Showing papers in "Phytotaxa in 2013"
TL;DR: A new phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters is presented and it is argued that these morphological and molecular differences are sufficient for the four clades of Nothofagaceae to be recognised at the primary rank of genus, and that this classification will be more informative and efficient than the currently circumscribed Noth ofagus with four subgenera.
Abstract: The generic taxonomy of the Nothofagaceae is revised. We present a new phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters and map these characters onto a recently published phylogenetic tree obtained from DNA sequence data. Results of these and previous analyses strongly support the monophyly of four clades of Nothofagaceae that are currently treated as subgenera of Nothofagus . The four clades of Nothofagaceae are robust and well-supported, with deep stem divergences, have evolutionary equivalence with other genera of Fagales, and can be circumscribed with morphological characters. We argue that these morphological and molecular differences are sufficient for the four clades of Nothofagaceae to be recognised at the primary rank of genus, and that this classification will be more informative and efficient than the currently circumscribed Nothofagus with four subgenera. Nothofagus is recircumscribed to include five species from southern South America, Lophozonia and Trisyngyne are reinstated, and the new genus Fuscospora is described. Fuscospora and Lophozonia , with six and seven species respectively, occur in New Zealand, southern South America and Australia. Trisyngyne comprises 25 species from New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. New combinations are provided where necessary in each of these genera.
109 citations
TL;DR: This study presents an updated list of the endemic species in the Moroccan flora following the classification of APG III, including comments on their geographical distribution and ecoregions.
Abstract: Morocco is characterized by high vascular plant diversity with an estimated 4200 species and subspecies of which 22% are endemic. This study presents an updated list of the endemic species in the Moroccan flora following the classification of APG III, including comments on their geographical distribution and ecoregions. The endemic flora contains 879 species and subspecies in 55 families and 287 genera. Three new combinations are proposed. The High Atlas, Middle Atlas and the Rif mountains are the three richest floristic regions for endemic species, but the endemics are not restricted to these floristic regions only. Conservation efforts are therefore necessary in both the Mediteranean and Saharan ecoregions to preserve the biodiversity and botanical richness of Morocco. In this updated checklist we propose a new combination ( Verbascum demnatensis ) and a new name ( Verbascum hamidoui ) in the genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae).
70 citations
TL;DR: This nomenclator attempts to enumerate all currently accepted species of Miconia with place of publication, information on types, synonymy, sectional placement, and distributional notes organized by country.
Abstract: Miconia has 1057 species and is the largest genus of woody flowering plants with a distribution restricted to tropical America. These species occur from Mexico (79 spp) to Argentina (10) and Uruguay (1), and attain highest richness in Colombia (338 spp), Peru (302), Brazil (274), Ecuador (254) and Venezuela (212). More than half of the species belong to only three sections (Miconia with 245, Cremanium with 223, and Amblyarrhena with 212). The other sections are Chaenopleura (86 spp), Glossocentrum (82), Tamonea (71), Octomeris (59), Jucunda (23), Laceraria (19), Chaenanthera (17), Hartigia (7), and Adenodesma (6), while seven species have not been assigned to any section. In this nomenclator we attempt to enumerate all currently accepted species of Miconia with place of publication, information on types, synonymy, sectional placement, and distributional notes organized by country.
63 citations
TL;DR: A first classification of Lejeuneaceae is presented based on integrated molecular-phylogenetic and morphological evidence to show the number of genera is much lower than accepted previously and was reduced based on recent molecular work.
Abstract: Lejeuneaceae are the largest family of the liverworts with at least one thousand species in 68 currently accepted genera. The number of genera is much lower than accepted previously and was reduced based on recent molecular work. This paper present a first classification of Lejeuneaceae based on integrated molecular-phylogenetic and morphological evidence. The family is subdivided into two broad subfamilies, Ptychanthoideae (19 genera) and Lejeuneoideae (49 genera). Ptychanthoideae are not further subdivided whereas Lejeuneoideae are classified into three tribes: Brachiolejeuneeae (8 genera), Symbiezidieae (new; 1 genus) and Lejeuneeae (40 genera). Lejeuneeae, the largest tribe in the family, are classified into eight subtribes: Ceratolejeuneinae (2 genera), Cheilolejeuneinae (4 genera), Cololejeuneinae (12 genera), Cyclolejeuneinae (3 genera), Drepanolejeuneinae (2 genera), Echinolejeuneinae (3 genera), Lejeuneinae (5 genera) and Lepidolejeuneinae (2 genera). Seven genera of Lejeuneeae have not yet been studied by molecular methods and are not classified.
