scholarly journals Born in the Mediterranean: Comprehensive Taxonomic Revision of Biscutella ser. Biscutella (Brassicaceae) Based on Morphological and Phylogenetic Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-231
Author(s):  
Alicia Vicente ◽  
Mª Ángeles Alonso ◽  
Manuel B. Crespo

Biscutella L. ser. Biscutella (= Biscutella ser. Lyratae Malin.) comprises mostly annual or short-lived perennial plants occurring in the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East, which exhibit some diagnostic floral features. Taxa in the series have considerable morphological plasticity, which is not well correlated with clear geographic or ecologic patterns. Traditional taxonomic accounts have focused on a number of vegetative and floral characters that have proved to be highly variable, a fact that contributed to taxonomic inflation mostly in northern Africa. A detailed study and re-evaluation of morphological characters, together with recent phylogenetic data based on concatenation of two plastid and one nuclear region sequence data, yielded the basis for a taxonomic reappraisal of the series. In this respect, a new comprehensive integrative taxonomic arrangement for Biscutella ser. Biscutella is presented in which 10 taxa are accepted, namely seven species and three additional varieties. The name B. eriocarpa DC. is reinterpreted and suggested to include the highest morphological variation found in northern Morocco. Its treatment here accepts two varieties, one of which is described as new (B. eriocarpa var. riphaea A. Vicente, M. Á. Alonso & M. B. Crespo). In addition, the circumscriptions of several species, such as B. boetica Boiss. & Reut., B. didyma L., B. lyrata L., and B. maritima Ten., are revisited. Nomenclatural types, synonymy, brief descriptions, cytogenetic data, conservation status, distribution maps, and identification keys are included for the accepted taxa, with seven lectotypes and one epitype being designated here.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhafer Ahmed Alzahrani ◽  
Enas Jameel Albokhari

The genera Tetraena Maxim. and Zygophyllum L. (Zygophyllaceae) present different morphological characters, viz. growth habit, leaf features, flower traits and fruit shape, and have a high diversity of species in Africa, Australia and Asia. Six species of Tetraena [T. alba (L.f.) Beier & Thulin, T. coccinea (L) Beier & Thulin, T. decumbens (Delile) Beier & Thulin, T. hamiensis (Schwein f.) Beier & Thulin, T. propinqua (Decne.) Ghaz. & Osborne and T. simplex (L.) Beier & Thulin], and one species of Zygophyllum (Z. fabago L.) have been identified in Saudi Arabia, most of which grow in sandy soils and saline habitats as shrubs and herbs. One new endemic variety (T. alba var. arabica Alzahrani & Albokhari) along with four new combinations [T. alba var. amblyocarpa (Baker) Alzahrani & Albokhari, T. hamiensis var. qatarensis (Hadidi ex Beier & Thulin) Alzahrani & Albokhari, T. hamiensis var. mandavillei (Hadidi ex Beier & Thulin) Alzahrnai & Albokhari, and T. propinqua subsp. migahidii (Hadidi ex Beier & Thulin) Alzahrani & Albokhari] are proposed. Descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps and a key for identification of the taxa are presented. Conservation status has been proposed for the new variety and combinations.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 25(1): 19-43, 2018 (June)


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-247
Author(s):  
Massoud Ranjbar ◽  
Narges Rahchamani

Scrophularia dianatnejadii Ranjbar & Rahchamani, a new species from Tehran Province in northern Iran, is described and illustrated. It is closely related to S. amplexicaulis Benth. and shares with it some diagnostic morphological characters such as habit, plant indument, phyllotaxy, and corolla shape and color. Both species are placed in Scrophularia L. sect. Mimulopsis Boiss. Macro- and micromorphological characters of the two are examined and compared. Pollen morphology of these species is investigated using SEM. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and conservation status of both species are provided.


Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Smolensky

AbstractThe conservation status of threatened taxa may be obfuscated by the detection of cryptic species complexes, in both vertebrate and invertebrate species. African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemusspp.) are hunted throughout their range but their conservation status is unknown. Few population assessments have been carried out and there has been a taxonomic revision of the number of species in the genus. The similar morphologies ofOsteolaemus tetraspisandOsteolaemus osbornipose a challenge for conservation in Cameroon, where they are still managed as a single species. Nocturnal spotlight surveys were conducted in three regions during August–November 2010 and December 2011–February 2012 to provide population assessments ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniand raise awareness of the two species in Cameroon. The mean encounter rates ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniwere 1.02 ± SD 1.34 (65 individuals in 39 surveys) and 0.61 ± SD 0.38 (three in four surveys) crocodiles per km, respectively. TheO. tetraspispopulation comprised juveniles predominantly and had a male-biased sex ratio. The fewO. osbornidetected comprised both adults and juveniles. Both species are threatened in Cameroon, based on low encounter rates, young population structures and the threats of habitat loss and hunting pressure. This study provides distribution maps and serves as a baseline to quantify population trends and inform conservation strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina A Shepeleva ◽  
Mikhail I Schelkunov ◽  
Michal Hroneš ◽  
Michal Sochor ◽  
Martin Dančák ◽  
...  

