Showing papers in "Australian Systematic Botany in 2017"
TL;DR: Some revision of previously suggested biogeographic boundaries is proposed, with the boundaries of the central South Island alpine gap being further north than previous studies have inferred, and the possibility that Pliocene marine transgression contributed to shaping the central North Island palaeo-endemism boundary is discussed.
Abstract: Categorical analysis of neo- and palaeo-endemism (CANAPE), phylogenetic diversity (PD) and phylogenetic weighted endemism (PWE) were used to explore patterns of diversity, endemism and biogeography in the indigenous vascular flora of the New Zealand archipelago. Distributional data comprising 213142 records for 436 genera and 2187 species and a phylogeny based mainly on rbcL sequences were used to calculate neo- and palaeo-endemism biodiversity metrics for 0.12° grid cells. Genus- and species-level analyses of PD revealed few significantly high-value cells mostly scattered in the northern North Island, and, for PWE, significantly high-value cells were concentrated in the northern North Island and northern offshore islands. CANAPE analyses suggested that palaeo-endemism is concentrated in northern North Island and the northern offshore islands, whereas neo-endemism is concentrated in South Island and the southern offshore islands. The areas of endemism highlighted by our analyses are compared with earlier biogeographic studies of endemism in the New Zealand flora. Some revision of previously suggested biogeographic boundaries is proposed, with the boundaries of the central South Island alpine gap being further north than previous studies have inferred, and the possibility that Pliocene marine transgression contributed to shaping the central North Island palaeo-endemism boundary is discussed.
28 citations
TL;DR: Centres of species CWE, genus CWE and genus CPE overlap with the New Zealand conservation estate and Randomisations showed that the South Island mountains have greater species corrected weighted endemism (CWE) than expected, whereas the randomisations showed the northern half of the North Island and northern offshore islands to have greaterEndemism than expected.
Abstract: The present study aimed to detect and quantify centres of vascular plant species and genus endemism and genus phylogenetic endemism in the New Zealand archipelago and to assess the representation of these in the conservation estate. The presence of 2187 vascular plant species, comprising 213141 georeferenced records, was mapped onto 0.12° grid cells and a genus-level phylogeny was constructed mainly from rbcL sequences used to calculate phylogenetic metrics. Previously identified centres of endemism were confirmed, and new areas of endemism were suggested. Patterns of endemism differ with taxonomic rank. Randomisations showed that the South Island mountains have greater species corrected weighted endemism (CWE) than expected, whereas the randomisations for genus CWE and genus corrected phylogenetic endemism (CPE) showed the northern half of the North Island and northern offshore islands to have greater endemism than expected. Consistent with the randomisations, the highest values of genus CWE and genus CPE predominantly occur in the northern North Island and offshore islands. Centres of species CWE, genus CWE and genus CPE, supported by randomisation analyses, overlap with the New Zealand conservation estate by 40.01, 29.52 and 19.12% respectively. Many areas of high endemism are often poorly protected, highlighting the urgency to consider the areas of endemism identified here in conservation policy, planning and management.
20 citations
TL;DR: An analysis of all digitally available papers in Nuytsia, the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Muelleria, Telopea, Austrobaileya and Systematic Botany established that, although photographic illustrations have increased since 2000, botanical illustrations have not always diminished.
Abstract: To examine claims that the role of botanical art in systematic botany is diminishing because of advances in photography, this review considers relevant literature and includes a quantitative analysis of trends in modern journals, monographs and floras. Our focus is on southern hemisphere systematic botany because, relative to the northern hemisphere, this is poorly represented in modern reviews of botanical art and photography. An analysis of all digitally available papers in Nuytsia, the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Muelleria, Telopea, Austrobaileya and Systematic Botany established that, although photographic illustrations have increased since 2000, botanical illustrations have not always diminished. The cause of these trends is unknown, but it is likely to be due to several factors, including sourcing funding for production of botanical illustration, editorial preference for the use of illustrations or photographs, author preference for either illustrations or photographs, and moving to online publication, with no charges for colour reproduction. Moreover, the inclusion of botanical artists as co-authors in some scientific publications signals an ongoing and important role. Botanical illustration brings sharp focus and meticulous attention to detail regarding form and structure of plants. Photography is useful at the macro-scale for habitat and whole-plant traits, as well as at the micro-scale for anatomical textures and ultrastructure. These complementary approaches can be important components of taxonomic discovery, with the potential for a new role in modern trait analysis in molecular phylogenies.
19 citations
TL;DR: A new sectional ranking for subgenus Polypompholyx is designated on the basis of molecular phylogenetic results and morphology, indicating that the north-western monsoonal savanna habitats are a biodiversity hotspot for the lineage.
