The genus Plectranthus in India and its chemistry

Phytochemical constituents isolated from Indian species of the genus Plectranthus reported up to 2009 are compiled. In India, the genus Plectranthus is found in all the habitats and altitudes, particularly in the Himalaya, the Southern Ghats, and the Nilgiri region. P. amboinicus, P. barbatus, P. caninus, P. mollis, P. coetsa, and P. incanus are the most common species found in India. Phytochemical studies of the genus revealed that Indian Plectranthus species are rich in essential oil, and that the most abundant secondary metabolites are diterpenoids, i.e., labdanes, abietanes, and ent-kauranes, as well as triterpenoids.     

Anoplodium (Rahabdocoela, Platyhelminthes) endosymbiotes of sea cucumbers from Australia and New Zealand

Anoplodium heronensis sp.n. from Stichopus spp. from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and A. leighi sp.n. from Stichopus mollis from New Zealand are described. Both have the ovary on the right side; they are compared with A, ramosum. A. longiductum and A. evelinae , all from the southern hemisphere, the only other member of the family with the ovary to the right. Anoplodium spp. occur in the coelom of their hosts, unlike other members of the family which live in the gut. Eleven species are now recognized in this genus.     

Systematics of the Usnea fragilescens aggregate and its distribution in Scandinavia

Systematics and taxonomy of Usnea cornuta, U. flammea and U. fragilescens are discussed. The morphology, chemistry and distribution of these species in Europe are described and a first attempt is made to provide a key for the erect-bushy to subpendant and sorediate species in Scandinavia. Compounds reported in this aggregate include lobaric acid (new to the genus). U. flammea is new for Scandinavia. U. constrictula, U. inflate, U. intexla and U. subpectinata are reduced to synonymy with U. cornuta, U. dalmatica and U. rupestris to synonymy with U. flammea, U. glaucescens to synonymy with U. hirta and the new combination U. fragilescens var. mollis is proposed.     

Origin and evolution of the endemic Macaronesian Inuleae (Asteraceae): evidence from the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The tribe Inuleae (Asteraceae) has 10 species endemic to the Macaronesian islands, including the three endemic genera Allagopappus, Schizogyne, and Vierea. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of 47 taxa were performed using all Macaronesian endemics and representative species from 21 of the 36 genera of the Inuleae. The resulting ITS phylogeny reveals that Allagopappus is sister to a large clade that contains all genera with a predominantly Mediterranean distribution. This finding suggests that Allagopappus may represent an ancient lineage that found refuge in the Canary Islands following the major climatic and/or geologic changes in the Mediterranean basin after the Tertiary. The Macaronesian endemic genus Schizogyne is sister to Limbarda from the Mediterranean. The third Macaronesian endemic genus, Vierea, is sister to Perralderia, which is restricted to Morocco and Algeria. Pulicaria canariensis is sister to P. mauritanica, a species endemic to Morocco and Algeria. In contrast, P. diffusa from the Cape Verde Islands is sister to a broadly distributed species, P. crispa, that occurs from North Africa to the Arabian peninsula. Based on the ITS data, the genera Blumea, Inula, and Pulicaria are not monophyletic. The ITS trees suggested that Blumea mollis belongs to the tribe Plucheeae, a finding that is congruent with recent morphological evidence. A possible southern African origin for the core of the Laurasian taxa of the Inuleae is also suggested.     

山西翅果油树分布区种子植物区系分析

翅果油树是国家2级珍稀濒危保护植物,在山西分布于中条山的翼城、绛县和平陆,吕梁山南端的乡宁、河津和稷山,约当110°36'~111°56'E,34°52'~36°05'N。山西翅果油树分布区有种子植物905种,隶属于449属95科,其中裸子植物2科2属4种,被子植物93科447属901种(双子叶植物78科312属714种,单子叶植物15科135属191种)。山西翅果油树分布区种子植物属的区系成分类型多样,具有暖温带性质。突出特征是温带成分占优势和有相当比例的热带成分,前者共有276属,占总属数的68.66%(其中北温带成分138属,占总属数的为34.33%);热带成分共有106属,占总属数的26.38%,它们在植物区系和植被的组成中具有重要作用或指示意义。在山西翅果油树分布区种子植物种的区系成分中,中国特有种占绝对优势,达369种,占总种数的41.65%,它们是构成山西翅果油树分布区优势植被类型的建群种和优势种的主要成分,如油松、华山松、白皮松、橿子栎、翅果油树、黄刺玫、虎榛子、白刺花、连翘、蚂蚱腿子等。此外,还提出了翅果油树资源的可持续利用和保护对策。     

Genomic and genetic relationships among species of Leymus (Poaceae: Triticeae) inferred from 18S-26S ribosomal genes