59 citations
TL;DR: The result of this investigation indicates that the species diversity increases with the increase of elevation, and the proportion of hemicryptophytes and geophytes are more prominent in the montane belt above 1000 m.
Abstract: Hyrcanian or Caspian forests follow a profile along the northern slopes of the Alborz mountain range, located in the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan in northern Iran. The area is approximately 800 km long and 110 km wide and a covers ca 1.84 million hectare. There are few protected forest patches across this extended area in northern Iran, but Kheyrud forest is one of these reserves, which has been under the direct supervision and protection by the University of Tehran for an extended period of time. The area includes three elevational classes, lowland (50-500 m), submountain (501-1000 m) and mountain (1001-2200 m). It lies seven km east of Now-Shahr and covers an area of 10,000 hectare. Based on floristic collecting during spring, summer and autumn of 2008 and 2009, three plots were made, each with a 100 m elevational interval. Floristic data were collected in 234 plots. Data related to elevation, slope and direction were also noted. A total of 295 plant taxa were encountered, out of which 29 taxa (10%) are endemic to Iran and 16 taxa (5.5%) are only found in the Hyrcanian provinces. Classification based on life form indicates that geophytes (with 110 taxa, 37.5%) constitute the largest proportion. Chorologically, the largest proportion of the flora is constituted of Euro-Siberian elements (72 taxa, 24.7%). In addition to general assessments, variation of life forms between the study area and other similar areas are discussed. A comparison was made between the floristic data of the three elevational belts. The result of this investigation indicates that the species diversity increases with the increase of elevation. Likewise, the proportion of hemicryptophytes and geophytes are more prominent in the montane belt above 1000 m.
47 citations
Field Museum of Natural History1, George Mason University2, Charles Darwin Foundation3, National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cuzco4, Central University of Venezuela5, Universidad Católica Boliviana6, University of Chicago7, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal8, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul9, Polish Academy of Sciences10, University of Wisconsin-Madison11
TL;DR: The taxonomic status of the six names historically established for species belonging in the genus Cora are discussed and reinstate the names C. pavonia (Sw.) Fr.
Abstract: As part of a larger systematic and taxonomic revision, including molecular phylogenetic analysis, of lichenized Basidiomycota in the Dictyonema clade, ten species are described as new from tropical America, seven in the foliose genus Cora and three in the filamentous genus Dictyonema : Cora arachnoidea J. E. Hern. & Lucking, sp. nov. , C. aspera Wilk, Lucking & E. Morales, sp. nov. , C. byssoidea Lucking & Moncada, sp. nov. , C. cyphellifera Dal-Forno, Bungartz & Lucking, sp. nov. , C. inversa Lucking & Moncada, sp. nov. , C. squamiformis Wilk, Lucking & Yanez-Ayabaca, sp. nov. , C. strigosa Lucking, E. Paz & L. Salcedo, sp. nov. , Dictyonema aeruginosulum Lucking, Nelsen & Will-Wolf, sp. nov. , D. diducens Nyl. ex Lucking, sp. nov. , D. metallicum Lucking, Dal-Forno & Lawrey, sp. nov. , and D. obscuratum Lucking, Spielmann & Marcelli, sp. nov. We discuss the taxonomic status of the six names historically established for species belonging in the genus Cora and reinstate the names C. gyrolophia Fr., C. pavonia (Sw.) Fr., and C. reticulifera Vain., providing diagnostic features for these, whereas the status of C. glabrata (Spreng.) Fr. and C. bovei Speg. remains uncertain. The following new combinations are introduced: Cora hirsuta (Moncada & Lucking) Moncada & Lucking, comb. nov., C. minor (Lucking, E. Navarro & Sipman) Lucking, comb. nov. , Corella melvinii (Chaves, Lucking & Umana) Lucking, Dal-Forno & Lawrey, comb. nov ., Cyphellostereum phyllogenum (Mull. Arg.) Lucking, Dal-Forno & Lawrey, comb. nov. , Dictyonema caespitosum (Johow) Lucking, comb. nov. , D. irrigatum (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Lucking, comb. nov. , D. phyllophilum (Parmasto) Lucking, Dal-Forno & Lawrey, comb. et stat. nov. , and D. scabridum (Vain.) Lucking, comb. et stat. nov. Keys are presented to the five currently accepted genera and 40 currently recognized species in the genera Cyphellostereum , Dictyonema , Cora , and Corella .
