Molecular evidence for phylogenetic relationships of Jacquemontia reclinata House (Convolvulaceae) – a critically endangered species from south Florida

Jacquemontia reclinata House (Convolvulaceae) is a federally listed endangered species endemic to coastal strand habitat of south-eastern Florida. In order to identify the closest relatives of J. reclinata , a phylogenetic reconstruction was performed based on nucleotide sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and from the trnH-psbA intergenic spacer of chloroplast DNA. The three putative relatives of J. reclinata and the majority of Jacquemontia Choicy species known to occur in the Caribbean Islands were included. The strict consensus tree concurs with previous morphological studies, indicating that J. reclinata is closely related to the Caribbean species J. cayensis Britton, J. curtisii Hallier f., and J. havanensis (Jacq.) Urb. These three species and J. reclinata form an unresolved clade. Nucleotide divergence within this clade is low, suggesting that the group is recent, perhaps diversifying after the latest glacial period. These taxa need to be studied further using population-level DNA markers. Most species endemic to the Caribbean Basin form a strongly supported clade. Our phylogeny supports Convolvulus nodiflorus Desr. as part of Jacquemontia . In addition, J. ovalifolia (West) Hallier f. ssp. sandwicensis (A. Gray) K.R. Robertson is sister to the Antillean endemic J. solanifolia (L.) Hallier f. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 443–454.     

Dendrobium wangliangii (Orchidaceae), a new species belonging to section Dendrobium from Yunnan, China

Dendrobium wangliangii G. W. Hu, C. L. Long & X. H. Jin, a new species from the north of the Yunnan Province in China is described and illustrated. The morphological differences between the new species and the related species, Dendrobium flexicaule , and its endangered status are discussed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 217–221.     

Two new taxa and a new combination for Stipa (Gramineae: Stipeae) in Tunisia

Two new taxa in Stipa L. Sect. Leiostipa Dumort., S. alba and S. letournexii ssp. ignea , are described from southern Tunisia (northern Africa). In addition, the S. letournexii complex is reviewed and a new combination, S. letournexii ssp. tunetana (H.Scholz) F.M. Vázquez, is presented.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 439–444.     

New and reassessed species of Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) in the flora of China

Several problems in Strobilanthes Blume (Acanthaceae: Ruelliae) are clarified as a result of collaboration between Chinese and western botanists. Examination of pollen has permitted clear delimitation of four morphologically similar species, Strobilanthes szechuanica (Batalin) J. R. I. Wood & Y. F. Deng, S. labordei H. Lév., S. wakasana Wakasugi & Naruhashi and S. wilsonii J. R. I. Wood & Y. F. Deng, the latter described for the first time in this paper, although first collected more than a hundred years ago. A key is provided to help distinguish these species. The globose, echinulate pollen found in several species from China and Japan and assigned to the genus Championella by Bremekamp is shown by SEM photography to be distinct from other pollen hitherto regarded as the same. Three new species, S. abbreviata Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood, S. lihengiae Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood and S. vallicola Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood are described. S. austinii C. B. Clarke ex W. W. Sm. is lectotypified to show that it is conspecific with S. lamiifolia (Nees) T. Anderson, a species demonstrating trans-Himalayan links. New combinations are made for four species as the authors recognize only a single genus, Strobilanthes within the Strobilanthinae as defined by Bremekamp. S. gongshanensis Tsui and S. aenobarba W. W. Sm. are shown to be only varieties of S. inflata T. Anderson. Illustrations are provided for all new species.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 369–390.     

A new species of Lavatera Sect. Olbia (Medik.) DC. (Malvaceae) from north-east Morocco

As a result of recent fieldwork in north-east Morocco, a new woody Malvaceae species, Lavatera valdesii Molero & J.M. Monts., is described here. The morphological characters that link it to other species in Sect. Olbia (Medik.) DC. are discussed, as are those traditionally used in defining the species that make up this section. A recently described species of this group, Lavatera plazzae Atzei, is established here as a synonym of L. stenopetala Coss. & Durieu ex Batt., a species previously considered as an endemic of east Algeria. On the basis of morphological characters, we propose the exclusion of both L. thuringiaca and L. cashmiriana Cambess. from Sect. Olbia.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 445–454.     

