Cynanchum and the Cynanchinae (Apocynaceae – Asclepiadoideae): a molecular, anatomical and latex triterpenoid study

The phylogeny of the genus Cynanchum s. str. is studied using cpDNA spacers and ITS. Morphological, anatomical and latex triterpenoid data are interpreted in light of the molecular results, and discrepancies are discussed. Vegetative characters are better indicators of relationship than floral characters, especially corona characters. The monophyly of all Malagasy species and, nested within the latter, of all stem-succulent taxa is ascertained and the genera Folotsia, Karimbolea, Platykeleba and Sarcostemma are subsumed under Cynanchum. One African species, C. galgalense, is excluded from Cynanchum.     

An integrative approach to characterize Malagasy bats of the subfamily Vespertilioninae Gray, 1821, with the description of a new species of Hypsugo

Although important advances have been made in recent years in the taxonomy of different families and subfamilies of Malagasy bats, those belonging to the Vespertilioninae remain partially unresolved. Herein using a mitochondrial marker (cytochrome b) as the point of departure for 76 specimens of Malagasy vespers and appropriate African taxa, we diagnose the six taxa of this subfamily on the island by overlaying different morphological and bioacoustic characters on the clade structure of sequenced animals. The species include: endemic Neoromicia matroka, which is sister to African N. capensis; endemics N. malagasyensis and N. robertsi, which form sister species; a member of the genus Hypsugo, which is sister to African H. anchietae and described herein as new to science; Pipistrellus hesperidus for which Madagascar animals are genetically close but distinct from African populations of the same species; and endemic P. raceyi, which shows segregation of eastern (mesic) and western (dry) populations and its sister species relationships are unresolved. While the external and craniodental measurements, as well as bioacoustic variables, allow only partial differentiation of these six species of Vespertilioninae, molecular characters provide definitive separation of the taxa, as do male bacular morphology. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

The genus Setulipes (Marasmiaceae) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes, including a key to other African taxa

The authors report first records for the genus Setulipes in Madagascar, with the presence of Setulipes cf. hakgalensis and two new species, Setulipes funaliformis and S. moreaui, as well as a new species from Mauritius: S. mauritiensis. A key to these taxa, as well as to other African species, is supplied.     

Lactarius ochrogalactus, a new species of the genus Lactarius (Russulaceae, Russulales) with yellowish-brown latex

Lactarius ochrogalactus Hashiya, invalidly published in 1994, is validated and described in detail here. It is characterized by having yellowish-brown basidiocarps, yellowish-brown latex that stains reddish-brown, lampropalisade pileipellis, lamprotrichoderm stipitipellis, pleuromacrocystidia, and basidiospores that are ornamented with warts connected by fine lines. Because this species shares some characters with Lactarius subgen. Plinthogali as well as with Lactarius subgen. Lactiflui, we prefer to wait for molecular data before defining this species to a subgenus or section.     

An endemic radiation of Malagasy songbirds is revealed by mitochondrial DNA sequence data

The bird fauna of Madagascar includes a high proportion of endemic species, particularly among passerine birds (Aves: Passeriformes). The endemic genera of Malagasy songbirds are not allied obviously with any African or Asiatic taxa, and their affinities have been debated since the birds first were described. We used mitochondrial sequence data to estimate the relationships of 13 species of endemic Malagasy songbirds, 17 additional songbird species, and one species of suboscine passerine. In our optimal trees, nine of the 13 Malagasy species form a clade. although these birds currently are classified in three different families. In all optimal trees, the sister to this endemic clade is a group of Old World warblers including both African and Malagasy birds. The endemic Malagasy songbird clade rivals other island radiations, including the vangas of Madagascar and the finches of the Galapagos, in ecological diversity.     

