Discocarpus pedicellatus, a new species of Phyllanthaceae (Euphorbiaceae s.l.) from southern Bahia, Brazil

Discocarpus pedicellatus, a new species from semideciduous forests of southern Bahia, is here described and illustrated. Pistillate flowers with pedicels 8–10 mm long and styles usually connate into a column 2.5–3 mm long are diagnostic for this species.     

Phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, with particular reference to the embryology of Euphorbiaceae sens. str.

We present phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales, which are poorly understood with respect to relationships within the order, using sequences from rbcL, atpB, matK and 18SrDNA from 103 genera in 23 families. From several independent and variously combined analyses, a four-gene analysis using all sequence data provided the best resolution, resulting in the single most parsimonious tree. In the Malpighiales [bootstrap support (BS) 100%], more than eight major clades comprising a family or group of families successively diverged, but no clade containing more than six families received over 50% BS. Instead, ten terminal clades that supported close relationships between and among families (>50% BS) were obtained, between, for example, Balanopaceae and Chrysobalanaceae; Lacistemataceae and Salicaceae; and Phyllanthaceae and Picrodendraceae. The monophyly of Euphorbiaceae sens. str. were strongly supported (BS 100%), but its sister group was unclear. Euphorbiaceae sens. str. comprised two basally diverging clades (BS 100%): one leading to the Clutia group (Chaetocarpus, Clutia, Pera and Trigonopleura), and the other leading to the rest of the family. The latter shared a palisadal, instead of a tracheoidal exotegmen as a morphological synapomorphy. While both Acalyphoideae (excluding Dicoelia and the Clutia group) and Euphorbioideae are monophyletic, Crotonoideae were paraphyletic, requiring more comprehensive analyses.     

Gynoecium and perianth inZanthoxylum s.l. (Rutaceae)

The question whether the uniseriate perianth ofZanthoxylum L. s. str. is homologous with the calyx or the corolla of taxa included inFagara, or of an independent origin, has been controversial for a long time, but the arguments mostly have remained theoretical. The present investigation of floral structures indicates that there are two different types of uniseriate perianth inZanthoxylum s. str. Therefore, this taxon does not represent a natural group and should be united withFagara asZanthoxylum s.l. The infrageneric taxonomy of this genus is still very ambiguous. It is shown that differences in indumentum, number of sepals and petals (5-4-3) resp. perianth segments (4–9), stamens (3–6), and free carpels (1–5) are of systematic relevance. Particularly important but so far neglected is carpel shape, where an acrostylous and an anacrostylous-basistylous type can be recognized. Stigmata of 2 or more carpels mostly fuse to form a compitum. 4–5-merous flowers with calyx and corolla, and acrostylous carpels are considered as plesiomorphic character states in the genus. On the basis of ± corresponding morphological and phytochemical progressions a working hypothesis about the relationships withinZanthoxylum s.l. is presented in graphical form (Fig. 9).Adapted from a lecture held at the 10th Symposion on Morphology, Anatomy, and Systematics in Göttingen, February 1991.     

Floral development of Kingdonia (Ranunculaceae s. l., Ranunculales)

The flower of Kingdonia has a terminal position, thus the rhizome is sympodial. The floral organs initiate in spiral phyllotaxis. The androecium is centripetal in initiation but the sterile stamens are retarded in development compared with the fertile ones. The apex of the young carpel does not participate in the conduplication. The floral organs have single vascular traces and unilacunar nodes.The study was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 30370095 and 30130030).     