A new species of Aethionema (Brassicaceae) from the Bulgarian flora

Aethionema rhodopaeum D. Pavlova is described as a new species from the eastern Rhodope Mountains. The plant was found growing only on serpentines, in two localities, at an altitude of approximately 400 m. The localities are typical open habitats with sparsely colonized debris. The plant communities, composed mainly of xerophytes with a mosaic distribution, contain a large number of rare and endemic species for the Bulgarian flora. The new species belongs to the Aethionema saxatile group and is quite close to the species A. saxatile (L.) R. Br., in particular to ssp. creticum and ssp. graecum . The following diagnostic features are given for the new species: inner filament length always greater than half the petal length, lack of teeth of the filaments, longer [2–3(3.5) mm] style than that of A. saxatile subspecies, and dark purple petals. All leaves are broadly elliptical to suborbicular, obtuse, and fleshy. The chromosome number of the new species is 2 n  = 24. The differences between the new species and related taxa are also discussed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 533–540.     

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.     

Elaiophore diversity in three contrasting members of Oncidiinae (Orchidaceae)

The elaiophores of Trichocentrum cavendishianum (Bateman) M.W. Chase & N.H. Williams, Oncidium loefgrenii Cogn., and Gomesa recurva R. Br. display considerable morphological and anatomical diversity. Oil secretion by flowers of T. cavendishianum and O. loefgrenii can be related to the presence of saddle-like, labellar elaiophores and the labellar callus, respectively, whereas, in G. recurva , although oil is present, no obvious structure appears to be involved in its secretion. In the first two species, the secretory tissue consists of palisade-like cells, whereas, in G. recurva , these cells are oval. Many Oncidiinae are thought to mimic members of the Malpighiaceae, and the elaiophores of that family also contain palisade-like cells that may indicate evolutionary convergence. As oils accumulate below the elaiophore cuticle, that of T. cavendishianum becomes distended, whereas that of the other two species does not. Full discharge of oil from the elaiophores of T. cavendishianum probably occurs only after the cuticle is ruptured by a visiting insect, and this may contribute towards pollinator selection.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 135–148.     

Taxonomic notes on the genus Crataegus (Rosaceae) in Turkey

The Turkish Crataegus taxa were investigated using morphological, palynological, and anatomical characters. A new series ( Crataegus Section Crataegus Series Peshmenia ), two new species ( Crataegus peshmenii and Crataegus christensenii ), and one variety ( Crataegus rhipidophylla var. kutahyaensis ) are described. Furthermore, Crataegus  ×  browicziana has been assigned to Crataegus rhipidophylla with a new status. Illustrations of the described taxa and their distribution map are also given. The lectotype for Crataegus yaltirikii is designated here.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 231–240.     

A new species of Heliosperma (Caryophyllaceae) from Serbia and Montenegro

Heliosperma oliverae Niketić & Stevanović is described from Mt. Prokletije in south-west Serbia and north-east Montenegro, together with an estimation of its ecological preferences and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) threat status. A map and illustration are provided. It is compared with seven closely related Balkan endemic taxa: H. macranthum Panić, H. retzdorffianum K. Malý, H. tommasinii Vis., H. insulare Trinajstić, H. chromodontum (Boiss. & Reuter) Juratzka, H. intonsum (Greuter & Melzh.) Niketić & Stevanović, and H. nikolicii (Seliger & T. Wraber) Niketić & Stevanović. An amended key to species and a table showing differences from the related Balkan taxa are also provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 55–63.     

The Rubiaceae of Cabinda (Angola)

A treatment of the Rubiaceae of Cabinda (Angola) is presented based on various herbarium collections. There are 67 genera and 169 species of Rubiaceae represented in the flora of Cabinda. Eight entities are unnamed and could represent new taxa. Identification keys are provided for species and infraspecific taxa. A new combination is made in Rothmannia and two are made in Psychotria. A new name is provided in Psychotria . Eighteen taxa are endemic to Cabinda, two of which are also endemic to Angola. The conservation status of the endemic taxa is unknown due to the lack of collections over the last 40 years. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 455–495.     

Gagea tisoniana, a new species of Gagea Salisb. sect. Gagea (Liliaceae) from central Italy

Gagea tisoniana Peruzzi et al. sp. nov. is described and its taxonomic relationship is discussed. The new species, which appears to be endemic to central Italy, is close to G. pratensis (Pers.) Dumort., G. pusilla (F. W. Schmidt) Sweet, and other mainly poorly known [i.e. G. succedanea Griseb. et Schenk, G. transversalis Stev., and G. paczoskii (Zapal.) Grossh.] or as yet undescribed taxa from eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean area. The recognition of the new taxon G. tisoniana is claimed on the basis of anatomical, karyological, ecological, and phytogeographical data. Maps of the Italian distribution of G. pratensis (2 n  = 60), G. pusilla (2 n  = 24), and G. tisoniana (2 n  = 24) are presented, together with an analytical identification key. Finally, G. pratensis is recorded here for the first time in Tuscany (Monte Cetona).  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 337–347.     