46 citations
TL;DR: The generic delimitation in the Hypotrachyna clade is revised using a molecular phylogeny of nuclear ITS, LSU and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences of 88 hypotrachynoid taxa to recognize the well-supported clades at subgeneric level and leave the remaining species unclassified within the genus.
Abstract: Recently, molecular phylogenetic studies have revolutionized the generic concepts in Parmeliaceae and in lichen forming fungi in general. In the present study, the generic delimitation in the Hypotrachyna clade is revised using a molecular phylogeny of nuclear ITS, LSU and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences of 88 hypotrachynoid taxa. Morphological and chemical features are also revised in each group. 118 sequences are newly generated for this study. Our phylogenetic analyses show the polyphyly of Hypotrachyna as currently circumscribed which falls into four well-supported and one unsupported clade. Cetrariastrum, Everniastrum and Parmelinopsis are nested within Hypotrachyna s. lat., Parmelinopsis being also polyphyletic and nested in one of the Hypotrachyna clades. Cetrariastrum is monophyletic but clustered within Everniastrum. Two alternative hypotheses tests significantly rejected the monophyly of these three genera. As a consequence, the genera Cetrariastrum, Everniastrum, and Parmelinopsis are reduced to synonymy with Hypotrachyna. Furthermore, we here propose an alternative classification to recognize the well-supported clades at subgeneric level and leave the remaining species unclassified within the genus. Five new subgenera are proposed: Hypotrachyna subgen. Cetrariastrum, Hypotrachyna subgen. Everniastrum, Hypotrachyna subgen. Longilobae, Hypotrachyna subgen. Parmelinopsis, and Hypotrachyna subgen. Sinuosae. Forty-nine new combinations are proposed.
42 citations
TL;DR: Phylogenetic analyses of a three marker dataset of Lejeuneaceae resolve the “ Lejeunesa complex” in three main lineages assigned here to Harpalejeunea, LejeUNEa and MicrolejeuneA .
Abstract: Phylogenetic analyses of a three marker dataset of Lejeuneaceae (chloroplast genome rbc L gene and trn L-F region, and nuclear ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) resolve the “ Lejeunea complex” in three main lineages assigned here to Harpalejeunea , Lejeunea and Microlejeunea . The taxa Harpalejeunea fischeri , H. filicuspis , H. latitans and Pluvianthus squarrosus are nested in a clade with several representatives of Microlejeunea including the generitype M. africana , and are transferred to the latter genus. Harpalejeunea and Microlejeunea differ from Lejeunea by the presence of ocelli. Harpalejeunea has diverging, blunt underleaf lobes in contrast to the forward directed, blunt to acute underleaf lobes of Microlejeunea . Morphologically similar accessions of Microlejeunea form independent lineages. Drepanolejeunea vandenberghenii is newly reported for Madagascar, Malawi and Reunion.
42 citations
TL;DR: A new monoraphid genus Gliwiczia Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski is proposed, separated from Achnanthes sensu lato, known to inhabit oligotrophic and dystrophic freshwater lakes of Eurasia.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new monoraphid genus Gliwiczia Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski, separated from Achnanthes sensu lato. Here we describe four species G. skvortzowii Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski, G. tenuis Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski, G. latarea Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski and G. vixcalcar Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski which all are new to science. In terms of morphology, this group of species closely resembles Achnanthes calcar Cleve. Also proposed is the taxonomic transfer of A. calcar Cleve to Gliwiczia calcar (Cleve) Kulikovskiy, Lange-Bertalot & Witkowski comb. nov. Our taxonomic conclusions about the position of this group of species is based on light microscopic (LM) examination of the type material of A . calcar and on extensive LM and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies on material originating from Lake Baikal. This new genus differs from other established monoraphid genera in the of cavum (horse shoe) present on both raphe and sternums valves, uniseriate striae on both valves, and areola occlusions in a form of open circular foramina externally. The raphe valve is only slightly concave, whereas the sternum valves appear flat. Only one of the species belonging in Gliwiczia gen. nov. , G. calcar, is known to inhabit oligotrophic and dystrophic freshwater lakes of Eurasia. It seems highly likely that the newly described species are limited in their distribution to the waters of Lake Baikal. None of them have thus far been illustrated in any accessible literature even under provisional names.
40 citations
TL;DR: An entomogenous taxon associated with larvae of Phassus nodus collected from Xuefeng Mountains, Hunan Province, China, was found to be a new species, Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis sp.
