Group Of Genera Research Articles

A molecular perspective on the evolution of scleractinian corals

The evolutionary history of scleractinian corals, based on morphological taxonomy and inferences from the fossil record, has been poorly understood. Molecular techniques developed over the past ten years are now being used to gain a new perspective on scleractinian phylogeny. DNA sequences, mitochondrial genome structure, and morphological characters support a basal position for the Anthozoa in the phylum Cnidaria. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences suggest a relatively derived position of the order Scleractinia within the class Anthozoa. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences have provided a new hypothesis for evolution within the Scleractinia that is different from hypotheses based on morphological characters of extant and fossil taxa. Groupings within the two major lineages defined by molecular data do not correspond to morphological suborder groupings although groupings of genera within families do correspond to traditional taxonomy. This new molecular hypothesis suggests that the Scleractinia are represented by two major lineages that diverged from each other before the appearance of the scleractinian skeleton in the fossil record. This divergence time supports the hypotheses that the Scleractinia are not related to the Rugosa of the Paleozoic and that the scleractinian skeleton has evolved more than once. These two major lineages may represent two architectural strategies within the Scleractinia that have led to their great morphological diversity.

TAXONOMIC REEVALUATION OF GEMMULOBORSONIA SHUTO, 1989 (GASTROPODA: CONOIDEA), WITH A DESCRIPTION OF NEW RECENT DEEP-WATER SPECIES

The genus Gemmulobonorua Shuto, 1989, until now known only from Upper Miocene-Lower Pleistocene deposits of the Tethys, is recorded in Recent faunas, with five new bathyal species from New Caledonia, Indonesia, Mozambique Channel, and the Philippines. Radular morphology indicates that Gemmuloborsorua belongs to the subfamily Turnnae, and not to Borsoruinae, where it had been allocated based on shell morphology. Columellar pleats, which have long been considered a synapomorphy of the borsornid group of genera, have thus been acquired independently in the Turnnae. The consequence of this finding is that the current (sub)fanuly allocation of some genera, based on shell characters only, may need reevaluation.

The Phylogenetic Relationships of the Physaloid Genera (Solanaceae) Based on Morphological Data

A group of genera, e.g., Chamaesaracha, Leucophysalis, Physaliastrum, Margaranthus, and Withania, in the subfamily Solanoideae (Solanaceae) is centered around the genus Physalis and has been named the physaloid group. It comprises a number of small and often poorly known genera, sometimes seen as united with Physalis and/or each other. A hypothesis of the phylogenetic relationships within this group, based on parsimony analyses of morphological data, is here presented for the first time. The result is discussed in relation to prevailing generic circumsciptions and taxonomic consequences. It is also compared with hypotheses of relationships based on cpDNA data.

The phylogenetic relationships of the physaloid genera (Solanaceae) based on morphological data

A group of genera, e.g., Chamaesaracha, Leucophysalis, Physaliastrum, Margaranthus, and Withania, in the subfamily Solanoideae (Solanaceae) is centered around the genus Physalis and has been named the physaloid group. It comprises a number of small and often poorly known genera, sometimes seen as united with Physalis and/or each other. A hypothesis of the phylogenetic relationships within this group, based on parsimony analyses of morphological data, is here presented for the first time. The result is discussed in relation to prevailing generic circumsciptions and taxonomic consequences. It is also compared with hypotheses of relationships based on cpDNA data.

A review of the New Zealand rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Abstract A preliminary review of the subfamilies and genera of Staphylinidae known from New Zealand is presented, with data on natural history and selected references. Taxonomic changes involving 15 new combinations and a new synonymy are given in an appendix. The New Zealand staphylinid fauna as reported here includes approximately 936 native and 85 adventive species in approximately 178 genera and 16 subfamilies. The native fauna is characterised by the absence of many major lineages (including half of all staphylinid subfamilies), the high level of endemism of genera (43%) and species (>90%), and the radiation of several groups of genera and species. Staphylinid diversity in New Zealand is compared with that of several other regions. The size of the New Zealand fauna of rove beetles is consistent with species number/land area relationships in a variety of areas around the world.

