Evolution and biogeography of the endemic Roucela complex (Campanulaceae: Campanula) in the Eastern Mediterranean

At the intersection of geological activity, climatic fluctuations, and human pressure, the Mediterranean Basin – a hotspot of biodiversity – provides an ideal setting for studying endemism, evolution, and biogeography. Here, we focus on the Roucela complex (Campanula subgenus Roucela), a group of 13 bellflower species found primarily in the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Plastid and low‐copy nuclear markers were employed to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and estimate divergence times within the Roucela complex using both concatenation and species tree analyses. Niche modeling, ancestral range estimation, and diversification analyses were conducted to provide further insights into patterns of endemism and diversification through time. Diversification of the Roucela clade appears to have been primarily the result of vicariance driven by the breakup of an ancient landmass. We found geologic events such as the formation of the mid‐Aegean trench and the Messinian Salinity Crisis to be historically important in the evolutionary history of this group. Contrary to numerous past studies, the onset of the Mediterranean climate has not promoted diversification in the Roucela complex and, in fact, may be negatively affecting these species. This study highlights the diversity and complexity of historical processes driving plant evolution in the Mediterranean Basin.     

A taxonomic revision and species delimitation of the genus Purpuraria Enderlein, 1929 (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) using an integrative approach

Recent studies on the endemic Canarian genus Purpuraria have shown that the taxonomy of its only recognized species (P. erna) is probably erroneous. In this study, an integrative revision of the genus is performed, based on a large number of specimens and geographical sampling. As a result, (1) the diagnostic characters at the genus level are re‐described, (2) Purpuraria magna n. sp. based on morphological, morphometric and genetic data is described and (3) the taxonomic status of a formerly described subspecies is clarified. Intraspecific and interspecific morphometric differences have been found, indicating that the genus is undergoing a process of morphological diversification. Nevertheless, the possibility of interspecific mating between individuals of the two species is suggested, because no significant differences have been found between their respective calling songs. Genetic analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences suggest that P. erna and P. magna are recent species with evidences of secondary contact episodes in the past.     

A taxonomic revision of Crambe section Dendrocrambe (Brassicaceae)

As part of a recent revision of the genus Crambe , based on the morphological study of herbarium and cultivated material, the systematics of section Dendrocrambe DC. are reviewed here. Section Dendrocrambe (including monospecific section Rhipocrambe Svent.) is considered to comprise 14 species, all endemic to Macaronesian archipelagoes: 13 in the Canary Islands and one in the Madeira Islands. Crambe feuilleei A. Santos and C. gomerae subsp. hirsuta Prina are described here, C. fruticosa subsp. pinnatifida (Lowe) Prina & Mart.-Laborde is proposed as a new status, and a key for the identification of all taxa, as well as maps with localities of collection, are provided.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 156 , 291–304.     

A new species of Viola L. (Violaceae) from Sichuan, China

Viola muliensis Y.S. Chen & Q.E. Yang, a new species of Viola L. (Violaceae) from Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. Viola muliensis is endemic to Muli County, south-western Sichuan. This new species has yellow flowers with very short spurs and belongs to subsection Brevicalcaratae W. Beck., section Dischidium Ging. It is distinguished from other related species by having pedatipartite leaves.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 149 , 365–368.     

A taxonomic revision of Crambe, sect. Leptocrambe (Brassicaceae)

As part of a revision of the genus Crambe based on the morphological study of herbaria and cultivated material, the systematics of sect. Leptocrombe DC. is presented here. Section Leptocrambe is considered to comprise five species: C. kilimandscharica O. E. Schulz, C. sinuatodentata Hochst. ex Petri, C. hispanica L., C. filiformis Jacq. and C. kralikii Coss. C. hispanica includes three subspecies, subsp. hispanica , subsp. glabrata (DC.) Cout. and subsp. abyssnica (Hochst. ex R. E. Fr.) stat. nov. which includes var. dyssinica and var. meyeri (O. E. Schulz) comb. nov. C. kralikii includes two subspecies, subsp. kralikii and subsp. garamas (Maire) Podlech.     