Identification of cryptic species of Miniopterus bats (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) from Madagascar and the Comoros using bioacoustics overlaid on molecular genetic and morphological characters

The number of Miniopterus bat species on Madagascar and the nearby Comoros islands (Malagasy region) has risen from four to 11. These recently described cryptic taxa have been differentiated primarily based on molecular markers and associated a posteriori morphological characters that corroborate the different clades. Members of this Old World genus are notably conservative in morphology across their range. Several sites on Madagascar hold up to four small‐bodied taxa of this genus that are morphologically similar to one another, although they can be distinguished based on the tragus, an ear structure associated with echolocation. Miniopterus often emit species‐specific calls. In the present study, we analyze the bioacoustics of the 11 species of Miniopterus currently recognized from the Malagasy region, with an initial identification of the 87 recorded and collected individuals based on molecular markers and certain morphological characters. In most cases, bioacoustic parameters differentiate species and have taxonomic utility. Miniopterus griveaudi populations, which occur on three islands (Madagascar, Anjouan, and Grande Comore), showed no significant differences in peak echolocation frequencies. After running a discriminant function analysis based on five bioacoustic parameters, some mismatched assignments of Malagasy species were found, which include allopatric sister‐taxa and sympatric, phylogenetically not closely‐related species of similar body size. Because the peak echolocation frequencies of two species (Miniopterus sororculus and Miniopterus aelleni) were independent of body size, they were acoustically distinguishable from cryptic sympatric congeners. The small variation around the allometric relationship between body size and peak echolocation frequency of Malagasy Miniopterus species suggests that intraspecific communication rather than competition or prey detection may be the driver for the acoustic divergence of these two species. Our well‐defined echolocation data allow detailed ecological work to commence aiming to test predictions about the relative roles of competition, prey availability, and social communication on the evolution of echolocation in Malagasy Miniopterus species. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 104 , 284–302.     

Molecular Systematics of the Malagasy Babblers (Passeriformes: Timaliidae) and Warblers (Passeriformes: Sylviidae), Based on Cytochrome b and 16S rRNA Sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of the Timaliidae (babblers) and Sylviidae (warblers) have long challenged ornithologists. We focus here on three Malagasy genera currently assigned to the Timaliidae, Mystacornis, Oxylabes, and Neomixis, and on their relationships with other babblers and warblers using the sequences of two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and 16S rRNA). Maximum parsimony analyses show that the Malagasy “babblers” are not related to any of the other African and Asian babblers. The genus Mystacornis is neither a babbler nor a warbler. The other Malagasy “babblers” are members of warbler groups (the monophyly of the Sylviidae is not demonstrated). Oxylabes madagascariensis and Hartertula flavoviridis (we recognize Hartertula as a genus for the species flavoviridis, previously Neomixis flavoviridis) constitute, with two presumed sylviine taxa, Thamnornis chloropetoides and Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi, a warbler radiation endemic to the island of Madagascar. The other Neomixis species (tenella, striatigula, and viridis) belong to another warbler group comprising cisticoline taxa. These results show that the Timaliidae did not disperse to Madagascar. Rather, the island has been colonized, independently, by at least two clades of warblers, probably originating from Africa, where the Sylviidae radiation has been the most extensive.     

Phylogeny and systematics of the tribe Sonerileae (Melastomataceae) in Africa: A revised taxonomic classification

The tribe Sonerileae in tropical Africa and Madagascar is a morphologically diverse lineage that consists of 239 species in 10 genera. In this study, we present the first in-depth phylogenetic analysis of African Sonerileae to test monophyly of the currently recognized genera. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using sequence data from two nuclear (nrITS and nrETS) and three plastid loci (accD-psaI, ndhF and psbK-psbL). Sampling consisted of 140 accessions including 64 African, 27 Malagasy, 46 Asian, and three neotropical Sonerileae together with a broad outgroup sampling (105 spp.). Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches, and a careful reassessment of morphological characters was carried out. Our results neither support the monophyly of the Old World nor African Sonerileae. The monospecific African genus Benna is partially supported as sister to Phainantha, one of the basal neotropical lineages, while African and Malagasy Medinilla are nested among the SE Asian genera. Gravesia (116 spp.), the most species-rich and morphologically diverse genus in Madagascar, is recovered as monophyletic. The African genera of Sonerileae Calvoa, Dicellandra, and Preussiella form well-supported clades. In contrast, Amphiblemma (including Amphiblemma molle) and Cincinnobotrys s.l. (including Cincinnobotrys felicis) are not monophyletic. To accommodate the caulescent C. felicis we propose reinstatement of the monospecific genus Bourdaria. For the distinctive A. molle a new genus Mendelia is described. Calvoa hirsuta is designated here as the type of genus Calvoa, lectotypes are designated for Medinilla engleri and Veprecella lutea, and a neotype is designated for Preussiella kamerunensis.     

