Hawaiian novelties in Clermontia (Lobeliaceae). Hawaiian plant studies 114

Clermontia earina H. St. John, C. mannii H. St. John and C. oblongifolia Gaud. f. glabra H. St. John, all from Hawaii, are described as new.     

Conservation genetics of the endangered endemic Hawaiian genus Brighamia (Campanulaceae)

The endemic Hawaiian genus Brighamia (Campanulaceae) comprises two federally endangered, morphologically similar species, B. insignis from Kaua`i and Ni`ihau and B. rockii from Moloka`i. To assist the design of conservation management programs for these taxa, isozyme analyses were performed to assess the levels of genetic diversity at the population and species levels, including comparisons within and among seven natural populations and one ex situ collection each of B. insignis and B. rockii. Our sampling (N = 80) represents ~41% of all known individuals in the wild. Isozyme analyses revealed levels of genetic variation comparable to those reported for other Hawaiian flowering plant taxa but low levels of genetic variation at the population and species levels when compared to flowering plants in general. Ex situ individuals (N = 61) were genetically representative of natural populations and hence may appropriately serve as stock for population augmentations. The two morphologically similar Brighamia species were highly distinct genetically. The combination of morphological and ecological similarity with allozymic dissimilarity observed in Brighamia is unique among the Hawaiian taxa studied to date.     

Artificial hybridization in the Hawaiian endemic genus Labordia (Loganiaceae)

Cross-pollinations were performed within and among eight species of Labordia from Oahu, Molokai, and Hawaii, and one species from Guam of the closely related genus Geniostoma. Detailed floral examination confirmed that the species are functionally dioecious, i.e., a given individual lacks either ovules or pollen grains. Female inflorescences bagged to prevent pollination never produced seed, but intraspecific crosses between male and female individuals nearly always yielded fruits with viable seed (>80%). Interspecific crosses between species from different islands and separate taxonomic sections of the genus also yielded good fruit set (>55%). Interspecific F1 hybrids were vigorous and appeared to be morphologically intermediate to their parents. Intergeneric crosses between Geniostoma and Labordia failed. Chromosome counts from Labordia species were found to be 2n = 80 or 2n =~80, twice the chromosome complement of two collections examined from its postulated ancestor, Geniostoma rupestre. Labordia species are distinct morphologically, ecologically, and geographically but apparently lack genetic barriers to interbreeding. This suggests that geographical and ecological isolation, recentness of colonization, and/or rapid speciation have been important factors in the origin of species of Labordia.     

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution of the endemic Hawaiian genus Adenophorus (Grammitidaceae)

Recent studies of the phylogeny of several groups of native Hawaiian vascular plants have led to significant insights into the origin and evolution of important elements of the Hawaiian flora. No groups of Hawaiian pteridophytes have been subjected previously to rigorous phylogenetic analysis. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the endemic Hawaiian fern genus Adenophorus employing DNA sequence variation from three cpDNA fragments: rbcL, atpbeta, and the trnL-trnF intergenic spacer (IGS). In the phylogenetic analyses we employed maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. Bayesian phylogenetic inference often provided stronger support for hypothetical relationships than did nonparametric bootstrap analyses. Although phylogenetic analyses of individual DNA fragments resulted in different patterns of relationships among species and varying levels of support for various clades, a combined analysis of all three sets of sequences produced one, strongly supported phylogenetic hypothesis. The primary features of that hypothesis are: (1) Adenophorus is monophyletic; (2) subgenus Oligadenus is paraphyletic; (3) the enigmatic endemic Hawaiian species Grammitis tenella is strongly supported as the sister taxon to Adenophorus; (4) highly divided leaf blades are evolutionarily derived in the group and simple leaves are ancestral; and, (5) the biogeographical origin of the common ancestor of the Adenophorus-G. tenella clade remains unresolved, although a neotropical origin seems most likely.     

A remarkable new genus and species of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) from the Hawaiian Islands

Abstract. Aumakua omaomao gen.n., sp.n. (Noctuidae: Cuculliinae) from the Hawaiian Islands is described; the adults, wing venation and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated. The systematic position of Aumakua gen.n. is discussed, its status as a Hawaiian endemism is considered and the habitats of A.omaomao sp.n. are described.     