Abstract: Phylogenetic relationships among all of the 47 recognised species and 10 putative new taxa of Utricularia subgenus Polypompholyx, were assessed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses of DNA sequences representing the plastid rps16 intron, trnL–F intron and spacer regions and the trnD–T intron. We found strong jackknife and posterior-probability support for a monophyletic subgenus Polypompholyx and a sister relationship between the sections Polypompholyx+Tridentaria and Pleiochasia. Within the section Pleiochasia, are two well-supported major clades, each containing three supported clades. Our S-DIVA biogeographic analysis, using five major Australian drainage basins and New Zealand as geographic areas, estimated two early vicariance events between south-western and north-western mainland regions, corresponding with known periods of increased aridity at 15 and 6million years ago. Subsequent dispersal events were estimated between northern and south-eastern Australia, with recent dispersal of species from south-western regions to the south-east and New Zealand occurring between 4million and 1million years ago. There were 28 speciation events inferred within the north-western region, followed by 9 for the south-western and south-eastern regions, indicating that the north-western monsoonal savanna habitats are a biodiversity hotspot for the lineage. We also show the evolutionary shifts in growth habit, and show that lifecycle corresponds strongly with shifts in seasonality between temperate and monsoonal regions. On the basis of our molecular phylogenetic results and morphology, we here designate a new sectional ranking for subgenus Polypompholyx.
19 citations
TL;DR: Here, the literature on biogeographic units, their uses and recommendations are reviewed, highlighting the relevance of the use of more than one area-classification scheme in empirical studies.
Abstract: One of the recurrent themes in historical biogeography relates to the units of analysis, their definition and identification. Although areas of endemism are usually accepted as the standard units of study, other units have been suggested, as well as several methods for identifying them. There is no consensus on which units are best suited for the studies; however, the effect of the units and area schemes on analytical results is acknowledged. Here, I review the literature on biogeographic units, their uses and recommendations, highlighting the relevance of the use of more than one area-classification scheme in empirical studies.
18 citations
TL;DR: The recognition of a separate area of endemism for flies in the Semideciduous Forest agrees with phytogeographical reconstructions and raises an important alert for the scarcity of biological reserves for this vegetation.
Abstract: We present a study of the endemicity patterns in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest on the basis of the distribution of 107 fly species belonging to 24 genera of 15 families. This is the first picture of endemism for Diptera in the Atlantic Forest. Instead of the traditional grid of geographical coordinates, we used a system of topographic units (TUs) for the analysis, delimited after gathering information on rivers and altitude for each state and country. A parsimony analysis of the data matrix with the species records for the TUs was performed, named topographic-unit parsimony analysis (TUPA). The same distributional data was used in a NDM/VNDM analysis. The combination of the resulting patterns from both analyses indicated the existence of the following three major areas of endemism for flies in the Atlantic Forest: a Northern Atlantic Forest, north of Rio Doce; a Southern Atlantic Forest, south of Rio Doce along the coast, extending to the west and to the south at the level of the state of Parana; and a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, west to the ombrophilous forest along the coast. None of these areas seems to be shaped solely by vicariance events. They can possibly be the result of biotic fusion of ancestral areas of endemism as a result of barrier collapse and secondary overlap of sister biotas, a hypothesis yet to be tested. The recognition of a separate area of endemism for flies in the Semideciduous Forest agrees with phytogeographical reconstructions and raises an important alert for the scarcity of biological reserves for this vegetation.
16 citations
TL;DR: Time-slicing of areas is used as a proof of concept approach to interpret the inter-relationships of Neogene and Palaeogene biotic areas of Wallacea, a well-studied area of biogeographic overlap between South-East Asia and Australasia and demonstrated that Palaeogenic and Neogene areas have distinct biogeographical histories.
Abstract: Time-slicing of areas is a novel biogeographic method that helps resolve conflicting area relationships and assess temporal overlap as an explanation for the conflict. The method differs from others currently popular in biogeography in that it does not date nodes before analysis (e.g. divergence dating) to infer area relationships and classification. Here, time-slicing is used as a proof of concept approach to interpret the inter-relationships of Neogene and Palaeogene biotic areas of Wallacea, a well-studied area of biogeographic overlap between South-East Asia and Australasia. We used 18 Palaeogene and 25 Neogene areas within Wallacea, represented in 28 areagrams from 25 published phylogenetic hypotheses. Areas were delimited using palaeogeographical reconstructions and biotic distribution data. Paralogy-free subtree and transparent methods of analysis were used to find a general area cladogram (GA), which was then compared with palaeogeographical reconstructions. Palaeogene areas formed clades different from those of Neogene areas. Area relationships correlated strongly with palaeogeographical reconstructions of the Neogene and the Palaeogene. The new approach demonstrated that Palaeogene and Neogene areas have distinct biogeographic histories. Wallacea is a temporal, as well as a geographic, composite that lies between two inferred barriers of distribution, namely the Palaeogene Wallace’s line and the Neogene Weber’s line.
15 citations
TL;DR: The importance of applying quantitative biogeographic methods to identify bioregionalisation units and its fundamental role in conservation biogeography so as to optimise protected-area efficiency and other territorial conservation strategies is emphasised.
