Comparative studies of vegetative anatomy in the Theaeeae of Sri Lanka

Anatomical characters of the mature leaf blade, petiole, young stem and wood were examined in order to substantiate taxonomic boundaries between genera and species of Theaeeae in Sri Lanka. Two species of Temstroemia , one of Adinandra , four of Eurya and two of Gordonia were studied.
The presence of sclereids in most organs of the plant was found to be a common character within the family. However, three distinct types of sclereid are reported. Two basic types of stomata, anomocytic and gordoniaceous, are recognized. The origin of phellogen in the young stems is pericyclic in Gordonia and subepidermal in the other three genera. The species within these genera also appear to have several distinctive characters of their own. Important wood characters have been tabulated in order to illustrate the primitive and advanced characters. Gordonia , especially, exhibits anatomical features which are quite different from those of Temstroemia, Adinandra send Eurya.     

Laticifers and the classification of Euphorbia: the chemotaxonomy of Euphorbia esula L.

Laticifers and the classification of Euphorbia: the chemotaxonomy of Euphorbia esula L. Articulated and non-articulated laticifer cells represent distinctive cell types of relatively recent origin and occur in only a few families. Both types are of separate phylogenetic origin, reflecting independent evolutionary trends in the Euphorbiaceae. Supra-generic groupings of this family can be segregated into three taxonomic units using the laticifer character; with either articulated laticifers, non-articulated laticifers, or no laticifers. Such units may reflect more natural assemblages than now represented in the classification of this family. Laticifers possess chemical and morphological features of potential application as taxonomic characters to aid in delimiting species and interpreting evolutionary trends. The triterpenoid profile from latex of Euphorbia species has been shown to be diagnostic for a taxon. The qualitative and quantitative composition show a high level of stability under diverse environmental and physiological conditions indicating a genetic basis for triterpenoid synthesis. Triterpenoid profiles of known accessions of European E. esula L. and related presumptive taxa from North America readily separated them into distinctive chemotaxa that include one for E. esula L., whereas morphological features were found inadequate for separating accessions to presumptive taxa. Identification of adventive spurges in North America requires diagnostic analyses of Eurasian leafy spurges for comparison. Laticifer characters used in conjunction with relevant morphological features will provide a broadened insight into phylogenetic relationships with the Euphorbiaceae.     

Sclerotesta morphology and its systematic implications in magnoliaceous seeds

Seeds of 101 species from 14 genera were observed using stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy. Sclerotesta morphology is stable within the genera of Magnoliaceae. Two different morphological types are described according to features of the chalazal region, which have great value in classification and have been found only in Magnoliaceae. One is the pore type, characterized by being simple, observed in the relatively primitive taxa of this family, including Manglietia, Pachylarnax, Magnolia (19 species), Aromadendron, Talauma (eight species), Parakmeria (one species), Kmeria (one species), Elmerrillia and Liriodendron . The other one is the tube type, which is characterized by having a more complex structure consisting of a central hollow tube contained within a hole. This type was observed in relatively advanced taxa, including Manglietiastrum, Magnolia (15 species), Talauma (three species), Parakmeria (four species), Kmeria (one species), Alcimandra, Michelia, Paramichelia and Tsoongiodendron . Transitional types between these two were observed in some species of Magnolia . Chalazal region morphology, together with other useful sclerotesta characters, including seed size, shape, the raphal sinus and the external surface of the sclerotesta, may be used as diagnostic characteristics of genera, and even species in Magnoliaceae. A key to identify the different genera is supplied.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142 , 407–424.     

Cladistic analysis of the family Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in South America

The family Baetidae, which belongs to the order Ephemeroptera, was first described by Leach in 1815 . Since then, almost 100 genera and 900 species have been described. Although diverse, this family is relatively homogeneous. The adults are extremely similar to one another, the wings vary little and the penes are membranous, features that significantly reduce differentiation among taxa. In contrast, the larvae have more conspicuous differences. Most are collector–gatherers, but a few are carnivorous or filter feeders. In South America, although knowledge concerning the 27 genera and 132 species of Baetidae described for this region has improved in the last three decades, phylogenetic relationships remain unknown. The present study, the first cladistic analysis of Baetidae in South America, included 70 species (55 are Neotropical) and 126 morphological characters. The matrix was analysed using tnt , under implied weights. Although the monophyly of the family Baetidae was obtained with good support, the subfamilies proposed originally (Baetinae, Cloeoninae and Callibaetinae) were recovered as paraphyletic. The Baetodes complex, as well as the relationships between genera, is discussed. The validity of some structures or characters as support of different groupings is also discussed.     

