A new multiflorous species of Leymus (Poaceae: Triticeae) from western China

A new species of Leymus section Racemosus, L. pluriflorus L.B.Cai & T.L.Zhang, is described and illustrated. It grows in the eastern part of Qinghai Province and the southern part of Gansu Province, China. It most closely resembles L. crassiusculus L.B.Cai, from which it differs in having longer rachis internodes, some pedicellate spikelets, more florets per spikelet, glabrous lemmas, shorter paleas and shorter anthers. It differs from all other Chinese species taxa in Leymus with regard to the large number (8–12) of florets in its spikelets, and from all species of Leymus in adjacent countries in having three to four spikelets per node. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 343–348.     

A new species of Cryptolepis (Apocynaceae: Periplocoideae) from Kenya and Tanzania, Africa

A new species of Cryptolepis is described from Kenya and Tanzania. It is a tropical forest climber and its unique second corona whorl of deeply cleft lobes distinguishes it from all other Cryptolepis species.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 343–346.     

A spectacular new species of Nepenthes L. (Nepenthaceae) pitcher plant from central Palawan,Philippines

A new species of Nepenthes L., N. attenboroughii (Nepenthaceae), from Palawan Island in the Philippines, is described and illustrated. It is restricted to rocky, ultramafic soils that comprise the summit region of Mount Victoria, Municipality of Narra, where it occurs in isolation from other members of the genus. On the basis of the morphological features, this new taxon appears to be related to both N. mira Jebb & Cheek of Palawan and N. rajah Hook.f. of Borneo. Its substantial size places it among the largest of known pitcher plants. The diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and an updated key is provided for a revised complex of Nepenthes species from the Palawan and North Borneo phytogeographical region. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 195–202.     

A new species of Lathyrus L. (section Cicercula; Fabaceae) from Turkey

A new species, Lathyrus egirdiricus H.Genc & A.Sahin (section Cicercula; Fabaceae), is described from Turkey, with illustrations and taxonomic comments. Characteristics of the species are compared with those of the related species Lathyrus hirsutus L., L. stenophyllus Boiss. & Heldr., L. sativus L., L. cassius Boiss. and L. gorgoni Parl., from which it differs mainly in the shape, length, width and venation of leaflets, length and width of the stipule, flower colour, legume and style length. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 301–305.     

The morphology and ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules and hindgut in Cenocorixa bifida (Hung.) (Hemiptera,Corixidae)

The gross morphology and ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules and hindgut in adults of the water bug Cenocorixa bifida (Hung.) is described. These are compared with similar structures in other insects with a view to relating the observed structure with potential function.     

The ultrastructure of the flight muscle polymorphism in Cenocorixa bifida (Hung.) (Heteroptera,Corixidae)

Adult Cenocorixa bifida (Heteroptera: Corixidae) emerging early in the year in British Columbia are all able to fly. Insects emerging in the late autumn look similar externally, but are incapable of flight: the ultrastructure of their indirect flight muscles resembles that of immature tissue, indicating a block in the normal myogenetic sequence.     

Type specimens of G. E. Post in Beirut and The Natural History Museum,London

The Flora of Syria, Palestine and Sinai, a pioneer Flora of the region, was published in 1896 by George Edward Post (1838–1909). Lesser known are his series of Diagnoses plantarum novarum orientalium, published in the Journal of the Linnean Society Botany, and 10 papers, Plantae Postianae, which appeared in Swiss journals from 1890 to 1900. A greatly expanded second edition of the Flora was prepared by John Edward Dinsmore and published in Beirut in 1932 and 1933. Post's plant collection is part of the Post Herbarium (BEI), with about 63 000 specimens, that has been well maintained, despite civil war and inadequate staffing. This work involves the identification of around 150 types in BEI and BM, and improvement of the accessibility of the specimens. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 315–321.     

The Linear Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (LAPG) III: a linear sequence of the families in APG III

The publication of the third Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) classification (APG III. 2009. An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 161: 128–131) has resulted in the need for a revised systematic listing of the accepted families. This linear APG III (LAPG III) sequence of families is presented here. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 128–131.     

