Showing papers on "Genus published in 1990"

Marine red algae of the Coffs Harbour region, northern New South Wales

Abstract: The marine benthic red algae of the Coffs Harbour region are described and illustrated in detail. The survey constitutes the first ever detailed descriptive and illustrative mainland regional monograph of any area along the entire eastern Australian seaboard. Collections made intertidally and to depths of 20 m have included 119 species in 74 genera, 26 families, and 8 orders of Rhodophyta, of which 54 (45%) were previously unrecorded from eastern Australia, 22 (18%) are new records for the whole of Australia (16 being new Southern Hemisphere records), 1 (Dictyothumnion) constitutes a new genus, and 16 (13%) are new species in the genera Gracilaria, Curdiea, Botryocladia, Dictyothamnion, Antithamnion, Ceramium, Callithumnion, Anotrichium, Nitophyllum, Phycodrys, Apoglossum, Dasya, Fernandosiphonia, and Herposiphonia. Also included are major Australian revisions of the genera Martensia and Nitophyllum, and six new combinations are proposed (Chondria infestans, Curdiea angustata, Dasya pilosa, Haraldiophyllum sinuosum, Myriogramme pulchellum, and Stenograrnme phyllophoroides). The Coffs Harbour flora, although related to the north-eastern and, to a lesser degree, southern Australian floras, has a number of species previously known only from much more remote localities, such as Japan (6 species), California (4 species), New Zealand (3 species), India (2 species), South America (2 species), the Galapagos Islands (1 species), China (1 species), South Africa (1 species), and the Mediterranean (1 species). Twelve of the 22 species newly recorded for Australia show a definite western Pacific distribution, a region with which the overall Coffs Harbour flora has strong affinities.

The sparrows : a study of the genus Passer

Abstract: Summers-Smith's monograph is concerned with the world's 20 species of 'True Sparrows'. The 20 species accounts include physical characteristics, distribution, breeding biology, feeding and other aspects of biology and behaviour in a common format that aids comparisons and speculation as to the evolution of the genus.

Seed mass of Indiana Dune genera and families: Taxonomic and ecological correlates

Abstract: Several surveys have documented an association among species between habitat type and seed mass, suggesting that habitat attributes impose a direct selective force on seed mass. Previous comparative surveys, however, have not controlled for the statistical effects of shared phylogenetic history (at the genus or family level) and life form when evaluating the relationship between habitat and seed mass. This study of the Indiana Dunes angiosperm flora provides statistical ‘control’ of genus and family membership by: (i) partitioning out the statistical effect of genus membership prior to measuring the effect of habitat on seed mass, and (ii) seeking an association between habitat and seed mass within eight genera (206 species) and ten families (366 species). To measure the associations between ecological factors, taxonomic membership and seed mass, I examined life form, phenological schedules and seed mass among species in 8 genera distributed among 13 habitat types (assigned to 1 of 4 categories of inferred water and light availability). One-way ANOVAS indicated that genus, life form, habitat, water/light category, the onset of flowering and the duration of flowering accounted for 71%, 51%, 10%, 4%, 14% and 14% of the variance in seed mass, respectively. However, multi-factor ANOVAS measured the variance in seed mass accounted for by each variable independently of the others: only genus explained a significant proportion (11%). Genus membership is strongly associated with the other ecological factors, accounting for the difference between one-way and multi-factor ANOVAS. Within the ecologically widespread genera and families of this study, there was no significant association between water/light category and seed mass, even though this association can be detected across taxa. Among congeners and confamilials, interspecific variation in seed mass (measured as the coefficient of variation) was as high within habitat types as among them, suggesting that habitats do not provide upper limits to the range of seed mass exhibited by the species within them. A previous study of 648 Indiana Dune species showed that species segregate among habitats on the basis of seed size; large-seeded species tend to occupy closed habitats and small-seeded species tend to inhabit open habitats. This segregation creates the ecologically meaningful observation that low-light habitats support larger-seeded species than high-light habitats, even though this pattern cannot be detected independently of taxonomic membership. Generalist taxa may occupy a wide range of habitats for reasons other than their seed size. If this is a common feature of ecological generalists, it may not be possible to detect an association between habitat and seed size independently of taxonomic membership.

Revisionary synopsis of the Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) of North and Middle America.

