Molecular evidence of reticulate evolution in the subgenus Plantago (Plantaginaceae)

Polyploidization is a frequent evolutionary event in plants that has a large influence on speciation and evolution of the genome. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the taxonomically complex subgenus Plantago were conducted to elucidate intrasubgeneric phylogenetic relationships. A nuclear-encoding single-copy gene, SUC1 (1.0-1.8 kb), was sequenced in 24 taxa representing all five sections of the subgenus Plantago and two taxa from subgenus Coronopus as the outgroup. Fifteen known polyploids and one putative polyploid were sampled to examine polyploid origins and occurrence of reticulate evolution by cloning and sequence analysis of SUC1. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated using maximum parsimony, neighbor-joining, and Bayesian analyses. For the first time, our analysis provides a highly resolved phylogenetic tree. Subgenus Plantago formed a well-supported monophyletic clade. In contrast, alleles from polyploid species were scattered across the whole SUC1 phylogenetic tree, and some independent allopolyploids originated from hybridization between distant lineages. One reason for this taxonomic complexity can be attributed to reticulate evolution within the subgenus Plantago. Our results also suggest the possibility of two independent long-distance dispersals between the northern and southern hemispheres.     

A taxonomic review of Iris L. series Unguiculares (Diels) Lawrence

DAVIS, A. P. & JURY, S. L., 1990. A review of Iris L. series Unguiculares (Diels) Lawrence (Iridaceae) . The morphology, pollen, chromosomes and distribution of these plants are discussed and a new systematic account of the series is given.     

A new taxonomic treatment of the Festuca ovina L. aggregate (Poaceae) in the British Isles

A new taxonomic treatment of the Festuca ovina L. aggregate (Poaceae) in the British Isles. A wide range of morphological, anatomical and cytological characters was collected and analysed by a variety of methods, some taxometric. As a result nine species are recognized in the British Isles, one (F. glauca Vill.) only as a garden plant and two (F. huonii Auquier and F. armoricana Kerguélen) only in the Channel Isles. Two other species sometimes claimed for the British Isles (F. guestfalica Boenn. ex Reichb. and F. indigesta Boiss.) are excluded for various reasons given. One species (F. ovina L.) is divided into three subspecies: the diploid subsp. ovina (commonest in the north); and the tetraploid subsp. hirtula (Hackel ex Travis) M. Wilkinson (the commonest taxon of the aggregate in the British Isles) and subsp. ophioliticola (Kerguélen) M. Wilkinson (scattered throughout the British Isles, but commonest on chalk and limestone and not restricted to serpentine soils as once thought).     

A taxonomic study of Jamesia (Hydrangeaceae)

Jamesia (Hydrangeaceae) is endemic to western North America from the southern Rocky Mountains in southeastern Wyoming and Colorado west across the Great Basin to the southern Sierra Nevada and south through New Mexico and southeastern Arizona to Chihuahua and Nuevo León. Its distinctiveness and Oligocene fossil record suggest that it is an old genus. The genus comprises five geographically distinct taxa that can be grouped into two species. One of these,Jamesia americana, is further divided into four varieties, the second of which is new, and the fourth of which assumes a name older than that in current use:J. americana var.americana, var.zionis, var.macrocalyx, and var.rosea. The second species,J. tetrapetala, is new.     

A taxonomic study on the genus Harpapion Voss, 1966 from China (Coleoptera,Apionidae)

Harpapion safranum sp. n. and Harpapion borisi sp. n. are described and figured. Harpapion vietnamense (Korotyaev, 1987) is recorded as new for China. The genitalia andterminalia of H. considerandum, H. coelebs andH. vietnamense are redescribed and redrawn. The diagnostic characters of Harpapion are defined. A key to the known species of the genus Harpapion from China is provided. Affinities with the genus Flavopodapion Korotyaev, 1987 are discussed.     

A palynotaxonomic study of the genus Filipendula (Rosaceae)

Pollen grains from 15 species (18 taxa) of the genus Filipendula were examined with light and scan-ning electron microscopy. It was revealed that the pollen grains are isopolar, tricolporate, with scabrate or scabrate-microechinate surface. The pollen morphology was compared with the conventional classification sys-tems of the genus by different authors, and supported Shimizu's system (1961), in which the genus was divided into three subgenera. The monotypic subgen. Hypogyna is characterized by pollen lacking fastigium and thickened costae colpi. The other monotypic subgen. Filipendula differs from others by pollen having larger grain, larger pore size, longitudinally elliptic fastigium and thickened costae colpi. The largest subgen. Ulmaria is distinguished by pollen having rounded or latitudinally elliptic fastigium and thickened costae colpi. Sectional classification was not supported by the pollen morphology due to insufficient variability.     

