Iridoids from the aerial parts of Verbena littoralis (Verbenaceae)

The iridoids, 6S-hydroxy-8S-methyl-4-methylene-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyran-3-one and 6S,9S-dihydroxy-8S-methyl-4-methylene-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyran-3-one, were isolated from the aerial parts of Verbena littoralis. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated by means of NMR spectral data analysis. Both compounds showed moderate in vitro activity against gram positive and negative bacteria as well as moderate in vivo intestinal peristaltic action in mouse. The iridoids also showed moderate free radical scavenging activity against l,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as well as antioxidant activity, the latter being evidenced by redox properties measured using E1CD-HPLC.     

Isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci in Callicarpa subpubescens (Verbenaceae), an endemic species of the Bonin Islands

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for Callicarpa subpubescens (Verbenaceae), an endemic tree species of the Bonin Islands. The observed number of alleles at each locus ranged from two to eight with an average of 4.9, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.238 to 0.690 with an average of 0.483. All 10 loci were screened in cross-amplification tests for two other endemic Callicarpa species that also inhabit the Bonin Islands. All loci were successfully amplified in these species.     

Tapeinostemon sessiliflorum (Gentianaceae), a new combination for a Guayana endemic

A new combination,Tapeinostemon sessiliflorum (Gentianaceae), is made forPsychotria sessiliflora (Rubiaceae).Tapeinostemon capitatum is placed into synonymy ofT. sessiliflorum. This rare species occurs in the Guayanan region of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.     

Gurania lobata (Cucurbitaceae), a new combination for an overlooked Linnaean name

The new combinationGurania lobata (Cucurbitaceae) is made forAnguria lobata, an overlooked Linnaean name published in the original edition ofPlantae Surinamenses, andG. spinulosa is treated as synonymous with this species.     

Plant cyclins: a unified nomenclature for plant A-, B- and D-type cyclins based on sequence organization

The comparative analysis of a large number of plant cyclins of the A/B family has recently revealed that plants possess two distinct B-type groups and three distinct A-type groups of cyclins [1]. Despite earlier uncertainties, this large-scale comparative analysis has allowed an unequivocal definition of plant cyclins into either A or B classes. We present here the most important results obtained in this study, and extend them to the case of plant D-type cyclins, in which three groups are identified. For each of the plant cyclin groups, consensus sequences have been established and a new, rational, plant-wide naming system is proposed in accordance with the guidelines of the Commission on Plant Gene Nomenclature. This nomenclature is based on the animal system indicating cyclin classes by an upper-case roman letter, and distinct groups within these classes by an arabic numeral suffix. The naming of plant cyclin classes is chosen to indicate homology to their closest animal class. The revised nomenclature of all described plant cyclins is presented, with their classification into groups CycA1, CycA2, CycA3, CycB1, CycB2, CycD1, CycD2 and CycD3.     

Disteganthus lateralis (Bromeliaceae), a new combination for the flora of central French Guiana

The new combination,Disteganthus lateralis, is coined based onAechmea lateralis. An illustration for this species is provided.     

Ordus chiayiensis, a new combination of hyphomycete

The hyphomycete speciesTripospermum chiayiense is considered to be conspecific withOrdus tribrachiatus, and the former has nomenclatural priority according to Art. 11.4 of ICBN. In view of its conidial morphology, this species cannot be placed in the genusTripospermum, and a new combination,Ordus chiayiensis, is proposed.     

Vernonia longicuspis (Compositae: Vernonieae), a new combination from Bolivia

A new combination is provided in Vernonia (Compositae: Vernoniae), V. longicuspis (Dematt.) D. J. N. Hind, based on Lessingianthus longicuspis Dematt., recently described from Bolivia (Santa Cruz) and Brazil (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul).     

Review of Anhoplocampa Wei (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), with description of a new species and a new combination

Anhoplocampa is redescribed based on new material. Anhoplocampa bicoloricornissp. n. from China is described. Anhoplocampa yunanensis (Haris & Roller, 1999), comb. n. is transferred from Trichiocampus. A key to species of Anhoplocampa is provided. The differences between Anhoplocampa and Trichiocampus Hartig, 1837, Priophorus Dahlbom, 1835, Hoplocampa Hartig, 1837 and Renonerva Wei & Nie, 1998 are briefly discussed.     