Abstract: Considerable nomenclatural revision of the North and Middle American Baetidae has resulted from comprehensive research aimed at formulating a phylogenetic classification. The 17 Nearctic species in Pseudocloeon not previously assigned to Acentrella or Apobaetis are newly placed in Baetis or Barbaetis. Cloeon in the area is restricted to C. cognatum, while two species previously in Cloeon are placed in Centroptilum and nine in Procloeon, a genus considered for the first time in the Nearctic. Definitions of Centroptilum and Procloeon are modified, both now incorporate species with hindwings and species without hindwings, and 19 species are transferred from Centroptilum to Procloeon. Pseudocentroptilum s. auctt. in North America is synonymized with Procloeon. Neocloeon is recognized as a synonym of Centroptilum s. str. and removed from synonymy with Cloeon. Dactylo baetis is placed in synonymy with Camelobaetidius, and all species, including those from South America, are newly combined. Two species of Baetis are transferred to Acerpenna, and two to Fallceon. A checklist includes 154 currently recognized species among 19 genera in the area, and incorporates 21 new species synonyms and 57 new combinations. The names Baetis armillatus and Baetis cinctutus are substituted for Pseudocloeon parvulum and Pseudocloeon cingulatum, repec tively, which otherwise attain homonymie status. Regional distributions for each species and abbreviated synonymies since 1976 are annotated to the checklist. Brief discussions of each genus include information on species diagnosis, revisionary bases, status, and needs. A guide to all nomenclatural changes and added taxa since 1976 provides the bibliographic sources of all such information and serves as a ready index to name equivalencies resulting from extensive recent and present revisions.

Studien an flechtenbewohnenden Pilzen der sammelgattung Didymella (Ascomycetes, Dothideales)

Abstract: For the ascomycete commonly called Didymella sphinctrinoides and related species the new genus Zwackhiomyces is introduced. According to the present knowledge the genus comprises 9 species all of them living on lichens. The genus Didymellopsis is accepted for the Didymella latitans-group. Zwackhiomyces euplocinus, Z. inconspicuus and Z. sphinctrinaeformis are described as new hand the new combinations Cercidospora epicarphinea, Collemopsidium brunii, Chlypeococcum epimelanostolum, Didymellopsis collematum, D. pulposi, D.perigena, Zwackhiomyces berengerianus, Z. coepulonus, Z. dispersus, Z. immersae, Z. martinatianus and Z. sphinctrinoides are proposed. Differences to some similar genera are discussed in detail. A key for all treated genera and species is given

Immunological Relationships and Generic Revision of the Australian Lizards Assigned to the Genus Leiolopisma (Scincidae, Lygosominae)

Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships of the Australian scincid lizards currently assigned to the genus Leiolopisma have been examined by quantitative micro-complement fixation (MC'F) comparisons of serum albumin. The results of these comparisons do not support the monophyly implicit in these species' current congeneric status, but suggest instead that the Australian species of Leiolopisma belong to several distinct phyletic lineages within the Eugongylus group. These findings are supported by several sets of non-biochemical characters, including features of scalation, osteology and karyotype. None of the Australian species shares a close relationship with the type-species of Leiolopisrna (L. telfairii), and so a new taxonomic arrangement is proposed which distributes them among the following genera: Bartleia, gen. nov. (jigurru); Bassiana, gen. nov. (duperreyi, platynotum and trilineata); Cautula, gen. nov. (zia); Niveoscincus, gen. nov. (coventryi, greeni, metallicus, microlepidotus, ocellatus, orocryptus, palfreymani and pretiosus); and Pseudemoia Fuhn, 1967 (baudini, entrecasteauxii Group 1; entrecasteauxii Group 2, rawlinsoni and spenceri). Preliminary comparisons suggest that other Leiolopisma species, from New Caledonia, Lord Howe I. and New Zealand, belong to phyletic lineages which are distinct from any of the Australian 'Leiolopisma' and from the type-species.

