Morphometric study and taxonomy of Genista pulchella Vis. s.l. (Fabaceae), a south European species

A morphometric study of the known populations of Genista pulchella has been undertaken, based on herbarium specimens and field research. This has made it possible to provide a new taxonomic outline as the disjunct populations of G. pulchella (western part of the Balkan peninsula, central Italy and southern France) seem to be distinct. A new taxon is described: G. pulchella ssp. aquilana ssp. nov. (central Italy), a new combination G. pulchella ssp. villarsiana comb. nov. is proposed for the population from southern France, while G. pulchella ssp. pulchella can be considered endemic to the Balkan Peninsula. Genista pulchella Vis., G. villarsii Clementi and G. villarsiana Jord. are lectotypified.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153 , 245–254.     

A new species of Aethionema (Brassicaceae) from the Bulgarian flora

Aethionema rhodopaeum D. Pavlova is described as a new species from the eastern Rhodope Mountains. The plant was found growing only on serpentines, in two localities, at an altitude of approximately 400 m. The localities are typical open habitats with sparsely colonized debris. The plant communities, composed mainly of xerophytes with a mosaic distribution, contain a large number of rare and endemic species for the Bulgarian flora. The new species belongs to the Aethionema saxatile group and is quite close to the species A. saxatile (L.) R. Br., in particular to ssp. creticum and ssp. graecum . The following diagnostic features are given for the new species: inner filament length always greater than half the petal length, lack of teeth of the filaments, longer [2–3(3.5) mm] style than that of A. saxatile subspecies, and dark purple petals. All leaves are broadly elliptical to suborbicular, obtuse, and fleshy. The chromosome number of the new species is 2 n  = 24. The differences between the new species and related taxa are also discussed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 533–540.     

Sarcinomyces sideticae, a new black yeast from historical marble monuments in Side (Antalya, Turkey)

A new species of Sarcinomyces , a melanized fungus with meristematic development, is described. On the basis of small subunit and internal transcribed sequence regions of ribosomal DNA sequencing, the new species was accommodated in the anamorph genus Sarcinomyces (Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales) close to S. petricola .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 373–380.     

Karyological observations on plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands

Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported from 35 vascular plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands that are poorly known cytogenetically. The chromosome numbers of Chaenorhinum rodriguezii (2 n  = 14), Coristospermum huteri (2 n  = 22), Carduus ibicensis (2 n  = 26), Filago petro-ianii (2 n  = 26), Ononis crispa ssp. zschackei (2 n  = 30), and Ophrys bertolonii ssp. balearica (2 n  = 36) were determined for the first time. New chromosome numbers are reported in Pimpinella bicknellii (2 n  = 22), Calamintha rouyana (2 n  = 46), Vicia bifoliolata (2 n  = 14), and Teucrium asiaticum (2 n  = 30). A new diploid cytotype (2 n  = 16) was found in Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi , which is restricted to populations from the western Balearics (Eivissa and Formentera), whereas tetraploid plants are known from the eastern Balearics (Mallorca). It is suggested that the tetraploid cytotype arose from the diploid cytotype through autopolyploidy. The idiograms of Coristospermum huteri , Pastinaca lucida , Pimpinella bicknellii , Carduus ibicensis , Helianthemum scopulicolum , Helichrysum crassifolium , Vicia bifoliolata , p aeonia cambessedesii , Helleborus lividus , Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi , and Linaria aeruginea ssp. pruinosa are determined for the first time.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 463–476.     

A new Pyrenean hybrid Cirsium (Asteraceae) as revealed by morphological and molecular analyses

A new nothosubspecies Cirsium  ×  vivantii is described after a molecular and morphological characterization of eight individuals collected in two separate valleys of the French central Pyrenees. Both hypervariable Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers and nuclear rDNA (ITS) and plastid ( trn L-F, TRNT-L) DNA sequences were analysed. The profiles of these hybrid samples were compared to those of 43 individuals belonging to their presumed parental taxa C. carniolicum ssp. rufescens and C. palustre . A total of 133 AFLP bands were scored from three primer-pair combinations. All 130 AFLP bands that amplified in the hybrid samples were present in either C. carniolicum ssp. rufescens , C. palustre or both taxa, supporting the participation of these plant genomes in the resulting hybrids. Several Additive Polymorphic Sites (APS) detected in the ITS sequences of the hybrid samples also confirmed their derived origins from ribotypes of the two parental taxa. The lack of exclusive AFLP markers and the nonconcerted evolution of rDNA polymorphisms towards either of the parental ribotypes indicated their recent origin. Plastid trn T-L sequences were used to identify C. palustre as the maternal parent of six of these hybrid individuals; either parent could have acted as the plastid genome donor for the other two individuals. The morphological study revealed that all hybrid individuals were morphologically intermediate between their parents showing largely lobed and less spiny basal leaves as in C. carniolicum ssp. rufescens and decurrent leaf bases and pinkish corollas as in C. palustre .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 421–434.     

