The delimitation of the tribe Anthospermeae and its affinities to the Paederieae (Rubiaceae)

A critical comparison of many characters suggests that the Rubiaceae tribe Anthospermeae is closely allied to the tribe Paederieae. The delimitation of the tribe Anthospermeae from other tribes is redefined as to include only wind-pollinated genera, and characters of fruit structure, pollination biology and distribution patterns support the subdivision of the tribe into the three subtribes: Anthosperminae, Operculariinae and Coprosminae.
All insect-pollinated genera previously placed in the Anthospermeae are transferred to the Paederieae. It is shown that the genus Neogaillonia Linchevskii ( = Gaillonia A. Rich. ex. DC), previously included in the Spermacoceae, also belongs to this tribe; the genera Pterogaillonia Linchevskii, Pseudogaillonia Linchevskii, Jaubertia Guill. and Choulettia Pomel are considered synonyms of Neogaillonia.
The Anthospermeae are believed to be closely, and the Paederieae more remotely, allied to the tribe Theligoneae.     

山白树属及其近缘属聚类分析

运用系统聚类分析法,对山白树属及其近缘属进行定量分析,结果表明山白树属与牛鼻栓属亲缘关系密切,可组成一族,该族与蚊母树族有着较近的亲缘。     

Three new species of Paralomis (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Lithodidae) from the Pacific and Antarctic Oceans

Three new species of the lithodid genus Paralomis from the Sulawesi (Celebes) Islands, P. ochthodes sp.n., Chilean coast, P. tuberipes sp.n., and Antarctic Ocean, P. birsteini sp.n., are described and illustrated. The first two species have features that set them well apart from other species of the genus. Characters are also given to distinguish P. birsteini from the closely allied P. spectabilis Hansen (North Atlantic).     

The systematic position of Placusa Erichson and Euvira Sharp: the tribe Placusini described (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Abstract. The genera Placusa Mannerheim and Euvira Sharp share the 4, 4, 5 tarsal segmentation with other members of the aleocharine tribe Bolitocharini. Placusa has usually been placed together with other subcortical members of this tribe into the subtribe Homalotina or its taxonomic equivalent. Members of the very distinctive genus Euvira are not subcortical. The systematic position of this latter genus has been uncertain though it has been most often placed in the tribe (or subtribe) Autaliini. Because of the striking differences in habitus and habits of members of these two genera, they have always been considered to be, at most, distantly related within the Bolitocharini. Study of the larvae and adults of both genera has revealed that they share a diverse set of derived features (eight in adults; ten in larvae). Many of these are unique to the Aleocharinae. These features are described and illustrated and a discussion of their systematic importance is provided. Four conclusions are drawn: (1) Placusa and Euvira form a monophyletic group; (2) these two genera are misplaced in the tribe Bolitocharini; (3) these two genera do not share derived features with members of any other described tribe of aleocharines; and (4) Placusa and Euvira must be grouped into a redefined tribal level taxon, the Placusini. The tribe Placusini is defined and its composition and systematic placement discussed.     

Phylogenetic position of the genus Ferula (Apiaceae) and its placement in tribe Scandiceae as inferred from nrDNA ITS sequence variation

Recent molecular systematic investigations suggested that Ferula, an umbellifer genus of about 170 species, is polyphyletic, with its members placed in the apioid superclade and within tribe Scandiceae. We analyzed ITS sequence variation from 134 accessions of Apiaceae, including 83 accessions (74 species) of Ferula to ascertain the phylogenetic position of the genus within the family. Phylogenetic analyses of these data using maximum parsimony, Bayesian, and neighbor-joining methods support the monophyly of Ferula upon the addition of Dorema and Leutea (as Ferula sensu lato) and its placement in tribe Scandiceae. Ferula sensu is closely allied with other major lineages of Scandiceae, corresponding to subtribes Scandicinae, Daucinae, and Torilidinae. Therefore, we recognize the Ferula clade as subtribe Ferulinae. Another addition to tribe Scandiceae is a clade composed of genera Glaucosciadium and Mozaffariania. The three accessions of Ferula misplaced in the apioid superclade represent a species of Silaum.     