The distribution and habitat separation of three corixids (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in western Colorado

Three species of Corixidae (Hemiptera : Heteroptera) were studied in thirty montane, sub-alpine, and alpine ponds in Western Colorado. Callicorixa audeni Hung, had the widest altitudinal range (2800-3400 m). Cenocorixa bifida Hung, was most common in montane ponds. Arctocorisa lawsoni Hung, was found only above 3100 m. C. audeni was significantly associated with C. bifida and A. lawsoni. Habitat selection was studied in two montane (2900 m) and one alpine (3480 m) pond. C. audeni utilized both mud and emergent sedges as perching and feeding sites, occurring more frequently in the sedges in the montane ponds. C. bifida was confined to the mud. In the alpine pond, A. lawsoni was most abundant on the mud; C. audeni occurred equally on the mud and in the sedges. All three species preferred shallow water (less than 0·5 m). A. lawsoni occupied deeper water more often than C. audeni. In substrate selection experiments C. audeni occupied emergent sedges more than C. bifida, confirming field observations. C. bifida occurred in sedges in the aquaria, but not in the montane ponds, suggesting that an interspecific interaction may be excluding C. bifida from the sedges in nature.     

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.     

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.     

Checklist of Commelinaceae of Equatorial Guinea (Annobón,Bioko and Río Muni)

A checklist of Commelinaceae of Equatorial Guinea, comprising 46 taxa in 12 genera, is presented. The best represented genus is Palisota, with 11 species. Bibliographical references for Commelinaceae from Equatorial Guinea have been gathered and checked. Eleven species of Commelinaceae are recorded for the first time in the country. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 106–122.     

Phylogeography of palo santo trees (Bursera graveolens and Bursera malacophylla; Burseraceae) in the Galápagos archipelago

Two species of palo santo trees are distributed in the Galápagos archipelago, the native Bursera graveolens and the endemic Bursera malacophylla (Burseraceae). However, a zone of individuals morphologically intermediate between the two exists on northern Santa Cruz Island and south‐eastern Santiago Island, suggesting that they may not be reproductively isolated. Here we review the species' distributional and morphological differences and test for evidence of hybridization between the two species using DNA sequence and AFLP data. We find that the species lack distinguishing synapomorphies across the five nuclear and plastid regions examined. Population assignment tests and population genetic analyses of AFLP data indicate that genetically similar palo santo individuals (N = 87), including putative hybrids, partition into two genealogical groups that do not uniformly correspond to island‐ or taxon‐based membership. Furthermore, genotypic admixture levels among morphologically intermediate individuals do not indicate widespread hybridization. Thus, we recommend recognizing the endemic palo santo taxon as B. graveolens subspecies malacophylla (B.L.Rob.) A. Weeks & Tye comb. & stat. nov. in light of its close genetic relationship to B. graveolens subsp. graveolens and its distinctive morphology and distribution. Future research should quantify phenotypic variation in palo santo populations as another means for understanding the basis of morphological differences between the subspecies. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 396–410.     

Typification of three taxa of the genus Festuca L. (Poaceae)

Lectotypifications of Festuca infesta Hack. ex Trab., Festuca maroccana Trab. and Festuca rubra L. subsp. scabrescens Hack. ex Trab. are designated here. The principal diagnostic characters and chorology are also presented for each taxon. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 342–343.     

New chromosome counts in the genus Centaurea (Asteraceae) from Turkey

Twenty‐two chromosome counts are reported in 16 species, four subspecies and two varieties of the genus Centaurea. These are mostly Turkish local endemics of section Cheirolepis, a complicated group from the Eastern clade of the Jacea group. Twenty‐one reports are new. Prevalence of the basic chromosome number x = 9 among the eastern sections of the Jacea group is confirmed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 280–286.     