Abstract Thismia is a genus of > 80 mycoheterotrophic species characterized by a peculiar appearance and complex floral morphology. A significant proportion of the species and morphological diversity of Thismia has only been uncovered in the past two decades, and new discoveries continue to be made. Given that many new data have recently become available, and the most comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus from 1938 addresses less than half of the currently known species, previous hypotheses for species relationships and infrageneric taxonomic classification in Thismia was in need of review. Extensive molecular phylogenetic studies of Thismia at the genus level have never been presented. We investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 41 species (and one variety) of Thismia from the Old World. Our study comprises 68 specimens (for 28 of which the data were newly generated), including outgroup taxa broadly representing Thismiaceae (= Burmanniaceae p.p. sensuAPG IV, 2016), and is based on two nuclear and one mitochondrial marker. We use maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer relationships among the taxa. We also constructed a morphological dataset of 12 mostly floral characters, comparing these characters to hypotheses based on molecular evidence to identify putative synapomorphies for major clades and to discuss hypotheses regarding the evolution of structural traits in the genus. Our analyses indicate that the majority of currently accepted infrageneric taxa of Thismia are polyphyletic. We find support for the monophyly of the Old World group, in which we recognize five well-supported lineages (clades); the only New World species studied appears to be related to the Neotropical genus Tiputinia. Ancestral state reconstructions demonstrate that the evolution of most morphological characters was homoplastic, but we identify characters that provide each of the five clades of Old World Thismia with a unique morphological description. The geographical distribution of the species under study is also shown to be consistent with the major clades. Our investigation provides a phylogenetic basis for the development of a novel sectional classification of Thismia reflecting morphological and geographical traits.


Botany ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 787-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeok Jae Choi ◽  
J. Hugo Cota-Sánchez

The taxonomy, rarity, and conservation status of Allium  L. is revised for the Canadian prairie provinces, based on analyses of herbarium specimens and fieldwork. Five species are recognized: Allium schoenoprasum  L., A. geyeri S. Watson var. tenerum M.E. Jones, A. textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbride, A. cernuum Roth, and A. stellatum Ker Gawler. Distribution maps and a key to species are provided, as well as complete descriptions of the species examined, including new illustrations, information on nomenclatural types, synonymies, and chromosomal and ecological data. A lectotype is designated for A. geyeri var. tenerum. In this study, A. geyeri var. geyeri reported from Alberta and Saskatchewan and ranked in these provinces as having rarity levels S2 and S1, respectively, by the Nature Conservancy, is excluded from the Canadian flora and the rare list of these provinces because it was misidentified from a herbarium specimen of A. textile. Allium tricoccum Solander in W. Aiton is regarded as a non-native species to Manitoba. The rarity and conservation status of Allium in the Canadian prairie provinces is as follows: (i) A. schoenoprasum, listed as S2 in Saskatchewan, is rare in Manitoba, although its rarity status has not been formally assessed in the province; (ii) A. geyeri var. tenerum is the rarest Allium taxon, with distribution restricted to the Waterton Lakes National Park areas of Alberta, and is currently listed as S2; and (iii) A. cernuum was re-evaluated and a rarity level of S1S2 was recommended for the species in Saskatchewan, particularly in its southwestern distributional habitat.


1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey W. Woolcott ◽  
Robert J. King

Specimens of Ulva Linnaeus and Enteromorpha Link (Ulvales, Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) were collected from 12 sites in eastern Australia and identified to species level on the basis of morphological characters described in the major Australian study of Womersley (1984). The species recognised were Ulva australis Areschoug, U. lactuca Linnaeus, U. fasciata Delile, Enteromorpha compressa (Linnaeus) Greville, E. flexuosa (Wulfen ex Roth) J.Agardh and E. intestinalis (Linnaeus) Link. Species placement within the genera Ulva and Enteromorpha is problematic and features of DNA were examined in order to assess their potential use as characters in species determinations. Analyses were conducted on sequence data derived from the internal transcribed spacer region ITS2, and the 5.8S gene. Groupings of the 12 isolates based on DNA analyses do not correlate with the species identified using morphology nor with the two genera. Further work is required before authoritative conclusions can be reached regarding the significance of morphological plasticity in determination of differences within and between Ulva and Enteromorpha species; nevertheless, DNA studies may provide a backbone of characters upon which to base such a study.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 301 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIZ HENRIQUE M. FONSECA ◽  
SIMONE MIRANDA CABRAL ◽  
MARIA DE FATIMA AGRA ◽  
LÚCIA G. LOHMANN