Abstract: An entomogenous taxon, associated with larvae of Phassus nodus (Hepialidae) collected from Xuefeng Mountains, Hunan Province, China, was found to be a new species, Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis sp. nov. It differs from similar species in having long stromata, without a sterile apex, narrow asci, long ascospores and by its occurrence on Phassus nodus in living root or trunk of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum . Combined sequence data from the 5.8S-ITS rDNA, nrSSU, EF-1α, and RPB1 gene loci also confirmed the distinctiveness of this new species. It is presently the world’s largest known Cordyceps sensu lato species.
38 citations
TL;DR: This work proposes a narrower generic concept for Aloe s.
Abstract: The predominantly southern African Xanthorrhoeaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae) has long been regarded as comprising seven so-called alooid genera ( Aloe , Astroloba , Chortolirion , Gasteria , Haworthia , Lomatophyllum , Poellnitzia ). A reassessment of the classification of the traditionally broadly circumscribed genus Aloe , a charismatic Old World group of leaf succulents, has necessitated nomenclatural adjustments. We propose a narrower generic concept for Aloe s. str . and the recognition of segregate genera to reflect accumulating evidence for monophyletic groups: here, the genus Kumara is reinstated and the new genera Aloidendron and Aloiampelos are established. New combinations are made in Aloe for the three species of Chortolirion .
TL;DR: A new family, Anastrophyllaceae, is segregated from Lophoziaceae, two new genera, Neoorthocaulis and Oleolophozia are described and the following new combinations are made.
Abstract: A new family, Anastrophyllaceae, is segregated from Lophoziaceae, two new genera, Neoorthocaulis and Oleolophozia are described and the following new combinations are made: Neoorthocaulis attenuatus , N. binsteadii , N. floerkei , N. hyperboreus , Barbilophozia subgen. Sudeticae , Barbilophozia sudetica and Oleolophozia perssonii .
TL;DR: Part 5(2) of this monographic series of papers on the genus Hypericum contains treatments of the remaining sections: Sections 17. Hirtella, 18. Taeniocarpium and 19. Coridium.
Abstract: Part 5(2) of this monographic series of papers on the genus Hypericum contains treatments of the remaining sections: Sections 17. Hirtella , 18. Taeniocarpium and 19. Coridium , which form a related group centred in eastern Turkey and Transcaucasia and extending in area from Morocco, Portugal and Ireland to western Xinjiang and the Altai and southern Angara-Sayan regions of Siberia. One new series, one new species and one new subspecies are described in Section 17. Hirtella (Series Scabra N.Robson, ser. nov . , H. hedgei N.Robson, sp. nov . , H. hyssopifolium subsp. acutum N.Robson, subsp. nov . ), and two new species and one new subspecies in Section 18. Taeniocarpium ( H. pseudorepens N.Robson, sp. nov . , H. vaccinioides N.Robson, sp. nov ., H. armenum subsp. iranicum N.Robson, subsp. nov . ) . Four new combinations or changes of rank are made, three in Section 17 ( H. elongatum var. lythrifolium (Boiss.) N.Robson, comb. nov ., H. elongatum var. racemosum (Kuntze) N.Robson, comb. nov . , H. elongatum var. antasiaticum (Grossh.) N.Robson, stat. nov . ) and one in Section 18: H. linarioides subsp. alpestre (Steven) N.Robson, stat. et comb. nov .
TL;DR: Part 5(1) of this monographic series of papers on the genus Hypericum contains treatments of Section 10.
Abstract: Part 5(1) of this monographic series of papers on the genus Hypericum contains treatments of Section 10. Olympia and its relatives (Sections 11. Campylopus –16. Crossophyllum ), which form a Euro-Mediterranean group centred in south-western Turkey and extending in area from the Caucasus to Macaronesia, north to Scotland, Denmark and southern Sweden, east to Belarus and the Ukraine and south to north-west Africa and Israel. Section 15. Thasia has been included in Section 16. Crossophyllum . Two new species are described in Section 12. Origanifolium ( H. laxiflorum N.Robson, sp. nov . and H. ichelense N.Robson, sp. nov . ) and five changes of rank are made; in Section 10. Olympia : H. lycium (N.Robson & Hub.-Mor . ) N.Robson, stat. nov . and H. auriculatum (N.Robson & Hub.-Mor.) N.Robson, stat. et nom. nov . ; in Section 12. Origanifolia : H. origanifolium var. depilatum (Freyn & Bornm.) N.Robson, stat. nov ., H. bourgaei (Boiss.) N.Robson, stat. nov . and H. albiflorum (Hub.-Mor.) N.Robson, stat. nov . In addition, in Section 14. Oligostema , Druce’s name for the hybrid H. linariifolium × humifusum has been validated ( H. × caesariense Druce ex N.Robson, hybr. nov . ); and H. leprosiforme O.Schwartz has been moved from Section 12. Origanifolia to Section 27. Adenosepalum.
