Herbarium Surveys Research Articles

From the Iranian Plateau into the heart of the Eurasian steppe belt: The phylogeography of Sisymbrium polymorphum (Brassicaceae)

The Eurasian steppe belt is the largest grassland region in the world. The flora of this belt varies greatly between its regions, and its individual elements have different spatiotemporal evolutionary histories. The main aim of this study was to investigate the phylogeographic pattern of a prominent plant steppe element. We genetically characterized 136 accessions of Sisymbrium polymorphum collected from field and herbarium surveys using a multi-locus approach. We dated the resulting phylogenetic trees and employed rooted TCS network methods to estimate the evolutionary history of individual genetic markers. The majority of haplo- and ribotypes showed restricted geographic distributions. Stem age of S. polymorphum was estimated to be in the early Pliocene, while its crown age was estimated to be in the late Pliocene. We hypothesize that this plant was introduced to the Eurasian steppe belt through the Kopet Dagh mountain chain over the Turanian lowlands via multiple migration events. Time frame along the migration route was limited by the retreat of the Paratethys at the end of the Pliocene and the Akchagyl transgression of the Caspian Sea at the beginning of the Pleistocene. No additional evidence was found to suggest any further migration events occurred. The Akchagyl transgression acted as a physiogeographical barrier in two ways. Firstly, it restricted the time window for immigration from the Iranian Plateau into the Eurasian steppe, and secondly, it temporarily blocked intra-steppe migration routes between the western and eastern parts of the Eurasian steppe.

Taxonomic revision of the native Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) species of Brazil.

The genus Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) has a wide and disjunct geographic distribution ranging from Eastern and South Asia to Malaysia, extending across the Neartics and reaching into the Neotropics. Regarding its infrageneric classification, the genus is divided into three subgenera: Yulania, Gynopodium and Magnolia, the latter including the section Talauma in which the native Brazilian taxa are classified. The species of Magnoliasect.Talauma can be recognized by two parallel longitudinal scars on the petiole formed by the shedding of the stipules, in addition to a woody syncarp that breaks into irregular plates at dehiscence. Currently, in Brazil, species recognition is not clear on national platforms that are widely used by the Brazilian botanical community (e.g. Flora do Brasil), with only two native Magnolia species being accepted: M.amazonica and M.ovata. The lack of knowledge about the species and their respective characteristics has resulted in many identification errors in Brazilian herbaria, which contributes to the lack of knowledge about their current conservation status. We conducted a complete taxonomic revision based on extensive fieldwork, a herbarium survey, along with literature study. Based on this, we propose to recognize three previously described species, supporting the acceptance of five native Magnolias occurring in Brazil, namely: M.amazonica, M.brasiliensis, M.irwiniana, M.ovata and M.sellowiana. However, we follow the Flora do Brasil in maintaining M.paranaensis as a synonym of M.ovata. Additionally, we designate a lectotype for M.sellowiana. We present morphological descriptions and the geographic distribution for each species, in addition to an identification key to all of these plus the two introduced ornamental species from Asia and North America, illustrations, photographs, ecological data, updated conservation status and taxonomic notes.

Croton (Euphorbiaceae) of the Brazilian state of Paraná: an annotated checklist, species distribution, and identification key

Croton is a megadiverse pantropical genus with about 1200 species. The genus can be easily recognized by a set of characters that include indumentum of stellate or lepidote trichomes, colored or clear latex, leaves often with nectary glands, and terminal inflorescences. We focus on the State of Paraná in southern Brazil, where we identified a gap in knowledge of Croton. This study was based on fieldwork and herbarium surveys that allowed us to document all Croton species occurring in the state. We recognize 41 species for the state and provide an identification key, taxonomic notes, and distribution maps for all species. We also include photographs and carry out lectotypifications when necessary. We expect this work will contribute to a better understanding of Croton diversity and distribution in southern Brazil.

Confirmation of the presence of Eleocharis mamillata (H.Lindb.) H.Lindb. subsp. austriaca (Hayek) Strandh. (Cyperaceae) in Piedmont (Italy)

Eleocharis mamillata subsp. austriaca belongs to Eleocharis subser. Eleocharis. The presence of this entity in the Italian territory was known for almost all the Alpine administrative regions and for Calabria. According to the Portal to the Flora of Italy, this entity was reported for Piedmont based on erroneous records. Nevertheless, during a wide herbarium survey on the subseries Eleocharis, several old and recent specimens collected in Piedmont have been identified as Eleocharis mamillata subsp. austriaca. Therefore, we can confirm the presence of the taxon in this region and provide a distribution map on the basis of the analysed material.