A revision of the genus Sclerocystis (Glomaceae, Glomales)

Abstract: The genus Sclerocystis was established by Berkeley and Broome in 1873 with their description of S. coremioides and since then 13 additional species have been described. Although some consider Sclero? cystis allied to the genus Glomus, we conclude that the two genera are distinct based on spore ontogeny and sporocarp habit. In Sclerocystis, spores are arranged in a hemispherical layer, forming a "head" and a short stalk; no spores are formed at the sporocarp base. Sporocarpic species in Glomus exhibit several other spore arrangement patterns. The genus Sclerocystis is maintained with one species, S. coremioides. Sclerocystis coccogena, S. dussii, and S. alba are considered synonyms of S. coremioides. Five other Sclerocystis species are moved to the genus Glomus, G. clavisporum, G. liquidambaris, G. rubiforme, G. sinuosum, and G taiwanense. The remaining five described species of Sclerocystis are considered synonymous with one of the latter species. The genus Sclerocystis was proposed by Berke? ley and Broome (1873) with their description of S. coremioides Berk. & Br. from Ceylon. Several subsequent species of Sclerocystis were described in other genera, but they were later placed in Sclerocystis. Cesati (1878) described the monotypic genus Xenomyces ochraceus Ces. collected in Borneo. Patouillard (1902) proposed the genus Ackermannia Pat. with two species, A. coccogena Pat. and A. dussii Pat. In 1908 von Hohnel de?

Observations on the taxonomy and natural history of Ophraella Wilcox (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with a description of a new species.

Abstract: -Morphological evidence indicates that the North American galerucine genus Ophraella is a strictly monophyletic taxon, closely related to Monoxia LeConte and Erynephala Blake. Host associations for all species, including several hitherto lacking host records, are listed; all hosts are in the Asteraceae. Distinguishing morphological features of adults are described, and descriptions of immature stages of most of the species are provided. 0. ma crovittata LeSage is placed in synonymy with 0. sexvittata (LeConte), and the possibility of conspecificity of 0. pilosa LeSage and 0. americana (Fabricius) is raised. A new species, Ophraella artemisiae, is described from Texas. Several features of the life history are described. Phenological data indicate that northern populations and species are univoltine, whereas more southern populations are generally mul tivoltine. Cocoon formation differs from previous reports in that the cocoon material issues from the rectum. Several natural enemies were observed, including, in 0. communa LeSage, a eulophid genus not previously recorded in North America. Geographically isolated populations of 0. communa display partial sexual isolation, as do closely related sympatric species (0. communa and 0. notulata [Fabricius]) which occupy different host plants. A difference in host affiliation is therefore not the only barrier to gene exchange. Species of Ophraella Wilcox, a North American genus of leaf beetles (Chryso melidae: Galerucinae, tribe Galerucini), are locally abundant throughout much of their range. Nevertheless, little is known of the biology of the genus, perhaps because the host plants have little economic importance. A few comments on host associations and other aspects of the biology of some species are provided by Blatchley (1910), Woods (1924), Wilcox (1965), Messina and Root (1980), and LeSage (1986); the life history of only one species has been described in any detail (Welch, 1978; Goeden and Ricker, 1985). The genus was revised by LeSage in 1986. In the course of an ongoing analysis of the phylogeny and of the evolution and genetics of host association in the genus, I have made a variety of observations that increase the taxonomic and biological knowledge of Ophraella. Although some of these observations are not quantitative, investigators embarking on the study of little known taxa will find qualitative observations more helpful than none at all. In subsequent publications I shall treat the morphology of Ophraella and related genera, and the phylogeny and evolution of host associations within the genus, based on morphological and electrophoretic analyses. In another publication (Futuyma, in press), I have described feeding responses of many of the species to their congeners" host plants. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.162 on Thu, 11 Aug 2016 05:34:19 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 164 JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Vol. 98(2) MONOPHYLY OF OPHRAELLA Wilcox (1965) segregated Ophraella from Galerucella, and considered it most closely related to Erynephala Blake, Monoxia LeConte, Ophraea Jacoby, and several Neo tropical genera. White (1979) referred the Neotropical Trirhabda dilatipennis Jacoby to Ophraella, but LeSage (1986) later placed this species in Neolochmaea Laboissiere. I have examined the morphology of this species, as well as species of Erynephala, Monoxia, and the holarctic taxon Pyrrhalta (subgenus Tricholochmaea) Laboissiere. With reference to Neolochmaea and Pyrrhalta, the close relationship of Ophraella to Monoxia and Erynephala is supported by several synapomorphies not hitherto noted, including (1) spermathecal duct inserted subbasally (rather than extending rectilinearly from base); (2) sternum VIII of the female lacking the long anterior rod like apodeme present in the other genera; (3) styli of the female (referred to as "accessory glands" by LeSage (1986)) reduced to flat setiferous discs (rather than elongate); (4) internal sac of male lacking ornamentation; (5) internal scuto-scutellar sclerites of larva each bearing laterally what appears to be a setaless socket (absent in the other genera). Brivio (1977) has noted that the above differences in female genitalia between Ophraella and Pyrrhalta also distinguish Ophraella from Galeru cella (s.s.) and, for the most part, from Xanthogaleruca. Ophraella shares with Mo noxia, its apparent sister group, the following synapomorphies: (1) pupation within a loosely woven cocoon rather than free; (2) sternum VIII of female with lateral extensions of the base (absent in the other genera); (3) apex of the male sternum deeply, conically invaginated (vs. shallowly or not at all); (4) aedeagus (median lobe) basally with a dorsal ring (vs. absent), this laterally confluent with the basal spurs. In addition to the features noted by LeSage (1986), the species of Ophraella share the following synapomorphic characters with respect to the condition in Erynephala and Monoxia: (1) mandible of adult with three rather than five teeth; (2) teeth IV and V of larval mandible only shallowly (rather than fully) separated, hence appearing fused basally; (3) larval cuticle lacking discrete aggregations of pigment ("melano phores"); (4) setae of dorsal sclerites of larva almost uniform in length (strongly variable in the other genera). Electrophoresis of 18 enzyme loci also supports the monophyly of Ophraella relative to Monoxia and Erynephala (Futuyma and Mc Cafferty, in prep.). TAXONOMY AND HOST AFFILIATION LeSage (1986) recognized 13 species of Ophraella, of which he described five as new, renaming two others. He listed host records for 11 species. My records confirm LeSage's (1986) and Wilcox's (1965) supposition that all the hosts of Ophraella are Asteraceae (Compositae) (Table 1). Below I present an account of my present un derstanding of the taxonomic status and host affiliation of each of the species. (1) 0. americana (Fabricius) and 0. pilosa LeSage. LeSage reported host records for 0. americana as "Solidago spp.," and distinguished 0. pilosa from 0. americana on the basis of slight differences in genitalia, markings, average body size, the density of erect setae on the elytra, and association with Aster. Collections from Aster species (especially A. urophyllus) in central New York, Missouri (Dade Co.), Montana (Lake Co.), and Ontario (Leeds Co.) all conform morphologically to the description of 0. pilosa. I have collected these forms on Solidago only in Ithaca, New York, where This content downloaded from 157.55.39.162 on Thu, 11 Aug 2016 05:34:19 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 1990 TAXONOMY AND BIOLOGY OF OPHRAELLA 165 Table 1. Known host plants of Ophraella species. Notations following host records: L, literature records (cf. LeSage, 1986; Goeden and Ricker, 1985); P, personal record; *, host not previously reported. Localities for host records are indicated in some instances. Attributions to other collectors are based on reliable personal communications.