Abstract: Conservation biogeography involves the application of biogeographical principles and methods to conservation issues, including the design of protected areas Bioregionalisation has been central in the implementation of main global conservation strategies, providing the basis for prioritising protected areas and evaluating their representativeness and effectiveness in conservation actions Traditionally, experts established these bioregionalisations without repeatable methodologies and using only qualitative evidence, which has set constraints in their usefulness We compared three descriptive bioregionalisations commonly used for conservation decision-making, with a regionalisation produced using quantitative methods (endemicity analysis), so as to assess biases and differences in the representativeness of the existing protected-area system of Argentina Areas of endemism were detected using NDM/VNDM quantitative methodology on a database consisting of 19250 distribution records of 116 taxa of snakes, and the results were compared with previous descriptive regionalisations We recovered 9 quantitative bioregionalisation units (QBU) v 6–8 descriptive bioregionalisation units (DBU) proposed by previous authors From this comparison, the following was found: (1) we discovered three new QBU not considered by any previous DBU; (2) other three areas proposed by DBU are not supported by our endemicity analysis; (3) we detected differences comparing the representativeness of protected areas between descriptive v quantitative bioregionalisations, leaving the first, some areas of conservation relevance largely unprotected Moreover, DBU were characterised by a high degree of uncertainty and biases, such as the consideration of probably artificial units, the non-recognition of some natural units and mistakes in the representativeness of protected areas We emphasise the importance of applying quantitative biogeographic methods to identify bioregionalisation units and its fundamental role in conservation biogeography so as to optimise protected-area efficiency and other territorial conservation strategies
12 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that there is a need to rethink the way the authors evaluate taxonomy today and why it is urgent to move beyond indicators of species description, and suggests the use of a new set of indicators that would focus on taxonomic resources and dynamics, instead of taxonomic outputs.
Abstract: There is a long tradition of assessing the activity and progress of taxonomy with quantitative indicators, such as, for example, number of taxonomists, species described and species collected. These evaluations play a key role in the context of a worldwide concern over biodiversity and its governance. We have described and analysed these evaluations since 1992, the year in which the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted. We showed that despite the establishment of a dedicated body inside the CBD (the Global Taxonomy Initiative), these quantitative evaluations are mostly sporadic and independent initiatives, performed by non-taxonomists. They do not map the places where most of the taxonomic activities take place, and they are performed on small scales, with scarce and heterogeneous sources of data, making comparisons almost impossible. Most of the indicators they use refer to the activity of species description. We argue that there is a need to rethink the way we evaluate taxonomy today and we discuss why it is urgent to move beyond indicators of species description. We suggest the use of a new set of indicators that would focus on taxonomic resources and dynamics, instead of taxonomic outputs.
11 citations
TL;DR: A new subaerophytic cyanobacterium, Ewamiania thermalis, was isolated from a thermal spring complex in tropical, north-eastern Australia and characterised using combined morphological and phylogenetic attributes, showing that it formed a well supported monophyletic clade.
Abstract: A new subaerophytic cyanobacterium, Ewamiania thermalis gen et sp nov, was isolated from a thermal spring complex in tropical, north-eastern Australia and characterised using combined morphological and phylogenetic attributes It formed blackish-green hemispherical caespitose mats that began as small circular tufts, maturing to form dense mats up to several metres long It grew along the crests of the minidams just above the thermal waters as well as along some of the shallow unconfined areas of vent-discharge aprons Morphologically, Ewamiania is most similar to members of the Scytonemataceae Filaments were isopolar, cylindrical, straight or flexuous, densely arranged and erect, often parallely fasciculate, with tolypotrichoid false-branching, rarely with scytonematoid false-branching Vegetative cells were short barrel-shaped or isodiametric, slightly constricted at the cross-walls, with granulated contents Sheaths were firm, thick, lamellated, uncoloured to yellowish or darkly yellow–brown in colour, cylindrical and closed at the apex Heterocytes were spherical or ovoid in shape, and occurred in both basal and intercalary positions, generally solitary, but sometimes up to two or three in a series, developing particularly at the base of branches Reproduction occurred by the production of hormogonia by the formation of necridic cells; hormogonia were not constricted at cross-walls and often included terminal heterocytes Phylogenetic analyses using partial 16S rRNA sequences obtained from a strain of E thermalis showed that it formed a well supported monophyletic clade, sharing less than 943% nucleotide similarity with other cyanobacterial sequences, including putatively related taxa within the Scytonemataceae It also formed a novel clade in the nifH phylogeny, which was associated with members of the genus Brasilonema MFFiore, Sant’Anna, MTPAzevedo, Komarek, Kastovsky, Sulek & Lorenzi
10 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that petal micromorphology may be useful to systematics; its influence in relation to the pollinators is discussed.
