Two shrubby novelties in Eriogonum (Polygonaceae) from the deserts of Utah and Arizona

Two desert shrubs belonging toEriogonum subgen.Eucycla sect.Corymbosa are described from southern Utah and northern Arizona.Eriogonum mortonianum, endemic to red clay hills southwest of Fredonia, in extreme northeastern Mohave County, Arizona, is most closely related toE. smithii, a species endemic to the San Rafael Desert of Emery County, Utah, but differs in having wider leaves, a much more branched inflorescence, and smaller, pale-yellow or white flowers.Eriogonum leptocladon var.papiliunculi, found in central Garfield and eastern Kane counties, Utah, southward into northern Coconino and Navajo counties, Arizona, is distinguished from var.leptocladon by its white flowers and from var.ramosissimum by its glabrous stems.     

ALLOZYME DIVERGENCE AMONG FIVE DIPLOID SPECIES OF ANTENNARIA (ASTERACEAE: INULEAE) AND THEIR ALLOPOLYPLOID DERIVATIVES

The Antennaria parlinii and A. neodioica agamic complexes are widely distributed across North America. Morphological data have suggested that these dioecious, perennial, entire-leaved herbs are of multiple hybrid origin from among five sexual diploid species. Antennaria neglecta, A. plantaginifolia, A. racemosa, and A. virginica are hypothesized to be the diploid progenitors of the A. neodioica complex, whereas A. parlinii sensu lato is thought to include the genomes of A. plantaginifolia, A. racemosa, and A. solitaria. An electrophoretic study was initiated to assess the degree of divergence among the five diploid species and to test the hypotheses of the hybrid (allopolyploid) origins of A. parlinii and A. neodioica. Twenty genetic loci were surveyed in 76 populations of the diploid and polyploid taxa. The diploid species are well defined morphologically, although the genetic basis of differences distinguishing them have not been determined. The species exhibit little divergence at genes specifying soluble enzymes, however each species has unique alleles in highest frequency at one or two genes. Allozymes indicate that gene diversity in the obligately outcrossing diploids occurs primarily within rather than among populations. The shale barren endemic, A. virginica, is as genetically diverse as the more edaphically diverse and widespread species. Tetraploid cytotypes of diploid (2n = 28) A. virginica possess the same allozymes as the diploids and these cytotypes appear to be of autopolyploid (non-hybrid) origin. Enzyme electrophoresis is concordant with morphological data in suggesting that A. neodioica contains the genomes of A. neglecta, A. virginica, A. plantaginifolia, A. racemosa and perhaps A. solitaria whereas the latter three species are the progenitors of A. parlinii.     

Positive plant spatial association with Eriogonum ovalifolium in primary succession on cinder cones: seed-trapping nurse plants

Cinder cones in Craters of the Moon National Monument in southcentral Idaho, USA were formed over 2200 yr B.P., but are still covered by large, relatively barren areas containing a sparse assemblage of plants. The spatial associations among 6 plant species on these sparsely vegetated areas were examined. All species were positively associated with the canopy region of Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum, an initial colonizer. All species were negatively associated with Pinus flexilis, a later-successional species.We examined soil seed densities and N and P levels under canopies of the 6 species to develop testable explanations for positive plant associations with E. ovalifolium. Soil seed densities of Phacelia hastata and Lewisia rediviva were higher under canopies of E. ovalifolium than under 4 of the 5 other species and bare areas. Soil total N under E. ovalifolium canopies was also higher than under 4 of the 5 other species and bare areas. Soil seed densities and N levels were similar under E. ovalifolium and Eriogonum umbellatum, both of which had dense, prostrate canopies. Soil available P levels under E. ovalifolium were not significantly different than under other species or bare ground.The positive associations of all species with E. ovalifolium is likely the result of seed-trapping by its prostrate canopy and more favorable establishment conditions under its canopy. The relative importance of these potential mechanisms can be tested with field experiments.Abbreviations EROV = Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum - ERUM = Eriogonum umbellatum - PHHA = Phacelia hastata - PIFL = Pinus flexilis - SIHY = Sitanion hystrix - STTH = Stipa thurberiana     

A new species of Lomatium (Apiaceae) from Utah

A new species ofLomatium belonging to theCynomarathrum group is described and its relationships to other species in the group are indicated.Lomatium junceum appears to be restricted to Emery Co., Utah, on barren clay and shale slopes in the San Rafael Swell and adjacent eastern base of the Wasatch Plateau.     

