A phylogenetic classification of the land plants to accompany APG III

A formal classification of the land plants that is compatible with the APG III classification is proposed. Previous classifications inflated taxonomic ranks, particularly of the angiosperms. If the major clades of green algae are recognized as classes, then all land plants, the embryophytes, should be included in a single class, here recognized as Equisitopsida. Accordingly, the 16 major clades of land plants, including the angiosperms, should all be recognized as subclasses, the angiosperms as Magnoliidae. Major clades within the angiosperms are then recognized as superorders. This classification still uses a few informal categories (e.g. eudicots, lamiids, etc.) within the angiosperms because this is convenient. Two new names are established: Amborellanae and Austrobaileyanae. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 122–127.     

Petenaeaceae,a new angiosperm family in Huerteales with a distant relationship to Gerrardina (Gerrardinaceae)

Petenaea cordata (from northern Central America) was first described in Elaeocarpaceae and later placed in Tiliaceae, but most authors have been uncertain about its familial affinities. It was considered a taxon incertae sedis in the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification (APG III). A recent collection was made in Guatemala, and analysis of both rbcL and atpB in the large Soltis et al. angiosperm matrix, the most completely sampled study published to date, indicated a moderately supported relationship to Tapiscia (Tapisciaceae, the only member of the newly recognized order Huerteales in this matrix; 81% bootstrap support). We then conducted a more restricted analysis using the Bayer et al. rbcL/atpB matrix for Malvales supplemented with the other genera of Huerteales from published studies. Our results indicate a distant, weakly supported sister‐group relationship to the African genus Gerrardina (Gerrardinaceae; Huerteales). After comparison of the characters cited in the literature and an examination of herbarium material of both genera, we could find no obvious synapomorphies for Gerrardina and Petenaea or any other relationship of the latter, and we therefore propose the new monogeneric family, Petenaeaceae. The polymorphic order Huerteales now comprises four small families: Dipentodontaceae, Gerrardinaceae, Petenaeaceae and Tapisciaceae. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 164 , 16–25.     

Index Pteridophytorum Guadalupensium or a revised checklist to the ferns and club mosses of Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Recent revision of the fern diversity of the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and its dependencies (Marie Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade) resulted in the listing of 292 native ferns and club mosses in 28 families and 88 genera, of which eight ferns are endemic to Guadeloupe and 20 taxa are only recorded from the Lesser Antilles. Additionally, 21 species have recently been found to be naturalized. Nineteen new combinations are made and a new hybrid is described. Many types from the Fée collection have been reassessed and a number of names are lecto‐ or neotypified. Studied specimens are cited and localities are provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 213–277.     

Phylogenetic analysis of 25 plant species representing 19 angiosperm families and one gymnosperm family based on 390 orthologous genes

High-throughput sequencing is fundamentally altering traditional phylogenetic classifications. While the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) III system based on chloroplast sequences has opened up a new era of angiosperm molecular classification, the use of nuclear genome sequences is more helpful for a precise phylogenetic analysis. However, such attempts have so far been applied to only a very limited number of angiosperm plant families. We constructed a phylogenetic tree of 25 plant species with well assembled genome sequences representing 19 angiosperm families and one gymnosperm family (as out group) using 390 orthologous genes. Our results strongly support the moving of Rhamnaceae to order Rosales from Rhamnales, abolishing Rhamnales, and establishing the new order Malpighiales in the APG III system. Our data also showed some characteristics inconsistent with the APG III classification and provided a reinterpretation of phylogeny for some of the families involved. We propose that Malpighiales should be placed in Malvids, not Fabids. The four monocot species representing four families were clustered together, indicating that monocot is a natural taxon. In summary, our results support almost all the APGIII treatments of the orders involved in this study and provided some surprising reinterpretations at levels beyond order.     

The Jambi gigantopterids and their place in gigantopterid classification

The gigantopterids are a pan‐palaeotropical Late Palaeozoic (to Early Mesozoic) plant group with unknown affiliations. Two gigantopterid species, both sole representatives of their respective genera, are known from the Early Permian Mengkarang Formation of Jambi (Sumatra, Indonesia). Through an emendation of the Jambi gigantopterids, based on the old and newly collected material, and a subsequent analysis of the leaf morphology of several gigantopterid genera, we conclude that the Jambi species are similar to the other gigantopterids, but do not appear to be related to them directly. We propose a possible scenario for the evolution of gigantopterid leaf morphology, based on marginal leaf growth, with implications for the validity of the gigantopterids as a natural group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 302–328.     