TL;DR: The result of phylogenetic analysis based on 18S and 28S nrDNA sequence data indicate that the genus Deniquelata belongs in the family Montagnulaceae, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota and a new genus and species is introduced to accommodate this taxon.
Abstract: Deniquelata barringtoniae gen. et sp. nov. ( Montagnulaceae ) forms numerous ascomata on distinct zonate leaf spots of Barringtonia asiatica ( Lecythidaceae ). We isolated this taxon and sequenced the 18S and 28S nrDNA. The result of phylogenetic analysis based on 18S and 28S nrDNA sequence data indicate that the genus belongs in the family Montagnulaceae , Dothideomycetes , Ascomycota . The ascomata are immersed, dark brown to black, with bitunicate asci and brown, muriform ascospores. Deniquelata is distinguished from the other genera in Montagnulaceae based on its short, broad, furcate and pedicellate asci, verruculose ascospores with short narrow pseudoparaphyses with parasitic naturee and this is also supported by molecular data. A new genus and species is therefore introduced to accommodate this taxon. We used isolates of this species to show via pathogenicity testing that the taxon is able to cause leaf spots when leaves are pin pricked.
TL;DR: Fifty species, one subspecies and one variety of liverworts, as well as three species and three variety of mosses are newly reported for the bryophyte flora of Ecuador, based on extensive fieldwork in 2011 and 2012.
Abstract: Fifty species, one subspecies and one variety of liverworts, as well as three species and one variety of mosses are newly reported for the bryophyte flora of Ecuador, based on extensive fieldwork in 2011 and 2012. 371 new province records of liverworts and 5 of hornworts are increasing the number of liverwort and hornwort state records from 1744 to 2120.
TL;DR: Morphological characters and molecular data show that H. avicenniae belongs in the Pleosporales, outside any of the known families, and thus a new family is introduced to accommodate it and Halojulellaceae fam.
Abstract: Halojulellaceae fam. nov. and Halojullela gen. nov. are introduced to accommodate Julella avicenniae , a marine species in the suborder Pleosporineae, order Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes. Justification for the new family is based on combined gene analysis of the large and small subunits of the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (LSU, SSU) and two protein coding genes RPB2 and TEF1, as well as morphological characters. Halojulellaceae and Halojulella are characterized by immersed to semi-immersed, clypeate ascomata, with short, papillate ostioles, cellular, hyphae-like, pseudoparaphyses, 8-spored, fissitunicate, clavate to cylindrical asci with a well-developed apical apparatus, a moderately long pedicel with a club-like base and hyaline or golden brown, ellipsoidal, muriform ascospores and is typified by Halojulella avicenniae . Halojullela differs from Julella, (type J. buxi ) in its marine habitat and distinctly differing ascus with the apical apparatus being well-developed and moderately long club-like pedicel . Morphological characters and molecular data show that H. avicenniae belongs in the Pleosporales, outside any of the known families, and thus a new family is introduced to accommodate it. Julella is maintained as a distinct genus which is presently most likely polyphyletic with saprobic and lichenized elements and needs further study as no molecular data is presently available for any species.
TL;DR: The main focus of the present study is the diversity, taxonomy and general distribution of taxa belonging to Eunotia in Macedonian mountain regions.
Abstract: Within the past few decades Eunotia (Bacillariophyceae) has been confirmed as one of the most species rich diatom genera. The remarkable diversity of this genus has been well documented for the tropical region of South America, and its wide distribution comprehensively demonstrated for North America and Canada, Europe, East and Southeast Asia, as well as the Subantarctic region. Till present day only twenty eight taxa of Eunotia have been reported for Macedonia, mainly from the various aquatic habitats of different mountains. The main focus of the present study is the diversity, taxonomy and general distribution of taxa belonging to Eunotia in Macedonian mountain regions. The area investigated covers most of the mountains in the western, south-western, southern, central and eastern part. In total 53 taxa have been observed, among which six are described as new species ( Eunotia atomus , E. fabaeformis , E. mariovensis , E. pseudominor , E. scardica and E. stojanovskii ). The morphological features, as observed by light microscopy (LM), are comprehensively described for each taxon. The ultrastructure of the valve, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), is additionally described for most of the taxa. The general distributional pattern, locality, altitude and substrate preference, for every taxon is also included. The distinctive characters between similar taxa are discussed and taxonomical notes are as well provided.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the species in Lake Baikal have two origins; one from the West, where an arc of related species spans Mongolia, NW China to Macedonia, and the second from western North America, where radiation of the two groups has resulted in species flocks.