Phylogeny of Early Cretaceous spatangoids (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) and taxonomic implications

A phylogenetic analysis of 36 species provides a test for the taxonomy and the history of Early Cretaceous spatangoids. Most taxonomic units from genera to suborders are consistent with the proposed phylogenetic framework. We retain Hemiasterina, Micrasterina, Hemiasteridae, Schizasteridae, Hemiaster , Heteraster , Mecaster , and Periaster as original monophyletic groups. However, all of these clades originate without the classical apomorphies normally ascribed to them. We suggest a revision of their diagnoses and of the generic attributions of basal species. Some ill-defined, 'primitive', and paraphyletic taxa are recognised: Toxaster , Epiaster , Palhemiaster , and Toxasteridae. Even if they do not have phylogenetic meaning, they are retained here, pending a more complete revision.     

Enzyme etching treatment as an aid in the study of seed surface sculpture in Justicia and Rue Ilia (Acanthaceae)

LESTER, R. N. & EZCURRA, C, 1991. Enzyme etching treatment as an aid in the study of seed surface sculpture in Justicia and Ruellia (Acanthaceae). Enzyme etching treatment of seeds of Justicia was tested before scanning electron microscope examination. On all species tested the treatment removed the outer periclinal walls of the epidermal cells of the seeds, revealing the shape and morphology of the anticlinal walls. This treatment provides additional characters of the structure of the testa that may be useful in assessing relationships between species in this large and complex genus, but it proved useless in Ruellia. Here the seeds produce a coat of mucilage when moistened that completely protects the testa from the action of even extensive enzyme treatment.     

Pollen morphology of the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae (Boraginaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula and its taxonomic significance

DÍEZ, M. J. & VALDÉS, B., 1991. Pollen morphology of the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae (Boraginaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula and its taxonomic significance.
The pollen morphology of 33 species of Boraginaceae from the Iberian Peninsula belonging to the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae has been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The results confirm the eurypalinous character of this family, in which a large number of species can be recognized by their pollen characters.
The pollen of these two tribes is basically heterocolpate, a type which is very uncommon in the angiosperms, with 6, 8 or 10 apertures, sometimes with ectoapertures anastomosed at the equator (ectocingulum), or diorate, minute or small in size, outline elliptic or rectangular-elliptic in equatorial view, with or without a constriction at the equator, exine 0.5-1.0 urn thick and the tectum psilate with granules around the colpi. The similarity in shape and apertural system found in several genera such as Asperugo, Gyrocarion and Omphalodes, and some species of Myosotis, does not permit the two tribes to be distinguished on pollen characters. The generic limits of Cynoglossum and the infrageneric classification of Myosotis are discussed.     

Revision of the subgenus Ceranthia Robineau-Desvoidy of the genus Siphona Meigen of Japan (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Japanese species of the subgenus Ceranthia Robineau‐Desvoidy are revised. Five species are recognized in Japan, three of which are described as new to science: Siphona (Ceranthia) angusta, S. (C.) nigra and S. (C.) setigera. A key to Japanese species is provided and male terminalia are illustrated. Monophyly of this group is discussed.     