Ionthosmittia caudigan. gen. n. sp., a new orthoclad from the Usambara Mts, Tanzania (Diptera Chironomidae)

The male imago of Ionthosmittia caudiga n. gen. n. sp. is described from the West Usambara Mts in Tanzania. The species differ from other known orthoclads with bare eyes, wings and squama, by having hair-like acrostichals starting in front on scutal projections, very long costal extension, several weak inner verticals and frontals, and large triangular anal point with weak lateral setae. The genus apparently belongs in the Parakiefferiella group of genera.

Flavonoid Chemistry of Barnadesioideae (Asteraceae)

The flavonoid profiles of some species of the following genera of the Barnadesioideae (Asteraceae) consist of mono- and diglycosides of kaempferol and quercetin: Arnaldoa, Barnadesia, Chuquiraga, Dasyphyllum, Doniophyton, Fulcaldea, and Schlechtendalia. These South American genera previously comprised part of the subtribe Barnadesiinae of Mutisieae. Very simple flavonoid profiles were also noted for the Chilean monotypic Gypothamnium and the Hawaiian endemic Hesperomannia arborescens of subtribe Mutisiinae. The simple flavonoid profiles of the barnadesioid genera are taken as further evidence for the primitive status of this subfamily as suggested by the absence of a 22kb cpDNA inversion in this group of genera. Preliminary studies of the flavonoids of the Calyceraceae have shown that the pigment profile of species of Acicarpha and Gamocarpha are very similar to the profile seen in the barnadesioid genera. A brief discussion of relationships between Barnadesioideae and Acicarpha as a possible representative of the prototypical Calyceraceae, indicated by floral development, diploid chromosome number, geography, and flavonoid chemistry, is included.

Systematic and evolutionary implications ofrbcL sequence variation in Rosaceae

The angiosperm family Rosaceae poses a number of noteworthy systematic problems as well as many questions concerning morphological and chromosomal evolution. Phylogenetic analysis ofrbcL gene sequences was performed to address systematic and evolutionary problems of Rosaceae. BothrbcL sequence variation and the presence of duplicated sequences near the 3' end ofrbcL were useful in determining phylogenetic relationships in this family. Analyses ofrbcL sequences indicate that there are groups of genera within Rosaceae comparable to the subfamilies Maloideae, Amygdaloideae, and Rosoideae, although the composition of each group differs from traditional circumscriptions. According to analysis ofrbcL data, Maloideae and Amygdaloideae each include additional taxa not normally associated with them. All members of Rosoideae withx= 9 are phylogenetically well separated from thex= 8 and 7 members of the subfamily. In addition, Spiraeoideae are not monophyletic but appear to consist of several distinct evolutionary lineages. TherbcL‐based phylogenies suggest that chromosome numbers are more reliable indicators of some generic alliances than the more commonly used fruit types. Sequence data are also useful in determining the alliances of several problematic genera, suggesting that the capsular and follicular‐fruited generaVauquelinia, Lindleya, andKageneckia(usually placed in Spiraeoideae) should be included in the pome‐fruited subfamily Maloideae, and thatQuillajais not a member of Rosaceae. Molecular data are consistent with several suggestions for the ancestral chromosome numbers and fruit types of Rosaceae, but do not support any one hypothesis for either. This study also suggests that the subfamily Maloideae may have descended from spiraeoid ancestors and that the pome is derived from follicular or capsular fruit types.