Abstract: We describe 22 new species of Gomphoneis , and report several previously described taxa, from historical and recently made collections from Lake Baikal, Russia. We use light microscopy to document all taxa, and scanning electron microscopy to illustrate several of the species from the lake. All of the species present in Lake Baikal are part of the Elegans subgroup of the genus. Despite previous reports, we could find no representatives of the Herculeana subgroup in Baikal. We provide comparisons between the taxa, and document variability in the features found in the species. Two groups within the Elegans subgroup are present; most have 4 (or more) stigmoids, while a minority of the species lack stigmoids. We suggest that the species in Lake Baikal have two origins; one from the West, where an arc of related species spans Mongolia, NW China to Macedonia, and the second from western North America. Radiation of the two groups has resulted in species flocks. The number of Gomphoneis species in Lake Baikal is the largest number of species of the genus anywhere in the world.
TL;DR: The authors' phenetic analysis does not agree with the traditional generic circumscription of the tribe, the sectional classification within Miconia, or with molecular phylogenetic analyses, which raises questions about the systematic and phylogenetic value of seed morphological characters in the tribe Miconieae.
Abstract: The seed morphology of 234 species distributed among 16 genera of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) was examined and documented with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on our observations and previously published investigations, we propose a set of 37 morphological characters for describing size, general shape, raphal zone, appendage, testa characters, and individual cell features of Miconieae seeds. Using these characters, we assembled detailed descriptions of all species in our sampling and constructed a data matrix for preliminary phenetic analysis (UPGMA algorithm; results to be presented elsewhere). In general, seed characters were easily identified and coded, although some of them presented difficulties, mostly due to the compression effects induced by fruit walls and neighboring seeds (e.g., shape). In contrast with other studies, we avoided the use of morphotypes, which have been shown to underutilize phenotypic variation. Our phenetic analysis does not agree with the traditional generic circumscription of the tribe, the sectional classification within Miconia , or with molecular phylogenetic analyses. This raises questions about the systematic and phylogenetic value of seed morphological characters in the tribe Miconieae.
TL;DR: Connati is elevated to generic rank to which the new name Cryptolophocolesa is applied, and Lophocolea, Pachyglossa and ClasmatocoleA are recognized as distinct genera.
Abstract: Recent molecular phylogenetic studies on Lophocoleaceae have recovered some well-supported monophyletic lineages within Chiloscyphus s. lat. that merit recognition at the generic level. As a consequence, Chiloscyphus is herein circumscribed to include only Chiloscyphus subgen. Chiloscyphus, Chiloscyphus subgen. Connati is elevated to generic rank to which the new name Cryptolophocolea is applied, and Lophocolea, Pachyglossa and Clasmatocolea are recognized as distinct genera. Tetracymbaliella is transferred to the Brevianthaceae, and a synopsis of the genera currently recognized in Lophocoleaceae is provided.
TL;DR: As part of an ongoing species inventory for the Galapagos Archipelago, sterile leprose and leproid lichens have been revised and the recently described genus Nelsenium is reduced to synonymy and the new combination Septotrapelia usnica proposed.
Abstract: As part of an ongoing species inventory for the Galapagos Archipelago, sterile leprose and leproid lichens have been revised. Differences between leprose vs. leproid growth forms are discussed in the light of significant recent advances in the taxonomy of Lepraria . Five species have a strictly leprose morphology: Lepraria achariana , L. aff. incana , L. finkii , and L. vouauxii (all new to Galapagos), and L. lendemeri sp. nov. A sixth species, L. tenella , forms minutely fruticose thalli, but its recent transfer from Leprocaulon into Lepraria confirms its close affinity to species with similar chemistry such as L. vouauxii . Even though L. vouauxii does not develop pseudopodetia, it forms thalli that closely resemble immature specimens of L. tenella . Fertile material of a seventh species, “ Lepraria ” usnica , also new to Galapagos, confirms that this species does indeed belong in the Pilocarpaceae as molecular studies previously indicated. Its apothecia are identical to those of a Septotrapelia . Consequently, the recently described genus Nelsenium is reduced to synonymy and the new combination Septotrapelia usnica proposed. Many other sterile lichens occur in Galapagos and several have a very similar, leproid or even leprose morphology. A key for all those taxa is presented, emphasizing their inconspicuous, though distinct morphological differences.