Molecular phylogeny,biogeography and chromosome evolution of Malagasy dwarf geckos of the genus Lygodactylus (Squamata,Gekkonidae)

We performed a phylogenetic analysis using nuclear (RAG‐1, RAG‐2) and mitochondrial (16S) markers, a statistical Bayesian reconstruction of ancestral distribution areas and a karyological analysis on most Malagasy species of the gekkonid genus Lygodactylus. The phylogenetic analysis largely confirms major basal branching pattern of previous molecular studies, but highlights significant differences concerning both the relationships between different species groups as well as those within groups. The biogeographic analysis supports a Malagasy origin of Lygodactylus, an oversea dispersal to continental Africa and a return to Madagascar. The L. madagascariensis group (also including a new candidate species identified herein) is the most basal clade in Lygodactylus, and the sister group of a clade with all the remaining species. The second most basal clade is the L. verticillatus group, placed as the sister group of a clade comprising African and Malagasy species. The sister lineage of the L. verticillatus group originated the African radiation through an oversea dispersal out of Madagascar. Eventually, the sister lineage of the L. capensis group originated secondary dispersals from Africa to Madagascar. In Madagascar, lineage diversification in different species groups mainly occurred from southern to northern and eastern regions. Dispersal, vicariance and paleoclimatic refugia probably played a relevant role in the evolutionary history of closely related taxa and in speciation mechanisms. The cytogenetic analysis evidenced a high karyotypic variability in Lygodactylus (from 2n = 34 to 2n = 40), which is at least partly consistent with the phylogenetic relationships and the composition of the various species group. Chromosome evolution occurred independently in different lineages, mainly through a reduction in the chromosome number and starting from a putative primitive karyotype of 2n = 40 with all telocentric elements.     

Coalescent analyses support multiple mainland-to-island dispersals in the evolution of Malagasy Triaenops bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)

Aim We investigate the directionality of mainland‐to‐island dispersals, focusing on a case study of an African‐Malagasy bat genus, Triaenops (Hipposideridae). Taxa include T. persicus from east Africa and three Triaenops species from Madagascar (T. auritus, T. furculus, and T. rufus). The evolution of this bat family considerably post‐dated the tectonic division of Madagascar from Africa, excluding vicariance as a viable hypothesis. Therefore, we consider three biogeographical scenarios to explain these species' current ranges: (A) a single dispersal from Africa to Madagascar with subsequent speciation of the Malagasy species; (B) multiple, unidirectional dispersals from Africa to Madagascar resulting in multiple, independent Malagasy lineages; or (C) early dispersal of a proto‐species from Africa to Madagascar, with later back‐dispersal of a descendant Malagasy taxon to Africa. Location East Africa, Madagascar, and the Mozambique Channel. Methods We compare the utility of phylogenetic and coalescent methodologies to address the question of directionality in a mainland‐to‐island dispersal event for recently diverged taxa. We also emphasize the application of biologically explicit demographic systems, such as the non‐equilibrium isolation‐with‐migration model. Here, these methods are applied to a four‐species haploid genetic data set, with simulation analyses being applied to validate this approach. Results Coalescent simulations favour scenario B: multiple, unidirectional dispersals from Africa to Madagascar resulting in multiple, independent Malagasy bat lineages. From coalescent dating, we estimate that the genus Triaenops was still a single taxon approximately 2.25 Ma. The most recent Africa to Madagascar dispersal occurred much more recently (c. 660 ka), and led to the formation of the extant Malagasy species, T. rufus. Main conclusions Haploid genetic data from four species of Triaenops are statistically most consistent with multiple, unidirectional dispersals from mainland Africa to Madagascar during the late Pleistocene.     