A new trematopsid amphibian (Temnospondyli: Dissorophoidea) from the Lower Permian of Texas

Abstract: A new genus of trematopsid amphibian, based upon the type of Acheloma pricei Olson, 1941, and in the new combination Phonerpeton pricei, gen. nov., is described from material collected from the Low...

West Palearctic cobras of the genus Naja (Serpentes: Elapidae): interrelationships among extinct and extant species

Abstract: Some basic osteological cranial features of living and fossil members of the genus Naja are described. The extinct genus Palaeonaja Hoffstetter, 1939, is synonymized with the modern Naja Laurenti, 1768, and the extinct species Palaeonaja crassa Hoffstetter, 1939, is synonymized with Naja romani (Hoffstetter, 1939). Anatomically, the genus Naja can be divided into two main complexes, composed of: (1) living African species, N. antiqua from the Moroccan Miocene, and N. iberica from the Spanish Miocene; (2) living Asiatic species and N. romani from the Miocene of France, Austria, and Ukraine. Living members of the Asiatic complex make up a monophyletic group; they belong to at least three distinct lineages: N. oxiana, N. naja s.s. ( = N. naja naja), and the remaining taxa named here informally the 'East Asiatic Naja'. The African complex is thought to be most primitive and perhaps paraphyletic; Africa is presumed to be the centre of earliest radiation of the genus. The precise relationships of Walterinnesia, a close relative of Naja occupying the area between Asiatic and African ranges of Naja, remain unclear.