Redefining Phrymaceae: the placement of Mimulus, tribe Mimuleae, and Phryma

Chloroplast trnL/F and nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS sequence data were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among members of tribe Mimuleae (Scrophulariaceae) and other closely related families in Lamiales. The results of these analyses led to the following conclusions. (1) The Australian genera Glossostigma and Peplidium and the taxonomically isolated Phryma join four genera of tribe Mimuleae to form a well-supported clade that is distinct from other families in the Lamiales. We refer to that clade as the subfamily Phrymoideae. (2) The genera Mazus and Lancea (tribe Mimuleae) together form a well-supported clade that we recognize as the subfamily Mazoideae. Mazoideae is weakly supported as sister to Phrymoideae. We assign Mazoideae and Phrymoideae to a redefined family Phrymaceae. (3) Mimulus is not monophyletic, because members of at least six other genera have been derived from within it. In light of the molecular evidence, it is clear that species of Phrymaceae (about 190 species) have undergone two geographically distinct radiations; one in western North America (about 130 species) and another in Australia (about 30 species). Phylogenetic interpretations of morphological evolution and biogeographical patterns are discussed.     

The mosaic of ancestral karyotype blocks in the Sinapis alba L. genome

The organisation of the Sinapis alba genome, comprising 12 linkage groups (n = 12), was compared with the Brassicaceae ancestral karyotype (AK) genomic blocks previously described in other crucifer species. Most of the S. alba genome falls into conserved triplicated genomic blocks that closely match the AK-defined genomic blocks found in other crucifer species including the A, B, and C genomes of closely related Brassica species. In one instance, an S. alba linkage group (S05) was completely collinear with one AK chromosome (AK1), the first time this has been observed in a member of the Brassiceae tribe. However, as observed for other members of the Brassiceae tribe, ancestral genomic blocks were fragmented in the S. alba genome, supporting previously reported comparative chromosome painting describing rearrangements of the AK karyotype prior to the divergence of the Brassiceae from other crucifers. The presented data also refute previous phylogenetic reports that suggest S. alba was more closely related to Brassica nigra (B genome) than to B. rapa (A genome) and B. oleracea (C genome). A comparison of the S. alba and Arabidopsis thaliana genomes revealed many regions of conserved gene order, which will facilitate access to the rich genomic resources available in the model species A. thaliana for genetic research in the less well-resourced crop species S. alba.     

Genetic divergence in the tribe Electronini (Myctophidae)

To reveal evolutionary relationships and the rate of divergence of lanternfishes in the tribe Electronini (Myctophidae), analysis of sequence of cox 1 mtDNA fragment in three genera (12 species) of the tribe and in a closely related genus Myctophum (9 species) was performed. The results support the tribe monophyly; however, the divergence within it appeared to be not profound: genetic distances between genera and subgenera are smaller than between species within Myctophum and other genera of myctophids. In subgenera of Protomyctophum, species formation has obviously not completed since interspecies distances in them (0.5–4.7%) are comparable to estimates of intraspecific variation in other lanternfishes. Minimal genetic differences were found between species P. (Hierops) arcticum and P. (H.) subparallelum, whose ranges at the present time are isolated in the northern and southern hemispheres. After calibration of the molecular clock, the time of isolation of these two species can be dated to the Middle Pleistocene. Weak tribe diversification indicates its evolutionary youth, which can be related to the absence of efficient hydrographic barriers for isolation. The data obtained do not permit to consider tribe members as the most primitive in the family Myctophidae.     