内蒙古被子植物分布新资料

报道了内蒙古1个新分布记录属:粟草属(Milium L.);2个新分布记录种:翅柄车前(Plantago komaroviiPavl.)和粟草(Milium effusum L.)。     

Seven new calochroid and fulvoid species of Cortinarius

We describe seven new European species of Cortinarius. All species are based on analyses of morphological and DNA sequence data. They all belong to a well-supported clade comprising most species traditionally treated in Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium sections Fulvi and Calochroi (i.e. the/Calochroi clade). All taxa are either fulvoid (containing anthraquinoid pigments) or calochroid (without these pigments). Morphological and ecological data are presented for all species and compared with similar species. A dichotomous key is presented for C. calochrous and similar species, including all six newly described calochroid species. The calochroid species C. albertii, C. chailluzii, C. cisticola, C. sancti-felicis, C. selandicus and C. vesterholtii spp. nov., and the fulvoid species C. langeorum sp. nov. are described.     

Respiration activity of ectomycorrhizas from Cenococcum geophilum and Lactarius sp. in relation to soil water potential in five beech forests

Forest trees are involved in root symbioses with hundreds of species of ectomycorrhizal fungi which constitute functional guilds able to improve the water and mineral nutrition of host trees. In temperate ecosystems, water shortage is a main factor limiting tree vitality. To assess how soil water conditions affected the physiological state of beech (Fagus silvatica L.) ectomycorrhizal roots, we monitored glucose respiration of two ectomycorrhizal types (Lactarius sp. and Cenococcum geophilum) during two complete growing seasons. Five stands of contrasting soil conditions were chosen in north-eastern France. The top soil horizons were equipped with micropsychrometers for measuring water potential and temperature. Glucose respiration on individual ectomycorrhizas was measured in vitro by trapping [¹⁴C]-CO₂ from radiolabelled glucose. For soil water potential <-0.2 MPa, the potential respiration activity of C. geophilumectomycorrhizas was significantly less altered than that of Lactariussp. ectomycorrhizas, indicating that C. geophilumis more likely than Lactariussp. to maintain the physiological integrity of beech roots facing drought stress.     

A densely sampled ITS phylogeny of the Cape flagship genus Erica L. suggests numerous shifts in floral macro-morphology

Erica L. is the largest of the ‘Cape’ clades that together comprise around half of the disproportionately high species richness of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Around 840 species of Erica are currently recognised, C.680 of which are found in the CFR, the rest distributed across the rest of Southern Africa, the highlands of Tropical Africa and Madagascar, and Europe. Erica is taxonomically well documented, but very little is known about species-level relationships. We present the first densely sampled phylogenetic analysis of Erica, using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (internal transcribed spacers; ITS) of c. 45% of the species from across the full geographic range of the genus, both Calluna and Daboecia (Ericeae; monotypic genera and putative sister groups of Erica), and further Ericoideae outgroups. Our results show both morphological and geographic coherence of some clades, but numerous shifts in floral macro-morphology as represented by variation in individual morphological characters and pollination syndromes. European Ericeae is a paraphyletic grade subtending a monophyletic African/Malagasy Erica. Given the limited resolution of this single gene tree, more data are needed for further conclusions. Clades are identified that will serve as an effective guide for targeted sampling from multiple linkage groups.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildew fungi of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula on Carpinus species

A phylogenetic analysis of the Erysiphe with uncinuloid ascoma appendages (Erysiphe section Uncinula, Erysiphales, Ascomycota) on Carpinus spp. was done using sequences of the rDNA ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the 28S rDNA. These results, combined with morphological data, revealed a complex consisting of several distinct taxa. These included the already described Erysiphe carpinicola on C. japonica distinguishable from the Erysiphe sp. on C. betulus and C. tschonoskii as well as the one on C. laxiflora. Thus, it was shown that Oidium carpini, described from Europe on Carpinus betulus, the powdery mildew with uncinula-like ascomata, recently found in Europe on this host, as well as an Erysiphe on C. tschonoskii in Japan, described previously as E. carpinicola, all belong to a single new species, named E. arcuata in this paper. As the powdery mildew on C. laxiflora was also distinct from other known species, it is named E. carpini-laxiflorae in this paper. The already described E. pseudocarpinicola and Erysiphe sp. on Carpinus cordata are two additional taxa, which are morphologically and genetically distinguished from the other species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula on Carpinus spp.     

