A taxonomic revision of the genera Phrygionis Hübner and Pityeja Walker (Geometridae: Ennominae, Palyadini)

Phrygionis and Pityeja belong to the Palyadini, a tribe of neotropical Ennominae. The moths of both genera bear striking wing markings and mere variants were frequently described as species with the consequence that species diversity was overestimated. Numerous taxonomic changes are made in this work based on the study of primary types and much other material. Variation and distribution is recorded for each species and subspecies. Phylogenetic relationships within Phrygionis are examined, and comments are made on the evolution of wing pattern within this genus.
Fifteen full species are recognized in this study (13 in Phrygionis and two in Pityeja ), of which four (all in Phrygionis ) are described as new; 19 species-group (specific and subspecific) names refer to valid taxa. Twenty-four species-group names are synonymized (19 in Phrygionis and five in Pityeja ) and five are recombined with different genera (four with Phrygionis and one with Pityeja ). Three generic names are synonymized (one in Phrygionis and two in Pityeja ).     

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.     

海南产鳞始蕨属(鳞始蕨科)的分类学修订

澄清海南有鳞始蕨属Lindsaea Dryand.植物11种和1变种,其中碎叶鳞始蕨L. chingii C. Chr.为海南分布新记录。讨论了团叶鳞始蕨L. orbiculata (Lam.) Mett. ex Kuhn和钱氏鳞始蕨L. chienii Ching的形态变异。4个学名, 即L. annamensis K. U. Kramer、海南鳞始蕨L. hainanensis Ching、封开鳞始蕨L. fengkaiensis B. S. Wang &; S. H. Shi和海岛鳞始蕨L. orbiculata var. commixta (Tagawa) K. U. Kramer处理为异名。列出了分种检索表, 在每一分类群下列有文献引证、标本引证、生境及分布资料。     

Towards a taxonomic revision of the genus Echinococcus

Echinococcus remains a significant public health problem worldwide and, in several regions, the aetiological agents of cystic hydatid disease/echinococcosis are extending their range. The taxonomy of Echinococcus has been a controversial issue for decades, but the outcome of recent molecular epidemiological studies has served to reinforce proposals made ten years ago to revise the taxonomy of Echinococcus. A formal nomenclature is essential for effective communication, and provides the stability that underpins epidemiological investigations. It will also serve to recognize the contribution of early taxonomists.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Heterosmilax (Smilacaceae)

Heterosmilax, a small southeastern Asiatic genus in the Smilacaceae, comprises 11 species in two sections, includingH. micrandra, which is described as new from Hainan, China. These taxa are taxonomically discussed, described, illustrated, and a key is provided to differentiate them.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Pachyrhizus (Fabaceae -Phaseoleae)

The genus Pachyrhizus is revised in order to establish the distribution of the species and their variation. Three species in cultivation ( P. erosus, P. tuberosus and P. ahipa ) and two species only occurring in the wild ( P. ferrugineus and P. panamensis ) are recognized. P. strigosus is considered conspecific with P. erosus . All the infraspecific taxa proposed by Clausen are considered untenable. The new combination P. ferrugineus is made for what was previously know as P. vernalis .     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Perdicium (Compositae -Mutisieae)

In connection with a revision of Gerbera L. nom. cons. in Africa the genus Perdicium L. is revised. The genus includes two species, P. capense L. and P. leiocarpum DC. in the Western Cape Region of South Africa.     

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 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 genus Tordylium L. (Apiaceae)

The four related genera: Ainsworthia Boiss., Tordylium L., Synelcosciadium Boiss. and Mandenovia Alava are revised. Data are presented from detailed gross morphology, mericarp surface features and anatomy, and palynology.
The results show: (1) Ainsmorthia and Synelcosciadium are congeneric with the genus Tordylium, and that Mandenovia is a good monotypic genus; (2) Tordylium persicum is synonymous with 7. cappadocicum and 7. aegaeum with 7. pestalozzae; (3) the genus Tordylium is best divided into subgenus Tordylium (including Synelcosciadium) and subgenus Ainsworthia (Boiss.) Drude. The latter is divided into section Condylocarpus (Hoffm.) DC, section Hasselquistia (L.) Boiss. and section Univittata Drude.
A new species of Tordylium is described, and two new combinations made. A taxonomic treatment of the genus 'Tordylium', together with a key to the species, is given.     

A revision of the genus Dinofelis (Mammalia, Felidae)

This paper consists of a taxonomic and systematic revision of the extinct felid genus Dinofelis (Felidae, Ma-chairodontinae) and an analysis of its ecomorphology and evolution. Dinofelis has a broad distribution, with material from all northern continents and Africa, the latter of which was the apparent centre of evolution of the genus. We describe new material of Dinofelis from a number of sites in eastern Africa and reconsider all previously described material. We name two new species and identify several other distinct species-level taxa but refrain from naming these due to a paucity of well-preserved material. At the same time, we synonymize the two named Asian species, D. cristata and D. abeli , of which the former has priority. There are few characters useful in systematic analysis, but we can suggest at least one migration from eastern to southern Africa. Ecomorphological analysis of both craniodental and postcranial characters suggests that Dinofelis in many respects converged on modern pantherine cats in morphology and behaviour, a trend culminating in the South African D. barlowi and the Asian D. cristata , which are the most pantherine-like of all machairodont felids. This trend is reversed in the evolution of the youngest species, D. piveteaui , which is also the most machairodont in its ecomorphology. The timing of the extinction of Dinofelis is difficult to determine. Outside Africa material is scarce at all times, while in Africa the apparent extinction of Dinofelis at about 1.4 Mya coincides with the end of the good, semi-continuous fossil record present in eastern Africa from about 4 Mya onwards. Dating of Kanam East (with D. piveteaui) to the Jaramillo Subchron (1.070-0.990 Mya) suggests possible survival considerably later. Thus, the extinction datum for Dinofelis cannot at present be firmly established.