The genus Mesadenella (Orchidaceae) in Colombia with description of two new species

Two new species of Mesadenella, M. longipetiolata and M. bicordata, are described, illustrated and placed within the key to identification of Colombian Mesadenella species. The information about distribution and ecology of the new species as well as brief taxonomic notes are provided.     

Seed morphology in Moehringia L. and its taxonomic significance in comparative studies within the Caryophyllaceae

Seeds of 30 species of Moehringia and 12 representatives of the Caryophyllaceae were examined with the Scanning Electron Microscope. High diversity was found in seed coat micromorphology, and a number of novel morphological features have been observed. Comparison with other representatives of the Caryophyllaceae has provided new insight into the potential taxonomic value of discrete morphological characters. Though many characters appear informative within Moehringia, they are affected by a high level of homoplasy when considered in a wider phylogenetic context. Smooth seed is the common condition in Moehringia, except for Eastern Balkan and Iberian species that maintain a secondary ornamentation of the testa cells resembling the plesiomorphic Caryophyllaceae-type. Five types of strophioles were recognized, in accordance with previous literature. Among these, the strophiole of the Iberian species appears very distinctive and a proper strophiole could not be verified in M. glochidisperma and M. fontqueri.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mastigostyla</Emphasis> I. M. Johnst. in Bolivia: three new species and new data on <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. cardenasii</Emphasis> R. C. Foster

Four species of Mastigostyla (Iridaceae) from Bolivia are described, illustrated and maps of their distribution provided: M. cardenasii R. C. Foster, M. chuquisacensis Huaylla & Wilkin, M. torotoroensis Huaylla & Wilkin and M. woodii Huaylla & Wilkin, the last three as new species. Mastigostyla gracilis R. C. Foster is synonymised under M. cardenasii R. C. Foster. Notes on conservation status, nomenclature and identification are included. Although some uncertainty exists over generic placement due to phylogenetic systematic research now in progress, marked infraspecific variation is documented for the first time within South American Tigridieae. This draws attention to the need for more extensive sampling if adequate species delimitation is to be achieved in Tigridieae. Photographs illustrate morphological variation in all four species. A key is provided to facilitate identification of Bolivian Mastigostyla.     

On some species ofMycogloea

Three new species ofMycogloea are described and illustrated; they are:M. amethystina from Canada,M. nipponica, from Japan, andM. bullata from Thailand.Mycogloea tahitiensis is reported from Japan and additional undescribed taxa in the genus are briefly noted. Some characteristics of the genus are discussed, and a key is provided for six species recognized at this time.     

Nesting biology,life cycle,and interactions between females of Manuelia postica,a solitary species of the Xylocopinae (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

The Xylocopinae contains four tribes with species which show a range of nesting habits, from solitary to social. The Manueliini is the sister group to all other Xylocopine tribes, with one genus, Manuelia, of three species found mainly in Chile. This is a solitary genus, whose biology is scarcely known for two species, M. gayatina and M. gayi, and so far completely unknown for M. postica. This paper reports on nesting substrates, nest architecture, nesting behaviours, life cycle, and interactions between females at nesting sites, for M. postica. The results indicate that M. postica presents some features which are typical of solitary life, and also some features which are unusual in solitary bees but have been reported in phylogenetically more apical social species. Our findings open interesting questions on the ecological scenarios involved in the evolution of sociality within the Xylocopinae.     

Seven new species of Miliusa (Annonaceae) from Thailand

Seven new species of the genus Miliusa are described from Thailand (M. fragrans, M. hirsuta, M. intermedia, M. nakhonsiana, M. sessilis, M. thailandica, and M. umpangensis). A key to the 19 species of Miliusa in Thailand is provided. In addition, the complete taxonomic nomenclature of all known species of Miliusa in Thailand is given, with several new proposed synonyms. The new as well as the known species of Miliusa in Thailand are classified into four morphological groups on the basis of a combination of flower and/or inflorescence position and inner petal morphology proposed earlier.     

Bryophytes of St Helena,South Atlantic Ocean. 1. Three new species of Cololejeunea (Jungermanniales,Lejeuneaceae), C. dianae sp. nov., C. sanctae-helenae sp. nov. and C. grossestyla sp. nov.

Abstract

Three new species of Cololejeunea, C. dianae M. Wigginton, C. sanctae-helenae M. Wigginton and C. grossestyla M. Wigginton are described and illustrated from St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean. Details of their distributions are provided, and differences between the new taxa and other species of Cololejeunea are discussed. This is also the first report of the genus Cololejeunea from St Helena.     