Monograph of the moss genus Macrodictyum (Broth.) E.H.Hegew. (Dicranaceae)

Abstract

Macrodictyum is a small acrocarpous moss genus of three species (M. latifolium (E.B.Bartram) M.J.Price, M. proliferum (Mitt.) E.H.Hegew., M. wrightii (Sull.) E.H.Hegew.). It grows in tufts and mats on trees or rocks at 450–1500 m in the Neotropics. The genus has a restricted distribution within the Neotropics and is currently known from only a few localities in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and southeastern Brazil. Macrodictyum is characterized by four main features: 1) appressed, non-crispate, ovate–oblong, lingulate to ligulate or linear leaves; 2) large, rhomboidal, thin-walled cells in the upper leaf; 3) large, irregular, multicellular apical teeth; and 4) guide cells that are ventral at and above mid-leaf. These features are atypical of the Dicranaceae. However, Macrodictyum shares pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure with the large pantropical Dicranaceous genus Holomitrium Brid. In these two genera the peristome consists of 16 single, triangular, entire or weakly divided, fenestrate, striate teeth that are papillose throughout on both the inner and outer surfaces. Macrodictyum is retained in the Dicranoideae (Dicranaceae), close to Holomitrium, based on its pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure.     

Novelties in HawaiianPittosporum (Pittosporaceae) Hawaiian Plant studies 117

Based on morphology there are describedPittosporum kilaueae, andP. lanaiense, both from the Hawaiian Islands. The genusPittosporum is well represented in the Hawaiian Islands, and it has received much study. The local representatives have been monographed by Sherff (1942), by Haas (1977), and by St. John (1977). Two more novelties have been discovered, and they are here described.     

Seasonal testosterone pattern in Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi).

Blood samples from four captive male Hawaiian monk seals were collected at intervals of one month for one year for testosterone assay. Plasma testosterone concentrations, measured by radioimmunoassay, revealed a clear seasonal pattern. The lowest mean testosterone concentration (0.09 +/- 0.04 ng ml-1) occurred in January, and the highest (1.78 +/- 0.40 ng ml-1) in June. The seasonal occurrence of births and of injuries related to mating in wild populations of Hawaiian monk seals showed a distinct association with the period of high testosterone. This study supports other data that indicate that the Hawaiian monk seal is a seasonal breeder and is reproductively active for longer than monachine seals that live in higher latitudes.     

Chromosomal evolution in the lizard genus Varanus (reptilia).

The karyotypes have been determined of 16 of the 32 species of the genus Varanus, including animals from Africa, Israel, Malaya and Australia. A constant chromosome number of 2n = 40 was observed. The karyotype is divided into eight pairs of large chromosomes and 12 paris of microchromosomes. A series of chromosomal rearrangements have become established in both size groups of the karyotype and are restricted to centromers shifts, probably caused by pericentric inversion. Species could be placed in one of six distinct karyotype groups which are differentiated by these rearrangements and whose grouping does not always correspond with the current taxonomy. An unusual sex chromosome system of the ZZ/ZW type was present in a number of the species examined. The evolutionary significance of these chromosomal rearrangements, their origin and their mode of establishment are discussed and related to the current taxonomic groupings. The most likely phylogenetic model based on chromosome morphology, fossil evidence and the current distribution of the genus Varanus is presented.     

Studies in the genus Maieta (Melastomataceae)

The intraspecific variation found withinMaieta guianensis Aublet is discussed, and a new variety,M. guianensis Aublet var.leticana Whiffin, is described. The variation found withinM. poeppigii Mart, ex Triana is compared to that withinM. guianensis, and a possible vegetative difference between the two species is discussed. A key to the taxa is provided.     

Studies in the genus Physaria (Cruciferae)

Building upon a taxonomic treatment ofPhysaria published in 1939, an extension of information concerning the genus is presented. Comments on misapplication of the nameP. acutifolia Rydb., a new trichome type forPhysaria, and a high elevation species in Colorado are accompanied by the presentation of four new taxa. These areP. alpina, P. eburniflora, P. lepidota, andP. newberryi var.racemosa.     

Auditory sensitivity of Hawaiian moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and selective predation by the Hawaiian hoary bat (Chiroptera: Lasiurus cinereus semotus).

The islands of Hawai'i offer a unique opportunity for studying the auditory ecology of moths and bats since this habitat has a single species of bat, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), which exerts the entire predatory selection pressure on the ears of sympatric moths. I compared the moth wings discarded by foraging bats with the number of surviving moths on the island of Kaua'i and concluded that the endemic noctuid Haliophyle euclidias is more heavily preyed upon than similar-sized endemic (e.g. Agrotis diplosticta) and adventive (Agrotis ipsilon and Pseudaletia unipuncta) species. Electrophysiological examinations indicated that, compared with species less preyed upon, H. euclidias has lower auditory sensitivities to the bat's social and echolocation calls, which will result in shorter detection distances of the bat. The poor ears of H. euclidias suggest that this moth coevolved with the bat using non-auditory defences that resulted in auditory degeneration. This moth now suffers higher predation because it is drawn away from its normal habitat by the man-made lights that are exploited by the bat.