Status of crop plants of agricultural importance in Kerala state, India: an update

The state of Kerala in India, a part of the Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, is blessed with rich biodiversity including agrobiodiversity. Richness in crop diversity is attributed to the wide topographic and climatic niches, long history of outside contacts, personal craving for experimenting new crops, practice of high-density multi-species cropping system, etc. Evidence from several field exploration trips, herbarium survey, reliable literature and other sources has revealed that 306 crop taxa (excluding medicinal and aromatic plants, ornamentals and forestry species) belonging to 290 species coming under 179 genera and 61 families, are being cultivated in different areas of this state. This includes crops belonging to crop-groups—cereals and millets (11), pseudocereals (2), pulses (7), oilseeds (7), fibres (3), forages (14), fruits and nuts (107), vegetables (86; 18-being tuber crops), spices and condiments (20), plantation crops (10) and others (29). Of 306 taxa, 63 occur in the wild state as well; 43 are of only recent cultivation (< 15 years) or under trial cultivation by innovative farmers; and 43 are confined only in (sub)temperate hills. This is more than double (104% increase) the earlier estimate of crops made during 2011, which also included species of medicinal/aromatic/ornamental value (5), not under cultivation in Kerala (3), mistaken identity (3) and synonym (1). We provide here user-friendly crop-group wise categorization of taxa with their vernacular names for easy cross reference. This communication also discusses about the issue of botanical misidentification of crop plants, species of doubtful cultivation status, specialty crops, potential exotic crops, etc.

Occurrence of &lt;i&gt;Lilium wallichianum&lt;/i&gt; from Uttarakhand, Himalaya

Lilium wallichianum Schult and Schult.f. (family- Liliaceae) known as Dr. Wallich's Nepal Lily (Hooker, 1851) is a bulbous plants native to India, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. It grows on moist forests (subtropical and temperate) and grassy slopes between 1200 to 2000 m elevation. It is very rare and found in small populations. The bulbs are consumed by the local communities (Singh and Sanjappa, 2006). It is very difficult to cultivate it in gardens (Hooker, 1851). Therefore, having restricted habitats in the wild as well. It is a beautiful lily offloriculture importance. It is now facing hazards of extinction owing to the over exploitation, massive road constructions, developmental activities and forest fire in Uttarakhand. Aswal and Mehrotra (1983) mentioned the occurrence of L. wallichianum at Sonprayag (1600m), Chamoli district, based on the collection made by Mehrotra no. 5897 (CDRI) on 21 st August, 1977 and stated that based on the literature and herbarium survey (BSD, DD, CAL). L. wallichianum neither reported nor collected from the North-West Himalaya during the 19 th century and recollection of this lily from Sonprayag in Chamoli district (erstwhile Uttar Pradesh) after a lapse of over 13 decades represents the only location in North-West Himalaya. Considering the fact, a detailed survey on the population status in the Uttarakhand region and literature review of the species was made to understand the overall status in the Western Himalaya.

Exploring the Ecological Dimensions of Displacement in Núcleo Itariru (Serra do Mar State Park): An Ethnobotanical Study of Peasant/Landscape Relations in Brazil's Atlantic Forest

As a research focused in studies of conservation-induced displacement, ethnobiology has much to contribute towards generating more holistic understandings of the impacts of protected areas upon the lives of resource-dependent peoples around the globe. This paper presents the findings of a case study undertaken in Núcleo Itariru (Southern S ão Paulo state, Brazil), a unit of Serra do Mar State Park and the site of habitation for a population of approximately 700 peasants. Beginning in 2006, with the enactment of a new conservation initiative, peasants effectively became economically displaced, restricted from access to the natural resources upon which they base their lives and livelihoods. Utilizing ethnobotanical methods, in the form of a freelisting exercise and traveling herbarium survey, the study investigated local environmental knowledge systems as a means of evaluating the human/ landscape relationship in the locale. This paper highlights the value of such an approach for assessing the social and environmental dimensions of displacement, as a supplement to participant observation and ethnographic interviews, and for informing more sustainable conservation policies.