Acceptance of Liochlaena Nees and Solenostoma Mitt., the systematic position of Eremonotus Pearson and notes on Jungermannia L. s.l. (Jungermanniidae) based on chloroplast DNA sequence data

Nucleotide sequence variation of the chloroplast rbcL gene of 78 representatives of Jungermanniales suborders Jungermanniineae and Cephaloziineae and five outgroup species is analysed using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood. Jungermannia s.l. is resolved in three independent lineages corresponding to Jungermannia subgen. Jungermannia, Liochlaena and Solenostoma (incl. subgen. Plectocolea). Based on the outcome of the phylogenetic analyses we adopt a narrow generic concept of Jungermannia and accept the genera Liochlaena and Solenostoma. Contrary to proposed hypotheses, the monospecific genus Eremonotus is not nested in Scapaniaceae, Gymnomitriaceae, Cephaloziellaceae or Cephaloziaceae but placed in a clade together with Jungermannia s.str., Liochlaena, Delavayella and Leiocolea. These genera possess female involucres consisting solely of leaf tissue (perianths). Related clades comprise genera with female involucres originating at least partly from stem tissue. We propose to include Delavayella, Eremonotus, Jungermannia s.str., Leiocolea and Liochlaena in Jungermanniaceae based on the phylogenetic reconstructions of cpDNA variation and the distribution of perianths in Jungermanniales suborder Jungermanniineae.     

A revision of Malesian Austrobuxus (Picrodendraceae/Euphorbiaceae s.l. subfam. Oldfieldioideae)

The Malesian species of the predominantly New Caledonian genus Austrobuxus were revised. Three species are recognized. Austrobuxus nitidus is widespread from south Thailand to Borneo. Characteristic for this species are the very short papillae of the caruncle. The caruncle papillae are much longer in the other two, newly described species. Austrobuxus celebicus sp. nov. is endemic to Sulawesi, where it is found on ultramafic soils, and A. dentatus sp. nov. is an endemic species of western New Guinea. The former is notable for the very small fruits and the latter for the teeth‐like glands along the leaf blade margins, unique within the genus.     

Croton campanulatus (Euphorbiaceae s.s.), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest

Croton campanulatus, a new species from southeastern Brazil in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, is here described and illustrated. Morphological data indicate that this species belongs to Croton section Cleodora based on its arborescent habit, pistillate flowers with imbricate sepals, reduced petals, and multifid styles that are fused at the base.     

Female reproductive organization and systematic position ofPlumariella yoshikawae Okamura (Ceramiaceae,Rhodophyta)

A detailed account of female reproductive features ofPlumariella yoshikawae is presented.Plumariella yoshikawae is recognized as morphologically similar toDelesseriopsis elegans in several features, particularly in the sequence of branch initiation, the presence of gland cells on the abaxial sides of the basal segments of the lateral branches, having carpogonial branches on the basal segments of unmodified lateral branches, and the maturation of the carposporophyte at well below the thallus apices. These features indicate thatPlumariella yoshikawae is best removed from the Ptiloteae and is correctly placed in the tribe Delesseriopsideae. The generaPlumariella andBalliella are retained along withDelesseriopsis within the tribe Delesseriopsideae.     

Cytotaxonomical study ofSaxifraga seriesCeratophyllae s.l. (Saxifragaceae)

Chromosome numbers, mainly gametic, are given for 28 populations belonging to 13 species in ser.Ceratophyllae as circumscribed byWebb & Gornall. From a cytological point of view, we report or confirm the occurrence of aneuploidy in at least 8 of the 19 species recognized. This phenomenon, together with the technical difficulties inherent to the genus, is responsible for a number of incorrect or imprecise previous reports which are here questioned. Aneuploidy and the karyological instability behind it apparently reflect very active extant processes which might play an important role in the evolution of the group. Cytological and morphological data allow the recognition of four groups; one of them is likely to constitute a monophylectic group (ser.Ceratophyllae sensu stricto) but, the monophyly of the seriesCeratophyllae sensu lato is questioned.     