Synopsis of Turkish Acantholimon Boiss. (Plumbaginaceae)

A synopsis of Acantholimon in Turkey is given on the basis of a revisional study conducted in Turkey by the authors. An account of 52 species, ten subspecies, and 17 varieties is given, including keys to the species, subspecies, and varieties, and a general indication of their distribution, as well as their conservation status in Turkey. Seven new taxa, namely A .  ekimii sp. nov. , A. capitatum ssp. sivasicum ssp. nov. , A. calvertii var. glabrum var. nov. , A. huetii var. breviscapum var. nov. , A. acerosum ssp. longibracteolorum ssp. nov. , A. lycaonicum ssp. cappadocicum ssp. nov. , and A. halophilum var. coloratum var. nov. , are described, together with a few new combinations. A. wiedemannii , A. iconicum , and A. lycaonicum , described from Turkey in the past, but placed under other species as synonyms in the Flora of Turkey , are recognized once again as good species. A. multiflorum and A. parviflorum are given a species status. In Turkey, the presence of A. latifolium , A. araxanum , A. lepturoides , A. hohenackerii , A. senganense , A. fominii , A. petraeum , and A. tragacanthinum is also confirmed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 397–419.     

A new species of Hedysarum (Fabaceae) in Iran and other new Hedysarum records

Hedysarum al-shehbazii , a new species endemic to Iran, is described and illustrated. This species belongs to Hedysarum section Multicaulia . It is confined to the western part of Iran (Kermanshah Province), and is known from a single population close to the Iraq frontier, although possibly also growing in the adjoining eastern part of Iraq. The conservation status of this species is 'vulnerable' according to World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria. In addition, H. varium and H. syricum are reported as new records from a single gathering close to the Turkish frontier. Moreover, H. kotschyi and H. pogonocarpum are transferred from Hedysarum section Crinifera to Hedysarum section Multicaulia .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 505–512.     

A new species of Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) from Espinhaço Range, Bahia, Brazil

A new species, Ilex mucugensis Groppo sp. nov. (Aquifoliaceae), is described and illustrated. The species is known only from 'campos rupestres' (vegetation of rock outcrops at high altitude) in the vicinity of Mucugê, Bahia State, Brazil, in the mountains of the Espinhaço Range. Comments on affinities, geographical distribution and phenology of the new species are also provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 153–156.     

A new species of Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae) from the Sierra Madre of Chiapas, Mexico, with comments on species relationships

The new species Ceratozamia vovidesii from a Pleistocene floristic refuge in southern Mexico is described and illustrated. It show an affinity with C. matudae Lundell and C. mirandae Vovides, Pérez-Farrera & Iglesias from Chiapas, but it differs from them in leaf, male and female cones, and trunk morphology.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 393–400.     

An extraordinary new rheophyte in the genus Leptactina (Rubiaceae, Pavetteae) from Rio Muni (Equatorial Guinea)

A distinctive new species of Rubiaceae from Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea, is described and illustrated. Leptactina rheophytica is the only rheophyte known in the genus. Its diagnostic characters are elucidated, its taxonomic affinities are discussed, and notes on its conservation status are provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 109–113.     