Abstract: Flowers of holoparasitic plants have evolved several adaptations for pollination as part of their parasitic strategies A study of the petal epidermis may be useful to systematics as well as to the knowledge of ecological and co-evolutionary adaptations between the parasites and their pollinators The present work is a comparative study of the microsculpture of nectar guides and landing platforms in the flowers of holoparasitic species in the family Orobanchaceae In total, 285 samples of 39 species from 10 holoparasitic genera (Boschniakia CAMey ex Bong, Boulardia FWSchultz, Cistanche Hoffmanns & Link, Conopholis Wallr, Diphelypaea Nicolson, Epifagus Nutt, Mannagettaea HSm, Orobanche L, Phacellanthus Siebold & Zucc and Phelipanche Pomel) and as an outgroup, of six additional hemiparasitic genera (Castilleja Mutis ex Lf, Euphrasia L, Orthantha (Benth) AKern, Parentucellia Viv, Rhinanthus L, and Striga Lour) were analysed using both light and scanning electron microscopy Types of epidermal cells were characterised, and their distribution on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the petals determined The following four major epidermal types were recognised: tabular rugose striate cells (TRS), areolate cells (AS), papillose conical cells (PCS) and lobular striate cells (PLS) Two main types of trichomes were observed, namely glandular and non-glandular Our results showed that petal micromorphology may be useful to systematics; its influence in relation to the pollinators is discussed
TL;DR: Magonia pubescens is a monoecious species exhibiting two floral morphs, namely staminate flowers with gynoecium reduced to a pistillode, and morphologically hermaphrodite but functionally pistillate flowers, which presents the basic type of antheral wall development.
Abstract: Magonia pubescens A.St.-Hil. (Dodonaeaeae, Sapindaceae) is a monoecious species exhibiting two floral morphs, namely staminate flowers, with gynoecium reduced to a pistillode, and morphologically hermaphrodite but functionally pistillate flowers. It presents the basic type of antheral wall development. Microsporogenesis is normal, forming tetrahedral and decussate tetrads. Anatomical differences in anthers between floral morphs become visible at the stage of callose wall degradation and release of tetrads. In staminate flowers, the endothecium develops fibrous thickening, and the two middle layers, the tapetum and the parenchymal septum that separates both locule, are degraded. At dehiscence, permanent calymmate tetrads are released. Magonia is the only genus of the family with this type of pollen unit. In pistillate flowers, the endothecium exhibits fibrous thickening only in three to five cells on the dorsal loculus, and only the inner middle layer collapses. The septum that separates both locules remains unaltered, the stomium is non-functional, mature anthers are indehiscent and show collapsed tetrads. In staminate flowers, the gynoecium is reduced to a tricarpellar pistillode, trilocular, with ovules that degenerate after megasporogenesis. In pistillate flowers, the gynoecium has a tricarpellary ovary, with six to eight ovules per carpel; they are campylotropous, bitegmic, mixed crassinucellate, and exhibit a well-developed obturator. The phylogenetic implications of these embryological characters are discussed in the context of the family.
TL;DR: The sustained volcanism, along with details of the clade distributions, both suggest that the Coprosminae have persisted in the central Pacific by survival of metapopulations on individually ephemeral islands, mediated by processes such as the subsidence of the Pacific seafloor by thousands of metres and rifting of active arcs by transform faults.
Abstract: Coprosma is perhaps the most ubiquitous plant genus in New Zealand It belongs to the tribe Anthospermeae, which is distinctive in the family Rubiaceae through its small, simple, wind-pollinated flowers and its southern hemisphere distribution The tribe comprises four main clades found respectively in South Africa, Africa, Australia and the Pacific The high level of allopatry among the four subtribes is attributed here to their origin by vicariance The Pacific clade, subtribe Coprosminae, is widespread around the margins of the South Pacific and also occurs on most of the high islands Distributions of the main clades in the subtribe are mapped here and are shown to be repeated in other groups The distribution patterns also coincide with features of regional geology Large-scale volcanism has persisted in the central Pacific region since at least the Jurassic At that time, the oldest of the Pacific large igneous provinces, the Shatsky Rise, began to be erupted in the region now occupied by French Polynesia Large-scale volcanism in the central Pacific continued through the Cretaceous and the Cenozoic The sustained volcanism, along with details of the clade distributions, both suggest that the Coprosminae have persisted in the central Pacific by survival of metapopulations on individually ephemeral islands It is also likely that vicariance of metapopulations has taken place, mediated by processes such as the subsidence of the Pacific seafloor by thousands of metres, and rifting of active arcs by transform faults It is sometimes argued that a vicariance origin is unlikely for groups on young, oceanic islands that have never been connected by continuous land, but metapopulation vicariance does not require physical contact between islands
TL;DR: The relationship between environmental factors and biogeographical transition zones, defined by Neotropical mammal distributions, is explored by a model selection approach based on the Akaike information criterion and accounting for the spatial structure in the data.
Abstract: Biogeographical transition zones are areas of a complex biotic mixture located at the borders between biogeographical units. Climatic, physical and ecological factors should play an important role in allowing coexistence of different biotic elements in the transition zone. Here, we explore the relationship between environmental factors and biogeographical transition zones, defined by Neotropical mammal distributions, by a model selection approach based on the Akaike information criterion and accounting for the spatial structure in the data. We detected three areas of high overlap between mammalian areas of endemism. Two of them corresponded to the well-established regional-level transition zones, namely Mexican (MTZ) and South American (SATZ) transition zones; the third was one located in south-eastern Brazil, approximately between the Parana and Chacoan dominion that we call The Atlantic Forest integration zone (AF). Only one explicative variable was shared by the three transitions zones (precipitation of the warmest quarter). However, shared variables with great explanatory power indicated two environmental aspects as facilitators for the coexistence of different biotic components in a given geographical area. The first one was the heterogeneity component, either topographic for the SATZ and MTZ or climatic for the AF. The second one was related non-extreme thermal conditions: precipitation of the warmest quarter, interpreted as a thermal buffer, shared by AF and SATZ, and isothermality shared by MTZ and SATZ.