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) diversity within Monarda fistulosa var. brevis (Lamiaceae) and divergence between var. brevis and var. fistulosa in West Virginia

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) banding patterns were used to examine genetic diversity within and among populations ofMonarda fistulosa var.brevis, a rare taxon restricted to several populations in limestone glades and barrens in eastern West Virginia and Virginia. More than 34% of the total ISSR diversity in var.brevis occurred among populations, which is high when compared to the few other rare species that have been examined for ISSR variation. Prior studies demonstrated that var.brevis is morphologically distinct from the more widespread var.fistulosa, and that the differences are maintained when the two varieties are grown together in a uniform environment. The present study utilizing ISSR markers indicated that the two varieties are distinct, though quite similar genetically, and this is concordant with prior investigations documenting their morphological and habitat differences. However, the ISSR results suggest that the two varieties have diverged relatively recently and/or there is a low level of gene flow between them.     

Habitat characteristics and climatic factors influence microhabitat selection and arthropod community structure in a globally rare central Appalachian shale barren

1. The central Appalachian shale barrens, a globally unique habitat type restricted to the eastern United States, presents an insular and physiologically stressful environment with sparse vegetation and extreme ground surface and air temperatures. Despite the high levels of plant species endemism within these systems, information on invertebrate communities and habitat preferences is extremely limited.
2. Through this study, we aimed to better understand a shale barren arthropod community, microhabitat selection, and the influence of habitat characteristics and climatic factors. We employed pitfall traps to sample epigeic arthropods during the 2016 growing season in a shale barren habitat.
3. Arthropod community composition was driven by overstory trees, mediated through accumulated leaf litter and availability of shaded microhabitats. Ambient air temperature also influenced the surface activity of various taxa with spiders decreasing at higher temperatures and ants, crickets, flies, and harvestmen all increasing in relative abundance.
4. Habitat integrity of the central Appalachian shale barrens is threatened by forest succession and mesophication, encroaching invasive plant species, and rising ambient air temperatures, all of which can alter the extent of overstory vegetation and availability of shaded microhabitats. These biotic and physical pressures will subsequently affect epigeic arthropod community composition, depending on adaptive capacity of individual taxa.
5. To the authors’ knowledge, these findings constitute only the second published work on arthropod communities and the first to focus on epigeic taxa in this globally rare habitat type. Continued conservation of these unique, insular habitats and their adapted inhabitants requires a multifaceted approach that considers current and future conditions.

     

Notes on endangered buckwheats (Eriogonum: Polygonaceae) with three newly described from the western United States

Three unnamed buckwheats listed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in December 1980 as potentially endangered or threatened plants are formally proposed:E. crosbyae from Lake Co., Oregon;E. grande var.dunklei from San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara Co., California; andE. ovalifolium var.williamsiae from Washoe Co., Nevada. Several other species proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service as potentially endangered or threatened (E. allenii, E. correllii, E. eremicum, E. floridanum, E. lemmonii, E. sp./sp. nov. ined. [=E.libertini], E. tumulosum, E. umbellatum var./var. nov. ined.,E. umbellatum var.minus, E. vestitum, andE. zionis var.coccineum) are discussed and evidence is given why they cannot be considered endangered or threatened under the present Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.     

Notes on the genus Clematis (Ranunculaceae) (Ⅰ)

( 1 ) Some taxonomical problems of the genus Clematis mainly about misidentifications are discussed, and some treatments including the reinstatement of Clematis montana var. brevifoliola Kuntze, C. apiifolia var. biternata Makino, C. subumbellata Kurz, C. goudotiana Planch. & Triana, C. insidiosa Baill., C. kockiana Schneid. and C. longicauda A. Rich., and the reduction of subsect. Africanae M. Johnson, C. umbellifera Gagnep., C. pubescens Benth., C. rhodocarpa Rose, C. edentata Baker, C. stoltzi Engler, C. tibetana ssp. vernayi var. dentata Grey-Wilson, C. clarkeana var. stenophylla Hand.-Mazz., C. subfalcata Pei ex M.Y. Fang, C. angustifoliola W. T. Wang, C. dasyandra var. polyantha Finet & Gagnep. etc are given. (2) The new diagnoses for the two subsections of the sect. Meclatis are provided; C. sericea H.B. K. ex DC. and C. grossa Benth. are treated as two varieties of one species; and a new classification of the infraspecific taxa of C. hirsuta Perr & Guill. is made. (3) one subsection, one series, eight species and one variety are described as new. (4) The new occurrences of C. montana var. brevifoliola Kuntze in southern Xizang, China, Nepal, Bhutan and northern Myanmar, C. burmanica Lace in southwestern Yunnan, C. armandii Franch. in Assam, India and northern Myanmar,and C. yui W. T. Wang in northern Myanmar are reported.     