Isozyme variation and phylogenetic relationships in Vicia subgenus Cracca (Fabaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The phylogenetic relationships among 27 vetch species belonging to the subgenus Cracca of the genus Vicia were studied in comparison with three species of Lathyrus section Lathyrus on the basis of isozyme variation. METHODS: Isozymes encoded by 15 putative loci of ten enzymes were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isozyme variation was analysed by using parsimony and neighbour-joining methods. KEY RESULTS: The analyses revealed 63 parsimony-informative and 36 species-specific orthozymes. Of the latter, 23 are monomophic and are suitable for identification of V. benghalensis, V. palaestina, V. dumetorum, V. pisiformis, V. sylvatica, V. onobrychioides, V. cappadocica, V. cretica, V. articulata, V. tetrasperma, V. ervilia, V. hirsuta and V. loiseleurii. Polymorphism with heterozygous and homozygous isozyme genotypes was found for V. cracca, V. tenuifolia, V. ochroleuca, V. villosa, V. sylvatica, V. cassubica, V. sparsiflora, V. megalotropis, V. altissima, V. onobrychioides, V. cassia, V. cretica and L. heterophyllus, reflecting outcrossing in these species. By contrast, V. benghalensis, V. palaestina, V. disperma, V. dumetorum, V. pisiformis, V. orobus, V. pauciflora, V. tetrasperma and V. loiseleurii had only homozygous isozyme genotypes at polymorphic loci. Isozyme-based phylogenetic trees are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Sections Cracca, Ervum, Pedunculatae and Lenticula of traditional taxonomy are monophyletic groups, whereas sections Oroboideae (= Vicilla) and Panduratae appear polyphyletic and section Cassubicae is split into two species-couples linked at a low level of support. Treatment of ervoid species in a separate subgenus Ervum is not supported because of its polyphyly.     

A taxonomic study of theCalamagrostis tashiroi group (Poaceae)

TheCalamagrostis tashiroi group was taxonomically revised by examination of population samples from four areas and herbarium specimens. Results of the morphological examination, coupled with observations of the habitats, showed that three taxa with distinct morphological features and definite geographical ranges can be recognized in this group. They were disposed asCalamagrostis tashiroi subsp.tashiroi, C. tashiroi subsp.sikokiana, stat. nov. andC. onibitoana, sp. nov.     

A taxonomic study of Salix section Longifoliae (Salicaceae)

Salix section Longifoliae occurs from Alaska to Guatemala and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Nine taxa are here accepted as five species with one of the species including two subspecies and four varieties. the holotype of Salix taxifolia Humb., Bonpl. & Kunth represents the same taxon as the lectotype of Salix microphylla Schltdl. & Cham. Material recently called S. taxifolia is given a new name. Salix exilifolia Dorn. The name Salix fluviatilis Nutt is considered to be synonymous with S. melanopsis Nutt. One new variety is described and two new combinations are made under Salix exigua Nutt.     

The anatomy of the cypselae of species of Cineraria L. (Asteraceae–Senecioneae) and its taxonomic significance

CRON, G. V., ROBBERTSE, P.J. & VINCENT, P. L. D., 1993. The anatomy of the cypselae of species of Cineraria L. (Asteraceae–Senecioneae) and its taxonomic significance. The anatomy of the cypselae of five species of Cineraria has been investigated to establish its potential usefulness for interspecific taxonomy. The usefulness is apparently limited. The most useful characters are the number of ribs, the extent of sclerenchymatization of the ribs and wings, and the surface sculpturing of the epicarp cells. The shape and symmetry of the cypselae are also useful to a limited degree. The presence of three resin canals in each cotyledon is constant. Their spatial differentiation is described.     

A reappraisal of the 'fracticornis–opacicollis' taxonomic complex of the genus Onthophagus Latreille using allozymes (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea)

The present taxonomic status of the so called fracticornis–opacicollis complex of the genus Onthophagus , Onthophagus fracticornis (Preyssler, 1790), Onthophagus similis (Scriba, 1790) and Onthophagus opacicollis Reitter, 1892 is still controversial. Discrepancies mainly involve the status of O. similis and O. opacicollis . A genetic analysis of nine populations of this complex using eight loci is presented, indicating that: (i) O. fracticornis is a good species, and (ii) the genetic distances between O. opacicollis and O. similis populations as a function of the biogeographic scenery (allopatry versus sympatry), indicate that they are not completely reproductively isolated across their entire geographic range, thus suggesting a still unfinished speciation in different areas. The data demonstrate both the existence of some gene flow between O. opacicollis and O. similis in one place ('El Barraco'; Central Spain) and isolation in others ('S^a Nevada'; South-east Spain). Geographic areas hosting populations of both taxa with intermediate genetic distances ('Doñana'; South-west Spain) also exist in the Iberian Peninsula.     

Two new species of Agatea (Violaceae) endemic to New Caledonia, with some taxonomic notes and a key to New Caledonian species

While working on a treatment of Violaceae for the Flore de Nouvelle-Caledonie et dependences , two new species were recognized, Agatea veillonii Munzinger and A. lecointei Munzinger. These species are here described and illustrated. Some taxonomic notes and a regional identification key are provided.