Pollen aperture morphology in Arecaceae: Application within phylogenetic analyses,and a summary of record of palm-like pollen the fossil

For a monocotyledonous family, the Arecaceae possess unusually varied pollen, not only in aperture number and orientation, but also in exine ornamentation. Although the majority of species have monosulcate pollen, 17 aperture types, and 13 exine types, have been described. The family belongs to a minority of monocotyledonous families in which both successive and simultaneous cytokinesis occur. The aperture types that have been described for the Arecaceae can be separated into those associated with successive, and those associated with simultaneous, cytokinesis. Palms have a long fossil record, mainly leaves and pollen, but also fruits, stems, and roots. Flowers have also been recovered. Distinctive aperture and/or exine combinations, in the pollen of some species, have prompted comparisons with fossil pollen taxa, certainly from the Late Cretaceous onwards. Occurrences of various fossil pollen taxa, frequently associated with palms, are reviewed, and their morphologies, particularly aperture characteristics, are compared with those of living palm pollen. The systematic rarity of most palm aperture types places limitations on their value in cladistic analyses. Nevertheless, certain aperture characters are of value, and do contribute to a better understanding of the evolution and phylogeny of the family. The differences between aperture types and aperture characters are addressed. The seventeen aperture types are described, and the interpretation and use of aperture characters in cladistic analyses of the Arecaceae are discussed.     

Nucleotide sequence data confirm diagnosis and local endemism of variable morphospecies of Andean astroblepid catfishes (Siluriformes: Astroblepidae)

Phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences was used to test the validity of morphospecies of catfishes of the family Astroblepidae inhabiting the southern‐most limit of their Andean distribution in the upper Ucayali and upper Madre de Dios river basins. Population samples of morphospecies designated a priori on the basis of morphological features were further diagnosed by the presence of unique and unreversed molecular synapomorphies, thereby confirming species validity for seven of nine cases. Although each are distinguished by unique combinations of morphological features, two morphospecies (designated F and H) cannot be diagnosed on the basis of apomorphic changes in molecular sequence that did not also occur in other astroblepid morphospecies or outgroup taxa. Further, one morphospecies (species G) was recovered as nested within the assemblage of populations sampled from morphospecies F, whose morphological diagnosis does not involve unique or apomorphic characters. In contrast, the absence of corroborating molecular apomorphies for species H, otherwise recognized by distinctive and uniquely derived morphological characters, suggests a history of rapid divergence and insufficient time for fixation of genetic differences. Species sharing syntopic distributions were not recovered as sister groups, and in some cases species distributed in adjacent river drainage basins were not more closely related to one another than to species distributed in more distant drainages. Three independent instances were observed of sister‐group relationships involving species distributed in both the Apurimac and Urubamba rivers (Ucayali drainage). These observations combine to suggest that the current distribution of astroblepid species in the southern region may have arisen via a complex history involving both divergence between and dispersal amongst drainage basins that is probably repeated numerous times throughout the Andean distribution of the group. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 162 , 90–102.     

国产柳属繁柳组植物叶脉序研究及其分类学意义

采取脉络法,对柳属（Salix）繁柳组（Sect.Denticulatae C.K.Schneid.）17种及1变种进行叶片脉序观察。结果表明：繁柳组植物叶脉序类型均为直行羽状脉,表现出较高的一致性。该组植物均有二级间脉,但类型各有不同;三级脉及较高级脉序大体有三种类型;网眼发育完善或不完善;盲脉偶有不分枝;不同种之间网眼的发育以及盲脉分枝具有显著差异,是有价值的分类性状。根据聚类分析,繁柳组植物叶脉序分为两种类型：草地柳（S.praticola Hand.-Mazz.ex Enander）类型及腹毛柳（S.delavayana Hand.-Mazz.）类型,研究结果与形态学结果基本一致,但叶脉序提供了新的分类学性状,可为柳属植物疑难种的分类寻找新的依据。     

Phylogeny and morphological evolution of the amblystegiaceae (Bryopsida)