TL;DR: The results indicate that the shape of the seeds was constant within species, contrary to the characters that describe individual cell features, which showed important variation even within the same seed sample, and may provide insights into the role of environmental variables on seed diversity of Portulacaceae.
Abstract: Portulacaceae is a monogeneric family with around 100 species distributed around the world. Seed morphology is diverse in this group, and its variation has been used for taxonomic and identification purposes. However, documentation of seed morphology has focused on a few species complexes or has been limited to specific countries and geographic areas. Moreover, the terminology employed in different investigations is heterogeneous, thus complicating analyses of seed morphological diversity in Portulacaceae. In this study, the seed morphology of 58 samples representing 49 species, 9 subspecies, and 2 cultivars of Portulaca was documented with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the examination of the resulting images, a set of morphological features for describing the general shape of the seeds and their individual cell features is proposed; in addition, morphological descriptions for all taxa included in this study are provided. The results indicate that the shape of the seeds was constant within species, contrary to the characters that describe individual cell features, which showed important variation even within the same seed sample. In particular, the outline of the cells and the curvature of the anticlinal cell walls (ACW) were very variable, so a combination of character states was needed to describe the overall diversity of a sample. Conversely, the relief of the periclinal cell walls (PCW) was relatively constant throughout the seeds of the same species, but the relief of the cells of the lateral and peripheral faces was dissimilar in a number of taxa. In addition, other studies provide evidence that the relief of the PCW may vary in widely distributed species. Increased taxon sampling and multiple samples of species with wide geographical ranges will facilitate the study of patterns of variation, and may provide insights into the role of environmental variables on seed diversity of Portulacaceae.
TL;DR: This study re-examined the herbarium types of the genera Dermatodothella, Dothideopsella, Gloeodiscus, Grandigallia and Hysteropeltella and re-describe and illustrate the type species of these genera and discuss their placements using modern concepts.
Abstract: One-hundred and sixteen genera are listed as incertae sedis in the class Dothideomycetes. This is a first of a series of papers in which we re-examine the herbarium types of these genera, which are generally poorly known. By examining the generic types we can suggest higher level placements, but more importantly we illustrate the taxa so that they are better understood. In this way the taxa can be recollected, sequenced and placed in a natural taxonomic framework in the Ascomycota. In this study we re-examined the genera Dermatodothella , Dothideopsella , Gloeodiscus, Grandigallia and Hysteropeltella . We re-describe and illustrate the type species of these genera and discuss their placements using modern concepts. Dermatodothella is placed in Polystomellaceae, Dothideopsella in Phaeosphaeriaceae, Grandigallia in Shiraiaceae and Hysteropeltella in Schizothyriaceae, while Gloeodiscus is retained in Dothideomycetes incertae sedis . Fresh collections of these genera are needed for further studies, so that they can be epitypified and molecular data can be analyzed to obtain a natural classification.
TL;DR: The lowland savanna is shown to be a significant regional centre of plant diversity and there are geographical biases in botanical sampling which have focused historically on the savanna in the centre and the north of the country.
Abstract: Lowland savannas, covering an area of 2,342 km2, form the third largest ecosystem in Belize yet are unevenly and therefore poorly represented in the country’s protected area system. Based on more than 5,700 herbarium collections, a checklist of 957 species of vascular plants is presented for this ecosystem representing ca. 28% of the Belizean flora, of which 54 species are new records for the country. Of the 41 species of plants known to be endemic to Belize, 18 have been recorded within the lowland savanna, and nine species are listed in The World Conservation Union (IUCN) 2010 Red List of Threatened Species. Of the total savanna ecosystem flora, 339 species are characteristic of the open savanna, whilst 309 and 114 species are more frequent in forest and wetland areas respectively. Most species (505, 53% of the lowland savanna flora) are herbaceous. Although the lowland savanna has been relatively well collected, there are geographical biases in botanical sampling which have focused historically on the savannas in the centre and the north of the country. A brief review of the collecting history of the lowland savanna is provided, and recommendations are given on how future collecting efforts may best be focused. The lowland savanna is shown to be a significant regional centre of plant diversity.