Elucidation of Hosts, Native Distribution, and Habitat of the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) Using Herbaria and Other Museum Collections.

The coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) is the most damaging insect pest of global coffee production. Despite its importance, our knowledge on the insect’s natural habitat, range, and wild host species remains poorly known. Using archival sources (mainly herbaria but also other museum collections), we surveyed 18,667 predominantly wild-collected herbarium specimens mostly from Africa, Madagascar, and Asia for coffee berry borer occurrence. A total of 72 incidences were confirmed for presence of the coffee berry borer, with identifications assisted by micro-CT for SEM. Of the 72 positive infestations, all were from tropical African coffee (Coffea) species, of which 32 were from wild (non-cultivated) plants. Of the 32 wild occurrences, 30 were found in C. canephora (robusta coffee), 1 in C. liberica (Liberica coffee), and 1 in C. arabica (Arabica coffee). Our herbarium survey confirms literature and anecdotal reports that the coffee berry borer is indigenous to tropical Africa, and that coffee species, and particularly robusta coffee, are important hosts. We identify the wetter type of Guineo-Congolian forest as either the preferred or exclusive native habitat of the coffee berry borer. Other than coffee, we find no evidence of other naturally occurring hosts. Characters of infestation (e.g., hole position on coffee fruits) infers a certain degree of specificity between the coffee berry borer and its host.

Pollination of Habenaria tridactylites on the Canary Islands

We investigated the pollination of Habenaria tridactylites, an endemic orchid of the Canary Islands. The entirely green, widely open flowers have a long spur containing nectar. We carried out fieldwork, a molecular clock analysis, herbarium surveys, identified pollinators by both morphology and DNA barcoding, and measured the length of floral spurs and insect tongues using a combination of traditional and innovative micro‐CT scanning methods to 1) determine the pollinator of this orchid and 2) investigate correlations between local mean spur length and age, altitude and longitude of the island. Habenaria tridactylites was found to be pollinated on Tenerife by both small and intermediate sized moth species with variable tongue lengths and mostly belonging to Geometridae and to a lesser extent Crambidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae and Tortricidae. Of the sixteen moth species identified, nine are endemic to the Canary Islands or Macaronesia. The different local populations of H. tridactylites on the islands of Gran Canaria, El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma and Tenerife with different ages and distances from mainland Africa, did not show a significant correlation of mean spur length and altitude, but did show a significant and positive linear correlation with longitude and the geological age of the island. The latter is congruent with the evolutionary arms race theory first proposed by Darwin, suggesting that flowers gradually evolve longer spurs and pollinators longer tongues.

Herbarium survey on the genus Azolla (Salviniaceae) in Italy: distributive and taxonomic implications

An analysis of Italian herbarium specimens belonging to the genus Azolla was carried out using optical microscope and SEM techniques. According to recent international reviews, three micro-morphological characters have been considered for the specimen analysis: (i) number of leaf trichome cells, (ii) septation of glochidia and (iii) features of the macrospore perine. The analysis of the patterns concerning both vegetative and reproductive characters was complicated by the relatively low number of sporulated specimens stored in the Italian Herbaria. The analysis of the selected specimens showed the presence of two well distinct systematic groups. One group was characterized by bicellular leaf trichomes, pluriseptate glochidia and not-warty perine, traits that permitted to taxonomically attribute it to A. cristata. The second group was characterized by monocellular leaf trichomes, non-septate or uniseptate glochidia and warty perine, so that it could be taxonomically attributed to A. filiculoides Lam. This study confirmed the large use in the past of the name ‘A. caroliniana’ to indicate the species actually named A. cristata. In Italy, this species was found to be collected only in the past, while A. filiculoides was found to be present with both ancient and recent herbarium specimens.