To circumscribe the moss family Amblystegiaceae, we performed a broad-scale analysis of trnL-trnF spacer sequence data for 168 species of the Hypnales and 11 species of the Hookeriales and additional analyses of trnL-trnF and atpB-rbcL (chloroplast DNA), one nuclear region, the internal transcribed spacers of 18S-26S rDNA, and 68 morphological characters for a reduced data set of 54 species of Hypnales. The traditionally circumscribed Amblystegiaceae are polyphyletic and include the Amblystegiaceae s. str. and the Calliergonaceae fam. nov., plus several taxa closely related to other Hypnalean families. Generic relationships within the redefined Amblystegiaceae were investigated by analyzing data from the three DNA regions and morphology as used in the broader analysis. Reconstruction of morphological evolution was evaluated using maximum-parsimony and maximum-likelihood. Numerous independent character-state transitions implied by the phylogeny suggest that morphological characters that have traditionally been used to delineate the Amblystegiaceae are homoplastic. Sporophytic traits, which are generally given primacy over gametophytic traits in moss classification, are more labile than previously thought, and many characters that are related to sporophyte specializations are strongly correlated with habitat conditions. The evolution of several gametophyte features previously thought to be reliable for delineating the family are also strongly correlated with habitat. These observations help to explain the instability of the Amblystegiaceae in previous taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses based on morphology.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF MISTLETOE POLLEN. III. LARGE-FLOWERED NEOTROPICAL LORANTHACEAE AND THEIR AUSTRALIAN RELATIVES

Pollen of all large-flowered neotropical loranthaceous genera and related Australian taxa (Nuytsia, Atkinsonia) were examined in the light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopes. Trilobate, deeply concave, peroblate or oblate pollen shapes are basic within the complex; triangular, slight convex, suboblate shapes are more derived features. The non-fixiform pollen of Atkinsonia is unique within the family. Most of the large-flowered genera possess exclusively syncolpate aperture types. However, among Psittacanthus species tricolpate, diplosynrugate and diplorugate apertures are also present, representing derived types for the complex. The inaperturate pollen of Atkinsonia appears to have developed independently within the family. Pollen sculpturing is typically non-uniform, i.e., there are pronounced sculpturing differences in polar and equatorial regions. Uniformly sculptured pollen is restricted to Atkinsonia, Ligaria and some species of Psittacanthus. Ultrastructurally, most exine modifications have occurred in the equatoral ektexine. Here the basic organization ranges from essentially columellaless to columellate, the latter the more derived condition. Endexine is typically thick and stratified in polar areas, thin and lamellate in peripheral and apertural regions. Similar pollen morphologies of Nuytsia and Gaiadendron support the idea of a transoceanic evolutionary connection between the Old and New Worlds. Pollen characters show Gaiadendron to be the most primitive and Psittacanthus the most advanced among the large-flowered neotropical genera.     

Systematic revision of Myristicaceae (Magnoliales) in Madagascar, with four new species of Mauloutchia

The systematics of Malagasy Myristicaceae is revised to take into account new collections made since the work by Capuron in the 1970s, as well as improved knowledge from fieldwork and two scanning electron microscopy studies by the author. Four new species are described: Mauloutchia annickiae Sauquet, M. capuronii Sauquet, M. echinocarpa Capuron ex Sauquet, and M. sambiranensis (Capuron) Sauquet. In addition, basic information is given for each remaining Malagasy species of the family (synonymy, type specimen, updated distribution and main distinctive features). According to this treatment, Malagasy Myristicaceae now consist of four endemic genera and 15 species: Brochoneura Warb. (three species), Doyleanthus Sauquet (one species), Haematodendron Capuron (one species) and Mauloutchia (Baill.) Warb. (ten species). Two identification keys to these species are provided: one based primarily on fruit characters and one based primarily on male flower and inflorescence characters. Putative phylogenetic relationships among these species are also indicated, based on a previous combined morphological and molecular study by the author.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 351–368.     