Numerical taxonomy study of Salvia sect. Salvia (Labiatae)

Multivariate analysis was carried out in order to elucidate the taxonomic relationships between Salvia officinalis L., the type species of the genus, and S. fruticosa Mill., both taxa included in section Salvia (Labiatae). Seventy-five different herbarium specimens from all over the Mediterranean Region, belonging to these two taxa, were analysed. Twenty-four specimens belonging to S. lavandulifolia Vahl. s.l. , were used as outgroups. Twenty-six morphological characters were measured and a data matrix was constructed prior to multivariate analysis by means of R software. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to obtain a single dendrogram, applying Ward's minimum variance algorithm. This tree was used as a basis to propose a key for the determination of the species and subspecies studied. S. lavandulifolia is separated in two groups, one belonging to S. officinalis and another one representing what was called S. blancoana . Salvia officinalis L. ssp. gallica (W. Lippert) Reales, D. Rivera & Obón and S. officinalis L. ssp. oxyodon (Webb & Heldr.) Reales, D. Rivera & Obón are discussed as new combinations. In addition, a hybrid between S. officinalis and S. fruticosa is identified and its importance in gardening and cultivation is discussed. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 353–371.     

A new species of Arabis (Brassicaceae) from inner Anatolia

A new species of Arabis L., A. erikii Mutlu sp. nov. , is described and illustrated. The species is restricted to inner Anatolia, south-west of Sivas. It grows on steppes. Diagnostic morphological characters are given for discrimination from the most similar taxa.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 251–256.     

Muscari turcicum (Liliaceae/Hyacinthaceae), a new species from south Anatolia, Turkey

Muscari turcicum Uysal, Ertugrul & Dural (Liliaceae/Hyacinthaceae) is described and illustrated from south Anatolia, Turkey. This species grows on alpine steppe in the Middle Taurus (C4 Konya Province). Muscari turcicum , an endemic confined to the Middle Taurus, is closely related to M. discolor Boiss. & Hausskn. and M. anatolicum Cowley & Özhatay. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and compared with those of closely related taxa.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 233–236.     

A peculiar new Orthotrichum species (Orthotrichaceae, Bryopsida) from central Argentina

A new epiphytic Orthotrichum species ( Orthotrichum spiculatum F. Lara, Garilleti & Mazimpaka sp. nov. ) is described from the sierra of Córdoba (Argentina). The new species has most of the characteristics of subgenus Pulchella (Schimp.) Vitt, but it is unique because of having eight exostome teeth pairs and 16 broad, strongly papillose endostome segments. Additionally, its upper leaves have green, acuminate, dentate–spiculate apices.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 477–482.     

Morphological, vocal and genetic divergence in the Cettia acanthizoides complex (Aves: Cettiidae)

We used morphological, vocal and molecular (one mitochondrial and two nuclear loci) data to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of the taxa acanthizoides , concolor , and brunnescens in the Cettia acanthizoides (J. Verreaux, 1871) complex. We conclude that all three are valid taxa, and that acanthizoides of China and concolor of Taiwan are best treated as conspecific, whereas brunnescens of the Himalayas is better considered as a separate species. The degree of morphological, vocal, and genetic differentiation is variably congruent among all taxa; the recently separated acanthizoides and concolor differ slightly in plumage and structure but are indistinguishable in vocalizations, whereas the earlier diverged brunnescens and acanthizoides/concolor differ only slightly more in morphology but to a much greater degree in vocalizations. We stress the essential nature of taxonomic revisions as a prerequisite for the biodiversity estimates required for conservation planning.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 149 , 437–452.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Flagenium Baill. (Rubiaceae–Octotropideae)

A taxonomic revision of the genus Flagenium Baill. is presented. Flagenium is endemic to Madagascar and comprises six species; three new species are described here ( F. farafanganensis , F. petrikensis , and F. pedunculatum ) and one species ( F. arboreum ) is transferred into synonymy. Each species is fully described, and summaries of distribution, habitat and ecology, and phenology are given; conservation assessments are provided for each species. Flagenium is characterized by having ovaries with at least two erect and two pendulous ovules per locule, which, depending on the species, can display an additional two to four horizontal ovules per locule arranged between the uppermost and lowermost ovules. In addition, Flagenium has a longitudinally ten-ribbed fruit. These features are potentially unique within the Octotropideae.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 557–570.