Dolichandra Cham. emend. L.G.Lohmann is a genus of Neotropical lianas in tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) that comprises nine species. It is centered in Paraguay, southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina, where six species occur and three are endemic. Species of Dolichandra are generally climbers of dry and wet lowland forests, also growing in swamps and gallery forest formations. The genus is characterized by four main synapomorphies: (i) stems with multiple dissected phloem wedges in cross-section, (ii) trifid and uncate tendrils, (iii) psilate and 3-colpate pollen, and (iv) capsules with four lines of dehiscense. Other features of the genus are the large and membranaceous calyces, dimorphic growth with the juvenile form attaching by its uncinate tendrils, lanceolate prophylls of the axillary buds, congested-cymose inflorescences, and a lobed nectary disk. In this taxonomic revision, we present detailed descriptions for all species recognized, taxonomic and nomenclatural comments, distribution maps and information on the habitat and distribution of each species, as well as information on their conservation status (i.e., IUCN categories), and illustrations of diagnostic characters. Thirty-five names are treated as synonyms, six of which are newly proposed. More specifically, Tecoma maximiliani Mart. ex DC. is synonymized under Dolichandra unguiculata (Vell.) L.G. Lohmann, Bignonia pseudounguis Desf., Bignonia unguis-cati var. radicans DC., and Macfadyena hassleri Sprague are synonymized under Dolichandra uncata (Andrews) L.G. Lohmann, while Bignonia tweediana Lindley and Dolichandra kohautiana Presl are synonymized under Dolichandra ungui-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann. Lectotypes are proposed for 13 species names, namely Bignonia californica Brandegee, Bignonia gracilis G. Lodd., Bignonia inflata Griseb. Bignonia tweediana Lindley, Bignonia unguis-cati var. guatemalensis K. Schum. & Loes., Bignonia unguis-cati var. serrata Bureau & K. schum., Dolichandra cynanchoides Cham., Dolichandra fenzliana Miq. Macfadyena hassleri Sprague, Parabignonia steyermarkii Sandwith, Paradolichandra chodatii var. brachycalyx , Spathodea mollis and Tecoma maximiliani Mart. ex DC.


PhytoKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 177 ◽  
pp. 77-116
Author(s):  
Eric Y. Kataoka ◽  
Lúcia G. Lohmann

Martinella Baill. is a genus of Neotropical lianas in tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). The genus is monophyletic and well supported by morphological and molecular characters. Members of Martinella are characterized by a continuous interpetiolar ridge surrounding the stem, bilobed or 4–5-parted calyces, and minute triangular prophylls of the axillary buds. Generic circumscription remained unchanged since the description of the genus, although unclear species limits remained. Based on extensive fieldwork, herbarium work, and a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, we here recognize five species of Martinella. Of these, three were recognized in earlier treatments for the genus, while two represent new species described here, Martinella lanuginosa Kataoka & L.G.Lohmann, sp. nov. and Martinella tomentosa Kataoka & L.G.Lohmann, sp. nov.Martinella iquitoensis A.Samp. is treated as a synonym of M. insculpta Sprague & Sandwith. In addition, one second-step lectotype is designated for Bignonia martini DC., and neotypes are designated for Doxantha longisiliqua Miers and Martinella gollmeri K.Schum. This work provides a full taxonomic treatment for Martinella, including a complete list of synonyms, morphological descriptions, illustrations, photographs, distribution maps, conservation status, and comments for all five species recognized.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3360 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
HOSSEIN RAJAEI SH. ◽  
DIETER STÜNING ◽  
ROBERT TRUSCH

The genus Gnopharmia Staudinger, 1892 is revised, based on more than 2000 specimens from the entire area ofdistribution and study of type material of all described taxa, as far asmap available. Seven species and three subspeciesare confirmed as valid for the genus. All important morphological characters have been studied and compared, includingmale and female genitalia. In addition, preliminary results of DNA-Barcoding were used to reassess our taxonomicdecisions, based on morphological studies. Type specimens and their labels are illustrated and additional specimens,demonstrating the variability of certain species, are also figured. Male genitalia of all valid species are figured and SEMphotos of the aedeagus are illustrated. Further important structures, the so-called ‘octavals’ on the male pre-genitalabdomen, are also figured. Female genitalia revealed a high similarity between species, combined with a considerablevariability, and were unsuitable for characterisation of species. Female genitalia of three species are figured to exemplifythis situation. As a result of the morphological and genetic studies, 12 out of the 21 described species and subspecies aresynonymised or transferred to the closely related genus Neognopharmia Wehrli, 1953. In addition, G. colchidariacocandaria (Erschoff, 1874) is revived as a valid species, G. sinesefida Wehrli, 1941 is downgraded to a subspecies of G.colchidaria Lederer, 1870. Five new records for the fauna of the following countries are presented: G. colchidariaobjectaria: new for Pakistan; G. irakensis: new for Turkey and Pakistan; G. kasrunensis: new for Oman and G. sarobiana: new for Pakistan. Distribution maps and an identification key are given for all species.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samah Alharbi ◽  
Rahmah Al Qthanin

This study provides a taxonomic revision for Ceropegia sec. Huernia in the flora of Saudi Arabia. Forty-eight quantitative and qualitative morphological characters were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and the unweighted pairs group using mean average (UPGMA) to separate and help delimit taxa. We proposed to reduce the number of names reported in Saudi Arabia from 11 to four species: C. arabica comb. nov.,C. Khalidbinsultanii comb. nov., C. laevis and C. lodarensis. This study also suggested reducing two of Plowes’ new names to a variety level under C. lodarensis (var. foetida comb. nov. and var. rubrosticta comb. nov.). A key to the species, detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, ecology, etymology and preliminarily conservation assessments following IUCN criteria are provided.


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