TAXONOMY OF THE NEW ZEALAND-ENDEMIC GENUS PLEUROSTICHIDIUM (RHODOMELACEAE, RHODOPHYTA)

A morphological, anatomical, and molecular study of the tribe Pleurostichidieae (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) is presented. New collections of its only member, Pleurostichidium falkenbergii Heydrich, have enabled a thorough re-assessment of this species from a classical-morphological standpoint and have allowed the first photographs to be made of critical features of this little-known obligate epiphyte of the brown alga Xiphophora chondrophylla (Turner) Montagne ex Harvey. The relationship of the tribe to other members of the Rhodomelaceae is considered based on analysis of 18S rDNA sequences from P. falkenbergii , 14 other rhodomelaceous species, and six outgroup taxa. Pleurostichidium falkenbergii is shown to be most closely related to the tribe Polysiphonieae and only distantly related to the Amansieae, with which it was previously associated.     

Why close relatives make bad neighbours: phylogenetic conservatism in niche preferences and dispersal disproves Darwin's naturalization hypothesis in the thistle tribe

The number of exotic plant species that have been introduced into the United States far exceeds that of other groups of organisms, and many of these have become invasive. As in many regions of the globe, invasive members of the thistle tribe, Cardueae, are highly problematic in the California Floristic Province, an established biodiversity hotspot. While Darwin's naturalization hypothesis posits that plant invaders closely related to native species would be at a disadvantage, evidence has been found that introduced thistles more closely related to native species are more likely to become invasive. To elucidate the mechanisms behind this pattern, we modelled the ecological niches of thistle species present in the province and compared niche similarity between taxa and their evolutionary relatedness, using fossil‐calibrated molecular phylogenies of the tribe. The predicted niches of invasive species were found to have higher degrees of overlap with native species than noninvasive introduced species do, and pairwise niche distance was significantly correlated with phylogenetic distance, suggesting phylogenetic niche conservatism. Invasive thistles also displayed superior dispersal capabilities compared to noninvasive introduced species, and these capabilities exhibited a phylogenetic signal. By analysing the modelled ecological niches and dispersal capabilities of over a hundred thistle species, we demonstrate that exapted preferences to the invaded environment may explain why close exotic relatives may make bad neighbours in the thistle tribe.     

Molecular phylogenetics of Stenodermatini bat genera: congruence of data from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA

Within the tribe Stenodermatini the systematics of the complex of species allied with the genus Artibeus has generated several alternative phylogenetic hypotheses. The most recent treatment recognized four genera (Artibeus, Dermanura, Enchisthenes, and Koopmania) and suggested that the most recent common ancestor of these four genera would include the common ancestor of all other currently recognized Stenodermatini genera except Sturnira. To test this hypothesis, we examined an EcoRI-defined nuclear satellite DNA repeat and 402 bp of DNA sequence variation from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic conclusions based on Southern blot analyses, in situ hybridization, and mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicate that Enchisthenes is not closely related to Dermanura, Artibeus, or Koopmania and that Dermanura, Artibeus, and Koopmania shared a common ancestor after diverging from the remainder of the Stenodermatini. If our conclusions are correct, then justification for recognizing Dermanura and Koopmania as generically distinct from Artibeus must be based on the magnitude of difference that distinguishes each rather than on the conclusion that to place them as congeneric with Artibeus creates a paraphyletic taxon.      

Phylogenetic studies on some Japanese amphibia by means of immunoelectrophoresis. II. Relationships of some amphibians to Japanese pond frogs (author's transl)