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.     

Neural networks and cluster analysis for unsupervised classification of cultivated species of Tilia (Malvaceae)

A case study of the classification of 19 species of the genus Tilia (Malvaceae) using morphological data is presented. The value of a self‐organizing map (SOM) neural network when applied to this problem is compared with that of a standard cluster analysis method. An interpretation of the results and a discussion of traditional classification systems are provided in order to evaluate the practical usefulness of the SOM methodology. The SOM technique is shown to provide an easily understandable two‐dimensional topological map which enables simple linear separation of taxonomic groups. Good separation of traditional infrageneric groups in Tilia is achieved and suggestions about changes to the existing classification are provided. It is concluded that the SOM and cluster analysis methods, whilst both producing results similar to existing classifications, are most effective at different hierarchical levels. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 300–314.     

Floral structure in Licuala peltata (Arecaceae: Coryphoideae) with special reference to the architecture of the unusual labyrinthine nectary

The structure and late development of the flowers of the South‐East Asian bee‐pollinated palm Licuala peltata are described with special focus on the architecture of the unusual labyrinthine nectaries. The nectaries are derived from septal nectaries by extensive convolution of the carpel flank surfaces below the ovary throughout the inner floral base, thus also encompassing the inner surface of the corolla–androecium tube. A comparison with septal nectaries elsewhere in Arecaceae and with labyrinthine nectaries in other monocots shows that labyrinthine nectaries situated below the ovary, as described here, are not known from any other palms, but are similar to those of a few Bromeliaceae and, less strongly convoluted, some Haemodoraceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae. In addition, the substantial participation of parts other than the gynoecium in the nectary architecture of Licuala appears unique at the level of monocots. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 66–77.     

Type specimens in the Vidal Herbarium at the Real Jardín Botánico,Madrid

Ninety eight type specimens collected by Sebastián Vidal in the Philippines, and kept at the Real Jardín Botánico Herbarium, Madrid (MA), are compiled. Most of these specimens are types of Vidal's names. Only a few are names of other authors (Hoogland, Merrill, and Rolfe). A list of specimens, as well as the indicatio locotypica and number in MA, is presented. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 292–299.     

Eight new species of Marasmodes (Asteraceae,Anthemideae) from South Africa

During a stay at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre in Cape Town (South Africa), several groups of Asteraceae were studied. One of these was the genus Marasmodes (tribe Anthemideae). After a careful taxonomic study of additional material, including the first species described by A. P. de Candolle, the author has concluded that eight collections should be considered as new species. These new species are described and their relationships with the most similar species of the genus are discussed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 330–342.     

Confronting assumptions about spontaneous autogamy in populations of Eulophia alta (Orchidaceae) in south Florida: assessing the effect of pollination treatments on seed formation,seed germination and seedling development

The breeding system of the terrestrial orchid Eulophia alta was investigated in south Florida where it has previously been reported as an auto‐pollinated species. The effect of breeding system on seed viability and germinability and seedling development was also investigated. Incidences of spontaneous autogamy in E. alta were rare at the study site, resulting in only 7.1% of observed flowers forming capsules. In addition, hand pollination resulted in significantly greater capsule formation when flowers were subjected to induced autogamy (46.4%), artificial geitonogamy (64.3%) and xenogamy at both short (pollen source 10–100 m away; 42.9%) and long (pollen source > 10 km away; 67.9%) distances. Pollen source had little effect on seed viability and germinability or seedling growth rates. However, seed resulting from spontaneous autogamy developed more slowly than seed originating from the other treatments. These data indicate that spontaneous autogamy is rare in E. alta and that naturally forming capsules may be the result of unobserved pollination events. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161 , 78–88.     

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.     

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.     

Floral morphogenesis in Sinofranchetia (Lardizabalaceae) and its systematic significance

The floral organs of Sinofranchetia chinensis Hemsl. (Lardizabalaceae) are all spiral in initiation. Stamen and petal (nectar‐leaf) primordia initiate independently and are different in shape. The petals and three stamens in the first whorl are retarded in the early developmental stages. The carpel primordia are conduplicate; the stigma is formed around the upper part of the ventral slit and the style is not differentiated. The functionally unisexual flowers are bisexual in organization in the early developmental stages. The development of the flowers on the inflorescence is spiral and centripetal. Some floral characteristics of Sinofranchetia appear to be plesiomorphic in Lardizabalaceae. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 82–92.