HERBARIA IN A CHANGING WORLD

Similar to other scientific institutions, herbaria are continually tasked with new questions and challenges. They are an important repository of data, dedicated to the storing, identifying, cataloging, and systematic arrangement of botanical specimen for scientific purposes. Traditionally they have been used to validate geographical distributions of species and have served as a basis for the typification of species’ names within the scope of Linnaean taxonomy. Herbarium specimens are critical in studies on climate change and biodiversity. Recently, in face of global threats, they are considered the source of qualified information for species monitoring. A fundamental resource in biogeographic studies, herbarium surveys have documented ongoing changes in the geographic ranges of species. An extreme example is the existence of a given species only in the form of herbarium sheets, while in nature it is extinct. In recent times, an especially important role of the herbarium materials is delivering information on the extent and timing of plant invasions posed by human intervention. A new trend is the inclusion of fossil plant materials into paleo-herbaria, which is a subset of traditional Herbarium institutions. Another, still growing function, is the use of plant materials deposited in the herbaria as a source for DNA sampling. This practice poses some threats to plant collections and often is limited by the curators. In general, herbaria constitute a scientific and cultural heritage and are a cornerstone institution for plant and environmental sciences. An alarming trend in the closing of herbaria, by cutting of financial support, is being observed in some countries. Alternatively, in many herbaria, the program of the digitizing these important materials has begun. Now is a critical point in time to work toward a worldwide effort and give these plant and museum collections due recognition.

Resurrection and typification of Elatine campylosperma (Elatinaceae), a long-forgotten waterwort species.

The name Elatine campylosperma Seub. is generally treated as one of the synonyms of E. macropoda Guss. However, recent morphological, phylogenetic and karyological studies indicate that this judgement should be revised. In the present paper we typify the name E. campylosperma, review its taxonomic history and provide a thorough description, with compilation of previously published data and our new measurements from in vitro cultures. Based on our herbarium survey, we outline its Atlantic-Mediterranean distribution area (Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Algeria). Habitat preferences are summarized from our field observations, water quality measurements and the label information of the herbarium specimens examined. Intact E. campylosperma seeds were found in faecal samples of the Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra L.) in southern Spain and two of them were germinated, suggesting that E. campylosperma has a capacity for long distance dispersal via endozoochory.

A clarification of the name Carex hypsipedos C.B.Clarke (Cyperaceae) and a new name for the South American Carex section Acrocystis taxon

In 1906, Clarke described C. hypsipedos based on specimens of Weberbauer 2617 and placed this species in subgenus Vignea. In 1909, Kükenthal also described the name C. umbellata var. depressa on the basis of the number Weberbauer 2617, a species attributed to section Acrocystis of subgenus Carex. Wheeler in 1988 also placed C. hypsipedos in section Acrocystis while reducing Kükenthal’s name to synonymy. During a recent herbarium survey, we studied syntypes corresponding to Weberbauer 2617 at B, F, G, and MOL. The study of these materials revealed important inconsistencies between the specimens and Clarke’s protologue and Wheeler’s study, suggesting that Weberbauer 2617 is a mixed collection of two different species. One plant conforms to Carex sect. Acrocystis, while the other bears resemblance to subgenus Vignea. Several salient characters distinguish these two taxa from each other, most notably including: stigmas 3 vs. stigmas 2, achenes trigonous vs. lenticular, and perigynium pubescent to puberulent vs. glabrous. Carex hypsipedos from Peru, corresponding to Clarke’s original description, is here lectotypified. The Carex sect. Acrocystis species is assigned a new name, Carex punicola, from Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru (South America). In addition to Wheeler’s (1988) observations, we here provide additional detail and illustration of this species. It is closely related to C. geophila, another American species in section Acrocystis.

Botrychium simplex E. Hitchc. (Ophioglossaceae) – a new species for the native flora of Ukraine

Abstract The work presents the results of herbarium survey that resulted in finding Botrychium simplex E. Hitchc. – a new for the native Ukrainian flora species of the family Ophioglossaceae. A specimen of this taxon was found in the National Herbarium of Ukraine in the M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv (KW) among the specimens of Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw. originating from the surroundings of Kharkiv. Thus, this finding indicates the most south-eastern locality of B. simplex in Europe found so far.

Distribution and population structure of the anther smut Microbotryum silenes-acaulis parasitizing an arctic-alpine plant.