Phylogeny inLabiatae s. l., inferred from cpDNA sequences

Sequences ofrbcL andndhF were analysed independently and in combination to resolve phylogenetic relationships inLabiatae s. l. Monophyly ofLabiatae s. l was supported by all three analyses.Congea tomentosa (Symphoremataceae) is nested withinLabiatae s. l. in therbcL analysis, but emerges as the sister group ofLabiatae s. l. in thendhF and combined analyses. Four noteworthy clades ofLabiate s. l. also are supported by all analyses corresponding to subfamiliesNepetoideae, Lamioideae, Pogostemonoideae andScutellarioideae. Monophyly of subfamiliesChloanthoideae andViticoideae is not supported. A clade comprisingTeucrioideae plusAjuga is supported byndhF and the combined analysis.     

Genome size in Bulgarian Centaurea s.l. (Asteraceae)

Thirty-nine species and subspecies of the genera Centaurea, Colymbada, Psephellus and Cyanus (all included in Centaurea s.l.) including many rare and endemic taxa of preponderantly Bulgarian distribution have been investigated with Feulgen DNA image densitometry for holoploid and monoploid genome size (C- and Cx-values). Cyanus varies gradually 2.17-fold between 0.74 pg and 1.56 pg (1Cx). In the remaining taxa two major genome size groups are found, which differ about 1.8-fold in Cx-value. Low values occur in Centaurea subgenera Acrolophus, Solstitiaria, Phalolepis (0.77 pg to 0.90 pg, 1Cx) and Jacea (0.95 pg to 1.09 pg, 1Cx), high values in the genera Colymbada (1.65 pg to 1.93 pg, 1Cx) and Psephellus (1.79 pg, 1Cx, in P. marschallianus). Cx-values support a distinction of Colymbada from Centaurea. Genome size variation is discussed with regard to phylogeny, life form (annual versus perennial), polyploidy, chromosome basic numbers, altitude of occurrence and climate, endemism, and rarity.     

Floral ontogeny and systematic position of the Didiereaceae

Floral ontogenetical data from all four genera of the Didiereaceae (s.str.) are presented for the first time. All Didiereaceae s.str. are dioecious, having unisexual flowers with organ rudiments of the opposite sex. Two median bracts followed by a tetramerous perianth (two alternating dimerous ``whorls'), a slightly complex androecium with 6–12 stamens in a single row (on a common ring primordium), four of which mostly alternating with the perianth members, and one basal ovule connecting three free septa at their very base are flower characters in Didiereaceae, supporting phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequence data. Closest relatives are the (formerly) portulacaceous genera Portulacaria (5 stamens alternating with the perianth), Ceraria (5 stamens alternating with the perianth), and Calyptrotheca (many stamens), all with pentamerous perianths, from which the tetramerous perianth in Didiereaceae can be derived. Applequist and Wallace (2003) included these three genera in an expanded family Didiereaceae (with three subfamilies).     

Hybridisation,genomic constitution and generic delimitation inElymus s. l. (Poaceae: Triticeae)

Intergeneric crosses were made between representatives of the genomically-defined generaElymus, Agropyron, Elytrigia, Pseudoroegneria, andThinopyrum. The genomic constitution ofElytrigia repens, the type species ofElytrigia, is shown to be SSH, a genomic combination otherwise found only inElymus. The S genome ofPseudoroegneria has almost always a dominant influence on the morphology of the taxa of which it is a component.Wang (1989) showed that the J genome inThinopyrum and the S genome have considerable homoeology, with a mean c-value of 0.35 in diploid SJ hybrids. A genetic coherence from S to SJ^e, J^e, J^eJ^b, and J^b can be expected, agreeing with the continuous morphologic variation pattern observed. Because of the absence of morphological discontinuities between the taxa,Pseudoroegneria (S),Elymus (SH, SY, sometimes with additional genomes),Elytrigia (SSH, SSHX), andThinopyrum (SJ, SJJ, J) are best treated as a single genus,Elymus, following the generic concept ofMelderis in Flora Europaea and Flora of Turkey. The basic genomic constituents ofElymus will then be the S and/or J genomes.Agropyron, with diploids, tetraploids, and hexaploids based on the P genome is morphologically distinct from other genera inTriticeae. In a few species ofElymus andPseudoroegneria, a P genome is an additional constituent. In these cases the P genome has a negligible morphological influence. Therefore, it seems reasonable to maintainAgropyron as a separate genus.     