Family-group names for termites (Isoptera), redux

Forty-eight family-group names are identified for insects among the Isoptera (termites), representing a nearly 19% increase since the last compilation less than 10 years ago. Accordingly, these names are newly catalogued, including various updates from the original summary. The name Reticulitermitidae is recognized as a nomen nudum while Caatingatermitinae is newly considered a nomen invalidum, and neither is available in zoological nomenclature. A catalogue of the suprafamilial names for Isoptera is appended. The name Xylophagodea is formally proposed for the Isoptera + Cryptocercidae clade.     

Anzygina, a new genus for some Australasian microleafhopper species formerly placed in the genus Zygina Fieber (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini)

Species of Erythroneurini (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) currently placed in the genus Zygina and found in Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands are transferred to the new genus Anzygina , type species Erythroneura sidnica Kirkaldy, following comparison with the type species of the genus: Typhlocyba nivea Mulsant and Rey. New combinations are Anzygina sidnica (Kirkaldy), Anzygina honiloa (Kirkaldy), Anzygina melanogaster (Kirkaldy) and Anzygina sativae (Evans) from Australia, Anzygina toetoe (Cumber), Anzygina agni (Knight), Anzygina dumbletoni (Ghauri) and Anzygina ramsayi (Knight) from New Zealand, Anzygina zealandica (Myers) from Australia and New Zealand, Anzygina jowettae (Knight) from Norfolk Island and Anzygina medioborealis (Ghauri) from Papua New Guinea. Lectotypes are designated for Erythroneura honiloa Kirkaldy and E. sidnica Kirkaldy. Anzygina billi sp.n. is described from SE Qld, and Anzygina barrattae sp.n. is described from the South Island of New Zealand. A. agni is a new record for Australia and is presumed to be Australian in origin. A. dumbletoni has a distribution which suggests that it also is introduced to New Zealand although its origins are not known. A. ramsayi, A. barrattae and A. toetoe , all of which appear to be New Zealand endemics, show affinity with each other based on aedeagal structure. A key to these species, based on males, is provided. The lack of male syntypes for Erythroneura honiala Kirkaldy and Erythroneura lubra Kirkaldy precludes establishment of their identities relative to other species of the genus, and both names are regarded as having nomen dubium status. Australian species not transferred to Anzygina are Zygina evansi (Ross) and Zygina ipoloa (Kirkaldy), both of which belong elsewhere.     

Triuridopsis intermedia spec. nov. (Triuridaceae), a new myco-heterotrophic plant from Bolivia

A new species ofTriuridopsis (Triuridaceae) is described. It shows a number of similarities to the genusTriuris. This is the first record of the family for Bolivia.     

Seasonal heterophylly and leaf gland features in Triphyophyllum (Dioncophyllaceae), a new carnivorous plant genus

Triphyophyllum peltatum (Dioncophyllaceae), a tropical-West African liane, is heterophyllous, bearing leaves of three types, two on juvenile, non-climbing, short shoots, and the third on the mature axis. The short shoots produce mostly eglandular, lanceolate leaves, but just before the height of the rainy season small clusters of relatively ephemeral, glandular, filiform leaves are formed. These glandular leaves bear both stalked and sessile glands, and they act as efficient trapping organs for the prey, mostly flying insects and other small animals. The stalked glands, of which there are two size classes, are the most anatomically elaborate known in the plant kingdom. Structurally there are similarities with the stalked glands of Drosophyllum and Drosera. At maturity they carry secretion droplets, and stimulation by the prey leads to further secretion. The secretions contain a range of hydrolytic enzymes.
During sonic periods of its development Triphyophyllum is probably carnivorous. An important source of nutrients is thus tapped which could be significant in making possible an earlier transition from the juvenile to the rapidly-climbing adult form.
The Dioncophyllaceae, contains two other monotypic genera, neither with the carnivorous habit. Triphyophyllum is considered as an ecological African analogue of Nepenthes.     

Maranthes (Chrysobalanaceae), a new generic record for America

Maranthes, a genus well known in Africa and Asia, has not been recorded previously in the New World.Couepia panamensis, thought to be endemic to Panama, was found to be synonymous withMaranthes corymbosa, a widespread Asiatic species, and it is reduced into synonymy, making the first American record ofMaranthes. The relationship ofMaranthes toCouepia, and the unusual distribution ofM. corymbosa are discussed.