Allozyme variation in relation to morphology and taxonomy inMedicago sect.Spirocarpos subsect.Intertextae (Fabaceae)

Medicago intertexta andM. ciliaris have been controversially recognized as separate species. The only reliable diagnostic character, gland-tipped trichomes on the fruits inM. ciliaris, is controlled by presence of a single dominant allele, and such one-character taxonomies are debatable. Contributing to the difficulty,M. muricoleptis andM. granadensis, the other two species ofMedicago sectionSpirocarpos subsectionIntertextae, are sometimes confusingly similar toM. intertexta or to each other. Allozyme differences provided 95% verification of the suitability of the gland-tipped trichome character for separatingM. intertexta andM. ciliaris, thus corroborating their recognition as separate taxa. Several measures of allozyme variation indicated thatM. intertexta is more polymorphic than its sister species. Heterozygosity was also highest inM. intertexta, suggestive of a higher outcrossing rate, which is also consistent with larger floral size. Heterozygosity ofM. intertexta was concentrated in Sicily and nearby countries. Taxonomic difficulties in identifying SicilianM. intertexta are well known, and may be the result of interspecific hybridization and introgression.Medicago muricoleptis differed from the above two species in the frequency of several alleles, whileM. granadensis possessed numerous unique alleles consistent with its complete absence of genetic exchange with the other three substantially interfertile species.     

A new deltocephaline leafhopper genus,Melanetettix, from Melanesia (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Melanetettix gen. nov. is described from Melanesia for 22 new species of leafhoppers. The new species fall into four groups. New species described are M. bicolor, M. bifidus, M. capitatus, M. curvatus, M. delmoi, M. elongatus, M. maai, M. marginatus, M. ocellatus, M. pallidus, M. rhamphodes, M. roseus, M. semeraroae, M. sinuatus, M. aculeus, M. bifurcatus, M. truncatus, M. clavatus, M. ensiferus, M. nielsoni, M. rotundatus and M. alatus. An identification key to the new species is provided along with discussion of the affinities of Melanetettix, which is close to Scaphoideus Uhler.     

Interactions between Ants and Non‐myrmecochorous Fruits in Miconia (Melastomataceae) in a Neotropical Savanna

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ants as secondary seed dispersers of six primarily bird‐dispersed Miconia species in the cerrados of southeastern Brazil. Vertebrate exclosure and seed germination experiments were performed for M. albicans, M. alborufescens, M. corallina, M. ferruginata, M. ibaguensis, and M. irwinii. Excluding vertebrates did not significantly alter fruit removal rate for any of the Miconia species relative to open controls. Fruits on stalks and fallen fruits were removed and transported to nests mainly by species of Atta, Acromyrmex, and Ectatomma (dispersal distance ranging from 0.1 to 45.2 m), while Camponotus ants tended to be observed removing the fruit pulp (seed cleaning) where the fruits were found. Seed manipulation by Atta decreased germination of M. irwinii, but not M. ferruginata. Germination did not occur in intact fruits, and thus seed cleaning was an important service provided by the ants. Ant nest soils did not inhibit germination of any of the Miconia species, suggesting they are a good substrate for long‐lived Miconia seeds. We conclude that ant activity could have important effects on the fate of Miconia seeds adapted for bird dispersal.     

Pleosporales in Japan (3). The genus Massarina

 Twelve species of the genus Massarina collected from Japan are reported in this article. Among them, 4 new species, M. constricta, M. japonica, M. submediana, and M. uniserialis, are described, illustrated, and compared to similar species. Two species, M. scirpina and M. ryukyuensis, are described as new combination, and 4 species, M. arundinariae, M. fluviatilis, M. peerallyi, and M. rubi, are reported from Japan for the first time. One bambusicolous species, Metasphaeria tuberculosa, is considered to be a synonym of Massarina bambusina. Received: December 13, 2002 / Accepted: February 6, 2003 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Shuhei Tanaka, curator of YAM (Yamaguchi University), for the loan of specimens for this study.     

Miliusa cambodgensis sp. nov. (Annonaceae) from Cambodia and M. astiana,M. ninhbinhensis spp. nov. from Vietnam

The genus Miliusa in Cambodia and Vietnam is reviewed. Cambodia and Vietnam each harbors six species of Miliusa, including three which are described as new to science: one from Cambodia (Miliusa cambodgensis sp. nov.), the other two from Vietnam (M. astiana and M. ninhbinhensis spp. nov.). In addition, a complete nomenclature and relevant information about the Miliusa species previously known from Cambodia and Vietnam are provided, including keys to the Cambodian and Vietnamese species, the designation of a lectotype for M. baillonii and the synonymization of M. balansae var. elongatoides, M. chunii and M. sinensis with M. balansae.     

C3-C4 PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE GENUS MOLLUGO: STRUCTURE,PHYSIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION OF INTERMEDIATE CHARACTERISTICS

The genus Mollugo has been reported to have species which are C₄ plants and a C₃-C₄ intermediate. In the present paper, we report on the anatomy and photosynthetic physiology of three additional species in the Molluginaceae, M. pentaphylla, M. nudicaulis, and M. lotoides, all of which possess some anatomical and physiological features of both C₃ and C₄ plants. Most notable among the variable C₃-C₄ features are C₄-like bundle sheath cells, along with a C₃-like arrangement of palisade and spongy parenchyma. M. nudicaulis appeared to have lower photorespiration based on its CO₂ compensation point and lower oxygen sensitivity of photosynthesis. The occurrence of polyploidy within this group of plants and its relationship to lower photorespiration or evolution of these species is discussed.     

