Cytotaxonomy and evolution in Pennisetum section Brevivalvula (Gramineae) in tropical Africa

Chromosome numbers, meiotic pairing configurations, and fertility data are reported for 57 African collections representing five of the six taxa currently recognized in Pennisetum section Brevivalvula. All collections were polyploid from a basic number of x = 9 and exhibited high lrequencies of multivalents at metaphase I. Four of the five taxa include chromosomal races, either through aneuploidy or multiple polyploid levels. Data concerning pollen fertility and seed set suggest that agamospermy is present in these five taxa. Three taxa may be polymorphic for sexual reproduction. Integration of evidence concerning chromosomal and morphological variation in the section suggests possible hybrid origins for three of the six taxa.     

The Rubiaceae of Cabinda (Angola)

A treatment of the Rubiaceae of Cabinda (Angola) is presented based on various herbarium collections. There are 67 genera and 169 species of Rubiaceae represented in the flora of Cabinda. Eight entities are unnamed and could represent new taxa. Identification keys are provided for species and infraspecific taxa. A new combination is made in Rothmannia and two are made in Psychotria. A new name is provided in Psychotria . Eighteen taxa are endemic to Cabinda, two of which are also endemic to Angola. The conservation status of the endemic taxa is unknown due to the lack of collections over the last 40 years. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 455–495.     

Effects of mat morphology on large Sargassum-associated fishes: observations from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and free-floating video camcorders

Vagile large juvenile and adult fishes are often under-represented in traditional sampling of Sargassum–associated fishes in the open ocean. We used underwater video recordings from free-floating camcorders and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to assess the relative abundance of large mobile fishes under large Sargassum mats (> 10 m diameter), under dispersed clumps of Sargassum (< 1 m diameter), and in open water without Sargassum as a reference. In addition, we conducted dipnet sampling in each Sargassum treatment for a comparison to traditional methods. All samples were obtained in September 1992 along the western wall of the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A total of 31 fish taxa were identified from both video and dipnet collections. Only 8 taxa were identified in both video and dipnet collections, while 11 taxa were seen only in video and 10 were only found in dipnet collections. Dipnet collections were dominated by juvenile balistids and other small, cryptic fishes, while the video observations were mainly of larger, rapidly-moving carangids. Fish diversity increased with the amount of continuous Sargassum habitat: four taxa were observed when no Sargassum was present, 12 under clumps, and 19 under mats. Our results indicated that mat morphology significantly affects the Sargassum–associated fishes, and that both video and traditional capture methods are complementary and should be used together to accurately census this community.     

The "most wanted" taxa from the human microbiome for whole genome sequencing

The goal of the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) is to generate a comprehensive catalog of human-associated microorganisms including reference genomes representing the most common species. Toward this goal, the HMP has characterized the microbial communities at 18 body habitats in a cohort of over 200 healthy volunteers using 16S rRNA gene (16S) sequencing and has generated nearly 1,000 reference genomes from human-associated microorganisms. To determine how well current reference genome collections capture the diversity observed among the healthy microbiome and to guide isolation and future sequencing of microbiome members, we compared the HMP's 16S data sets to several reference 16S collections to create a 'most wanted' list of taxa for sequencing. Our analysis revealed that the diversity of commonly occurring taxa within the HMP cohort microbiome is relatively modest, few novel taxa are represented by these OTUs and many common taxa among HMP volunteers recur across different populations of healthy humans. Taken together, these results suggest that it should be possible to perform whole-genome sequencing on a large fraction of the human microbiome, including the 'most wanted', and that these sequences should serve to support microbiome studies across multiple cohorts. Also, in stark contrast to other taxa, the 'most wanted' organisms are poorly represented among culture collections suggesting that novel culture- and single-cell-based methods will be required to isolate these organisms for sequencing.     

Chromosome numbers in Chihuahuan Desert Cactaceae. III. Trans-Pecos Texas

Chromosome numbers are reported for 112 collections of Cactaceae, including 102 collections of Opuntia. Reports are presented for 33 species in five genera and a total of 36 taxa. Two specimens were sterile. Emphasis was given to the documentation of intraspecific ploidy-level consistencies and differences, because of the current poor state of knowledge about the populational integrity of chromosome numbers in Trans-Pecos cacti and because information about ploidy levels is taxonomically significant particularly in certain genera of Cactaceae. First reports are presented for six taxa, including Opuntia aureispina (2n = 11 II), O. tortispina (2n = 33 II), and Ancistrocactus tobuschii (2n = 11 II). Chromosome numbers are now known for all but one or two of the ～104 currently recognized cactus taxa in Trans-Pecos Texas.     

CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN UMBELLIFERAE. III

Chromosome numbers are reported for 156 collections representing 100 taxa of Umbelliferae. Approximately two thirds of the collections are from Mexico, Central and South America and indicate a high percentage of polyploid species in certain genera found in this area. Chromosome numbers for plants belonging to 78 taxa are published here for the first time, previously published chromosome numbers are verified for 18 taxa and chromosome numbers differing from those previously published are reported in seven instances. No chromosome counts have been previously published for nine of the genera included here. Further aneuploidy and polyploidy were found in Eryngium, and Lomatium columbianum has been found to be a high polyploid with 2n = 14x. Every chromosome count is referable to a cited herbarium specimen.     

Some noteworthy Desmids from Shimoga district,Karnataka State (India)

Freshwater algal collections in ponds and lakes of Shimoga district of Karnataka State (India) during 1977–1978 contained 9 Desmid taxa with interesting variations. Two new taxa belonging to Staurastrum Meyen ex Ralfs are described.     

The vascular plant collections of R. S. Williams from Bolivia and Peru (1901–1902): Addenda et corrigenda

Notes that augment an earlier essay on R. S. Williams’ botanical activities and the distribution of his collections from Bolivia and Peru are presented. Twelve species based on Williams’ vascular plant collections are added to a catalog that was previously published. Synonymies of an additional 22 taxa are corrected or updated. Notes also are provided concerning the typification or orthography of two species.     

粤北小皮伞属的种类记述

本文报道了作者1984—1985年自广东北部山区所采集有关小皮伞属16个种,其中1个新种:Marasmius australis Bi et Li,sp.nov,以及11个国内新纪录。并附分种检索表。     

A gap analysis methodology for collecting crop genepools: a case study with phaseolus beans

Background

The wild relatives of crops represent a major source of valuable traits for crop improvement. These resources are threatened by habitat destruction, land use changes, and other factors, requiring their urgent collection and long-term availability for research and breeding from ex situ collections. We propose a method to identify gaps in ex situ collections (i.e. gap analysis) of crop wild relatives as a means to guide efficient and effective collecting activities.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The methodology prioritizes among taxa based on a combination of sampling, geographic, and environmental gaps. We apply the gap analysis methodology to wild taxa of the Phaseolus genepool. Of 85 taxa, 48 (56.5%) are assigned high priority for collecting due to lack of, or under-representation, in genebanks, 17 taxa are given medium priority for collecting, 15 low priority, and 5 species are assessed as adequately represented in ex situ collections. Gap “hotspots”, representing priority target areas for collecting, are concentrated in central Mexico, although the narrow endemic nature of a suite of priority species adds a number of specific additional regions to spatial collecting priorities.

Conclusions/Significance

Results of the gap analysis method mostly align very well with expert opinion of gaps in ex situ collections, with only a few exceptions. A more detailed prioritization of taxa and geographic areas for collection can be achieved by including in the analysis predictive threat factors, such as climate change or habitat destruction, or by adding additional prioritization filters, such as the degree of relatedness to cultivated species (i.e. ease of use in crop breeding). Furthermore, results for multiple crop genepools may be overlaid, which would allow a global analysis of gaps in ex situ collections of the world''s plant genetic resources.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungi of the Philippines: a preliminary survey and notes on the geographic biodiversity of the Sclerodermatales

Basidiomata of putative ectomycorrhizal fungi have been collected from under pine or dipterocarp stands in Central Luzon in the Philippines. Over 100 collections are reported. Among the material, 75 taxa have been recognised and assigned to known genera or at least placed close to already documented European, Japanese or North American taxa. Formal identifications for 46 species are given along with comments on previous collections from South-East Asia. Species collected from under the native Pinus kesiya resemble the communities found under three-needled pines in North America and the West Himalayas, whereas those from dipterocarp forests were similar to communities found in Malaysia and Japan. Members of the Sclerodermatales were particularly common and are probably the pioneer colonizers of young seedlings in these ecosystems.     

A study of phytoliths produced by selected native plant taxa commonly used by Great Basin Native Americans

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany - Reference collections of phytoliths from plant taxa commonly used by the ancient inhabitants of an archaeological site are critical to researchers conducting...     

Linnaean fish specimens in the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm

Specimens of fish in the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, which are type specimens of species described by Linnaeus are listed. A total of 94 taxa is represented in the collection. The sources for the typification of each taxon are given and the existence of type material in other collections is noted. A short history of this collection of fishes is given as it relates to confirmation of the original nature of the specimens.
Most of the taxa represented came from the collection of King Adolf Fredrik (1710–1771) and were described by Linnaeus in the Museum Adolphi Friderici Volumes 1 and 2 (1754a, 1764) or from Fredrick Hasselqvist's (1722–1752) collections in North Africa and the Mediterranean borderlands.     