Clarification of the systematic position of Hippophae goniocarpa (Elaeagnaceae)

New information on (1) Hippophae goniocarpa Y.S. Lian et al . ex Swenson et Bartish and (2) H. goniocarpa ssp. litangensis (Lian et X.L. Chen ex Swenson et Bartish) Lian et K. Sun from China is provided and illustrated. Based on morphological characters and distribution, H. litangensis Y.S. Lian et X.L. Chen ex Swenson et Bartish is re-described as a subspecies. H. goniocarpa (including ssp. litangensis ) is a distinct species and should be placed in Section Gyantsensis of Hippophae , although it has been suggested that sspp. litangensis and goniocarpa are the result of hybridization between H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa , and H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis and H. neurocarpa ssp. stellatopilosa , respectively. The type subspecies of H. goniocarpa is distributed in Songpan and Hongyuan Counties of Sichuan Province and Qilian County of Qinghai Province, at 3500–3750 m, whereas ssp. litangensis is found only in Jiawa, Litang County, Sichuan Province at c . 3700 m. A key including the four taxa of sect. Gyantsensis is provided.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142 , 425−430.     

A peculiar new Orthotrichum species (Orthotrichaceae, Bryopsida) from central Argentina

A new epiphytic Orthotrichum species ( Orthotrichum spiculatum F. Lara, Garilleti & Mazimpaka sp. nov. ) is described from the sierra of Córdoba (Argentina). The new species has most of the characteristics of subgenus Pulchella (Schimp.) Vitt, but it is unique because of having eight exostome teeth pairs and 16 broad, strongly papillose endostome segments. Additionally, its upper leaves have green, acuminate, dentate–spiculate apices.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 477–482.     

Genetic diversity in the endangered dysploid larkspur Delphinium bolosii and its close diploid relatives in the series Fissa of the Western Mediterranean area

Allozyme diversity was evaluated in four closely-related taxa of the Delphinium series Fissa distributed throughout the Western Mediterranean area. All are considered threatened plants. Delphinium bolosii and Delphinium mansanetianum are narrowly endemic to the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, whereas Delphinium fissum ssp. sordidum is found in a few populations across the Peninsula. Delphinium fissum ssp. fissum is more widely distributed but often in small and isolated populations. In this group, Delphinium bolosii is dysploid (2 n  = 18) whereas the other taxa are diploid (2 n  = 16). A total of 12 populations were surveyed, including all known locations for D. bolosii , D. mansanetianum , and D. fissum ssp. sordidum . Eleven enzyme systems were assayed and 15 loci were resolved. Markedly depauperate values for genetic diversity were obtained for D. mansanetianum ( H _e = 0.013) and D. fissum ssp. sordidum ( H _e = 0.044). The estimates for D. fissum ssp. fissum ( H _e = 0.071) were below the values expected for widespread species. Small population size and marginal distribution have probably contributed to the low variability observed in this group. By contrast, D. bolosii exhibited comparatively larger populations and greater genetic diversity ( H _e = 0.138). We suggest that, apart from population size and local adaptation, genetic diversity during speciation may have been promoted by dysploidy through genomic recombination.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 92 , 773–784.     

Revision of the Clinopodium abyssinicum group (Labiatae)

A tropical African group of species commonly included in the genus Satureja is revised and moved to the genus Clinopodium . Satureja abyssinica (Benth.) Briq. ssp. abyssinica and ssp. condensata (Hedberg) Seybold, S. paradoxa (Vatke) Engl. ex Seybold, S. robusta (Hook.f) Brenan and S. vernayana Brenan should be known under the following names: Clinopodium abyssinicum (Hochst. ex Benth.) Kuntze var. abyssinicum and C. abyssinicum var. condensatum (Hedberg) Ryding, C. paradoxum (Vatke) Ryding, C. robustum (Hook.f) Ryding and C. vernayanum (Brenan) Ryding, respectively. Satureja cacondensis (G. Taylor) Brenan, S. masukuensis (Baker) Eyles and S. myriantha (Baker) Brenan, including its varieties, are amalgamated and should be known by the name Clinopodium myrianthum (Baker) Ryding.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 391–408.     

Morphological and pollen differentiation in Solanum cardiophyllum ssp. cardiophyllum and S. cardiophyllum ssp. ehrenbergii

A multivariate analysis to differentiate morphologically the populations of wild potatoes Solanum cardiophyllum ssp. cardiophyllum and S. cardiophyllum ssp. ehrenbergii was carried out. An analysis of the morphology and the viability of pollen of these potato populations was also made. The results of the morphometric analysis indicate that both subspecies are phenetically different. The pollen grain shape and size in ssp. cardiophyllum are different in northern and southern populations. Pollen diameter is significantly different between subspecies. Based on these results we propose that these taxa should be considered as two separate species.  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 140 , 415–426.