TL;DR: Phylogenetic analyses based on 10 molecular markers unquestionably support a sister relationship between Albidella nymphaeifolia and the Caldesia oligococca species group, but require three new combinations in Albidesia to render both Albideella and CaldesIA monophyletic.
Abstract: Phylogenetic analyses based on 10 molecular markers unquestionably support a sister relationship between Albidella nymphaeifolia and the Caldesia oligococca species group The type species of the genus Caldesia is excluded from this monophylum These results are unsurprising in the light of morphological characteristics, but require three new combinations in Albidella to render both Albidella and Caldesia monophyletic These new combinations are provided here Under the new circumscription, Albidella shows a disjunct distribution pattern, with one species in the Caribbean region and three species distributed from tropical Africa and along the margins of the Indian Ocean to Australia
TL;DR: Eight new species of Triodia are described and name, including T.M.Anderson, T.D.Barrett, and T. vanleeuwenii, which are predominantly found in the arid interior of the continent.
Abstract: Perennial grasses commonly known as ‘spinifex’ (Triodia R.Br.) are iconic Australian plants, predominantly found in the arid interior of the continent. In some areas, such as the economically important Pilbara region of Western Australia, current species taxonomy does not account for observed diversity. Previous morphological and molecular studies of Triodia basedowii E.Pritz. and related species have revealed multiple unnamed lineages requiring taxonomic recognition. Here, we describe and name eight new species of Triodia, including T. birriliburu B.M.Anderson, T. chichesterensis B.M.Anderson, T. glabra B.M.Anderson & M.D.Barrett, T. infesta B.M.Anderson & M.D.Barrett, T. mallota B.M.Anderson & M.D.Barrett, T. nana B.M.Anderson, T. scintillans B.M.Anderson & M.D.Barrett, and T. vanleeuwenii B.M.Anderson & M.D.Barrett. We also provide recircumscriptions and revised descriptions for T. basedowii, T. lanigera Domin, T. concinna N.T.Burb. and T. plurinervata N.T.Burb. A key to species and photographs are included.
TL;DR: Three similar Amanita spp.
Abstract: The following three similar Amanita spp. are described: Amanita djarilmari E.M.Davison, A. gardneri E.M.Davison from the south-west of Western Australia and A. millsii E.M.Davison & G.M.Gates (=A. sp. 10 ZLY-2014 HKAS 77322 in KUN) from Tasmania. All have a white- or pale-coloured pileus and white universal veil, but differ in the shape of the bulb, spore shape, and structure of the universal veil. All are from subgenus Lepidella section Phalloideae. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these species cannot be separated on the basis of data derived from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed-spacer sequences. They can be separated in a multi-locus phylogeny of the 28S nuclear ribosomal large-subunit rRNA region, RNA polymerase-II region, β-tubulin region and translation elongation-factor 1-α region. Amanita djarilmari, A. gardneri, A. millsii and two other previously described species in section Phalloideae from southern Australia (A. eucalypti and A. marmorata) cluster in Clade IX. These, together with other species in this clade, segregate into two lineages, namely, Clade IX A, with a white or pale pileus, and Clade IX B, with a brown pileus. Solvent extraction, followed by liquid-chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry of A. djarilmari, A. eucalypti, A. gardneri and A. marmorata basidiomes did not detect the highly toxic amatoxins α-amanitin and β-amanitin, but did detect the phallotoxins phallacidin and phalloidin.
TL;DR: A phylogeny containing more than 300 individuals from Australasia and the Pacific is reconstructed, and with this testing sectional circumscriptions within the two largely contradictory classifications recently proposed for Plagiochila are tested.
Abstract: Molecular phylogeny reconstruction has motivated recircumscription of all families and most genera within the Lophocoleinae, and in Plagiochila, the largest genus of this lineage, has refined the sectional classification as well Here, we extend this ongoing revision in the first study focusing on species from Australasia, a region to date underrepresented in molecular phylogenetic datasets We reconstructed a phylogeny containing more than 300 individuals from Australasia and the Pacific, and with this tested sectional circumscriptions within the two largely contradictory classifications recently proposed for Plagiochila Neither scheme satisfactorily captures relationships among species and all sections prove paraphyletic or polyphyletic, with the exception of those defying these properties by virtue of containing only one species We propose expanding the circumscription of several sections as the best option for achieving a revised classification representing monophyla that remains stable over the short to medium term, given current knowledge Broader circumscriptions are proposed for section Denticulatae with section Tayloriae as a new synonym; section Arrectae with section Caducifoliae as a new synonym; a reinstated section Deflexifoliae; and section Plagiochila, to include P trapezoidea; section Belangerianae to include sections Annotinae, Mitteniae and Strombifoliae as new synonyms; and section Durae with section Colensoae as a new synonym Section Fragmentissimae is applied to the lineage previously named section Deltoideae nom inval or section Hodgsoniae nom inval, as the Tasmanian P ratkowskiana and New Zealand P fragmentissima are the same, and sister to other species in the lineage containing P deltoidea Morphological characters supporting these groups are identified, but more importantly the proposed revisions provide a robust framework on which informed re-examination of morphology within this variable and species-rich genus can proceed, and we introduce some encouraging avenues in this area
TL;DR: Evidence suggests ancient associations of amphistomaty with open habitats, evolutionary loss of adaxial stomata in more closed vegetation, and the evolution of pronounced xerophylly within south-western Australian heathlands.
