Checklist of the Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) of Equatorial Guinea (Annobón, Bioko and Río Muni)

This study provides a checklist of the Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) present in Equatorial Guinea, comprising 52 genera and 124 taxa. Seven species are known from Annobón, 33 from Bioko and 109 from Río Muni. The best represented genus is Senna with eight species. In addition, bibliographic references for Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) from Equatorial Guinea have been gathered and checked. Fourteen species are included based on literature records, because their distribution ranges suggest they may occur in Equatorial Guinea, 11 introduced species could be naturalized, and 45 taxa are recorded for the first time from the country. This represents an increase of over 35% in the floristic knowledge of Caesalpinioideae from Equatorial Guinea. A statistical summary is presented at the end of the checklist.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 541–562.     

Molecular separation of genera in Cassiinae (Leguminosae), and analysis of variation in the nodulating species of Chamaecrista

Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) methods have been adapted for use as a phenetic tool on the legume tribe Cassiinae. RAPD-generated polymorphism within local populations was lower than between populations from different geographic regions, between species and genera. Examination of three Cassia species, 12 Chamaecrista species and 13 Senna species using eight primers showed the potential for separation of the nodulated/nitrogen fixing genus Chamaecrista from the previously congeneric groups Cassia and Semis. Similarly, RAPD analysis of two groups of nine Ch. rotundifolia and nine Ch. mimosoides samples using 11 primers has given separation according to both species and to geographical location. Analysis of a small sample of five Chamaecrista species from Brazil with eight primers gave separation consistent with known variations in nodule structure.     

New or rarely reported chromosome numbers in taxa of subtribe Artemisiinae (Anthemideae, Asteraceae) from Mongolia

This study encompasses 25 chromosome counts of 18 species in the subtribe Artemisiinae (tribe Anthemideae) of the family Asteraceae, from Mongolia. Most (15 species) belong to Artemisia , the largest genus of the subtribe, whereas the others come from two genera very closely related to it: Ajania (two species) and Neopallasia (one species). Eleven counts are new reports, three are not consistent with previous reports and the remainder confirm scanty earlier information. The majority of the species have x  = 9 as their basic chromosome number, but there are some taxa with x  = 8. Ploidy levels range from 2 x to 6 x . The presence of B-chromosomes was detected in Ajania fruticulosa .  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 203–210.     

Phylogenetic relationships in Cyperus L. s.l. (Cyperaceae) inferred from plastid DNA sequence data

The phylogeny of Cyperus and allied genera has been reconstructed using cladistic analysis of plastid rbcL gene, rps16 intron, trnL intron, and trnL-F intergenic spacer sequence data in 40 species of tribe Cypereae. Cyperus s.s. as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic because ten cyperoid genera are embedded within it. Eucyperoid Cyperus species (with a C₃ anatomy, e.g. C. involucratus ) and the genera Courtoisina , Kyllingiella and Oxycaryum form a clade that is sister to a clade comprising chlorocyperoid species (with a C₄ anatomy, e.g. C. papyrus ) and the genera Alinula , Ascolepis , Kyllinga , Lipocarpha , Pycreus , Remirea and Sphaerocyperus . The position of two species is uncertain; C . tenellus is resolved in a clade together with Isolepis although with typical cyperoid spikelets, whereas I. humillima is not resolved near either Isolepis or Cyperus s . l . © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 138 , 145–153.     

Chromosome numbers in the tribes Anthemideae and Inuleae (Asteraceae)

Twenty-two chromosome counts of 19 taxa (21 populations) in the tribe Anthemideae and one member (one population) of the tribe Inuleae of the family Asteraceae are reported. The Anthemideae studied belong to the subtribes Artemisiinae (14 Artemisia taxa, and one species each of the genera Dendranthema , Filifolium and Neopallasia ) and Tanacetinae (one species each of the genera Lepidolopha and Tanacetopsis ). From the Inuleae, we studied one Inula species. Five counts are new reports (including two at generic level), six are not consistent with previous counts and the remainder are confirmations of very limited (one to four records) previous data. Most of populations of Anthemideae studied have the basic chromosome number x  = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2 x to 10 x . Dysploidy is also present, with two x  = 8 diploid taxa. The species of Inuleae studied is a diploid with x  = 10, also indicating dysploidy, other members of the same genus Inula having basic numbers of x  = 9 or 8.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 77–85.     

