A molecular systematic study of Scrophulariaceae sensu lato using DNA sequences of three plastid genes (rbcL, ndhF, and rps2) revealed at least five distinct monophyletic groups. Thirty-nine genera representing 24 tribes of the Scrophulariaceae s.l. (sensu lato) were analyzed along with representatives of 15 other families of Lamiales. The Scrophulariaceae s.s. (sensu stricto) include part or all of tribes Aptosimeae, Hemimerideae, Leucophylleae, Manuleae, Selagineae, and Verbasceae (5 Scrophularieae) and the conventional families Buddlejaceae and Myoporaceae. Veronicaceae includes all or part of tribes Angelonieae, Antirrhineae, Cheloneae, Digitaleae, and Gratioleae and the conventional families Callitrichaceae, Globulariaceae, Hippuridaceae, and Plantaginaceae. The Orobanchaceae include tribes Buchnereae, Rhinantheae, and the conventional Orobanchaceae. All sampled members of Orobanchaceae are parasitic, except Lindenbergia, which is sister to the rest of the family. Family Calceolariaceae Olmstead is newly erected herein to recognize the phylogenetic distinctiveness of tribe Calceolarieae. The Calceolariaceae are close to the base of the Lamiales. The Stilbaceae are expanded by the inclusion of Halleria. Mimulus does not belong in any of these five groups.

http://depts.washington.edu/phylo/OlmsteadPubs/AJB.Disintegration.pdf

Disintegration of the scrophulariaceae.

The construction of classifications, as well as the understanding of biological diversity, depends upon a careful comparison of attributes of the organisms studied (Stuessy, 1990). It is widely known that data from diverse sources showing differences from taxon to taxon are of systematic significance. During the 20th century, systematists have emphasized that their discipline involves a synthesis of all knowledge (Stevens, 1994) or, in other words, the variation of as many relevant characters as possible should be incorporated into the natural system to be constructed. The extent to which particular characters are constant or labile will determine their usefulness to systematics. In general, more conservative characters will be valuable in defining families and orders, whereas more labile characters may be useful at the generic and specific levels (Webb, 1984). There is no doubt that floral characters are among the most used in the classification of flowering plants. At the same time, they constitute essential features in diagnostic keys to taxa in both taxonomic treatments and Floras (Cronquist, 1981, 1988).

A systematic survey of floral nectaries

In this study, spatial interpolation techniques have been applied to develop an objective climatic cartography of precipitation in the Iberian Peninsula (583,551 km2). The resulting maps have a 200m spatial resolution and a monthly temporal resolution. Multiple regression, combined with a residual correction method, has been used to interpolate the observed data collected from the meteorological stations. This method is attractive as it takes into account geographic information (independent variables) to interpolate the climatic data (dependent variable). Several models have been developed using different independent variables, applying several interpolation techniques and grouping the observed data into different subsets (drainage basin models) or into a single set (global model). Each map is provided with its associated accuracy, which is obtained through a simple regression between independent observed data and predicted values. This validation has shown that the most accurate results are obtained when using the global model with multiple regression mixed with the splines interpolation of the residuals. In this optimum case, the average R2 (mean of all the months) is 0.85. The entire process has been implemented in a GIS (Geographic Information System) which has greatly facilitated the filtering, querying, mapping and distributing of the final cartography.

/pdf/monthly-precipitation-mapping-of-the-iberian-peninsula-using-207lzalc85.pdf

Monthly precipitation mapping of the Iberian Peninsula using spatial interpolation tools implemented in a Geographic Information System

Flowers with highly specialized pollination systems sometimes have the ability to self-pollinate, contradicting our notion that pollination specialization reflects selective pressures to ensure high maternal outcrossing rates. We survey the literature (80 species representing 38 families) for the simultaneous study of pollination and breeding systems. We demonstrate that pollination specialization is often associated with a variety of floral traits that facilitate delayed autonomous selfing at the end of the flower’s life span. While the potential autonomous selfing rate can be high, the actual autonomous selfing rate is often much lower, indicating that species in our survey are facultative selfers. Autonomous selfing was more commonly associated with protandry than with protogyny and was found in both herkogamous and nonherkogamous species. We conclude that pollination specialization can evolve independently of the ability to autonomously self-pollinate and that the presence of floral traits that promote pollination specialization and autonomous selfing in the same flower is not paradoxical. Pollination specialization can be reconciled with autonomous self-pollination when selective forces other than high maternal outcrossing rates are considered.