The impact of copper and cobalt orebodies upon the evolution of some plant species from Upper Shaba,Zaïre

The flora of the copper-cobalt ores of Upper Shaba, Zaïre, comprises some 220 taxa including 42 endemics. The origin of this flora is examined and an assessment has been made of its relationship with the flora of the high plateaux steppe-savannah (dilunguan flora). A first group consists of undifferentiated species limited to these two floras. A second group comprises cupriphilous taxa derived from closely-related and widely distributed species observed on the high plateaux and elsewhere. A third group consists of closely-related species or ecotypes confined to the areas. In theSilene burchelli complex (Caryophyllaceae) there is a gradual transition from the widespreadS. burchelli var.angustifolia on the high plateaux to a newly discoveredS. burchelli ecotype from a cupriferous outcrop at Luita, and toS. cobalticola from highly mineralized copper-cobalt deposits at Mindigi. This ecophyletic series provides a gradient of morphological anatomical, and physiological changes whose end members are distinct species. The subject of palaeoendemism and neoendemism in relation to metallophytes of Upper Shaba is also discussed. Colonisation of metalliferous soils by elements of the non-mineralised high plateau is believed to be a neoendemic process.     

A new variety of trillium pusillum (Liliaceae) from the Virginias

A montane population ofTrillium pusillum Michx. from the crest of Shenandoah Mountain on the Virginia-West Virginia state line is newly described asT. pusillum var.monticulum. It differs from the related coastal plain variant, var.virginianum Fernald, by its broader and shorter leaf and sepal ratios, typically notched petal apices, consistently sessile flowers (not at all pedicellate), slightly shorter style, and reduced stature. The var.monticulum is restricted to the ridge crest of the mountains at 1190 m (3900 ft) elevation while the var.virginianum is restricted to the coastal plains of eastern Maryland and Virginia et elevations less than 30 m (100 ft).     

A synopsis of the South American taxa of Fabronia (Fabroniaceae)

The genusFabronia in South America is found to represent five taxa:F. ciliaris var.ciliaris, F. ciliaris var.wrightii,F. ciliaris var.polycarpa,F. macroblepharis andF. jamesonii. Synonymy, brief discussion, illustrations and a key are provided.Fabronia enervis Herz., hom. illeg., is the basis for the new genusMahua.     

Contributions to the genus phytophthora de bary from india

The paper deals with some of the contributions made from India by various research workers towards our knowledge of the fungus genusPhytophthora de Bary, in the fields of morphology, disease production, occurrence and distribution of species, host range, physiology, taxonomy and control measures. Out of the total of fifteen species and five varieties ofPhytophthora reported from India, five species (viz.,P. arecae, P. palmivora, P. colocasiae, P. parasitica andP. infestans, and four varieties ofP. parasitica, viz.,P. parasitica var.macrospora, var.sesami, var.piperina and var.nicotianae) assume considerable parasitic roles inciting serious diseases like seedling-blights, wilts, cottoney-leaks, foot-rots, blights, budrot and rots of fruits, nuts, tubers and corms etc. They are widely distributed in various parts of this country, and are mostly prevalent in rainy seasons.Phytophthora palmivora, andP. parasitica were found to have a wide host range.     

RAPD and FAME analyses of Astragalus species growing in eastern Anatolia region of Turkey

Fatty acid (FAs) and RAPD profiles were used to examine phenotypic and genetic relationships between eight Astragalus species including Astragalus maximus Willd. var. maximus, Astragalus coadunatus Hub. Mor. & Chamb., Astragalus kurdicus Boiss. var. kurdicus, Astragalus lagurus Willd, Astragalus christianus L., Astragalus cicer L., Astragalus atrocarpus Champ & Matthews and Astragalus onobrychioides Bieb., which were wildly growing in eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. All of the eight Astragalus species tested in this study were separated based on the presence and composition of 45 different FAs. Four of the Astragalus species including A. coadunatus, A. lagurus, A. christianus, and A. atrocarpus were rich in terms of FA contents containing at least 22–31 different FAs. The relative proportions of two fatty acids, 16:0, and 18:1:ω8c were higher in these four Astragalus species. The remaining species have limited number of FAs with unique FAMEs profiles. Six of the 10 decamer primers examined were selected to find out genetic polymorphism in Astragalus species. A total of 98 polymorphic bands were observed, ranging in size from 250 bp to 3000 bp. The RAPD results suggested that A. atrocarpus, A. onobrychioides and A. kurdicus are closely related and completely different from the other species. Six genetically distinct groups were found among the species of Astragalus. High genetic variations among Astragalus species growing wildly in eastern Anatolia region of Turkey may imply the differences in their origins. The results in the present study suggested that both RAPD and FA analyses are useful for differentiation of Astragalus species.     

Taxonomic notes on astragalus section leptocarpi subsection californici (Fabaceae)

A recently completed study of Astragalus sect. Leptocarpi subsect. Californici shows that the following taxonomic adjustments are required: 1) Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae, a new variety, is described. It is compared to A. tener var. tener, as well as to A. rattanii var. jepsonianus in which it was previously included, and to the superficially similar A. clarianus with which it was confused. An illustration of the new variety, and of the fruits of these related taxa, is included. 2) Astragalus nyensis was placed in subsect. Californici by Barneby in his 1964 monograph. Morphological, anatomical, and allozyme data suggest that A. nyensis should be placed in the subsect. Leptocarpi closely allied to A. nuttallianus.     