Biosystematic studies on Adenophora potaninii Korsh. complex (Campanulaceae) V. A taxonomic treatment

Abstract Adenophora is an extremely variable genus, and its taxonomy is very controversial. Of the genus, Adenophora potaninii complex, including A. potaninii, A. bockiana, A. wawreana, A. lobophylla, A. biformifolia, A. polydentata, and A. wawreana var. lanceifolia, is a typical group with different taxonomical treatments due to high level of morphological diversity. We carried out extensive biosystematic studies based on population sampling, transplantation experiments and offspring tests, cluster analysis, and a crossing experiment. The results reveal four main findings. (i) Leaf forms of the A. potaninii complex were extremely polymorphic; the leaf form of A. potaninii and A. bockiana, and that of A. wawreana and A. biformifolia could be found, respectively, on a single population or among the offsprings of a single plant. (ii) Cluster analysis and a crossing experiment indicated that A. bockiana and A. polydentata could not be separated from A. potaninii, nor A. biformifolia from A. wawreana. (iii) Adenophora potaninii and A. wawreana were gradational in morphology and their compatibility value was slightly reduced compared to that within each entity. (iv) Adenophora lobophylla was distinct from the other members of the complex in shape and size of corolla, relative length of style, and shape of capsule. This species was incompatible reproductively with the other members of the complex, but partly compatible with A. stenanthina, a species in another section. Therefore, we recognized only one species with two subspecies in the complex, A. potaninii subsp. potaninii and subsp. wawreana, moved A. lobophylla out of the complex, and reduced all the other names as new synonyms.     

Biosystematic studies on Adenophora potaninii Korsh.complex (Campanulaceae) V.A taxonomic treatment

Adenophora is an extremely variable genus,and its taxonomy is very controversial.Of the genus,Adenophora potaninii complex,including A.potaninii,A.bockiana,A.wawreana,A.lobophylla,A.biformifolia,A,polydentata,and A.wawreana var.lanceifolia,is a typical group with different taxonomical treatments due to high level of morphological diversity.We carried out extensive biosystematic studies based on population sampling,transplantation experiments and offspring tests,cluster analysis,and a crossing experiment.The results reveal four main findings.(i) Leaf forms of the A.potaninii complex were extremely polymorphic; the leaf form of A.potaninii and A.bockiana,and that ofA.wawreana and A.biformifolia could be found,respectively,on a single population or among the offsprings of a single plant.(ii) Cluster analysis and a crossing experiment indicated that A.bockiana and A.polydentata could not be separated from A.potaninii,nor d.biformifolia from A.wawreana.(iii) Adenophora potaninii and A.wawreana were gradational in morphology and their compatibility value was slightly reduced compared to that within each entity.(iv) Adenophora lobophylla was distinct from the other members of the complex in shape and size of corolla,relative length of style,and shape of capsule.This species was incompatible reproductively with the other members of the complex,but partly compatible with A.stenanthina,a species in another section.Therefore,we recognized only one species with two subspecies in the complex,A.potaninii subsp.potaninii and subsp,wawreana,moved A.lobophylla out of the complex,and reduced all the other names as new synonyms.     

Genetic diversity and morphological variability in the Balkan endemic Campanula secundiflora s.l. (Campanulaceae)

We reconstructed the relationships among populations of Campanula secundiflora s.l. and closely related and geographically close populations of C. austroadriatica and C. versicolor. Based on analyses of microsatellite DNA data, the investigated populations have high overall genetic diversity and abundant allelic variation over seven investigated loci. Bayesian model‐based clustering identified four clearly differentiated genetic groups of populations. The genetic differentiation was reflected by morphological differentiation, allowing us to propose a new taxonomic treatment of the constituents of C. secundiflora s.l. The populations distributed in south‐western Serbia and north‐eastern Montenegro were included in C. secundiflora. A new species, C ampanula montenegrina sp. nov. , distributed in the continental part of Montenegro and the northern part of Albania is described. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016, 180 , 64–88.     

A taxonomic revision of Centaurea section Acrocentron (Asteraceae) in Iran

The taxonomic status of Centaurea section Acrocentron in Iran is briefly reviewed. A critical study of 251 herbarium specimens, and an additional 37 accessions collected specifically for this research, led to the discovery of a new variety, Centaurea irritans var. longispinosa Montazerolghaem , and the revival of another, C. persica var. subinermis, a taxon previously treated as a synonym for about 25 years. A key to all Iranian species of Centaurea section Acrocentron is provided. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 163 , 99–106.     