Abstract: Fossils from the Eocene of South Australia and Western Australia and the Oligo–Miocene of Victoria represent the first known Australian leaf fossils of subfamily Persoonioideae, tribe Persoonieae. Persoonieaephyllum blackburnii sp. nov. is described from Middle Eocene Nelly Creek sediments near Lake Eyre, South Australia. Persoonieae are an important clade for understanding vegetation transitions in Australasia. The Nelly Creek leaf fossils are small (~6mm wide) and belong to an assemblage that has some characteristics of open vegetation, which is also inferred for the Oligo–Miocene of the Latrobe Valley, Victoria. In contrast, the Western Australian Late Eocene Persoonieae occur with diverse Lauraceae and other elements now typical of closed rainforests, and may, therefore, have been derived from communities that are unlike those in which most Persoonieae now occur. All fossil Persoonieae leaves so far known are hypostomatic (or virtually so), a state of stomatal distribution now only found in species of reasonably mesic habitats in New Zealand, New Caledonia and eastern Australian eucalypt forests. The ancestral state of stomatal distribution in Persoonieae leaves is unclear, but evidence suggests ancient associations of amphistomaty with open habitats, evolutionary loss of adaxial stomata in more closed vegetation, and the evolution of pronounced xerophylly within south-western Australian heathlands.
TL;DR: Results indicated that Heterocaryum is non-monophyletic because of the inclusion of Suchtelenia calycina, and all species of HeterOCaryum except H. laevigatum are transferred to a new genus, Pseudoheterocaryums.
Abstract: . The phylogeny of Heterocaryum and Suchtelenia was examined using sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear rDNA (ITS) and plastid trnL intron and trnL–trnF intergenic spacer (trnL–F) regions. Results indicated that Heterocaryum is non-monophyletic because of the inclusion of Suchtelenia calycina (C.A.Mey.) A.DC. Heterocaryum laevigatum (Kar. & Kir.) A.DC. formed a distinct branch sister to S. calycina and remaining Heterocaryum species. Hence, all species of Heterocaryum except H. laevigatum (type species of the genus) are transferred to a new genus, Pseudoheterocaryum. Taxonomic descriptions are presented for Pseudoheterocaryum and Heterocaryum, as well as a diagnostic key to the three genera included in the present study.
TL;DR: The Ae showed a NR with multiple boundaries and with a core of higher overlap of the areas of endemism (OAE) from Veracruz and the Pacific coasts of Mexico to the southern limit of Amazonia in Brazil, which is consistent with the higher mammal-species richness zone within the tropical biomes and other biogeographic patterns such as higher productivity and spatial heterogeneity.
Abstract: The mammals are the biological group initially analysed by Wallace to define the Neotropical region (NR) Their areas of endemism (Ae) are considered historical patterns, which have been used to describe biogeographic schemes However, the Ae at regional scale are currently unclear In the present study, we analyse Ae of mammals at the regional scale and compare them with previous biogeographic schemes of the NR The Ae of Neotropical terrestrial mammals were identified using the endemicity analysis (software NDM/VNDM) Our results showed that the NR is composed of 10 Ae, supported by 82 endemic taxa (6 families, 29 genera, and 47 species) The Ae showed a NR with multiple boundaries and with a core of higher overlap of the areas of endemism (OAE) from Veracruz and the Pacific coasts of Mexico to the southern limit of Amazonia in Brazil The NR boundaries vary strikingly with latitude, with substantially more overlapping areas of endemism in the tropical biomes than in the temperate biomes of America This pattern of OAE is consistent with the higher mammal-species richness zone within the tropical biomes and other biogeographic patterns such as higher productivity and spatial heterogeneity
TL;DR: The results indicated that the three studied species are undergoing an intense process of genomic and karyotypic re-arrangement, which results in overlapping of morphological and genomic characteristics.
Abstract: The role of natural hybridisation and genome changes in the differentiation and speciation of Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) was addressed through the study of the following three closely related species of the polyphyletic series Tenuissimae: Eleocharis viridans Kuk. ex Osten, E. ramboana R.Trevis & Boldrini and E. niederleinii Boech., which often reproduce asexually. Molecular and cytogenetic data were used to understand the genomic and karyotypic relationships in the group. Genomes were compared using internal transcribed spacer–cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (ITS-CAPS) marker and confirmed with random amplified polymorphic DNA, which allowed identification of different genetic groups, with clear evidence of natural hybrids. Karyotype analysis showed numerical variation from 2n = 20–42, with occurrence of chromosome heteromorphisms and polymorphisms, including variability in 35S rDNA site numbers. Meiotic studies demonstrated irregular pairing in some samples, which is associated with hybridisation and asexual reproduction. Genomic in situ hybridisation (GISH) reactions were conducted using two well defined genetic groups as probes, with 2n = 20 and normal meiosis. Probes were tested against each one of the genetic groups and showed positive, partial and negative GISH results, which supported the molecular analysis data. The results indicated that the three studied species are undergoing an intense process of genomic and karyotypic re-arrangement, which results in overlapping of morphological and genomic characteristics. The present study has exemplified the value of an integrative taxonomic approach to solve conflicts in species delimitation in groups undergoing hybridisation.