A numerical taxonomy of the pan species of Crinum based on morphological characters

Fourteen characters of 64 specimens from five taxa; Crinum rautanenianum Schinz, C. paludosum Verdoorn, C. carolo-schmidtii Dinter and C. lugardiae N. E. Brown, previously described within the complex and the more widespread C. macowanii Baker, were subjected to multivariate and univariate statistical analyses in order to circumscribe morphological species as objectively as possible. Results of the clustering and ordination analyses confirm the existence of five distinct phenetic species in the group. The most useful characters that provide taxonomic clarity are identified whilst previously used diagnostic features are discussed. A new key to the species based on examined specimens is provided. Distribution maps of members of this species complex are also presented.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the Pinnotheridae (Crustacea, Brachyura) based on larval morphology, with emphasis on the Dissodactylus species complex

Comparative larval morphology was used to elucidate phylogenetic relationships within the Pinnotheridae and the Dissodactylus species complex. Within the family, seven zoeal and six megalopal characters suggested two equally parsimonious phylogenetic hypotheses for pinnotherid larvae, both with Ostracotheres tridacnae representing the sister group for the Dissodactylus complex. Results indicated that the genus Pinnotheres is a polyphyletic taxon, and that the traditional subfamilial arrangement comprises paraphyletic taxa within the subfamilies Pinnotherinae and Pinnothereliinae. Certain evidence has suggested that Fabia and Juxtafubia should be excluded from the Pinnotherinae and placed into the Pinnothereliinae. Larval and adult morphology suggested that Pinnotheres politus should be included within Tumidotheres. The phylogenetic analysis within the Dissodactylus complex involved one zoeal and 16 megalopal characters. Results suggested a single phylogenetic hypothesis based on larval morphology. Combining adult morphology with larval evidence resulted in two equally parsimonious phylogenetic hypotheses, one of which agreed with a previously suggested hypothesis based only on adult characters.     

23种伞形科植物果实形态及其分类学意义

该实验采用徒手切片法对伞形科17属23种植物的果实进行了外部形态和解剖特征的观察,结果表明:伞形科果实有背腹压扁、两侧压扁和不压扁3种类型;侧棱有宽、有窄;油管的分布有棱槽单油管型和棱槽多油管型;花柱基多数为圆锥状,少数种的花柱基为扁平垫状;萼齿明显或不明显。通过进一步对属间和属内果实解剖特征的比较得出:(1)果实表面被钩刺或刚毛及果棱特征在属间差异明显,在属内表现出一致性,可作为伞形科属间分类的依据。(2)果实横切面的形状、胚乳腹面的凹凸以及萼齿的形态特征在属内种间的分类研究中有重要的意义。基于果实形态特征,编制了17属23种植物的分种检索表。     

Species diversity and community structure in neotropical fruit-feeding butterflies

Chemical secretions that are explicitly tied to species recognition may potentially be informative for phylogenetic reconstruction, especially when traditional morphological or molecular characters lack resolution. Anal sac secretions from 16 species within the family Felidae (order Carnivora) were chemically analysed and their utility as phylogenetic characters was assessed. Results were generally consistent across the different chemical data types (e.g. glycolipids, neutral lipids, or phospholipids). Two major clades were indicated, falling out according to body size: one for species greater than 30 kg (Panthera, Uncia, and Puma) and another for those less than 12 kg (remaining species). The primary solutions agreed with respect to the species pairs Prionailurus + Leptailurus, Caracal + Lynx, Oncifelis+Leopardus, Otocolobus+Felis, Panthera leo + P pardus, and P. tigris + Uncia. The only area of disagreement between chemical types was the positioning of the mountain lion (Puma concolor); however, this species appears to cluster with the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in the Tjig cat clade. Although our solutions differ from six previously proposed hypotheses of felid phylogeny (morphological and molecular), the previous estimates all differ strongly amongst themselves reflecting the historical uncertainty regarding felid systematics. Phytogenies derived from the lipid data were very robust and decisive. Few equally most parsimonious trees were obtained, consistency indices were much higher than their expected values, and bootstrap and Bremer support values were also high. Thus, our findings illustrate the species-specific nature of chemical signals and their usefulness as phylogenetic characters.     

Leaf anatomy of some Garrya species

The anatomy of the leaves of five species of Garrya has been investigated with a view to determining if this would be helpful in the taxonomic assignment of the genus, which has had a disputed taxonomic position.
Our observations indicate that the leaves of Garrya show several anatomical features which are unknown or rare in the Cornaceae, the family in which it has been included many times. These are: (a) two layers of lower epidermis; (b) papillae on the lower epidermis and sometimes on the upper as well; (c) beak-like extensions of epidermal cells adjacent to guard cells; (d) well-developed hypodermis below the upper epidermis; (e) more than one layer of palisade tissue and (f) three types of sclereids in the lamina–filiform, stellate-polymorphic and brachysclereids–distributed diffusely, subterminally or apparently terminally. These characters support the separation of Garrya from the Cornaceae and the retention of the family Garryaceae.     