Systematic revision of the neotropical ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), with the description of thirteen new species

Abstract: This revision includes comparative morphological analysis, biological data from various sources and a consideration of geographical distributions. The genus is considered to be a natural group, including 31 valid species, of which 13 are here described as new. The species are distributed in four groups, morphologically and behaviorally characterized; individual keys and distributional maps are given. All types were examined, except for that of M. bituberculatus (Fabricius, 1798), probably lost; the species is considered inquirenda. M. duckei Forel, 1912 and M. leoninus var. nasutus Forel, 1912 are considered junior synonyms of respectively, M. balzani Emery, 1894 and M. staudingeri Emery, 1890. The Modes tus group comprises medium sized species that occupy or dig cavities under logs or rocks. Colonies may be large and may have one to several true queens. Workers forage in groups on the ground of tropical and subtropical forests, recruiting nestmates toward large food items. In the Modestus group are described as new M. ayri, M. caete and M. cupecuara. The Leoninus group comprises larger species, the gamergates of which take over the reproductive function. Nests occupy cavities under logs, with no traces of architecture. Workers forage individually on the ground or on shrubs, tending membracid nymphs. New species in this group are M. acauna, M. cyendyra, M. pacova and M. timbira. Species of the Silvestrii group maintain apparent non-obligatory lestobiotic relations with several genera of Attini. They occupy secondary cavities of the nests of their fungus-growing hosts and always have monogynous colonies with true queens. New in this group are M. cuatiara, M. mondabora, M. piriana, M. poatan and M. tasyba. The Pusillus group includes the smallest species of the genus, which live in general in diffuse colonies in the litter of tropical and subtropical forests. Some species may have colonies either with gamergates or with true queens. The shape of the mandibles and the relatively large eyes suggest predatory habits. M. miri is the only new species in the group. Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for M. balzani, M. foreli, M. goeldii, M. iheringi, M. latreillei, M. leoninus, M. modestus, M. myops, M. pusillus and M. symmetochus.

Systematic Implications of Chloroplast DNA Variation in the Genus Microseris (Asteraceae: Lactuceae)

Abstract: Chloroplast DNA restriction site variation was examined for all 16 species of Microseris, using 22 restriction endonucleases, filter hybridization experiments, and comparative mapping procedures. Mutations were scored relative to other genera of the subtribe Microseridinae, and related genera of the tribe Lactuceae. A total of 115 restriction site mutations was detected, 78 of which were phylogenetically informative. A single most parsimonious cladogram was constructed which indicates three major lines of evolution within the genus. The morphologically distinct annual M. lindleyi was found to be the most divergent and forms the basal lineage within the genus. Forty-three mutations separate annual and perennial species of the genus, whose average sequence divergence is 0.7%. The parentage of the allotetraploid species M. heterocarpa was confirmed, utilizing cpDNA and nuclear ribosomal DNA variation. Evaluation of relative rates of cpDNA evolution indicates that generation time is not responsible for unequal rates of cpDNA in different lineages. The results also suggest that a taxonomic reevaluation of Microseris at the subgeneric level is war- ranted. Microseris D. Don is comprised of 16 species

Presence and ecological distribution of Mus spretoides and Mus musculus domesticus in Israel Circum-Mediterranean vicariance in the genus Mus

Abstract: Des donnees morphometriques et biochimiques sont presentees pour Mus «spretoides» et M. musculus domesticus presents en Israel ainsi que des donnees sur leurs habitats. La repartition geographique de ces 2 especes sympatriques autour de la Mediterranee est examinee

Some aspects of the phytogeography of Carex

Abstract: The worldwide distribution of Carex suggests that it originated in the early Tertiary. The genus reaches its greatest diversity in the temperate regions of the world. Except for SE Asia, it is generally absent from lowland tropical areas and is especially rare in Africa. Subgenus Indocarex, although abundant in SE Asia, also occurs in east Africa, the Mediterranean region, and tropical America. Such a distribution is consistent with the view that the subgenus originated in the early Tertiary, adjacent to the Tethys seaway. The genus contains a variety of species or species groups that exhibit disjunct distribution patterns such as bipolar, amphiatlantic, and eastern Asia – eastern North America distributions. The evidence in most of these examples favours a relatively late origin for these distributions. A number of sections contain species complexes in which several closely similar species are sympatric and show little ecological differentiation. At the moment we have no satisfactory explanation of the p...