TL;DR: Pleurocladula and some Cephalozia species to Fuscocephaloziopsis and a number of taxa not included in their phylogeny are morphologically related to their taxa and should be transferred.
Abstract: Vilnet et al. (2012) and Feldberg et al. (2013) demonstrated that Cephalozia in the sense it has been treated in recent years is polyphyletic (e.g. Vaňa 1988). The genus as usually circumscribed falls into two clades. The clade with the type of Cephalozia also includes Metahygrobiella as demonstrated by Feldberg et al. (2013) without making any nomenclatural changes. The other clade was shown by both studies to include Pleurocladula and Vilnet et al. (2013) therefore transferred many of the taxa included in their study to Pleurocladula . As they also demonstrated that Schofieldia belongs to this clade, they should have used this name for the genus as it is two years older. A number of taxa not included in their phylogeny are morphologically related to their taxa and should also be transferred. Feldberg et al. (2013) showed that Fuscocephaloziopsis also belongs here. As this name predates both Pleurocladula and Schofieldia, we transfer Pleurocladula and some Cephalozia species to Fuscocephaloziopsis . It should be noted, however, that there still are some taxa in Cephalozia that have been insufficiently studied to place them in any of the two genera.
TL;DR: This genus is based on Rhadamanthus cyanelloides, an enigmatic species occurring in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and it is demonstrated that pollen is released by vibration, clearly evidence that buzz pollination occurs in this new genus.
Abstract: Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae, we here describe a new genus from south-eastern South Africa. Sagittanthera gen. nov. is at first sight related to Rhadamanthus and Tenicroa , but it can be clearly differentiated by the presence of bracteoles and the anthers connate to form a cone-like structure dehiscing by minute apical pores. This genus is based on Rhadamanthus cyanelloides , an enigmatic species occurring in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was described on the basis of incomplete material. Recently, Drimia cremnophila and D. mzimvubuensis , two species that match the diagnostic characters of the new genus, were described from the same region. A complete description is presented for Sagittanthera , and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are also reported. Two species are accepted in this genus, and the necessary combinations are stated. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pollen is released by vibration. This fact together with morphological features of the androecium clearly evidence that buzz pollination occurs in this new genus.
TL;DR: The holotype of Shiraia bambusicola is re-describe and an epitype is designated based on fresh specimens collected from Zhejiang Province in China and Morphological characters agree with those of the holotype and phylogenies suggest it is a new family of Pleosporales.
Abstract: Shiraia bambusicola is an economically important medicinal fungus on bamboo. In this paper we re-describe the holotype and designate an epitype based on fresh specimens collected from Zhejiang Province in China. Morphological characters agree with those of the holotype and phylogenies based on combined partial LSU-rDNA, EF and RPB gene sequence data from the epitype, suggest that it is a new family of Pleosporales. The new family is introduced and the holotype and epitype are both illustrated.
TL;DR: A new genus is described, Parianella, in order to accommodate two species found in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil that do not belong to Pariana, a genus of herbaceous bamboos (tribe Olyreae, Poaceae) where they were previously classified.
Abstract: Differences in the inflorescence morphology and geographical distribution indicate that two species found in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil, do not belong to Pariana , a genus of herbaceous bamboos (tribe Olyreae, Poaceae) where they were previously classified. We describe a new genus, Parianella, in order to accommodate these two species. Their taxonomic affinities within subtribe Parianinae are discussed, and a key for identification of genera in this group is presented.
TL;DR: A new tapered and false branched morphotype of filamentous heterocytous cyanobacterium was isolated from soil material collected on a massif of Chirripo Mountain, Costa Rica, which was significantly different from Rivulariaceae, but was closely related to several strains designated as Tolypothrix.
Abstract: A new tapered and false branched morphotype of filamentous heterocytous cyanobacterium was isolated from soil material collected on a massif of Chirripo Mountain, Costa Rica. The strain was analyzed morphologically and a sequence of its 16S rRNA gene was compared with available 16S rDNA sequences of organisms with similar morphology, especially those with heteropolar tapering filaments. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the strain was significantly different from Rivulariaceae, but was closely related to several strains designated as Tolypothrix. However, according to the original descriptions in the literature, members of the genus Tolypothrix possess only very slightly tapering filaments. With regard to all these differences, we decided to describe a new genus—Calochaete gen. nov. with type species C. cimrmanii.