Foregut glands of Solenogastres (mollusca): anatomy and revised terminology

In the molluscan class Solenogastres, different types of foregut glands vary in number, structure, and location within the foregut. The present article describes their anatomy and cytology and intends to clarify their confused terminology. Pharyngeal glands, esophageal glands, and the more complex dorsal and ventrolateral foregut glands can be distinguished. The ventrolateral foregut glands (ventral foregut glandular organs, ventral salivary glands of auct.), in the literature subdivided previously into four types, are revisited here in the context of current vertebrate gland terminology. The results of recent investigations are added to earlier ones, and a classification system for these multicellular glands is proposed. This system is based on cytological characters of glandular cells (intra- or extraepithelial), characters of the associated musculature (inner or outer musculature), location of the gland relative to the pharynx epithelium (endoepithelial or exoepithelial), characters of the gland openings (paired or unpaired), morphology of the gland duct (simple or branched), and some additional features like the arrangement of glandular cells along the gland ducts. Gross morphology and anatomy of ventrolateral foregut glands constitute useful taxonomic characters in determining higher taxa (family level), and finer details of the anatomy and cytology are useful in determining lower levels (genus and species). Possible pathways for the evolution of the different gland types of Solenogastres in relation to foregut glands present in the other molluscan clades are presented. The importance of ventrolateral foregut gland characters for phylogenetic considerations within the Solenogastres is discussed.     

珍珠菜属植物种皮微形态特征及其系统学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对11种珍珠菜属植物种皮微形态特征进行了研究。根据种皮微形态特征,可以明显的划分为两种类型,即黑腺珍珠菜型和金爪儿型。珍珠菜亚属的7种植物均属于黑腺珍珠菜型,黄连花亚属的4种植物均属于金爪儿型。种皮微形态特征支持以雄蕊群的构造为主要依据的属下分类系统,在亚属级水平具有重要的分类学意义。     

Evolution of Acoustic Communication Signals of Mammals: Friendly Close-Range Vocalizations in Felidae (Carnivora)

The distribution of the three friendly close-range vocalization types known in the Felidae was plotted on a recently published phylogeny of the cat family (Felidae) based on sequence comparisons of two mitochondrial DNA genes and other molecular and biochemical characters, with extrapolated divergence ages of its various lineages. It was found to be congruent with this phylogeny. One of the sound types is likely to be present in 30 species of the family (documented in 22 so far), another is present in 4, and the third in 2 species only; these sound types represent a phylogenetic transformation series. The latter two vocalization types also differ considerably from the first in the mode of sound production. From this, evolutionary conservatism over a long epoch for the one widespread vocalization type can be inferred, and less conservatism in the type present in four species, while the emergence of the least common type is evidence of relatively considerable and rapid evolutionary change. Thus, acoustic communication signals in a group of taxa can evolve at considerably different rates, and for a specific character this rate can differ between different lineages of that group. The ultimate causes of the evolutionary stability or of the subsequent relatively rapid change in sound structure and mode of sound production in these felid vocalizations are unknown.     

Origins of Hippopotamidae (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla): towards resolution

The old debate on hippopotamid origins is still unresolved, balancing between two main phylogenetic hypotheses: origins within the Anthracotheriidae vs. origins within the Tayassuidae. The characters used in the literature to support one, the other, or both hypotheses were re-examined in light of a better known primitive hippopotamid morphology. A cladistic analysis was performed on the basis of these characters. On the one hand, although many features similar in hippopotamuses and anthracotheres appear to have evolved in parallel, the family Anthracotheriidae remains the best putative hippopotamus stem group on the basis of the reviewed characters. However, the precise identification of a stem group within this family is still uncertain. On the other hand, the lineage proposed in the tayassuid hypothesis should not be retained, being mostly based on some incorrect observations and without taking into account the derived or primitive nature of the features. The anatomic similarities seen between modern peccaries and Hippopotamus amphibius are the results of convergences between advanced species of both families.