The Rubiaceae of Angola

A treatment of the Rubiaceae of Angola is presented based on herbarium collections kept at BM, BR, COI, K, LISC, LISU, LUA, LUAI, P, and PRE. The basionyms, relevant synonyms, and types from Angola are cited. For each taxon, one collection is cited for each province. An exsiccata list with over 3300 collections examined and identified during this work is provided. There are 108 genera, 422 species, and 40 infraspecific taxa of Rubiaceae in Angola. Fourteen genera and 126 species and infraspecific taxa are restricted to Cabinda. The rate of endemism of the family is c. 19%, with 86 taxa endemic to Angola (16 of which are restricted to Cabinda). Two genera are endemic. A new subspecies and a new variety are described. There are 21 unnamed entities requiring further research. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 537–638.     

Indonesian desmids

Summary There are described 526 desmid taxa found in 49 freshwater algal collections from Kalimantan (Borneo), Java, Bali and Sumatra, including 152 new taxa in the genera Closterium, Pleurotaenium, Euastrum, Micrasterias, Cosmarium, Arthrodesmus, Xanthidium, Staurastrum, Onychonema, Bambusina, and Desmidium.     

鄂西地区裸藻的初步研究

在鄂西的五峰、宜都、宜昌、当阳及神农架林区一带,采集到裸藻门植物16属140种(包括变种和变型)。属于绿色裸藻类的有116种,无色裸藻类的有24种,其中有5个新种,7个新变种,3个新变型,有20种是我国新记录。在采集区域内的地形大体上可以分成三种不同的类型,即:山岳地区(采得裸藻5种),河谷盆地地区(采得裸藻40种)和沿长江丘陵地区(采得裸藻128种)。静止水体由于地形的差异,体积的大小和水质的肥沃程度不同,都对裸藻门植物的生长有重要的影响。       

Taxonomic biodiversity of geniculate coralline red algae (Corallinales,Rhodophyta) from the Macaronesian region: summary and analysis

A catalog and critical review of species and infraspecific taxa of non-fossil geniculate coralline red algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) previously reported from the Macaronesian region are presented along with an assessment of species diversity in the region. Published records of geniculate coralline algae are included along with comments relating to type material. Within the catalog, taxa are organized alphabetically by genus and within this by final epithet. From the 31 taxa recorded, 4 are based on type collections from Macaronesian localities. The types of most species and infraspecific taxa reported from the region have yet to be re-examined in a modern context, and most Macaronesian records require verification. The biodiversity of Macaronesian geniculate coralline algae may be lower than current information indicates.     

The effectiveness of botanic garden collections in supporting plant conservation: a European case study

Europe has the greatest concentration of botanic gardens in the world, they cultivate extensive collections of plants that include samples of European threatened plant species. This study looks at the effectiveness of these collections in supporting species conservation. A three part study is presented: (1) the results of a survey and assessment of threatened plants in botanic gardens, as defined by the Bern Convention; (2) case studies illustrating current issues in the ex situ management of European threatened plant species; and (3) presentation of policy recommendations on further improving botanic garden contributions to European plant conservation. The survey indicated that of 119 European botanic gardens in 29 European countries, 105 are cultivating 308 of the 573 threatened plant species listed by the Bern Convention. The survey identified 25 botanic gardens in 14 countries undertaking 51 conservation projects focused on 27 Bern listed species. In particular this survey has established that the majority of taxa are held in a small number of collections, dominated by non-wild origin accessions, and are not adequately documented. The majority of specimens in botanic gardens are cultivated out of the range country and not contributing to a specific conservation project. We review the genetic representation and documentation of origin in collections. Existing plant collections contain representatives of populations, now lost in the wild and maintain samples of at least nine European plant taxa identified as 'Extinct in the Wild'. However, inadequate standards of record keeping has compromised the conservation value of many collections. We highlight the dangers of hybridisation and disease in ex situ collections. The results suggest that botanic garden collections are skewed towards horticulturally robust and ornamental species and do not fully reflect priorities as defined by the Bern Convention. Recognising the limitations of traditional botanic garden collections we propose that botanic gardens more effectively utilise their two core competencies, namely scientific horticulture and public display and interpretation. The unique horticultural skills resident in European botanic gardens could be more effectively utilised through the application of horticulture to the management of wild populations.Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society     

Faunistical data on the Croatian Orthoptera with four species newly recorded in the country

We present 914 records of Croatian Orthoptera, representing 124 taxa from 178 localities. The list is compiled based on the Hungarian Natural History Museum collections, private collections, and authors’ observations. The first faunistical records for Croatia are given for a bush-cricket (Leptophyes intermedia), two crickets (Modicogryllus truncatus, Oecanthus dulcisonans), and a grasshopper species (Epacromius tergestinus).