TL;DR: Mychodea is characterised by elaborate vegetative structures and some of the most complex fertilisation, diploidisation and embryogenesis processes of any red alga, which are detail and illustrate.
Abstract: The red algal genus Mychodea Hook.f. & Harv. is not only Australia’s largest wholly endemic macroalgal genus, it and the family Mychodeaceae (of which it is the sole member) appear to be the largest completely endemic algal genus and family from any continental landmass in the world. Kraft’s 1978 morpho-taxonomic monograph credited Mychodea with 11 species varyingly distributed between Geraldton, Western Australia, south and eastward across the coasts of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, and northwards into southern New South Wales. Dismissed or discounted was every former extra-Australian attribution of the genus. In the over 40 years since completion of the research, further explorations of marine habitats in Australia have uncovered additional species, and the application of molecular-assisted taxonomic and phylogenetic methodologies has now allowed a substantial refinement of Mychodea systematics. We here document 19 Mychodea species, for 16 of which we have molecular data that support inferences of probable species relationships. To the 11 species treated by Kraft we now add 4 that are recently discovered, resurrect 2 that were synonymised with a third species in his 1978 work, and treat 2 species-level Western Australian entities that remain unnamed for lack of sufficient reproductive material. Mychodea is characterised by elaborate vegetative structures and some of the most complex fertilisation, diploidisation and embryogenesis processes of any red alga, which we detail and illustrate. Distinguishing features of the individual species are highlighted, some of which are particularly unusual.
TL;DR: Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre (PANGEA), School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Abstract: Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre (PANGEA), School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Museo de Zoología ‘Alfonso L. Herrera’, Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 04510 Mexico City, Mexico. Department of Biodiversity and Conservation, Real Jardín Botánico (RJB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain. Grupo de Biogeografía de la Conservación, Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
TL;DR: An integrative approach, incorporating multivariate morphometric analysis and molecular phylogenetic and phenetic analyses of nrDNA and cpDNA, supports the recognition of the following four taxa: a morphologically and geographically expanded T. hirsuta, two rare, phrase-named taxa, and the closely allied T. hispidissima Steetz.
Abstract: The Tetratheca hirsuta Lindl species complex from south-west Western Australia is one of the last unresolved complexes in this Australian endemic genus, and comprises the highly variable T hirsuta, two rare, phrase-named taxa, and the closely allied T hispidissima Steetz An integrative approach, incorporating multivariate morphometric analysis and molecular phylogenetic and phenetic analyses of nrDNA (ETS) and cpDNA (ndhF–trnL, rpl16, trnS–trnG5ʹ2S), was used to investigate taxonomic boundaries within the complex Morphological data showed clear divergence within the complex, and allowed several taxonomically uncertain individuals to be assigned Phenetic and phylogenetic analyses of ETS showed substantial congruence with morphology, indicating that the groups recognised through morphometric analyses are also genetically divergent By comparison, the chloroplast regions yielded incongruent gene trees, perhaps owing to incomplete lineage sorting, hybridisation or slow evolution of cpDNA The present results support the recognition of the following four taxa: a morphologically and geographically expanded T hispidissima, which is highly divergent from the remainder of the complex, and a closer grouping of T hirsuta subsp boonanarring Joyce & RButcher subsp nov, T hirsuta subsp viminea (Lindl) Joyce comb et stat nov and T hirsuta subsp hirsuta
TL;DR: The results showed that EDGE was high for those amphibian species of China identified as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and Niche fragmentation dimension (NFD) and niche position (NP) were the top two predictors across partial correlation analyses, hierarchical variation partitioning, PLGS and multiple regression analyses.
Abstract: In the present study, we measured spatiotemporal properties of ecological niches of amphibians in China and tested the relative importance of various niche-diversity metrics for explaining the evolutionary distinctiveness-weighted extinction risk (EDGE) of amphibian species. We applied the hierarchical partitioning technique on the phylogenetically independent contrasts of the niche covariates and EDGE of amphibians, for the purpose of removing the influence of evolutionary inertia among species. As a comparison, phylogenetic least-square general regression (PLGS) was also conducted. The results showed that EDGE was high for those amphibian species of China identified as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Niche fragmentation dimension (NFD) and niche position (NP) were the top two predictors across partial correlation analyses, hierarchical variation partitioning, PLGS and multiple regression analyses. Most temporal niche properties were not significantly associated with the EDGE index of amphibians. Variation partitioning analysis showed that the spatial component of niche measures explained the largest proportion of total variation in EDGE (~31%), whereas the temporal component of niche properties explained ~8% of the variation. The significantly negative role of NFD and extinction risk of amphibians in China may be attributed to a reduced rescue effect, habitat geometry, and local extinction in species with large and continuous distributional ranges.