Contribution to the karyological knowledge of Echinops (Asteraceae, Cardueae) and related genera

Twenty-six chromosome counts were made of several genera of the tribe Cardueae from various European and Asian provenances: Acantholepis (one species studied), Amphoricarpus (1), Chardinia (1), Echinops (14 species, 15 populations), Siebera (1), Staehelina (3) and Xeranthemum (4). Eleven of the reports are made for the first time, ten confirm previous counts, while the remainder report disparities with earlier records. The existence of different basic chromosome numbers and ploidy levels suggests dysploidy and polyploidy as the main mechanisms of chromosomal evolution in the taxa considered.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 337−344.     

Karyomorphology, heterochromatin patterns and evolution in the genus Ophrys (Orchidaceae)

Karyotype structures and heterochromatin distribution in representative taxa of the genus Ophrys are compared, based on Feulgen-stained and banded somatic metaphase chromosomes. The karyotypes of Ophrys iricolor , O. lupercalis , O. caesiella , O. lutea , O. lunulata , O. x. tardans , O. apifera , O. praecox , O. lacaitae and O. insectifera are described for the first time. The karyological analyses indicate the relationships among the species with respect to asymmetry indices and heterochromatin content. Chromosomal differences have been helpful in clarifying the taxonomic position of Ophrys species that do not have clear affinities. The representative species of Araniferae , Fuciflorae and Ophrys sections exhibited the most asymmetrical karyotypes, while chromosome complements of the O. fusca–O. lutea group, of O. tenthredinifera and of O. bombyliflora proved to be less asymmetrical. Weakly heterochromatic chromosomes, with heterochromatin present mostly in thin centromeric bands, characterize Ophrys C-banded karyotypes. Chromomycin A₃ (CMA) staining revealed that the analysed species exhibit a weak pattern of CMA⁺ bands at centromeric, intercalary or telomeric regions. No DAPI bright blocks were observed. The significance of the karyological data is discussed with regard to the relationships between the analysed species. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 87–99.     

Cytogenetic studies of four South American species of Paullinia L. (Sapindaceae)

Four South American species of Paullinia ( P. elegans , P. meliaefolia , P. pinnata , and P. rhomboidea ) were compared using conventional chromosome staining, C-Giemsa and C-chromomycin A₃/4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (C-CMA₃/DAPI) banding, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a 45S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) probe. All species showed a somatic complement of 2 n  = 24 chromosomes, agreeing with earlier records in some cases, and showing a tendency for the chromosome number to be conserved in this genus. The chromosome number of P. rhomboidea is a new report. The karyotypes differed in chromosome size and degree of karyotype asymmetry. The chromosomal band patterns and location of the 45S rDNA sites are reported for the first time in the genus. Terminal C-CMA₃ bands were associated with the 45S rDNA sites, but varied in number and size between the species. The occurrence of other C-Giemsa bands that were not revealed by CMA₃ suggests that more than one family of repetitive DNA may be involved in karyotype differentiation. The systematic implications of these results on the infrageneric relationships are discussed.   © 2007 The Linnean Society of London . Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 313–320.     

Cytotaxonomy of Lychnophoriopsis Sch.Bip. and Paralychnophora MacLeish species (Asteraceae: Vernonieae: Lychnophorinae)

The genera Lychnophoriopsis and Paralychnophora are endemic to Brazilian 'campo rupestre' in the States of Minas Gerais and Bahia. To analyse the status of the cytotaxonomy of these genera, we carried out chromosome counts on several species. Two chromosome numbers were obtained for four species of Paralychnophora : 2 n  = 36 and 2 n  = 38. For three species of Lychnophoriopsis , only 2 n  = 36 was observed. The chromosome size (1.0–2.58 µm) and morphology (mainly metacentric, with some submetacentric) were analysed in four species of Paralychnophora and showed relative constancy .   © 2007 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 109–114.     

