecular data sets, and little incongruence between the DNA and morphology. Simultaneous analysis of all the data partitions resulted in a tree that was entirely congruent with the All-DNA tree. Optimization of the geographic locations of the taxa onto the tree topology using dispersal/vicariance analysis suggests a complex picture of spread and diversification of Fervidobombus from the Old World into the southern New World. There is a phylogenetic component to their spread into tropical rain forest, as the two primary rain forest species (Bombus transversalis and Bombus pullatus) comprise a monophyletic clade, along with a third species, Bombus atratus, which is widely distributed in South America, including lowland subtropical habitats.