/pdf/reproductive-assurance-and-the-evolution-of-pollination-41sck05f40.pdf

Reproductive assurance and the evolution of pollination specialization

This study presents an objective mapping of monthly mean air temperature over the Iberian Peninsula using the spatial interpolation of climatological data The research focuses on an interpolation method (multiple regression with residual correction) that combines statistical global analysis with a local interpolation (splines and inverse distance weighting) Geographical information (the independent variables) is used to predict air temperature (the dependent variable) through the regression relationship and to test several approaches A comprehensive GIS implementation makes it possible to address many cartographic issues and to produce mean minimum, mean and mean maximum air temperature surfaces for the entire Iberian Peninsula The spatial resolution of the maps is 200 m and their temporal resolution is monthly and annual An associated error level obtained through validation tests with independent data is computed for each map These validation tests show that the best results have an average R2 (mean of all months) of 091 (mean temperature), 087 (mean maximum temperature) and 083 (mean minimum temperature) When the objective is to map a large area, best results are obtained when the model uses all stations of the Iberian Peninsula together (general peninsular model) and not when using different local subsets (hydrographical basins regional models) However, when the objective is mapping a regional area, basin models produce better outcomes than the general model being applied to these regional areas Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society

Objective air temperature mapping for the Iberian Peninsula using spatial interpolation and GIS

A revision of Stipa L. and Nassella Desv. (Poaceae) genera in Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands.. A taxonomic study of the genus Stipa L. and Nassella Desv. at the Iberian Penisula has been made. 27 taxa of the genus Stipa are recognized, 18 of which are species and the remaining infraspecific taxa. Nassella mucronata is the only species of the genus Nassella in the studied area. Keys to identification of the taxa are given, together with descriptions, the most important synonimies and information concerning to their cromosomic numbers and geographical distribution. Eight combinations have been made: Stipa sect. Inaequiglumes, Stipa sect. Jarava, Stipa sect. Macrochloa, Stipa sect. Giganteae, S. iberica var. austro-iberica, S. iberica var. pseudodasyphylla, S. parviflora var. pilosa and S. pauneroana. The following taxa are new : S. apertifolia var. nevadensis, S. juncea var. cabanasii y S. gigantea subsp. donyanae.

/pdf/revision-del-genero-stipa-l-y-nassella-desv-poaceae-en-la-b81z3exd9s.pdf

Revisión del género stipa l. y nassella desv. (poaceae) en la península ibérica e islas baleares

Floral and reproductive biology of Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link (Droseraceae)

The reproductive biology of someScrophularia species in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands has been studied. Levels of fruit-set in bagged and unbagged inflorescences, the production of seeds/capsule, the effectiveness of seed-set following cross-pollination in the genus and the pollen/ovule ratios have been analyzed.

Sexual reproduction in some Scrophularia species (Scrophulariaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands

The genusScrophularia in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands comprises two sections,Scrophularia andCaninaG. Don. Analyses were carried out on flower production, flower duration and their sexual phases, pollen and nectar production together with observations on their pollinators. Nectar production is correlated with corolla size and pollen production with anther size. The taxa of sect.Scrophularia show greater nectar and pollen production than those of sect.Canina. Also, those of the first section produce more ovules per ovary than those of the second group, production being correlated with the ovary size.

Juan Antonio Devesa Alcaraz

Papers

Revisión del género stipa l. y nassella desv. (poaceae) en la península ibérica e islas baleares

Floral and reproductive biology of Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link (Droseraceae)

Sexual reproduction in some Scrophularia species (Scrophulariaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands

Floral rewards in someScrophularia species (Scrophulariaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands

Viajes de un botánico sajón por la Península Ibérica: Heinrich Moritz Willkomm (1821-1895)