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.     

Take time to smell the frogs: vocal sac glands of reed frogs (Anura: Hyperoliidae) contain species‐specific chemical cocktails

Males of all reed frog species (Anura: Hyperoliidae) have a prominent, often colourful, gular patch on their vocal sac, which is particularly conspicuous once the vocal sac is inflated. Although the presence, shape, and form of the gular patch are well‐known diagnostic characters for these frogs, its function remains unknown. By integrating biochemical and histological methods, we found strong evidence that the gular patch is a gland producing volatile compounds, which might be emitted while calling. Volatile compounds were confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the gular glands in 11 species of the hyperoliid genera Afrixalus, Heterixalus, Hyperolius, and Phlyctimantis. Comparing the gular gland contents of 17 specimens of four sympatric Hyperolius species yielded a large variety of 65 compounds in species‐specific combinations. We suggest that reed frogs might use a complex combination of at least acoustic and chemical signals in species recognition and mate choice. © 2013 The Authors. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110 , 828–838.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of two new genera and four new species of Oligo‐Miocene waterfowl (Aves: Anatidae) from Australia

The Tertiary anatid fossils (Aves: Anatidae) from Oligocene and Miocene deposits in Australia are described. Most fossils derive from the Late Oligocene – Early Miocene (26–24 Mya) Etadunna and Namba Formations, respectively, in the Lake Eyre and Lake Frome Basins of South Australia. The local faunas from these two formations contain the same suite of anatid species. Two new genera, the oxyurine Pinpanetta, with three new species (Pi. tedfordi, 18 specimens; Pi. vickersrichae, 15 specimens; Pi. fromensis, 20 specimens), and the tadornine Australotadorna, for a large new species known from eight specimens, are established. Three anatid bones from the Waite Formation (c. 8 Mya) at Alcoota, Northern Territory reveal the presence of a tadornine that is neither Australotadorna nor an extant Tadorna species, and an indeterminate duck about the size of Malacorhynchus. Phylogenetic analyses establish Pinpanetta as a basal member of an oxyurine (stiff‐tailed duck) radiation. Oxyurines are found to include the Recent Stictonetta and Malacorhynchus as basal members, along with the fossil taxa Mionetta, Manuherikia, and Dunstanetta, and the traditionally included Recent Oxyura, Biziura, Thalassornis, and Nomonyx. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 411–454.     

What is Geosaurus? Redescription of Geosaurus giganteus (Thalattosuchia: Metriorhynchidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Bayern,Germany

The holotype and referred specimens of Geosaurus giganteus, a metriorhynchid crocodile from the Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) of Germany, is redescribed, along with a historical overview of the genus and species. This taxon is unique among metriorhynchids as its serrated, strongly lateromedially compressed dentition is arranged as opposing blades, suggesting it was adapted to efficiently slice through fleshy prey. A new phylogenetic analysis of Crocodylomorpha is presented, which finds G. giganteus to be nested within what is currently considered Dakosaurus, whereas the other species currently assigned to Geosaurus form a clade with Enaliosuchus and the holotype of Cricosaurus. The phyletic relationship of G. giganteus with other metriorhynchids indicates that the current definition of the genus Geosaurus is polyphyletic, and that the inclusion of subsequent longirostrine species to this genus is in error. The re‐analysis presented herein demonstrates Geosaurus to be composed of three species sensu stricto. The appropriate taxonomic amendments to the Metriorhynchidae are also provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 551–585.     

Palynological survey of subtribe Pithecocteniinae (Bignonieae,Bignoniaceae)

The pollen morphology of subtribe Pithecocteniinae was reviewed. Thirty species of the six genera currently recognized, namely Amphilophium, Distictis, Distictella, Glaziovia, Haplolophium and Pithecoctenium, were considered. All the species surveyed fell into one of the two pollen groups: (1) inaperturate, spheroid pollen; and (2) stephanocolpate, prolate pollen. The former group included the studied species of Distictis, Distictella and Pithecoctenium, the latter species of Amphilophium, Glaziovia and Haplolophium. The variation of exine sculpture and thickness did not show any taxonomic relationships. An argument for considering pollen features, together with other morphological characters, to elucidate monophyletic units within Pithecocteniinae is presented. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 155–162.     

The fern genus Elaphoglossum section Lepidoglossa (Dryopteridaceae) in Africa,Macaronesia, the mid‐Atlantic and southern Indian Ocean Islands

Elaphoglossum section Lepidoglossa in Africa, Macaronesia (Azores and Madeira), the mid‐Atlantic Ocean Islands (St Helena, Gough and Tristan da Cunha Island groups) and the southern Indian Ocean Islands (Marion and Prince Edward Islands) is reviewed. Fifteen Elaphoglossum species from this region are ascribed to the section. A new species, Elaphoglossum rivularum , confined to the Chimanimani Mountains in eastern Zimbabwe and formerly ascribed to E. kuhnii from West Africa, is described. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165 , 20–63.     

