Unmasking cryptic species: morphometric and phylogenetic analyses of the Ibero‐North African Linaria incarnata complex

Linaria incarnata has been treated as a widely distributed Ibero‐North African species in the latest taxonomic reviews. Morphological and phylogenetic disparity between populations of this species has been previously reported. Here we present new morphological and phylogenetic evidence for the disintegration of L. incarnata into three distinct species: L. incarnata from the western Iberian Peninsula; L . mamorensis sp. nov. from north‐western Morocco; and L. onubensis from south‐western Spain. The relatively poor morphological differentiation between these taxa (which can be regarded as cryptic species) and their distinct phylogenetic positions indicate that characters of the L. incarnata morphotype have been acquired multiple times in the evolution of Linaria section Versicolores. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 00, 000–000.     

A new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from south‐eastern Brazil

A new species, Eugenia marambaiensis M.C.Souza & M.P.Morim, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by having large translucent gland dots densely distributed on the leaves, with a caudate apex and slightly wavy margins and a glabrous raceme, with only two flowers. Eugenia marambaiensis was only found in the locality of Restinga da Marambaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 306–308.     

Tripleurospermum ziganaense (Asteraceae,Anthemideae), a new species from north‐east Anatolia,Turkey

A new species of Tripleurospermum Sch.Bip., Tripleurospermum ziganaense Inceer & Hay?rl?oglu‐Ayaz (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), is described and illustrated. The species grows in open places, on rocky slopes and on roadsides in north‐east Anatolia, Turkey. The diagnostic morphological characters that distinguish it from closely related taxa are discussed, and its conservation status is indicated. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 696–700.     

Two new species of Linaria section Linaria (Scrophulariaceae‐Antirrhineae) from Iran

Linaria azerbaijanensis and Linaria shahroudensis are described as new species from the Azerbaijan and Semnan provinces of Iran, respectively, belong to section Linaria.The new species are compared to their closest relative Linaria lineolata. Linaria azerbaijanensis differs from L. lineolata in having shorter bracts, a shorter corolla, shorter spur and smaller capsules and a different microsculpturing pattern of the testa cells. Linaria shahroudensis differs from L. lineolata in having shorter stems, shorter calyx‐lobes, a longer spur, a smaller capsule and a different microsculpturing pattern of the testa cells. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 734–742.     

Range‐wide genetic analysis reveals limited structure and suggests asexual patterns in the rare forb Senecio macrocarpus

Genetic diversity and recombination underlie the long‐term persistence and evolution of species and are strongly influenced by population size, breeding system and plant longevity. Here, we study genetic structure in the rare Senecio macrocarpus in southeastern Australia to guide current conservation practices. Thirteen neutral microsatellite markers and two chloroplast regions were used to survey the 20 known S. macrocarpus populations and one sympatric S. squarrosus population, a morphologically similar species. All markers showed severe excess or deficit of heterozygotes and linkage disequilibrium was significant. Microsatellite markers revealed 100 multi‐locus genotypes (MLGs) from 523 S. macrocarpus individuals and a further 4 MLGs from 27 S. squarrosus individuals. MLGs varied in frequency and distribution. At the extremes, one MLG was found 108 times across the sampling region and 66 MLGs were found once. The MLGs of all 38 seedlings genotyped were identical to their seed parents implying an asexual origin. Chloroplast regions showed little variation within S. macrocarpus but differed from S. squarrosus. Chromosome counts for S. macrocarpus revealed the same ploidy level as S. squarrosus (2n = 6x = 60) and pollen–ovule ratios were typical of erechthitoid Senecio species showing self‐compatibility. Results suggest that establishment of small populations occur primarily from one extensive source population with indications that both apomixis and selfing may be contributing to its reproduction cycle. We suggest that this species may contribute to future evolutionary processes despite limited genotypic variation and restricted distribution. Its conservation will safeguard evolutionary processes that might occur through occasional outcrossing and hybridization events between sympatric species. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 115 , 256–269.     

Taxonomy of the Onosma echioides (L.) L. complex (Boraginaceae) based on morphometric analysis

A morphometric study on five populations of the Onosma echioides complex was carried out through univariate analysis, principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis (the unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic mean; UPGMA). In consideration of the quantitative morphological variability, of the known karyological homogeneity and of the allopatric distribution of the taxa, we propose here to treat this complex as a single species subdivided in four subspecies. The names O. angustifolia Lehm., O. canescens J. et C. Presl, O. dalmatica Scheele, O. echioides var. columnae Lacaita, O. echioides var. veronensis Lacaita and O. javorkae Simonkai are typified. The new combinations O. echioides subsp. angustifolia (Lehm.) Peruzzi & N. G. Passal., O. echioides subsp. canescens (J. et C. Presl) Peruzzi & N. G. Passal. and O. echioides subsp. dalmatica (Scheele) Peruzzi & N. G. Passal. are proposed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 763–774.     

A new species of Polygala L. (Polygalaceae) from south‐west Anatolia

Polygala peshmenii Eren, Parolly, Raus & Kürschner is described and illustrated as a new species from Antalya province in south‐west Anatolia, Turkey. Within subgenus Polygala section Polygala, it seems to be taxonomically quite isolated. As far as the Flora of Turkey area is concerned, technical comparison can be made with the informal P. alpestris Rchb. and P. vulgaris L. groups. The habitat conditions of P. peshmenii and its conservation status are considered. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 82–86.     