The chromosomal distribution of the major and minor satellite is not conserved in the genus Mus.

Abstract: The cytological distribution of the major and minor satellite first identified in Mus musculus was studied in the karyotypes of three related subspecies and two other species of the genus Mus. Both the major and minor satellite showed species dependent hybridization patterns. The major satellite is confined to the centromere region in M. musculus and related subspecies. However, in M spretus and M. caroli, the chromosomal arm regions contain this sequence class. In contrast the minor satellite is found at the kinetochore region in M. musculus and related subspecies but is distributed throughout the entire centromeric domain in M. spretus and appears to be excluded from the chromosomes of M. caroli. There is an apparent correlation between the chromosomal location of these satellites and their phylogenetic relationship. Determination of the biological roles of the major and minor satellites from M. musculus must take into account their differential chromosomal distribution in other Mus species.

A revision of Rhynchanthera (Melastomataceae)

Abstract: The neotropical genus Rhynchanthera (Melastomataceae, Microlicieae) is revised, and 15 of the 84 proposed taxa are recognized; two species are excluded from the genus. The group consists of subshrubs and shrubs with usually purple flowers in thyrsoid inflorescences of uniparous or biparous cymes. It is characterized by androecia with five antepetalous staminodia in addition to the five fertile stamens, and - in most species - dimorphism of the stamens, with one strikingly longer than the other four. The plants always are covered by at least some simple glandular hairs. The majority of the species of Rhynchanthera occur in south-central Brazil, however, the range of the genus extends from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Paraguay. All species grow in wet places in open scrub or savanna vegetation. Micromorphological features of the seeds have been investigated and support the traditional placement of Rhynchanthera in the Microlicieae where it is closest to Microlicia, Lavoisiera, and Trembleya. Two taxa are illustrated with drawings, and the distribution of all is mapped.

A revision of the African Species of Centroptilum Eaton (Baetidae, Ephemeroptera)

Abstract: Of the 20 Afrotropical species hitherto placed in the genus Centroptilum Eaton, the nymphs of 7 have been described, all of them from South Africa. The nymphs of a further 5 species from East Africa and 3 from West Africa are described here, 6 of them being new. In the light of the recent redefinition of the Palaearctic species of the genus, all the African species except one are transferred to the new genus Afroptilum comprising the two subgenera Afroptilum s.s. and Afroptiloides. The genus is recorded from North Africa, Africa South of the Sahara, Madagascar and possibly the Oriental Region. The genus Demoulinia is created for the single aberrant species, Centroptilum crassi from South Africa. The new genera are defined and the characteristics of the Cloeonine Baetidae are discussed.

Early Middle Cambrian (Ordian) brachiopods of the Coonigan Formation, western New South Wales

Abstract: A rich assemblage of early Middle Cambrian brachiopods from the ‘first discovery limestone’ of the Coonigan Formation, western N.S.W. contains 20 taxa (eight Articulata, 11 Inarticulata and one which cannot be assigned with certainty to either class). New articulate species are Nisusia grandis grandis, N. grandis glabra, Wimanella tricavata, Arctohedra alata, Acareorthis jelli, Cymbricia spinicostata, Austrohedra mimica and Glaphyrorthis fastigata, with the last four mentioned new genera. Inarticulate taxa include species of Trematosia and ?Kutorgina, Hadrotreta primaeva (Walcott), Micromitra nerranubawu Kruse and new species of Kleithriatreta lamellosa, Eothele granulata, Dictyonina australis, Palaeoschmidites horizontalis, Lingulella bynguanoensis, Westonia cymbricensis, and an indeterminate lingulacean; Kleithriatreta is a new genus. The enigmatic new genus and species Bynguanoia perplexa cannot be placed within either the Articulata or Inarticulata. Seven taxa are endemic, six are comparable with taxa...