Relationships between bone growth rate, body mass and resting metabolic rate in growing amniotes: a phylogenetic approach

We explored the factors that explain the variation in resting metabolic rates (RMR) in growing amniotes by using the phylogenetic comparative method. For this, we measured raw RMR (mL O₂ h⁻¹), body mass, body mass growth rate, and periosteal bone growth rate in a sample of 44 growing individuals belonging to 13 species of amniotes. We performed variation partitioning analyses, which showed that phylogeny explains a significant fraction of the variation of mass-specific RMR (mL O₂ h⁻¹ g⁻¹), and that the cost of growth is much higher than the cost of maintenance. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis of the independence of energy allocation, and found that maintenance metabolism and growth rates are not significantly related. Finally, we calculated the statistical parameters of the relationship between geometry-corrected RMR (mL O₂ h⁻¹ g^−0.67) and bone growth rate. This relationship could potentially be used in palaeobiology to infer RMR from bone tissue samples of fossil species by assuming Amprino's rule (according to which bone tissue types reflect bone growth rates). These estimates would be especially interesting for Mesozoic non-avian theropod dinosaurs and Permian and Triassic therapsids to investigate, respectively, the origin of avian and mammalian endothermy.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 92 , 63–76.     

Karyological studies in Jaborosa (Solanaceae)

Sixteen species of Jaborosa (Solanaceae), including eight endemic to Argentina, were studied karyologically. The numbers n  = 12 and/or 2n  = 24 were found in all species, the majority of the cases being new reports. Mitotic chromosomes were small- to medium-sized, the average length varying from 2.95 to 4.93 µm. All species had one to three chromosome pairs with satellites. The karyotypes, obtained for 13 species, were slightly asymmetrical: A ₁ ranged from 0.228 to 0.483, A ₂ ranged from 0.095 to 0.182, and Paszko's asymmetry index ranged from 0.84 to 3.47. In all species, metacentric chromosomes were the most common, followed by submetacentrics, but subtelocentrics were rare. Morphological similarities and sectional arrangements were not reflected in either a principal components analysis plot or asymmetry index plot, but the species could be singled out by their karyotype formulae and the different karyotype parameters taken. In Jaborosa , a notably diversified genus, exo-morphological evolution has taken place, together with evident chromosome rearrangements, whose disposition is different and not as clear as in related genera.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 467–478.     

Frugivory in sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) is linked to El Niño-related fluctuations in fruiting phenology, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Sun bear ( Helarctos malayanus ) frugivory and fruiting phenology was investigated in a lowland dipterocarp forest in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Two mast fruiting events, both coinciding with El Niño/Southern Oscillation events, occurred 4 years apart, resulting in large fluctuations in fruit availability. Sun bear fruit availability decreased from 13 trees ha⁻¹ fruiting month⁻¹ during the mast fruiting to 1.6 trees ha⁻¹ fruiting month⁻¹ during the intermast period. Almost 100% of sun bear diet consisted of fruit during mast fruiting period, whereas sun bear diet was predominantly insectivorous during intermast periods. The majority of sun bear fruit trees displayed 'mast-fruiting' and 'supra-annual' fruiting patterns, indicating sporadic productivity. Sun bears fed on 115 fruit species covering 54 genera and 30 families, with Ficus (Moraceae) being the main fallback fruit. The families Moraceae, Burseraceae, and Myrtaceae contributed more than 50% to the sun bear fruit diet. Sun bear fruit feeding observations were unevenly distributed over forest types with more observations in high-dry forest type despite fewer fruiting events, possibly due to a side-effect of high insect abundance that causes bears to use these areas more intensively. The possible evolutionary pathways of sun bears in relation to the Sundaic environment are discussed.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 89 , 489–508.     