Systematic and Evolutionary Implications of rbcL Sequence Variation in Rosaceae

The angiosperm family Rosaceae poses a number of noteworthy systematic problems as well as many questions concerning morphological and chromosomal evolution. Phylogenetic analysis of rbcL gene sequences was performed to address systematic and evolutionary problems of Rosaceae. Both rbcL sequence variation and the presence of duplicated sequences near the 3' end of rbcL were useful in determining phylogenetic relationships in this family. Analyses of rbcL sequences indicate that there are groups of genera within Rosaceae comparable to the subfamilies Maloideae, Amygdaloideae, and Rosoideae, although the composition of each group differs from traditional circumscriptions. According to analysis of rbcL data, Maloideae and Amygdaloideae each include additional taxa not normally associated with them. All members of Rosoideae with x = 9 are phylogenetically well separated from the x = 8 and 7 members of the subfamily. In addition, Spiraeoideae are not monophyletic but appear to consist of several distinct evolutionary lineages. The rbcL-based phylogenies suggest that chromosome numbers are more reliable indicators of some generic alliances than the more commonly used fruit types. Sequence data are also useful in determining the alliances of several problematic genera, suggesting that the capsular and follicular-fruited genera Vauquelinia, Lindleya, and Kageneckia (usually placed in Spiraeoideae) should be included in the pome-fruited subfamily Maloideae, and that Quillaja is not a member of Rosaceae. Molecular data are consistent with several suggestions for the ancestral chromosome numbers and fruit types of Rosaceae, but do not support any one hypothesis for either. This study also suggests that the subfamily Maloideae may have descended from spiraeoid ancestors and that the pome is derived from follicular or capsular fruit types.

Gynoecial vascular anatomy and its systematic implications in Celtidaceae and Ulmaceae (Urticales)

Vasculature in the bicarpellate, pseudomonomerous gynoecium with two distinct styles is examined and compared in all of 15 genera of Celtidaceae and Ulmaceae (Urticales). Gynoecial vasculature is diversified in the families but consistet in a genus or a group of genera. Our observations corroborate the earlier suggestion that Ulmaceae (six genera) basically have three-bundled styles, while Celtidaceae (nine genera) always have one-bundled styles. Comparisons with other Urticales and with Eucommiaceae as an outgroup of Urticales indicate that Celtidaceae are more closely related to Moraceae in sharing one-bundled style (a synapomorphy), rather than to Ulmaceae. This supports a separation of Celtidaceae as a distinct family from Ulmaceaesensu lato. Based on the degree of fusion of major vascular bundles running in the gynoecium, we further distinguish three types of gynoecial vasculature in Ulmaceae and, likewise, three types in Celtidaceae, and discuss evolutionary trends of gynoecial vasculature as well as some generic relationships within the families.

Pollen characteristics of the tribes Calycophylleae, Cinchoneae, and Hillieae (Rubiaceae)

Pollen grains were studied on acetolysed material with the aid of the SEM. They may be classified into four types. Type I is characterized by thick (0.92.1 μm) exine with reticulate surface, by distinct colpi with acute ends, and by distinct ora. It occurs in the genera Alseis, Calycophyllum, Ferdinandusa, and Schizocalyx. Ferdinandusa is further characterized by its lumina being differentiated into two distinct size classes. Type II is characterized by a usually thin (usually 0.7–1.1 μm) exine with foveolate surface, by distinct colpi with obtuse to truncate ends, and by poorly demarcated ora. It occurs in Cinchona, Joosia, Ladenbergia, and Remijia. Pollen grains of Joosia are mostly 4–colporate. Type III is characterized by a thick (1.7–2.0 μm) exine with coarsely reticulate surface, colpi are lacking or short and the ora are clearly demarcated. It occurs only in Capirona. Type IV is characterized by a thin (0.5–0.8 μm) exine with a psilate or foveolate surface and usually indistinct colpi with obtuse ends, and by distinct ora. It occurs in Cosmibuena and Dolicholobium. Pollen grains of Balmea, Hillia, Macrocnemum, Stilpnophyllum, and Wittmackanthus, combining features of Type I and II, do not fit into either of these four groups. It is concluded that both the tribes Calycophylleae and Cinchoneae remain eurypalynous in spite of a recent emendation. It is suggested that pollen characters serve best to characterize genera and small groups of genera. It is further suggested that Type I pollen is plesiomorphic in most or all characteristics.