The 18S-26S ribosomal genes in three closely related species of Leymus (Poaceae: Triticeae) were examined using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Both approaches revealed a close relationship between L. arenarius (8x = 56, northern European) and L. racemosus (4x = 28, central Eurasian), whereas L. mollis (4x = 28, northern American/Pacific) was distinct. Each species had three homologous pairs of major rDNA loci: a1, a2, and a3 for L. arenarius; m1, m2, and m3 for L. mollis; and r1, r2, and r3 for L. racemosus. Leymus arenarius had in addition three minor loci, a4, a5, and a6. The major loci of L. arenarius and L. racemosus were identical, indicating that the former species could have originated from the latter, via interspecific hybridization and/or polyploidy. The rDNA-RFLPs further indicated relationships of these species to other species of Leymus (L. karellini, 8x = 56 and L. angustus, 12x = 84) and Psathyrostachys (P. fragilis, P. huashanica, P. juncea, and P. lanuginosa, which are all diploids). A phenogram constructed from 20 BamHI, EcoRI, and DraI rDNA fragments revealed closer relationship between the two genera, Leymus and Psathyrostachys, than that among species within a genus.     

The Apionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of New Caledonia, genus Caledonapion Wanat

The New Caledonian endemic weevil genus Caledonapion is revised, with one new species, C . assimile , described. Diagnoses, a key and distribution maps are provided for both species of the genus. An association of Caledonapion with the plant genus Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) is suggested from field observations.     

Conservation status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prodontria</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species in New Zealand

The genus Prodontria (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), which comprises 16 described species, is an endemic southern New Zealand genus occupying lowland and coastal habitats, inter-montane basins and alpine environments. Many of the species have a limited distribution and face potential threats from habitat change and predation. The only species to be formally protected is P. lewisii Broun, commonly known as the Cromwell Chafer, which is now restricted to a 81-ha reserve in Central Otago. One undescribed lowland species might be extinct as a result of habitat modification. The current status of Prodontria species, the known distribution of species and potential threats are discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Finding arboreal snakes in an evolutionary tree: phylogenetic placement and systematic revision of the Neotropical birdsnakes

The genus Pseustes Fitzinger, 1843 is composed of three recognized species, Pseustes poecilonotus, P. shropshirei and P. sulphureus, which may be the largest sized colubrid snake in the New World. The group has a complex systematic history that has yet to be untangled using modern molecular phylogenetic approaches. The systematic position, within‐group diversity and distribution are therefore uncertain. We obtained samples of four species from multiple specimens across their distribution and analysed one nuclear and two mitochondrial genes to determine the phylogenetic placement of the genus and infer relationships among Pseustes lineages. We find strong support for the paraphyly of Pseustes with respect to the monotypic genus Spilotes, both of which are nested within a clade of at least 23 other New World Colubrinae genera. Based on our results, we formally revise the taxonomy of P. poecilonotus and P. sulphureus, resurrecting the taxon P. polylepis for populations of P. poecilonotus from South America and allocating P. sulphureus to the genus Spilotes which renders both genera monophyletic. Additionally, we identify two lineages that are putatively new and currently unrecognized species. Finally, the placement of P. sulphureus, the type species of Pseustes, in the genus Spilotes, requires the allocation of the senior synonym Phrynonax be considered for the remaining Pseustes taxa.     

Conservation status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prodontria</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species in New Zealand

The genus Prodontria (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), which comprises 16 described species, is an endemic southern New Zealand genus occupying lowland and coastal habitats, inter-montane basins and alpine environments. Many of the species have a limited distribution and face potential threats from habitat change and predation. The only species to be formally protected is P. lewisii Broun, commonly known as the Cromwell Chafer, which is now restricted to a 81-ha reserve in Central Otago. One undescribed lowland species might be extinct as a result of habitat modification. The current status of Prodontria species, the known distribution of species and potential threats are discussed.     

A biogeographic review of Parahebe (Scrophulariaceae)

Distribution maps and notes are given for the 41 species of Parahebe sensu lata. The genus occurs in New Zealand, south-east Australia and New Guinea, with greatest diversity in New Zealand, especially in the Spenser Mountains region of South Island. A group of species with ciliate floral discs is found in north-east South Island, and also in eastern Papua New Guinea. This outer Australasian arc distribution is attributed to the group having originated before the break-up of Gondwana. Within New Zealand the P. catarraclae complex shows disjunction along the Alpine Fault, a plate boundary of the transform type. The disjunction is attributed to massive lateral displacement on the Fault during Tertiary time pulling apart plant populations. Parahebe sect. Paniculatae is newly described. The following new combinations are made: Parahebe brevistylis, P. macrantha, P. macrantha var. brachyphylla, P. raoulii, P. r. subsp. maccaskillii, P. r. subsp. pentasepala, P. lavaudiana, P. hulkeana, P. nivea, P. arenaria, P. velutina, P. blakelyi, P. arcuata, P. derwentiana subsp. maideniana, P. d. subsp. homalodonta, P. d. subsp. anisodonta and P. d. subsp. subglauca.     

ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF PORPHYRA (RHODOPHYTA) IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW ZEALAND SUPPORTED BY THE USE OF MOLECULAR TOOLS1

Molecular studies have shown that New Zealand’s rocky shores are a habitat for >30 species of Porphyra, but little is known of their seasonal and zonal distribution. The spatial and temporal distribution of bladed Porphyra gametophytes at Brighton Beach, southeast New Zealand, were monitored for 32 months. Molecular markers were used for species identification, and a total of nine species was observed as being present during this time. Two species, P. cinnamomea and Porphyra sp. “ROS 54,” were the most common, and both were present for most months, while the remaining seven species were present sporadically, for only a few weeks at a time. P. cinnamomea W. A. Nelson and Porphyra sp. “ROS 54” were most common in the midintertidal, and both showed a similar seasonality with the highest presence during spring. They also showed a similar trend of seasonal dieback resulting in at least 1 month (May) in two consecutive years when they were both absent. This is one of the few studies investigating spatial and temporal distribution within a genus and over a 3‐year period. Our results show no distinct intertidal zonation patterns within the genus, and we conclude that morphologically similar species in a similar habitat rely on physiological mechanisms for survival.     

Distribution of a little-known sea krait <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudolaticauda schistorhynchus</Emphasis> (Günther, 1874) (Serpentes: Laticaudidae)

A little-known sea krait Pseudolaticauda schistorhynchus from the northern waters of New Guinea Island (Bertrand Island) is described. We note the considerable remoteness of this record from the main species range and its closeness to the distribution area of the closely related species P. semifasciata, which some authors consider to be a northern subspecies widely distributed in the eastern Pacific. The examined specimen is undoubtedly P. schistorhynchus. The boundaries of the two species ranges and keys for the identification of species of the genus Pseudolaticauda Kharin, 1984 are given.     

The genus cephalocoema serville, 1,839 (orthoptera: proscopiidae, tetanorhynchini)

The genus Cephalocoema Serville, 1,839 is revised by the study of its type-species and additional ones. New species are described and synonymies are made. Each species is studied in its morphological features and genital characters, both male and female. Type localities are marked in Biogeographical regions map, which let us to get a pattern of distribution related with the habitat preferences of each species, for the whole genus.     

First molecular evidence for underestimated biodiversity of Rhachotropis (Crustacea, Amphipoda), with description of a new species

The crustacean genus Rhachotropis has a worldwide distribution and amongst the largest bathymetric range known from any amphipod genus. DNA barcoding of new material from around New Zealand and the Ross Sea indicated depth-related biogeographic patterns. New Zealand Rhachotropis do not form a monophyletic clade. Species from bathyal depths on the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand, show lower sequence divergence to bathyal species from California and the Arctic than to abyssal New Zealand species. Species sampled in the Kermadec Trench, north of New Zealand below 5000 m, seem to be more closely related to Ross Sea abyssal species than to the New Zealand shelf species. The worldwide geographic and bathymetric distribution for all Rhachotropis species is presented here. Depth may have a greater influence on phylogeny than geographic distance.Molecular and morphological investigations of Rhachotropis specimens from the Chatham Rise, New Zealand revealed a species new to science which is described in detail, including scanning electron microscopy. This increases the number of described species of Rhachotropis to 60 worldwide.     

Molecular systematics and evolutionary origins of the genus Petaurus (Marsupialia: Petauridae) in Australia and New Guinea

The glider genus Petaurus comprises a group of arboreal and nocturnal marsupial species from New Guinea and Australia. Molecular data were generated in order to examine phylogenetic relationships among species within the genus and explore the time-scale of diversification and biogeographic history of the genus in Australia and New Guinea. All known species and subspecies of Petaurus (with the exception of P. biacensis) were sequenced for two mitochondrial genes (ND2 and ND4) and one nuclear marker (omega-globin gene). Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the monophyly of the genus relative to other petaurids and showed a sister relationship of P. australis to the rest of Petaurus. The analyses revealed that currently recognised species of Petaurus formed distinct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) clades. Considerable mtDNA diversity and seven distinct clades were identified within the species P. breviceps, with the distribution of each clade showing no correspondence with the distributional limits of known subspecies. Molecular dating analyses using BEAST suggested an early to mid-Miocene origin (18–24 mya) for the genus. Ancestral area reconstructions, using BayesTraits, did not resolve the location for the centre of origin of Petaurus, but provided evidence for at least one dispersal event from New Guinea to Australia that led to the evolution of extant Australian populations of P. breviceps, P. norfolcensis and P. gracilis. The timing of this dispersal event appears to pre-date the Pleistocene, adding to the growing number of studies that suggest faunal connections occurred between Australia and New Guinea in the Late Miocene to Pliocene period.     

The New Zealand fauna of the thrips-hunting solitary wasp genus Spilomena Shuckard (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract. The New Zealand fauna of the sphecid wasp genus Spilomena is reviewed and keys to both sexes given. One previously described species, S.elegantula , is recorded and two more species, S.nozela and S.emarginata are described as new; all are recorded from New Zealand for the first time in this paper. The biology and distribution of the species is discussed.