A review of Caralluma R. Br. and its segregates

Abstract: The history of the genus Caralluma is briefly outlined and characters of potential generic significance are discussed. 29 species of Caralluma — the ‘ango group’ and a few isolated southern African species — plus 2 species currently included in Stultitia are transferred to Pachycymbium. The species remaining are divided amongst four subgenera: Caralluma s. str. restricted to the ‘eucarallumas’, Urmalcala subgen. nov. and Boucerosia and Desmidorchis previously described as genera. The species are listed and several lectotypified. C. fulleri is transferred to Rhytidocaulon, two subspecies raised to full species (Caralluma edwardsiae and Pachycymbium laticoronum) and two new species described: Caralluma longiflora and Pachycymbium laikipiense.

Fossil ceratophyllum (Ceratophyllaceae) from the tertiary of North America

Abstract: Fossil fruits and a vegetative axis assignable to the extant genus Ceratophyllum are described from four North American Tertiary localities. Fossil fruits assignable to the extant species C. muricatum and C. echinatum are reported from the Eocene Green River and Claiborne formations, and the Miocene Esmerelda Formation, respectively. An extinct species, C. furcatispinum, is described from the Paleocene Fort Union Formation and represents the oldest published report of Ceratophyllum in the fossil record. The existence of extant angiosperm species in the Eocene is very unusual and may be attributable in this case to slow evolutionary rates and unusual evolutionary properties associated with hydrophily in the genus Ceratophyllum. CERATOPHYLLUM is a submersed monoecious freshwater aquatic angiosperm with underwater pollination (hydrophily) and distinctive, often spiny fruits. One might expect such taxa to have an abundant fossil record, and in this paper we describe and illustrate fossil vegetative and reproductive Ceratophyllum specimens from four localities ranging in age from Paleocene to Upper Miocene. These specimens expand the known geological history of the group (Les, 1 988a) and provide an opportunity to evaluate the suggestion that slow rates of evolution and low diversity are consequences of hydrophilous pollination in perennial aquatic genera (Les, 1988c). Inefficient pollen transfer, reduced sexuality, widespread clonal growth and diminished seed production have been suggested as causal factors to explain the low species diversity in many hydrophilous genera (Les, 1988c). Hydrophily occurs in a phylogenetically heterogeneous group consisting of seven families and 18 genera, 16 of which consist of fewer than ten species (Les, 1 988c). The Ceratophyllaceae have been suggested to be a living representative of some of the oldest flowering plants (Les, 1988a). Therefore, the 1 Received for publication 16 December 1988; revision accepted 13 June 1989. We wish to thank Steven Manchester for photographing fossil specimens at the U.S. National Museum and for providing the Green River fossil fruits. We thank Lance Grande for providing access to the Green River fossil fish material. Figure 21 was prepared by the Cartographic Services Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We thank Peter Crane for helpful comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of this paper. This work was supported in part by a National Science Foundation Grant BSR 8516657 to DLD and Indiana Academy of Science Grant to PSH. fossil history of Ceratophyllum is of interest particularly because it should allow for an evaluation of some of the hypotheses concerning diversity and rates of evolution in hydrophilous taxa (Les, 1988c). The Ceratophyllaceae have been reported previously in the paleobotanical literature. The extinct genus Ceratostratiotes Gregor from the Miocene of Europe has been suggested to have taxonomic affinities to Ceratophyllum. It is treated as a separate extinct genus in the Ceratophyllaceae because of differences from Ceratophyllurn in placentation, fruit wall ornamentation and symmetry (Buiz:ek, 1982; Les, 1988a). In addition to the reports of fossil Ceratophyllum speciescitedin Les (1 988a), several other reports are in the literature. Ceratophyllum miodemersum Hu and Chaney was reported from the Miocene of Shantung Province, China (Hu and Chaney, 1940). The fossil vegetative axes have whorled leaves which appear to be at least twice dichotomously divided. Reports of fossil material of twelve Ceratophyllum species, several of which were originally described in a number of different papers, are summarized by Dorofeev (1974). However, the report of C. praedemersum Ashlee (Ashlee, 1932; Brown, 1937) is erroneous. The axis illustrated by these authors is perhaps an immature platanoid inflorescence, not a vegetative shoot of Ceratophyllum. The Ceratophyllaceae appear to have been relatively diverse in the past. Thus the paleobotanical record provides an understanding of the extent of past morphological diversity as compared to that observed in extant Ceratophyllum species. Historically, taxonomic studies of Cerato-