Caryopsis morphology and classification in the Triticeae (Pooideae: Poaceae)

ABSTRACT Terrell, Edward E., and Paul M. Peterson. Caryopsis Morphology and Classification in the Triticeae (Pooideae: Poaceae). Smithsonian Contributions to Botany, number 83, 25 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables, 1993. Detailed descriptions and drawings of caryopses are presented for 35 species representing 18 genera in the Triticeae. We studied the morphological variation in non-embryo characters involving the length, shape, compression, lateral ridges, sulcus development, coronas, and apical hairs of the caryopsis. Based on shared characters of the caryopses, we recognize three groups of genera as two major subtribes and one monogeneric subtribe. The Hordeinae includes Agropyron, Crithopsis, Elymus, Elytrigia, Eremopyrum, Hordelymus, Hordeum, Leymus, Psathyrostachys, and Taeniatherum; Triticinae includes Aegilops, Amblyopyrum, Dasypyrum, Heteranthelium, Secale, and Triticum; and Henrardiinae includes Henrardia. Similarities among the caryopses of 14 species of

Wood Anatomy of Trees and Shrubs from China. iii. Rosaceae

The wood anatomy of 162 species from China, belonging to 30 genera of the Rosaceae is described. The structural diversity is documented in a survey of characters, a family description, generic descriptions and tables. A key to the genera or groups of genera is presented. A number of genera is described wood anatomically for the first time. Vestured pits noted in some Spiraea species are newly recorded for the farnily . The phenomenon of fibre dimorphism in Spiraea is analysed in detail.

Taxonomic studies in the Gaultheria group of genera of the Tribe Andromedeae (Ericaceae)

The taxonomic status of each of the genera within the ‘Gaultheria group of genera’ of the tribe Andromedeae (Ericaceae) has been investigated. These genera are Gaultheria L. (including Pernettya Gaud. and Chiogenes Salisb.), Leucothoë Don, Zenobia Don, Diplycosia Bl., Pernettyopsis King & Gamble and Tepuia Camp. The morphological characters have been discussed.

A review of Paranannopidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) with claviform aesthetascs on oral appendages

Leptotachidia iberica Becker is completely redescribed from the type material and is shown to carry claviform aesthetascs on the mouthparts. This is regarded as a character of high phylogenetic significance and, together with the loss of the mandibular exopod and the form of sexual dimorphism of the distal segment of the male P2 endopod, provides overwhelming evidence for a common ancestry for the genera Leptotachidia, Micropsammis Mielke and Paradanielssenia Soyer. Additional observations are made of the morphology of M. noodti Mielke, M. secunda Mielke and P. biclavata Gee. From a discussion of the probable relationships within this group of genera it is concluded that M. secunda is the most likely sister group of Leptotachidia and therefore must be removed to a new genus Telopsammis gen. nov. New diagnoses are given for all the genera.

Systematics of Salmea DC. (Compositae: Heliantheae)

The genus Salmea as treated here consists of 10 species, divided among three sections. In sect. Salmea, S. scandens is found from Mexico through Central America to Argentina and Brazil and on the islands of the Caribbean. It is closely related to S. orthocephala of Central America and slightly more distantly related to the species pair, S. oligocephala and S. palmeri of central and western Mexico. Section Pseudocalea has five closely related species (S. glaberrima, S. caleoides, S. montana, S. insipida, and S. pauciceps) that are endemic to Cuba. The monotypic sect. Sterrhanthemum (S. petrobioides) is found in the Bahamas and on the coast of Cuba. Salmeopsis is no longer recognized and its single species is placed under S. scandens. Salmea DC. is a small, Neotropical genus of shrubs (scandent or viney in one species), sub- shrubs, and suffrutescent perennials. The last revision of the genus was by Blake (1915), who treated Salmea and what he considered to be three closely related genera, Salmeopsis Benth., Otopappus Benth., and Notoptera Urb. He also noted that the four genera were allied to Spi- lanthes Jacq. McVaugh (1972) and Nash (1976) called attention to the difficulties in distin- guishing among these genera, which tradition- ally have been separated on features of the achene and pappus. Recent work by Anderson et al. (1979) and Hartman and Stuessy (1983) has resulted in the redefinition of Otopappus to include Notoptera. Jansen (1981, 1985) has shown that Spilanthes s.l. should be split into Spilanthes s. str. and Acmella Rich. My examination of Sal- mea and Salmeopsis completes the reinvestiga- tions of Blake's generic circumscriptions in this group of genera.