Distribution of the triterpenoid saponins and chemotaxonomy of the genus Clematis L. by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Selected species of the genus Clematis (Ranunculaceae) have been screened for occurrence of triterpenoid saponins by qualitative HPLC-MSⁿ analysis of root and rhizome materials from 18 Clematis samples as well as the whole plant materials of Clematis puberula var. ganpiniana and Clematis terniflora. The HPLC-MSⁿ analysis allowing the detection of 17 oleanolic acid or hederagenin saponins was carried out in the negative selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Triterpenoid saponin profiles of these taxa were used for phylogenetic studies, and results are presented as a dendrogram. Huzhangoside B could be unambiguously identified in all analyzed Clematis taxa, as well as in the investigated Ranunculus taxa. The distribution and chemotaxonomic importance of the triterpenoid saponin profile within this genus are discussed.     

Spatial variability,structure and composition of crustose algal communities in Diadema africanum barrens

Crustose algal communities were studied in Diadema africanum urchin barrens around Tenerife (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic). A hierarchical nested sampling design was used to study patterns of community variability at different spatial scales (sectors, three sides of the island; sites within each sector, 5–10 km apart; stations within each site, 50–100 m apart). Although noncrustose species contributed the most to community richness, cover was dominated by crustose forms, like the coralline algae Hydrolithon farinosum, H. samoënse, H. onkodes, Neogoniolithon orotavicum and N. hirtum, and the phaeophycean Pseudolithoderma adriaticum. The structure of these communities showed high spatial variability, and we found differences in the structure of urchin barrens when compared across different spatial scales. Multivariate analysis showed that variability in community structure was related to the five environmental variables studied (wave exposure, urchin density, substrate roughness, productivity and depth). Wave exposure was the variable that contributed most to community variability, followed by urchin density and substrate roughness. Productivity and depth had limited influence. The effects of these variables differed depending on the spatial scale; wave exposure and productivity were the main variables influencing community changes at the largest scale (between different sectors of the island), while D. africanum density, roughness and depth were the most influential at medium and small scales.     

Population Behavior of Meloidogyne graminis in Field-grown 'Tifgreen' Bermudagrass

The vertical distribution and overwintering potential of Meloidogyne graminis on field-grown Cynodon sp (var. ''Tifgreen'' bermudagrass) was measured. Total populations of M. graminis were found to be lowest in March and highest in May. Larvae were most abundant in the top 5-cm of soil during periods favoring bermudagrass growth and least numerous during periods of host dormancy. Throughout the year, more t h a n 50% of the nematodes recovered each month were in roots within the top 5-cm of the soil profile. Both eggs and larvae of M. graminis overwinter in eastern Virginia.     

Species richness, abundance, rarity and environmental gradients in coastal barren vegetation

Coastal barrens in Nova Scotia are heathlands characterised by short, predominantly ericaceous vegetation, sparse tree cover, exposed bedrock, pockets of Sphagnum bog, and stressful climatic conditions. Although coastal barrens are prominent in the physical and cultural landscape, they are largely unprotected. We selected six barrens along the Atlantic coast, and surveyed 20 1-m² plots at each barren for vascular plants, macrolichens, mosses and environmental factors. We recorded 173 species (105 vascular, 41 macrolichen, 27 moss), including six provincially rare vascular species found predominantly in nearshore areas with high levels of substrate salt and nutrients, variable substrate depth, and short vegetation. Although vascular plant and moss richness were similarly correlated with vegetation height, substrate depth, organic matter content, and rock exposure, there were no clear correlations between vascular plant, macrolichen and moss richness across all sites. Vascular plant rarity and species richness were not correlated, but had inverse relationships with key environmental gradients. Tailoring conservation efforts to protect areas of high richness may thus mean that rare species are missed, and vice versa. Ordination and ANOSIM show that barrens vegetation differs widely among sites; therefore, protecting any singular coastal barren will not protect the entire range of vegetation communities and species in this heathland type. Conservation planning should emphasize protecting environmental gradients correlated with richness, rarity and plant community structure, including substrate depth and moisture, and vegetation height. Additionally, protected areas should include a coastal-inland gradient and a diversity of substrate types, including exposed rock and trees.     

Taxonomy of Senecio multilobatus and its allies

A revision is presented for ten closely related species of western North America. The assemblage approximates the sectionsBolanderiani Greenman andLobati Rydb. Two new infraspecific combinations are made:Senecio bolanderi Gray var.harfordii (Greenman) T. M. Barkley, andS. eurycephalus Torr. & Gray ex Gray var.Iewisrosei (J. T. Howell) T. M. Barkley.