Conspectus of Italian Selaginella (Selaginellaceae), with some typifications

An annotated synonymic inventory of Italian Selaginella taxa, a practical key for their identification and their dot distribution maps are presented, as a result of our work on the Selaginellaceae account for the Flora Critica d'Italia. The names Lycopodium helveticum L. and Selaginella denticulata var. platystachya Hieron. are typified.     

Homoploid hybrid speciation in Doronicum L. (Asteraceae)? Morphological,karyological and molecular evidences

Abstract

The first unambiguous documentation of hybridism in the genus Doronicum (Senecioneae – Asteraceae) is reported. All our morphological, karyological and molecular data concur to indicate that Doronicum × minutilloi Peruzzi hybr. nov. (2n = 60) is a hybrid growing in Monti Aurunci (Central Italy), originated from the spontaneous crossing D. orientale Hoffm. (2n = 60) × D. columnae Ten. (2n = 60). This new hybrid shows a slightly higher morphological, karyotypic and ribotypic affinity with D. columnae, but shares a trnL-trnF IGS haplotype with D. orientale, and co-occurs with the latter species only; it has reduced fertility and a high potential for vegetative propagation through rhizome fragmentation. Our results led us to suspect in fieri homoploid hybrid speciation.     

Distribution,ecology and conservation survey on Trifolium michelianum Savi (Fabaceae) in Sicily (Italy)

We report the identification of four residual stations for Trifolium michelianum Savi (Fabaceae) in Sicily, whereas the species was documented to be extinct at the Gorgo Cerro station (western Sicily), the only locality previously reported in the literature. In addition to an update on the distribution of the species, a survey on the new Sicilian populations led to their biological, ecological and phytosociological characterization, as well as to an assessment of the risk factors. The species, here relegated to the limit of its distribution area, occurs in particularly sensitive and vulnerable environments, such as the “Mediterranean temporary ponds”, considered “priority” by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC. Moreover, a new Sicilian association (Trifolio micheliani–Glycerietumspicatae ass. nova), framed in the alliance Glycerio-Sparganion (class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea), is described.     

Types of names of Orobanche taxa described from North Africa

In the framework of the revision of the genus Orobanche (including Phelipaea) in the Mediterranean area, the original material for 31 names of new taxa described from North Africa by Ball, Battandier, Forsskål, Maire (partly with Emberger and Jahandiez), Persoon, Poiret and Pomel has been analysed. Typification is discussed, and where necessary types are designated. Accepted names and synonyms of the recognized taxa are given. Three species are illustrated, and one new combination (O. inexspectata) is proposed.     

Plant invasions in the rivers of the Iberian Peninsula,south-western Europe: A review

Aquatic and riparian ecosystems are known to be highly vulnerable to invasive alien species (IAS), especially when subjected to human-induced disturbances. In the last three decades, we have witnessed a growing increase in plant invasions in Portugal and Spain (Iberian Peninsula, south-western Europe), with very detrimental economic, social and ecological effects. Some of these species, such as the giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub.), number among the world's worst weeds. We present an appraisal of this invasive alien river flora and the most problematic aquatic weeds. We review various aspects of invasion ecology, including spatial and temporal patterns of invasion, species invasiveness, species traits of invasive weeds, and relationships between human disturbance in rivers and surrounding areas and invasibility, and contextualize them in overall state-of-the-art terms. We also acknowledge the use of IAS as bioindicators of the ecological quality of rivers, wetlands and riparian zones. Remote-sensing tools and Geographic Information Systems for detecting and monitoring IAS in Iberian rivers are presented.     

Modeling population growth and site specific control of the invasive Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) under differing fire regimes

It is at the population level that an invasion either fails or succeeds. Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is a weed of great significance in Queensland Australia and globally but its whole life-history ecology is poorly known. Here we used 3 years of field data across four land use types (farm, hoop pine plantation and two open eucalyptus forests, including one with a triennial fire regime) to parameterise the weed’s vital rates and develop size-structured matrix models. Lantana camara in its re-colonization phase, as observed in the recently cleared hoop pine plantation, was projected to increase more rapidly (annual growth rate, λ = 3.80) than at the other three sites (λ 1.88–2.71). Elasticity analyses indicated that growth contributed more (64.6 %) to λ than fecundity (18.5 %) or survival (15.5 %), while across size groups, the contribution was of the order: juvenile (19–27 %) ≥ seed (17–28 %) ≥ seedling (16–25 %) > small adult (4–26 %) ≥ medium adult (7–20 %) > large adult (0–20 %). From a control perspective it is difficult to determine a single weak point in the life cycle of lantana that might be exploited to reduce growth below a sustaining rate. The triennial fire regime applied did not alter the population elasticity structure nor resulted in local control of the weed. However, simulations showed that, except for the farm population, periodic burning could work within 4–10 years for control of the weed, but fire frequency should increase to at least once every 2 years. For the farm, site-specific control may be achieved by 15 years if the biennial fire frequency is tempered with increased burning intensity.     

A new species of Hiptage (Malpighiaceae) from Nujiang Gorge,southwest China

Hiptage lushuiensis, a new species from the Hengduan Mountains, northwestern Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated here. This species was found growing at the margin of an open forest in the Nujiang Gorge of Lushui City. Hiptage lushuiensis is distinctive for its pink petals, 2 or more calyx glands, and large and pink samara with white hairs. This species is isolated in the deep gorge (25°51′N, 98°51′E, altitude 917 m), at the northern edge distribution range of the genus. These distinctive morphological differences and the geographic isolation suggest a history of long-distance dispersal and allopatric speciation. Hiptage lushuiensis has a shorter filament but larger herkogamy than related species, suggesting that H. lushuiensis may have adapted to other pollinators with short but fat body such as Amegilla or Bombus spp.     

Noise does not equal bias in assessing the evolutionary history of the angiosperm flora of China: A response to Qian (2019)

In response to our paper on the evolutionary history of the Chinese flora, Qian suggests that certain features of the divergence time estimation employed might have led to biased conclusions in Lu et al (2018). Here, we consider Qian's specific criticisms, explore the extent of uncertainty in the data and demonstrate that (i) no systematic bias toward dates that are too young or too old is detected in Lu et al.; (ii) constraint of the crown age of angiosperms does not bias the generic ages estimated by Lu et al.; and (iii) ages derived from the Chinese regional phylogeny do not bias the conclusions reported by Lu et al. All these analyses confirm that the conclusions reported previously are robust. We argue that, like many large-scale biodiversity analyses, sources of noise in divergence time estimation are to be expected, but these should not be confused with bias.