Since the Japanese pond frogs (Rana nigromaculata and R. brevipoda) are known to be very closely allied with each other in morphological, ecological, physiological or immunological characters, the phylogenetical relationships between the Japanese pond frogs and other 10 species of Japanese amphibians were investigated by means of immunoelectrophoretic analysis of liver extract. The results obtained are as follows: (1) There are conservative antigens which are commonly found in all species of Anura. (2) The Japanese pond frogs have specific antigens. (3) R. nigromaculata and R. brevidpoda are very closely allied with each other. (4) Four species of the genus Rana (R. rugosa, R. catesbeiana, R. ornativentris and R. japonica) are closely related to the Japanese pond frogs. (5) Two species of the genus Rhacophorus (Rh. arboreus and Rh. burergeri) are related to the Japanese pond frogs. (6) R. limnocharis is related to the Japanese pond frogs at the same extent as the genus Rhcophorus is. (7) Tow species of the suborder Procoela (Hyla arbored and Bufo bufo) are only partially related to the Japanese pond frogs. (8) Cynops pyrrhogaster pyrrhogaster of Urodera had only a few common antigens with the Japanese pond frogs.     

A new genus and species from Borneo and a new species from Java and Sumatra of Cicadini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

A new cicada genus and species, Minilomia triquetra, gen. and sp. nov., is described from Borneo. The new genus Minilomia is closely allied to Platylomia Stål and is placed in the subtribe Dundubiina of the tribe Cicadini. Another new cicada species, Pomponia brevicaudata, sp. nov. (subtribe Psithyristriina), is described from Java and Sumatra. The new species belongs to the Pomponia linearis species group and the P. linearis species complex but is distinguished from its congeners by the unusually short male abdomen.     

Phylogenetic relationships,subdivision, and biogeography of the cyprinid tribe Labeonini (sensu ) (Teleostei: Cypriniformes), with comments on the implications of lips and associated structures in the labeonin classification

The Labeonini (sensu Rainboth, 1991) is a tribe of the subfamily Cyprininae, the largest subfamily of Cypriniformes. With around 400 species in 34 genera, this tribe is widely distributed in the freshwaters of tropical Africa and Asia. Most species are adapted to fast-flowing streams and rivers, and exhibit unique morphological modifications associated with their lips and other structures around the mouth. The monophyly of this tribe has been tested and generally accepted in previous morphological and molecular studies. The major objectives of this study were to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Labeonini, test its monophyly and explore the taxonomic subdivisions, intrarelationships and biogeography of the group. The value of the morphological characters associated with the lips and other associated structures in the taxonomic classification of labeonins was also discussed. Nucleotide sequences (3867 bp) of four unlinked nuclear loci were obtained from 51 species in 18 Labeonini genera from throughout the range of the tribe. Maximum parsimony, partitioned maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian analyses were used for phylogenetic inference from combined and separate gene data sets. Based on our results, the monophyly of Labeonini was well supported. Two major clades could be recovered within the tribe. Three subclades could further be recognized from the first clade. These clades/subclades are not consistent with groupings of any of previous workers using either morphological or molecular characters for phylogenetic inference. Only five currently recognized genera in this analysis are monophyletic. The similarity between some lips and associated structures (e.g. suctorial discs) of labeonins may due to convergence or parallelism instead of common ancestry. Labeonins of Southeast Asia, India and China are closely related to each other; the multiple clades of African taxa do not form a single monophyletic group, indicating multiple, independent dispersal events of labeonins into Africa from Asia.     

A phylogeny of Thermopsideae (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) inferred from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences

Based on nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, Thermopsideae is phylogenetically studied within a genistoid background. Analysis reveals that the tribe is not supported as a monophyletic group. Some species of Sophora s.s are nested within it. The central Asian desert Ammopiptanthus forms an isolated clade but is relatively remote to other Thermopsideae members. Piptanthus , Anagyris , Baptisia , and Thermopsis are clustered together into a robust clade. We hence propose that the tribe could either be reduced to just the four 'core genera' with Ammopiptanthus excluded, or, as an alternative, that Thermopsideae could become part of a new Sophoreae s.s. if it is re-circumscribed in the future. Both Piptanthus and Baptisia appear as monophyletic. The genus Anagyris is closer to some east Asian Thermopsis species than to Piptanthus . The east Asian and North American disjunct Thermopsis is not monophyletic. The ITS results suggest a geographical division between the Old World and New World Thermopsis . The east Asian species are clustered with Piptanthus and Anagyris , whereas the North American species are allied to Baptisia . Nonetheless, the only two north-eastern east Asian native Thermopsis species appear to be more related to the North American group than to the east Asian one. The related biogeographical significance has therefore been additionally discussed.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 365–373.     