A new species of Aeschynomene L. (Leguminosae,Papilionoideae) from a continental sand dune area in north‐eastern Brazil

Aeschynomene sabulicola L.P. Queiroz & D. Cardoso is proposed as a new species of the section Ochopodium. This new species seems to be related to the series Viscidulae, as it presents herbaceous, slender branches, densely covered by viscid glandular hairs. However, it possesses fruits much larger than expected for this series. Aeschynomene sabulicola can be diagnosed by the erect habit, reaching c. 3.5 m high, inflorescences divaricate and horizontal with remote flowers, and fruits with only one subreniform article, this measuring 13–14 × 7–8 mm. The species occurs only in a continental sand dune area along the middle São Francisco River basin in the State of Bahia, north‐eastern Brazil. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 749–753.     

A new species of Allium (Alliaceae) from Dalmatia,Croatia

Allium croaticum , a new species from the island of Vis in Central Dalmatia (Croatia) is described and illustrated. Its relationships with allied species belonging to the A. stamineum group (Allium section Codonoprasum) are discussed. It is a diploid species (2n = 16), colonizing calcareous screes and flowering in early summer. Its morphology, leaf anatomy, karyology, palynology, ecology and taxonomic position are examined. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 106–114.     

A new species of Paraboea (Gesneriaceae) from a karst cave in Guangxi,China, and observations on variations in flower and inflorescence architecture

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Paraboea trisepala W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, from a karst cave in Guangxi, China is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other species of Paraboea by its three‐lobed calyx. Variation in flower and inflorescence architecture was observed under cultivation. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 681–688.     

A second species in the endemic New Caledonian genus Gastrolepis (Stemonuraceae) and its implications for the conservation status of high‐altitude maquis vegetation: coherent application of the IUCN Red List criteria is urgently needed in New Caledonia

A new species in the previously monotypic, endemic New Caledonian genus Gastrolepis (Stemonuraceae) is described. Gastrolepis alticola differs from G. austrocaledonica by its shorter and thicker petioles, strongly coriaceous leaves with revolute margins, shorter inflorescences, and pubescent corollas. The new species is further distinguished by its ecology, occurring only in high‐altitude maquis on two massifs in southern New Caledonia, Mt. Kouakoué and the Montagne des Sources. Gastrolepis alticola is assigned a preliminary conservation status of ‘Endangered’ using the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List criteria. Comparison of the IUCN threat status for the 19 species endemic to this distinctive, restricted vegetation type reveals a striking lack of consistency and underscores the need for a reassessment of the entire New Caledonian flora. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 775–783.     

A revision of Elatostema section Weddelia series Salvinioida (Urticaceae)

Based on examinations of specimens of Elatostema and Pellionia housed at K, KUN, L, P, PE, and YUNU, Elatostema section Weddelia series Salvinioida is taxonomically revised. Two species are recognized, described, and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided. Elatostema salvinioides var. robustum W.T.Wang is treated as a synonym of E. salvinioides W.T.Wang. Pellionia imbricata Gagnepain is transferred to Elatostema and a lectotype is designated herein. A new name, Elatostema simplicissimum Q. Lin, is provided because Elatostema imbricans was previously occupied. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 62–66.     

The name Cryptolepis bifida L.Joubert & Venter,a later homonym of C. bifida (Blume) P.I.Forst., corrected

A new Cryptolepis species from Kenya and Tanzania was named Cryptolepis bifida L.Joubert & Venter. However, this name is a later homonym of Cryptolepis bifida (Blume) P.I.Forst. and is herewith corrected to Cryptolepis ibayana L.Joubert & Venter. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 355.     

A new species of Centaurea (Asteraceae) from Sicily

A new species of Centaurea, Centaurea sicana , endemic to Sicily, is described. This new taxon is close to Centaurea parlatoris and Centaurea giardinae (Sect. Dissectae), the former occurring at Palermo and in the Madonie Mountains, while the latter occurs on the Etna volcano. The new species has so far been found only on the Sicani Mountains, a limestone mountain range in western Sicily, while the related species occur in the surrounding mountains. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 785–788.     

A new species of Astragalus L. (section Onobrychoidei DC.: Fabaceae) from Turkey

A new species of Astragalus L., A. trabzonicus (section Onobrychoidei DC.), is described and illustrated from north‐east Anatolia in Turkey. The diagnostic, pollen morphological, and chromosomal characteristics are discussed. A distribution map and conservation status are given. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 741–747.     

Introducing a new species of the fern genus Doryopteris (Pteridaceae,Polypodiopsida) from the Neotropics

Doryopteris adornata is described as a new species from west‐central South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina). The dense indument of scales on the abaxial surface of the lamina is the most prominent diagnostic feature of this new species. Illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided, as well as a table comparing the morphological characters of D. adornata with those of the two most similar species. The ecology and distribution are described. The conservation status for the new species using World Conservation Union (IUCN) guidelines/criteria is recommended. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 73–77.