A taxonomic revision of Tectaria (Tectariaceae) from New Caledonia

A taxonomic revision of Tectaria from New Caledonia is presented here based on a thorough study of herbarium specimens from New Caledonia and adjacent Pacific islands. Six species of Tectaria are presently recognized in New Caledonia. Tectaria kouniensis and T. pseudosinuata are reduced to synonyms of T. dissecta and T. sinuata, respectively. The morphological limit between T. seemannii and T. sinuata and the confused specimen citations in previous accounts are clarified. Apart from T. dissecta, the other five species, i.e. T. lifuensis, T. moorei, T. seemannii, T. sinuata and T. vieillardii, are mainly distributed in New Caledonia, with only T. seemannii and T. sinuata recently reported also from Vanuatu. A key to species, typification of accepted names and relevant synonyms, and brief comments on the relationships of species are provided.     

A taxonomic revision of the Tragulus mouse-deer (Artiodactyla)

The taxonomy of South-East Asian mouse-deer ( Tragulus ) is complex, and after some 120 years of considerable taxonomic revisions of the genus a clear key is still lacking for the determination of species and subspecies. Through craniometrical analysis of 338 skulls of Tragulus and some study of coat coloration patterns we have come to a better understanding of mouse-deer taxonomy. Our results show that there are three species groups: the T. javanicus -group, the T. napu -group, and T. versicolor . Within the T. javanicus -group we recognize three species: T. javanicus (from Java), T. williamsoni (from northern Thailand and possibly southern China), and T. kanchil (from the rest of the range), and within these species we provisionally recognize 16 subspecies. Within the T. napu -group we recognize two species: T. nigricans (from Balabac), and T. napu (from the rest of the range); within these species we provisionally recognize eight subspecies. T. versicolor from Nhatrang, south-east Vietnam, is distinct from the two previous groups; it is, however, unclear whether this species is still extant.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 63–102.     

A new species of Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia, Turkey

A new species Scorzonera gokcheoglui O. Ünal & R. S. Göktürk sp. nov. from south Anatolia is described and illustrated. Its relationships with S. argyria and S. pisidica are discussed. A map showing the distribution of the species and other related species is given.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142 , 465–468.     

A taxonomic revision and pollen morphology of the genus Dendrokingstonia (Annonaceae)

The genus Dendrokingstonia (Annonaceae) is taxonomically revised and palynologically studied. Three species are recognized, one of which, D. gardneri , is described as new to science. One new combination, D. acuminata , is made. The genus occurs from southern Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. On the basis of macromorphology and pollen characters, it is considered to be related to Monocarpia. Both genera show a combination of macromorphological characters that is rare in the family, i.e. considerably enlarged stigmas, leaves with percurrent tertiary veins, a highly reduced number of carpels per flower and relatively large monocarps with a thick, hard wall. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy show that the pollen grains of Dendrokingstonia and Monocarpia are monosulcate monads with a columellate infratectum and a more or less bulging intine at the sulcus. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 76–90.     

Morphometric approach to address taxonomic problems: The case of Utricularia sect. Foliosa (Lentibulariaceae)

Utricularia sect. Foliosa Kamiénski comprises three recognized species, U. amethystina Salzm. ex A.St.-Hil. & Girard, U. tricolor A.St.-Hil., and U. tridentata Sylvén, delimited based mainly on shape and structure of the corolla. In comparison with the two latter members of the section, U. amethystina forms a complex of morphological variants, reflected taxonomically by the previous recognition of 31 synonyms. In his monograph of the genus, Taylor synonymized these taxa based primarily on his observation of continuous morphological variation of the flowers. In the same treatment he also suggested a future taxonomic re-evaluation could re-establish two, three or more taxa. Here we examine this question utilizing morphometric analyses of floral variation across most of the synonyms mentioned above, within populations from across their Neotropical distribution. Based on both morphological and geographic characters we identify strongly differentiated morphotypes. Our data provide support for both the maintenance of taxa previously recognised as synonyms under U. amethystina, and the resurrection of taxa to species status, namely U. bicolor, U. damazioi, U. lindmanii and U. hirtella, and four other putative new taxa.