Tribal relationships of Beesia, Eranthis and seven other genera of Ranunculaceae: evidence from cytological characters

The karyotypes of 16 species and one variety representing nine genera in the Ranunculaceae were analysed in order to obtain information on the placement of the genera Beesia and Eranthis at tribal rank in the family. Those of Beesia , Anemonopsis , Souliea , Cimicifuga , Actaea and Eranthis were found to be very similar to each other, but remarkably different from those of Caltha , Calathodes , Megaleranthis and Trollius with respect to chromosome size and morphology. From cytological data it is clearly evident that Beesia and Eranthis have a much closer affinity to Anemonopsis , Souliea , Cimicifuga and Actaea in the tribe Cimicifugeae than to Caltha , Calathodes , Megaleranthis and Trollius , which generally have been placed together in a single tribe, albeit with different tribal names such as Caltheae, Trollieae and Helleboreae. Therefore, Beesia and Eranthis may find better placement in the tribe Cimicifugeae. The long-presumed, mainly morphology-based close affinity between Eranthis and Helleborus is not supported by both cytological and palynological data. Cytologically, both Actaea and Eranthis appear to be the specialized genera in the Cimicifugeae, through having the most asymmetrical karyotypes in this tribe. Our results strongly support the recent re-definition of the tribe Actaeeae (as Cimicifugeae) to include Beesia and Eranthis , based on maximum parsimony analysis performed separately on molecular data.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 267–289.     

Chromosome numbers in the tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae) from north-east Anatolia

Twenty-two chromosome counts of 19 taxa in the tribe Anthemideae of the family Asteraceae are reported from north-east Anatolia, Turkey. The taxa belong to the subtribes Achilleinae (four Achillea taxa), Anthemidinae (five Anthemis taxa), Artemisiinae (two Artemisia species), Leucantheminae (one Lecanthemum species), Matricariinae (two Tripleurospermum species) and Tanacetinae (five Tanacetum taxa). Six counts are new reports, seven are not consistent with previous counts, and the remainder are confirmations of very limited previous data. Most of the populations of Anthemideae studied have the basic number x  = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2 x to 7 to 8 x , but dysploidy is also present, with one diploid species, Artemisia austriaca , having x  = 8.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 203–211.     

Karyotype differentiation between Koelreuteria bipinnata and K. elegans ssp. formosana (Sapindaceae) based on chromosome banding patterns

Koelreuteria Laxm., a genus in the tribe Koelreuterieae (Sapindaceae), includes three tree species that are widely recognized as having horticultural merit. The two more closely related species, K. bipinnata Franch. and K. elegans (Seem.) A. C. Sm., are easily distinguished from K. paniculata Laxm. by their bipinnate leaves. In this study, both species were investigated cytogenetically and their karyotypes and heterochromatic patterns were compared. Koelreuteria bipinnata and K. elegans ssp. formosana (Hayata) F. G. Mey. both have 2 n  = 32 but their karyotypes present slight morphological differences when observed using conventional staining. Chromosome banding patterns are reported for the first time for this genus. Both species exhibit terminal heterochromatic blocks, as revealed by C-Giemsa and C-CMA₃, but the band size varies between the species. Koelreuteria bipinnata has larger heterochromatic blocks and more GC-rich segments, while in K. elegans ssp. formosana these bands are smaller. The relationship between the karyotype features in these closely related species is discussed.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 149 , 451–455.     

Multiple pleurograms in Chamaecrista Moench (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae)

According to the literature, the seeds of Chamaecrista lack pleurograms and have pitted testas aligned in vertical lines. Preliminary observations have revealed that these small structures consist of superficial alterations of the testa that are coloured differently to the rest of the seed coat and stand out as pits. However, no anatomical inspection has yet determined the precise composition of these pits. The present work examined the morphology, surface micromorphology, anatomy, and histochemistry of the seed coat of mature seeds of C. desvauxii var. latistipula , C. flexuosa , and C. nictitans var. patellaria in order to elucidate the structural nature of the seed coat pits. For this, seed coats were studied using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Structural modifications were examined in the seed coats of the studied species, and variations were noted in the mucilaginous layer, in the thickness of the palisade layer, and in the presence of larger hypodermic cells. Based on the anatomical features observed, and comparing these with published data on pleurograms in the Caesalpinioideae, it was determined that the structures referred to previously as tegumental pits on Chamaecrista seeds are actually small and numerous pleurograms, reported here for the first time.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 487–492.     