Marsileaceaephyllum, a new genus for marsileaceous macrofossils: leaf remains from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of southern Gondwana

Three new taxa from Albian, Early Cretaceous assemblages in Gondwana (Australia and Antarctica) and two previously described fossils from the Late Cretaceous and Eocene of North America are attributable to the heterosporous semi-aquatic fern family Marsileaceae. They are assigned to Marsileaceaephyllum, a morphotaxon erected here for sterile remains (whole plants, and isolated leaves and leaflets) of Marsileaceae. The Gondwanan taxa, Marsileaceaephyllum lobatum and Marsileaceaephyllum spp. B-C, have either a cruciform leaflet arrangement or dichotomous and anastomosing venation characteristic of modern Marsileaceae. Two previously established taxa, Marsilea johnhallii and Marsilea sp., which represent sterile Marsileaceae, are also transferred to the new genus (now Marsileaceaephyllum johnhallii and Marsileaceaephyllum sp. A, respectively). Examination of all fossil venation patterns reveals four new venation types not present in extant taxa, suggesting that most fossil Marsileaceae (leaves) are distinct from extant genera, and are likely members of extinct lineages. This is further supported by the absence of modern megaspore types in the Early Cretaceous.     

TheLecanactis grumulosa group (Opegraphaceae) in the Mediterranean region

The morphology, anatomy, and chemistry of five taxa belonging to theLecanactis grumulosa group from several localities of the Mediterranean area have been analysed in detail. One new saxicolous species,L. subgrumulosa, is described from Spain and Morocco. The new combinationL. farinosa is made.L. nothiza, L. monstrosa, L. ramosus, andOpegrapha alboatra are proposed as synonyms ofL. grumulosa. L. werneri andL. farinosa are cited for the first time in Europe and northern Africa, respectively. Anthraquinones are reported as new forLecanactis.     

Molecular phylogeny of Russulaceae (Basidiomycetes; Russulales) inferred from the nucleotide sequences of nuclear large subunit rDNA

Phylogenetic relationships of the genera Russula and Lactarius were investigated using sequence data from the nuclear-encoded large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA). Ninety-five sequences belonging to the genera Russula and Lactarius, including 31 sequences from the databases, were used in this study. Analysis of the LSU rDNA region indicated that Russulaceae was divided into six groups (group A–F) in the neighbor-joining (NJ) tree. Lactarius consisted of one large clade (group A). Therefore, this genus was found to be monophyletic. However, the monophyly of genus Russula remained unclear. The genus Russula consisted of five groups in the NJ tree. Group B includes sects. Plorantes and Archaeinae (Heim), and group C includes sects. Delicoarchaeae and Russula in the NJ tree. Neither of the two groups formed a single clade in the most parsimonius (MP) tree. Group D includes many taxa having colored spore prints and amyloid in suprahilar plage of spores in sect. Russula and sect. Rigidae. Group E consists of only sect. Compactae and is further divided into three subclades, represented by R. densifolia, R. nigricans, and R. subnigricans, respectively. Group F contains sects. Rigidae, Ingratae, and Pelliculariae. Sect. Compactae and sect. Plorantes should not be as closely related as previously supposed. Russula earlei may be placed in sect. Archaeinae Heim. Russula flavida (subsect. Amoeninae) is placed in sect. Russula with R. aurea with a high bootstrap value (99%). The nuclear LSU rDNA region is a useful tool in recognization of species of Russulaceae and may provide information concerning phylogenetic relationships between the genera Russula and Lactarius.