Cold-adapted organisms with current arctic-alpine distributions have persisted during the last glaciation in multiple ice-free refugia, leaving footprints in their population structure that contrast with temperate plants and animals. However, pathogens that live within hosts having arctic-alpine distributions have been little studied. Here, we therefore investigated the geographical range and population structure of a fungus parasitizing an arctic-alpine plant. A total of 1437 herbarium specimens of the plant Silene acaulis were examined, and the anther smut pathogen Microbotryum silenes-acaulis was present throughout the host's geographical range. There was significantly greater incidence of anther smut disease in more northern latitudes and where the host locations were less dense, indicating a major influence of environmental factors and/or host demographic structure on the pathogen distribution. Genetic analyses with seven microsatellite markers on recent collections of 195 M.silenes-acaulis individuals revealed three main genetic clusters, in North America, northern Europe and southern Europe, likely corresponding to differentiation in distinct refugia during the last glaciation. The lower genetic diversity in northern Europe indicates postglacial recolonization northwards from southern refugia. This study combining herbarium surveys and population genetics thus uniquely reveals the effects of climate and environmental factors on a plant pathogen species with an arctic-alpine distribution.

O gênero Stylosanthes (Leguminosae) em Roraima, Brasil

Stylosanthes faz parte do clado Pterocarpus, tribo Dalbergiae. Possui 50 espécies distribuídas mundialmente e é principalmente diverso em áreas savânicas do Brasil. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo taxonômico do gênero Stylosanthes para o Estado de Roraima. Foram analisados materiais provenientes de trabalho de campo e de materiais depositados em herbário. Sete espécies foram encontradas em todas as fitofisionomias de savanas do estado: S.capitata, S.angustifolia, S. gracilis, S. viscosa, S. humilis, S. guianensis e S. scabra. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições e ilustrações, bem como informações sobre distribuição geográfica, ambientes preferenciais e usos econômicos das espécies.

On the occurrence, distribution and taxonomy of Cucumis setosus Cogn., an endemic wild edible vegetable from India

Cucumis setosus Cogn. is a rare, endemic, wild gathered or semi-domesticated vegetable restricted to Maharashtra state and border districts of adjoining states in India. Herbarium and literature survey shows that it is poorly collected and inadequately studied. Morphological characters, basic chromosome number and crossability barriers indicate that Cucumis setosus is a valid species, distinct from C. sativus and endemic to western India. Its morphology, basic cytology, crossability relationship with other Cucumis species, taxonomy, distribution, ecology, conservation, economic importance and viability under cultivation are discussed. Besides, a key to distinguish it from C. sativus var. hardwickii (wild and feral form of C. sativus) and other species having sympatric distribution in the area is also presented. Absence of bitter principle in the fruits makes it a potential germplasm for melon and cucumber improvement as well as direct domestication as a future crop.

Taxonomic notes on Geum micropetalum Gasp. and Geum heterocarpum Boiss. (Rosaceae) in Italy

The systematic and taxonomic position of Geum micropetalum, a controversial species currently treated as endemic to Italy, is discussed. The name G. micropetalum is here typified and shown to be a heterotypic synonym of G. urbanum. Herbarium survey evidenced the historical presence in Italy of G. heterocarpum. During ad hoc field investigations carried out in 2012, we were able to confirm the presence of this species in a single small population, the only one known from Italy.

Rediscovery of Sonerila andamanensis Stapf &amp; King, 1900 (Melastomataceae)

The type collection of Sonerila andamanensis Stapf &amp; King in King (1900) mentioned in the protologue (King’s collector 48) from the Mt. Harriet Hills of South Andaman Island is presently not traceable at CAL and K. However, another specimen of this species collected from the Andaman Islands in 1884 also by King’s collector is deposited at Kew with the barcode accession no K000867666. This specimen was annotated as S. maculata Roxburgh in 1975 by Panighrahi from the Botanical Survey of India. A perusal of literature and herbarium survey has revealed that S. maculata has not been reported from Andaman–Nicobar Islands, and no literature or any other valid documentation are available showing S. andamanensis is a synonym of S. maculata.

O gênero Chloris (Poaceae) em Pernambuco, Brasil

Com o objetivo de colaborar com o conhecimento da riqueza de Poaceae em Pernambuco, foi estudado o gênero Chloris Sw. As coletas foram realizadas no estado, bem como dados foram coligidos de levantamento em herbários da região. Foram registradas sete espécies de Chloris em Pernambuco: C. barbata Sw., C. elata Desv., C. exilis Renv., C. gayana Kunth, C. orthonoton Döll, C. pycnothrix Trin. e C. virgata Sw. O gênero apresenta distribuição ampla em todas as zonas fitogeográficas do estado. Chloris gayana, C. barbata e C. pycnothrix estão citadas na literatura como potenciais forrageiras.