A new genus of cave‐dwelling microcrustaceans from the Dinaric Region (south‐east Europe): adaptations of true stygobitic Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda)

We revise ‘true’ stygobitic cladocerans and lift three species from Alona Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Chydoridae). Species of Brancelia gen. nov. are inhabitants of saturated karst, collected in pools of residual water in the amphibious zones of a few caves in the Dinaric Region, Europe. All species are blind (regression of eye and ocellus), have elongated sensorial equipment (aesthetascs) and a short rostrum, reduced antennal spines, and a globular body. In contrast to earlier hypotheses, there is no epigean chydorid taxon from the Palaearctic that can be linked to Brancelia gen. nov. The new genus may be an offshoot of six‐limbed Aloninae, but a littoral‐benthic ancestor is not apparent and most likely extinct. Evolution of Brancelia gen. nov. parallels that of other subterranean Cladocera like Phreatalona Van Damme, Brancelj & Dumont, 2009. We discuss the functional morphology of Brancelia gen. nov. and compare its adaptations to a subterranean life mode with those of Phreatalona. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161 , 31–52.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation and the evolutionary history of the Mediterranean species of Cicada L. (Hemiptera,Cicadoidea)

Cicadas are widely distributed in the Mediterranean area and are mainly distinguished by male acoustic signals, which act as specific mate recognition systems. Within the genus Cicada L. several species have diverged in their calling songs without showing external morphological differences, so acoustic recordings and genetic studies are particularly useful for systematic, biogeography and evolutionary studies. This study assesses sequence variation in closely related species of Cicada from the Mediterranean area, using domain III of the 12S rRNA mitochondrial gene in order to determine the phylogenetic relationships and the evolutionary history of this group, as well as the population structure of the two most common species, C. orni and C. barbara. Five distinct haplogroups were identified, C. orni, C. barbara, C. mordoganensis, C. cretensis and C. lodosi, each corresponding to a distinct evolutionary group. C. barbara was the most divergent species within this group, while C. orni and C. mordoganensis were the most similar. The population structure and demographic parameters of the species were not completely resolved. However, there is evidence for the separation of the C. orni Greek populations from the rest of Europe and also for demographic expansions probably related to Pleistocene climate changes. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 266–288.     

A new genus of red‐toothed shrew (Mammalia,Soricidae) from the Early Pleistocene of Gran Dolina (Atapuerca,Burgos, Spain), and a phylogenetic approach to the Eurasiatic Soricinae

This paper describes a new genus and species of shrew from the Pleistocene (levels 4, 5, and 6) of the Gran Dolina site, located in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). Dolinasorex glyphodon gen. et sp. nov. (Mammalia, Soricidae) is a type of large‐sized soricine, endemic in character, which inhabited the Sierra de Atapuerca in the last part of the Early Pleistocene (c. 780–900 kya). Morphometric and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is more closely related to Asiatic forms than to the species Beremendia fissidens with its primarily European distribution. The main palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographical implications of the new taxon in the area around Atapuerca and in the Iberian Peninsula in general are discussed. The paper also presents a tentative phylogeny for the Soricinae subfamily in Eurasia, including for the first time exclusively fossil species, producing results that may prove to be of great interest for more complete studies in the future. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 904–925.     

Cryptic speciation at organic‐rich marine habitats: a new bacteriovore annelid from whale‐fall and fish farms in the North‐East Atlantic

Vigtorniella ardabilia sp. nov. , a new chrysopetalid annelid, is described from a whale‐fall in Sweden and from sediment samples collected beneath fish farms in Norway. The new Vigtorniella species is morphologically almost identical to Vigtorniella flokati from whale‐falls in the Pacific Ocean, although molecular evidence from four genes shows that they are different species. Population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships of V. ardabilia sp. nov. were assessed using molecular data from the nuclear genes 18S and 28S, and the mitochondrial 16S and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). High levels of gene flow are reported between contrasting organic‐rich environments in the North Atlantic (fish farms and whale‐fall). Observations of feeding biology and habitat suggest that V. ardabilia specializes on bacterial mats, rather than on whale‐falls, although the two species of Vigtorniella for which data were available show very different feeding behaviours. Our results further showed an unexpectedly low divergence rate in Vigtorniella for the mitochondrial markers, suggesting stabilizing selection. Analyses carried out with parsimony, maximum likelihood, and MrBayes all placed the genus Vigtorniella as sister group to Dysponetus, suggesting a close evolutionary link to sediment‐dwelling fauna. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 774–785.