A review of the genera of Macariini with a revised classification of the tribe (Geometridae: Ennominae)

The generic classification of moths of the tribe Macariini Guenée is reviewed critically, and a revised classification is presented. The review is based on a survey of species across the taxonomic and geographical range of the tribe. In the new framework, the number of genera is reduced considerably. Two genera are very large: Macaria Curtis (mainly New World) and Chiasmia Hübner (largely Old World) together include over half of all macariine species. Twenty-three genera are accepted in the tribe; the identity of two genera remain uncertain. No single character defines the tribe, but diagnostic features include one or more of the following: the presence of enlarged setae ('horns') on the uncus in the male genitalia; a divided valva; and a modified condition of sternum A8 in the male. The taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed briefly and the problems of previous systems are explained mainly by the regional approach adopted. A diagnosis is presented for each genus. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 134 , 257–315.     

Cytological studies on the Sino-Himalayan endemic Anisodus and four related genera from the tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae) and their systematic and evolutionary implications

Cytological studies were carried out on eight species of five genera ( Anisodus , Atropanthe , Hyoscyamus , Mandragora and Przewalskia ) in the tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae). First chromosome counts were reported in six species: Anisodus luridus , A. acutangulus , A. tanguticus , A. carniolicoides , Atropanthe sinensis and Mandragora caulescens , all with 2 n  = 8 x  = 48. Two records, for Hyoscyamus niger (2 n  = 2 x  = 34) and Przewalskia tangutica (2 n  = 4 x  = 44), were also confirmed. All species studied showed the proximal type of mitotic prophase chromosome condensation pattern. Three types of interphase nuclei were recognized: the round prochromosome type for Anisodus , Atropanthe and Mandragora , the rod prochromosome type for Przewalskia and the complex chromocentre type for Hyoscyamus . The cytological data supported the close relationship of all four species of Anisodus . Evidence from the interphase nuclei and chromosome base numbers supported the traditional classification of Hyoscyameae into two groups, i.e. Physochlaina praealta + Hyoscyamus (complex interphase type and x  = 7, 14, 17) and Przewalskia + Atropanthe + Anisodus + Scopolia + Atropa + Mandragora (prochromosome type and x  = 6, 11). Polyploidy is found in most species of the tribe in the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains, as well as in the Mediterranean region, west–central Asia and eastern Asia. It seems that it probably occurred very early in Hyoscyameae evolution, before the uplift of the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains. The Himalayan orogeny might have played a minor role in the polyploid evolution of plants in this tribe.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 457–468.     

Khaosokia caricoides, a new genus and species of Cyperaceae from Thailand

Khaosokia caricoides , D.A. Simpson, Chayam. & J. Parn., a newly discovered genus and species of Cyperaceae is described and illustrated. The genus is characterized by a narrowly paniculate dioecious inflorescence with 2–4 nodes, each of the nodes having a leaf-like inflorescence bract that exceeds the inflorescence. Spikelets in both sexes are linear-cylindric and each flower has seven perianth bristles. The nutlet was immature in the specimens examined. The photosynthetic pathway is C₃. Khaosokia is endemic to limestone cliffs in peninsular Thailand; its conservation status is assessed as Vulnerable (VU B1a + 2a). It has affinities to tribes Cariceae, Dulichieae and some members of Scirpeae, but the exact nature of these relationships has yet to be determined. A revised key to the genera of Cyperaceae in Thailand is presented.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 149 , 357–364.