Myrtlemiris,a new genus and new species of Australian plant bugs (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae): systematics,phylogeny and host associations

A new Australian genus of Orthotylinae, Myrtlemiris Cheng, Mututantri & Cassis gen.n. , is described, with nine included species described as new to science (M. agnew sp.n. , M. astartephila sp.n. , M. meanarra sp.n. , M. newmanensis sp.n. , M. rubrocuneatus sp.n. , M. russulatus sp.n. , M. silveirae sp.n. , M. tesselatus sp.n. , M. yalgoo sp.n. ). A phylogenetic analysis based on 39 morphological characters is presented for all Myrtlemiris species and 6 outgroup taxa. This analysis establishes Myrtlemiris as monophyletic, defined by a broad apophysis on the left paramere. A key to species is provided and diagnostic characters are illustrated. Myrtlemiris is endemic to southwest Western Australia. Host plants for Myrtlemiris species are near restricted to the myrtaceous tribe Chamelaucieae.     

A new species of Mysella Angas, 1877 (Bivalvia: Galeommatoidea) from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica, with data on its biology and functional anatomy

Mysella narchii sp. nov. is described from the material collected in shallow-waters of Admiralty Bay at King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica. The species is characterized by shell features, biology and functional anatomy. The main shell features distinguishing M. narchii sp. nov. from all other Antarctic, Subantarctic and Magellanic Mysella spp. are provided, as are anatomical characteristics that separate this new species from M. charcoti (Lamy, 1906), its most similar congener and the first Antarctic species studied in its morpho-functional aspects. M. narchii sp. nov. is an infaunal, free-living, predominantly deposit-feeding bivalve; its creeping sole and the secretion of byssal threads allow it to crawl vertically and live sporadically on firm substrata.     

Taxonomic revision of the land snail genera Macrochlamys Gray, 1847 and Sarika Godwin-Austen, 1907 (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae) from south-eastern Myanmar,with descriptions of three new species

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of Myanmar land snails is based on the late eighteenth to early twentieth century literature and many species need to be re-investigated, especially in the genera Macrochlamys Gray, 1847 and Sarika Godwin-Austen, 1907. In order to update this knowledge, this paper presents information on these two related genera based on new materials from south-eastern Myanmar. Fifteen species are recognised in the south-east of Myanmar. Of these, live material was available for eight Macrochlamys and Sarika species and these are described in full herein, based on data from the shell, external morphology and genitalia, including three species new to science (M. brachystia n. sp., S. concavata n. sp. and S. lopa n. sp.) and five species redescribed (M. aspides, M. kelantanensis, M. petasus, S. consepta and S. obesior). The remaining five species are known only from their shell morphology (M. cauisa, M. perpaula, M. poongee, M. salwinensis and S. birmana) and two species are known from genitalia (S. dugasti and S. resplendens). For these species the shells are figured and some taxonomic remarks are provided.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:58D2A9E7-50FD-49C2-B2F4-4D00457EA331     

New species of Mendoncia (Acanthaceae) from Colombia

Two new Colombia species ofMendoncia,M. zarucchii from Vaupés andM. antioquiensis from Antioquia, are described, illustrated, and compared with their closest relatives. A revised key to the Colombian species closely following Leonard is provided.     

Musculature of the male terminalia in geometrid moths of the subfamily Larentiinae (Lepidoptera,Geometridae)

The morphology of the male terminalia of 16 species belonging to 12 tribes of Larentiinae was studied; for 12 species and 4 tribes it was done for the first time. No clear diagnosis of Larentiinae based on the features of the male genital musculature can be given since the apomorphic position of M1, M4, and M7 muscles may originate independently in different tribes. The primitive Larentiinae retain the pattern of genital musculature plesiomorphic for Geometridae. Muscles M11 (Melanthiini: Anticollix sparsata) and M22 (Asthenini: Euchoeca nebulata and Hydrelia flammeolaria) are described for the first time for the family Geometridae.     

Morphometric analysis ofMacaca arctoides andM. thibetana in relation to other macaque species

As a first step in reviewing the classification of the two stump-tailed macaque species,Macaca arctoides andM. thibetana, as compared with other species of the genusMacaca, 72 linear dental and cranial variables of 11 macaque species were examined by morphometric analyses. The results indicate that the two stump-tailed species are the largest of the macaques and although rather similar overall, they exhibit significant differences in the pattern of variation in most of the five skull regions as shown by Principal Components and Canonical Variate Analyses. Euclidean Distances based on Canonical Variate scores indicate that the females ofM. arctoides andM. thibetana are more widely separated than eight other pairs of macaque species, and that the separations of the respective males are greater than those of three other pairs of species. These findings are consistent withFooden's classification of the stump-tailed macaques as two separate species (Fooden, 1976;Fooden et al., 1985). The present results suggest, as other researchers have proposed on the basis of external features, biochemistry and genetics, that the two stump-tailed macaque species andM. assamensis are closely related. The results also tentatively imply associations withM. fuscata andM. sylvanus but these require further study. The findings have implications for the assessment of the various Chinese Pleistocene macaque fossils.