TL;DR: Comparing C. torvum with the other Australian Cynoglossum L. species, C. australe R.Br.
Abstract: Recent molecular evidence supports the transfer of two Australian endemic species, Austrocynoglossum latifolium (R.Br.) R.R.Mill and Cynoglossum suaveolens R.Br., to the genus Hackelia Opiz as H. latifolia (R.R.Mill) Dimon & M.A.M.Renner, comb. nov., and H. suaveolens (R.Br.) Dimon & M.A.M.Renner, comb. nov. Hackelia latifolia comprises two morphological entities that, although sharing the procumbent-prostrate habit and production of elongated internodes and frondose bracts in the inflorescence, differ in a range of qualitative and quantitative micro-morphological characters. Hackelia latifolia has few, widely spaced, thorn-like trichomes on stems, a glabrous abaxial lamina surface, and mericarps with free glochids densely and evenly distributed over the outer surface, and a rectangular cicatrix at the mericarp apex, which is beaked. The other entity has many densely packed cellular trichomes on the stems, trichomes on the abaxial leaf lamina, and mericarps with a wing formed by basally connate glochids, and a triangular cicatrix located centrally on the inner mericarp surface. For the latter, we propose the new species Cynoglossum torvum Dimon & M.A.M.Renner, and by implication suggest that H. latifolia is polyphyletic as previously circumscribed. Whereas H. latifolia s.s. is widespread along the south-eastern coast of Australia from Tasmania to south-eastern Queensland, Cynoglossum torvum is restricted to the tablelands of north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. We compare C. torvum with the other Australian Cynoglossum L. species, C. australe R.Br., confirm previous observations of variation in mericarp morphology, and suggest that further investigation to resolve species circumscription is required given this variation.
TL;DR: The taxon with red to brown capitula, widespread throughout south-eastern Australia, which until now has been (incorrectly) known as C. arcuata (Sifton bush) is distinct, but lacks a published name, and the name Cassinia sifton Orchard, sp.
Abstract: The present paper completes a revision of the endemic Australian genus Cassinia R.Br. Cassinia subgenus Achromolaena comprises two sections, namely, section Achromolaena of seven species (C. laevis, C. arcuata, C. uncata, C. tenuifolia, C. collina, C. subtropica, and C. quinquefaria), and Cassinia section Siftonia, which contains two species (C. sifton and C. theodorii). Cassinia laevis is divided into western (C. laevis subsp. laevis) and eastern (C. laevis subsp. rosmarinifolia (A.Cunn.) Orchard, comb. et stat. nov.) taxa. Examination of the type of C. arcuata showed that this name is synonymous with C. paniculata, and applies to a relatively rare taxon with whitish capitula arranged in short erect compact panicles, and found in Western Australia, the midlands of South Australia, western Victoria and (formerly) south-western New South Wales. Furthermore, it belongs to section Achromolaena. The taxon with red to brown capitula, widespread throughout south-eastern Australia, which until now has been (incorrectly) known as C. arcuata (Sifton bush) is distinct, but lacks a published name. The name Cassinia sifton Orchard, sp. nov. is here proposed for this taxon. An unfortunate outcome of this discovery is that the sectional name Cassinia section Arcuatae, with C. arcuata as type, becomes synonymous with section Achromolaena. The new name Cassinia section Siftonia is proposed to accommodate Sifton bush (C. sifton) and its narrowly endemic sister species C. theodorii. A summary of the whole genus is provided, with keys to all taxa. Three former subspecies of C. macrocephala are raised to species rank (C. petrapendula (Orchard) Orchard, C. storyi (Orchard) Orchard, C. tenuis (Orchard) Orchard), and it is suggested that C. furtiva Orchard may be conspecific with C. straminea (Benth.) Orchard.
TL;DR: Five species and one subspecies of Dolichandrone (Fenzl) Seem have been revised for Australia and a new subspecies D. alternifolia subsp.
Abstract: The genus Dolichandrone (Fenzl) Seem (Bignoniaceae) has been revised for Australia Five species and one subspecies are recognised and described Dolichandrone occidentalis Jackes is newly described, as well as a new subspecies D alternifolia subsp variabilis Jackes A key to the species and distribution maps are provided
TL;DR: A key to all 10 tropically distributed Comesperma species, including two non-white flowered species, is given.
Abstract: A taxonomic treatment is presented for all eight white-flowered Comesperma species that occur in tropical Australia (here defined as north of latitude 21°S). In total, eight species are circumscribed, of which five are new species and one is new subspecies, viz. C. albimontanense A.J. Ford & Halford, C. anemosmaragdinum A.J. Ford & Halford, C. minutum A.J. Ford & Halford, C. rhyoliticum A.J. Ford & Halford, C. sabulosum A.J. Ford & Halford and C. secundum subsp. oligotrichum A.J. Ford & Halford. Notes on habitat, distribution and conservation status are provided. A key to all 10 tropically distributed Comesperma species, including two non-white flowered species, is given.