First Nearctic record of the orthoclad genus Tavastia Tuiskunen (Diptera: Chironomidae)

AbstractThe male imago of Tavastia cristacauda sp. n. is described from a swamp in Michigan and the Blue Ridge in North Carolina. The new species shows that Tavastia most likely belongs to the Pseudosmittia group of genera. The combination of hairy eyes and wings with no setae on squama, and ridged, hairy anal point is unique among orthoclads.

Phylogenetic relationships of the Australian lomatiines (Diptera: Bombyliidae)

Cladistic analysis is used to isolate the monophyletic group of genera that comprise the Australian Lomatiinae and to investigate the relationships between the Australian genera. Cladograms of genera in the Australian Tomophthalmae and Lomatiinae are presented. Myonema Roberts and Neosardus Roberts are placed in the Cylleniinae, Antonia Loew remains in the Antoniinae and Petrorossia Bezzi is placed in the Anthracinae. The relationship of the Australian lomatiines to the world fauna is discussed, as are the relationships between the Australian genera. Docidomyia White is included in the Lomatiinae and is the sister group of all other genera of the subfamily: Comptosia Macquart sens.lat.; Doddosia Edwards, Oncodosia Edwards and Paramonovomyia Evenhuis. The current diagnosis of the Lomatiinae is changed to reflect the inclusion of Docidomyia. The two subgenera of Comptosia sensu Edwards, Aleucosia Edwards and Comptosia, were not each others' closest relatives in the strict consensus tree. Thus Comptosia as currently recognized is paraphyletic and the two subgenera are treated as genera, Aleucosia stat.nov. and Comptosia stat.nov.

A new genus and species of marine crayfish, Palibythus magnificus, and new records of Palinurellus (Decapoda : Palinuridae) from the Pacific Ocean

A new genus and species of marine crayfish, Palibythus magnificus, is described from deep water off Western Samoa. Palibythus is placed in the Palinuridae, among the 'Stridentes' group of genera, because of the well-developed stridulatory organ. It differs from all other known genera, except Palinurellus, by the flat triangular rostrum and the narrow thoracic sternum; Palinurellus, however, lacks a stridulatory organ. The relationships of Palinurellus are discussed and the Synaxidae is replaced in synonymy with the Palinuridae. Palinurellus wieneckii is recorded from New Guinea and Solomon Islands waters for the first time.

Cypsela anatomy in the ‘Cotuleae’ (Asteraceae-Anthemideae)

Ontogeny in Cotula australis, Leptinella dioica and L.pyrethrifolia confirms the presence of layers derived from the endosperm, testa and pericarp surrounding the embryo in mature cypselae in Asteraceae. The structure of mature cypselae of 24 species, representing all 12 genera that have been assigned to the ‘Cotuleae’, is reported. Several characters that appear to be relatively constant within genera or groups of genera are identified as providing information on affinities above the generic level. The data support the conclusion that the ‘Cotuleae’ is an unnatural assemblage: Cotula, Leptinella, Nananthea and Soliva appear to form one close-knit group, and Dimorphocoma, Elachanthus and Isoetopsis another, while the remaining genera are highly diverse. The first group appear to be good members of the Anthemideae. Evidence is provided to support the placement of the second group in the Astereae near Minuria. Cypsela characters support the placement of Plagiocheilus near Solenogyne.