Selection of candidate coding DNA barcoding regions for use on land plants

An in silico screen of 41 of the 81 coding regions of the Nicotiana plastid genome generated a shortlist of 12 candidates as DNA barcoding loci for land plants. These loci were evaluated for amplification and sequence variation against a reference set of 98 land plant taxa. The deployment of multiple primers and a modified multiplexed tandem polymerase chain reaction yielded 85–94% amplification across taxa, and mean sequence differences between sister taxa of 6.1 from 156 bases of accD to 22 from 493 bases of matK. We conclude that loci should be combined for effective diagnosis, and recommend further investigation of the following six loci: matK, rpoB, rpoC1, ndhJ, ycf5 and accD. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 1–11.     

The taxonomy of the endemic golden palm civet of Sri Lanka

Two species of palm civet are currently known from Sri Lanka: the widespread common species, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777), and the endemic golden species, Paradoxurus zeylonensis (Pallas, 1778). The latter has two ‘morphs’, one golden and one dark brown, both of which are recorded from all three major biotic zones in Sri Lanka (wet zone, dry zone, and cloud forest). We have examined specimens of both ‘morphs’ from all zones, and conclude that there are actually several species involved: names are available for two of them, we describe a third as a new species, and we draw attention to a probable fourth species, based on two distinctive specimens, the provenance of which are unfortunately unknown. The name zeylonensis probably does not apply to a golden palm civet at all. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 238–251.     

The publication dates of the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London,Series I,1791–1875*

Evidence for the dates of publication of the parts of the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, Series 1,1791–1875, has been collected from the Minute Books of the Linnean Society, the Journal Books of the Royal Society, The Times, Bent's Monthly Literary Advertiser, the Bookseller, the Gardener's Chronicle, and the Athenaeum. Dates have been traced for all parts except five, and two of those may have been issued with other parts that have been dated.     

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.     

A multivariate morphometric analysis and systematic review of Pseudonaja (Serpentes,Elapidae, Hydrophiinae)

Pseudonaja is a clade of seven nominal species of elapid snakes distributed throughout Australia and in southern New Guinea. The species‐level systematics of this group is generally considered to be problematic. A recent phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences for a geographically extensive series of Pseudonaja specimens revealed nine major clades, of which six largely coincide with nominal species (P. affinis, P. guttata, P. inframacula, P. ingrami, P. modesta and P. textilis). The three remaining clades are composed of specimens currently referred to P. nuchalis. This paper presents a multivariate analysis of 30 morphometric variables recorded for 220 specimens, representing the P. affinis, P. inframacula, P. textilis and three P. nuchalis clades (P. guttata, P. ingrami and P. modesta are well‐demarcated species and, accordingly, were not considered). The morphometric data readily separate these putative lineages, affording compelling evidence that they constitute evolutionary species. The names aspidorhyncha and mengdeni are resurrected for two of the three species presently recognized as P. nuchalis. These species, P. affinis, P. inframacula, P. nuchalis and P. textilis are redescribed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 171–197.     

Some new Darwin vascular plant specimens from the Beagle voyage

This paper reports 24 newly discovered specimens of 21 species made by Charles Darwin in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay while on the 1831–1836 voyage of HMS Beagle. They have been found in Cambridge University Herbarium and the herbaria of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Natural History Museum, London, New York Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, since the earlier publications of Porter. Included are type specimens of Calceolaria darwinii (isotype; = C. uniflora), Cuscuta gymnocarpa (holotype and isotypes), C. sandwichiana var. mimosae (isolectotypes = C. gymnocarpa), Ephedra frustillata (lectotype and isolectotypes), Ourisia breviflora (isolectotype), Polypodium paleaceum (syntype?; = Ctenitis sloanei) and Urera gaudichaudiana (holotype; = Laportea aestuans). © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 12–18.     

Morphological and molecular description of new species of squat lobster (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Solomon and Fiji Islands (South‐West Pacific)

The family Galatheidae is among the most diverse families of anomuran decapod crustaceans, and the South‐West Pacific is a biodiversity hot spot for these squat lobsters. Attempts to clarify the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of the Galatheidae on the basis of morphological and molecular data have revealed the existence of several cryptic species, differentiated only by subtle morphological characters. Despite these efforts, however, relationships among genera are poorly understood, and the family is in need of a detailed systematic review. In this study, we assess material collected in different surveys conducted in the Solomon Islands, as well as comparative material from the Fiji Islands, by examining both the morphology of the specimens and two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI, and 16S rRNA). These two sources of data revealed the existence of eight new species of squat lobster, four of which were ascribed to the genus Munida, two to the genus Paramunida, one to the genus Plesionida, and the last species was ascribed to the genus Agononida. These eight species are described along with phylogenetic relationships at the genus level. Our findings support the taxonomic status of the new species, yet the phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Further molecular analysis of a larger data set of species, and more conserved genes, will help clarify the systematics of this group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 465–493.