The systematic status of the Iriomote cat (Prionailurus iriomotensis Imaizumi 1967) and the subspecies of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis Kerr 1792)

The taxonomic status of the Iriomote cat ( Prionailurus iriomotensis Imaizumi 1967) has been the subject of considerable discussion. Wozencraft's (1993) decision that it is merely a subspecies of Prionailurus bengalensis has been adopted by IUCN, which may affect the chances of conserving this unique animal. This paper reports on an investigation into the relationship between the Iriomote cat and other species, using skull measurements to calculate skull configurations, from which species and subspecies may be compared with each other. The results prove that the Iriomote cat cannot be subsumed as a subspecies of Prionailurus bengalensis but is a species of its own. It is closely related to the genus Prionailurus but also has affinities with the genera Pardofelis and Profelis . It appears to be a very ancient species, a 'missing link', nearer to the common root of the cat tribe than any other extant species.     

European Miocene hominids and the origin of the African ape and human clade

In 1871, Darwin famously opined, "In each great region of the world the living mammals are closely related to the extinct species of the same region. It is therefore probable that Africa was formerly inhabited by extinct apes closely allied to the gorilla and chimpanzee; and as these two species are now man's nearest allies, it is somewhat more probable that our early progenitors lived on the African continent than elsewhere." Although this quote is frequently recalled today, Darwin's next line is rarely acknowledged: "But it is useless to speculate on this subject, for an ape nearly as large as a man, namely the Dryopithecus of Lartet, which was closely allied to the anthropomorphous Hylobates, existed in Europe during the Upper Miocene period; and since so remote a period the earth has certainly undergone many great revolutions, and there has been ample time for migration on the largest scale."     

4-Chloroindole-3-acetic acid and plant growth

4-Chloroindole-3-acetic acid (4-Cl-IAA) is a potent auxin in various auxin bioassays. Researchers have used 4-Cl-IAA as well as other halogenated auxins in biological assays to understand the structural features of auxins required to induce auxin mediated growth in plants. 4-Cl-IAA is a naturally occurring auxin in plants from the Vicieae tribe of the Fabaceae family; and 4-Cl-IAA has also been identified in one species outside the Vicieae tribe, Pinus sylvestris. The apparent function of the unique auxin 4-Cl-IAA in normal plant growth and development will be discussed with a focus on Pisum sativum and Vicia faba     

INVESTIGATIONS OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE EOCENE OF NORTH AMERICA: RHAMNUS MARGINATUS (RHAMNACEAE) REEXAMINED

Leaf compressions, previously assigned to Rhamnus marginatus Lesquereux, were collected from the Middle Eocene Claiborne Formation of western Kentucky and Tennessee. The leaf architecture and cuticular features of over 40 compressions were carefully examined and compared to those of many extant species of Rhamnaceae and related families as well as fossil specimens previously assigned to this taxon. This leaf type appears to belong to the Rhamnaceae, however, it conforms more closely to species of several genera in the tribe Zizypheae than to those of Rhamnus or other genera in the tribe Rhamneae. Confident assignment to any specific genus within this complex of genera cannot be made on the basis of leaf characteristics alone and would require discovery and analysis of additional vegetative and reproductive organs. Because this fossil leaf form cannot be confidently assigned to any modern genus and earlier classifications appear to be improper, this leaf type has been reassigned to the taxon Berhamniphyllum claibornense gen. et sp. nov. The transfer of this leaf form at the tribe level reaffirms the need for close examination of taxonomic determinations made by early workers.