Taxonomical investigations onHelleborus viridis s. l. (Ranunculaceae) in Northern Italy

The taxon commonly namedHelleborus viridis in Lombardy (NW. Italy) differs from both, subsp.viridis and subsp.occidentalis, and is shown to fall within the variation range ofH. odorus subsp.laxus which has been reported so far for NE. Italy only. TrueH. viridis within Italy grows only in the Maritime Alps.     

Seed structure and systematic position ofHampea nutricia (Malvaceae)

The mature seeds ofHampea nutricia are glabrous, ovoid, arillate and dark tan in colour. Longitudinal streaks on the seed surface correspond to the underlying integumentary vascular strands. Testa and tegmen are derived from the outer and inner integuments, respectively. The outer epidermis of the tegmen forms a palisade-like macrosclereid layer, the inner epidermis a fringe layer. The endosperm is single-layered and also fills the space between the two cotyledons. The embryo is nearly straight, gland-dotted; it has asymmetrical and folded cotyledons, and gossypol ducts. Systematic position ofHampea is discussed and its placement inMalvaceae is supported.     

Chloroplast DNA study of the generaAmbrosia s.l. andHymenoclea (Asteraceae): Systematic implications

The relationship ofAmbrosia (ragweed) andFranseria has long been debated. Their treatment as separate genera has been repeatedly challenged. In this study, chloroplast DNA restriction site variation was examined for species from bothAmbrosia andFranseria as well as taxa from the closely related genusHymenoclea. The chloroplast genomes of members of these three genera were examined using 21 restriction endonucleases and the restriction mutations were used to construct phylogenetic trees. Wagner and Dollo parsimony as well as weighted parsimony were employed to compare the different phylogenies. The results support a close relationship betweenAmbrosia andFranseria, but indicate that the two groups are well separated. Compared toFranseria, Ambrosia is a much more strongly supported group, and the results indicate thatHymenoclea is closer toFranseria than toAmbrosia. The cpDNA phylogeny was used as a framework to examine evolutionary trends in morphology and secondary chemistry.     

Embryology ofKyllinga monocephala (Cyperaceae) and its systematic position

Aspects of the life history ofKyllinga monocephala are described. Anther wall development corresponds to the Monocot type. The endothecium shows spiral thickenings. The tapetum is glandular and has uninucleate cells. Ubisch granules are present. Mature pollen grains (pseudomonads) are 3-celled at maturity. Ovules are bitegmic, crassinucellate and develop a funicular obturator. The embryo development conforms to theJuncus-variation of the Onagrad type. Endosperm, seed coat and pericarp are described.     

Leaf structure of species from three closely related genera from tribe Crotoneae Dumort. (Euphorbiaceae s.s., Malpighiales)

Euphorbiaceae s.s. is one of the largest angiosperm families, comprising nine major lineages. Molecular analysis indicated a polyphyletic condition in the subfamily Crotonoideae s.l., with four lineages identified, including one termed inaperturate crotonoids, which encompasses the tribe Crotoneae. Anatomical data were obtained from 15 species of Croton sect. Cyclostigma (Griseb.) Müll. Arg., Brasiliocroton P. Berry & I. Cordeiro and Astraea Klotzsch, which belongs to this lineage. The presence and protodermal origin of the idioblasts with lipophilic content and the interruption of the palisade by collenchyma layers on the adaxial side of the mid vein are common to the Croton L. species analysed and Brasiliocroton. The presence of dorsiventrality, paracytic stomata, collateral vascular bundles, branched non-articulated laticifers and crystal idioblasts in the species studied indicates morphological similarities among the three genera. The interpretation of the stipite of the complex trichomes as emergences is a structural novelty for the group. Leaf anatomy provided an excellent source of characters for future studies of the tribe Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae s.s., Malpighiales).