Largest Subgenus Research Articles

Taxonomic study of wasp species in the Polybia (Myrapetra) occidentalis group morphologically related to P. scrobalis and P. flavifrons, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

Polybia is a genus of neotropical swarming wasps, and the largest within the Epiponini (Vespidae). The genus is dominant in the Neotropics, with more than 59 described species and eleven recognized subgenera. Myrapetra is the largest subgenus, currently with twenty-four valid species and fourteen subspecies, most of them allocated in the “P. occidentalis species-group”. Several species within Myrapetra are poorly characterized, with imprecise limits, and subspecies are largely based on color, that is highly variable feature, even among nest mates. This study is about those species of the P. occidentalis species-group which are morphologically more distinct from P. occidentalis (and its more similar neighbors), which we refer to as the species related to P. scrobalis and P. flavifrons. We describe a new species (P. rosalinae Amorim & Santos, sp. nov.) and for three subspecies we recognize the need to treat as distinct species (P. brevitarsus Richards, stat. nov.; P. hecuba Richards, stat. nov.; and P. surinama Richards, stat. nov.). In addition, we describe the males of two species and provide the first data (description and photos) on male genitalia of four taxa. P. dimorpha Richards, previously an isolated species within Myrapetra is treated as a member of the P. occidentalis species-group. Additionally, we provide a new identification key for the studied species.

Immature Stages of Genus Hexatoma (Diptera, Limoniidae) in the Korean Peninsula

The genus Hexatoma Latreille, 1809 is a large group of aquatic crane flies, with almost 600 species worldwide. The largest subgenus is Eriocera Macquart, 1838, which includes all nine species known from the Korean Peninsula. Molecular methods were used to associate Hexatoma larvae with their putative adult species from South Korea. Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) of recently collected adults of H. (E.) gifuensis, H. (E.) ilwola, H. (E.) pernigrina, and H. (E.) pianigra were compared with twelve sequences of Hexatoma larvae. The larvae of H. (E.) pernigrina, H. (E.) pianigra, and H. (E.) gifuensis were associated with their putative adults. The larvae of H. (E.) gifuensis and H. (E.) pianigra and the larvae and pupae of H. (E.) pernigrina are described and illustrated. The larvae of two species not associated with any adult are described, and their COI gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) are presented. This paper presents the morphological characteristics suitable for distinguishing larval species. A key for the identification of larvae of the genus Hexatoma on the Korean Peninsula has been compiled. H (E.) sachalinensis is recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time. Our study is the first contribution to the Hexatoma larvae taxonomy using phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI fragment (DNA barcode) and one of the first attempts to reveal phylogenetic relationships between Hexatoma species using molecular markers.

Molecular phylogeny and revision of species groups of Nearctic bombardier beetles (Carabidae, Brachininae, Brachinus ( Neobrachinus)).

Bombardier beetles of the genus Brachinus Weber are notorious for their explosive defensive chemistry. Despite ongoing research on their defense mechanism, life history, and ecology, the group lacks a robust molecular-based phylogeny. In this study, three loci from mitochondrial and nuclear genomes (COI, CAD, 28S) are used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the large subgenus Neobrachinus, and test species group boundaries hypothesized by Erwin (1970) based on morphological characters. Erwin's fumans species group is found to be polyphyletic, and is herein re-defined with eight new species groups erected to reflect clades based on molecular evidence: the cinctipennis, cyanipennis, galactoderus, gebhardis, mexicanus, phaeocerus, quadripennis, and tenuicollis species groups. Erwin's cordicollis group is also expanded to include Brachinus (Neobrachinus) medius and the americanus group.

The leucografa species group of Megachile (Chrysosarus) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

ABSTRACT The study contributes to the knowledge of the morphological diversity within the Chrysosarus lineage, one of the largest subgenera of Megachile in the Neotropics. The species of the leucografa group share characteristics with other groups of Megachile that have been placed until recently in different subgenera, such as Dactylomegachile Mitchell and Chrysosarus Michell. Species included are Megachile leucografa Friese, M. obscurior Jörgensen and M. rancaguensis Friese. The last two species have not been properly recognised since their description early in the twentieth century. Diagnoses, redescriptions, study of type material, distributions and illustrations are presented.

Wing Geometric Morphometrics as a Tool for the Identification of Culex Subgenus Mosquitoes of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae).

Simple SummaryDifferent mosquito species have different ecology and behaviors. Therefore, the correct identification of vector mosquito species is essential for the development of targeted mosquito control operations. Traditionally, the identification of mosquitoes to species relies on differences in their external morphological characters. Identifying mosquitoes can be challenging if the specimen is either damaged or if only a few morphological characters can be used to sort them apart. For this reason, this study focused on the use of wing geometric morphometrics to identify Culex species from the subgenus Culex that are not easily identified by their external morphology. We analyzed the wing shape variation of 11 different species. Our results indicated that the species in this study were identified with high degrees of confidence based on their wing shape variation. From all possible comparisons in the cross-validated reclassification test, 87 yielded values higher than 70%, with 13 comparisons yielding 100% reclassification scores. Overall, our results are suggesting that wing geometric morphometrics is a reliable tool to identify Culex species of the subgenus Culex.Culex is the largest subgenus within the genus Culex that includes important vectors of diseases. The correct identification of mosquitoes is critical for effective control strategies. Wing geometric morphometrics (WGM) has been used to identify mosquito species alongside traditional identification methods. Here, WGM was used for eleven Culex species from São Paulo, Brazil, and one from Esquel, Argentina. Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC (Centers for Disease Control) traps, morphologically identified and analyzed by WGM. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) was performed and a Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree was constructed to illustrate the patterns of species segregation. A cross-validated reclassification test was also carried out. From 110 comparisons in the cross-validated reclassification test, 87 yielded values higher than 70%, with 13 comparisons yielding 100% reclassification scores. Culex quinquefasciatus yielded the highest reclassification scores among the analyzed species, corroborating with the results obtained by the CVA, in which Cx. quinquefasciatus was the most distinct species. The high values obtained at the cross-validated reclassification test and in the NJ analysis as well as the segregation observed at the CVA made it possible to distinguish among Culex species with high degrees of confidence, suggesting that WGM is a reliable tool to identify Culex species of the subgenus Culex.

Introducing of some species of genus Allium subgenus Melanocrommyum from Iran as new sources of allicin

Allicin is a sulfur compound found in genus Allium characterized by numerous biological and pharmacological properties. Melanocrommyum, the second largest subgenus of Allium, has about 10 sections and 82 species in Iran. In this study, allicin content of aerial part, aerial part fresh mass and allicin yield belonging to 17 wild populations of six species of Allium sect. Acanthoprason and Asteroprason growing in different region of Iran, were analyzed. Allicin content evaluation using HPLC method showed its variation between populations from 26.98 to 58.11 mg g-1 FW, also showing that all the tested populations of Allium are rich in allicin. The average of aerial part fresh mass and allicin yield varied between populations from 0.49 g to 1.66 g and from 14 mg to 78 mg, respectively. The populations were classified in four major groups using dendrogram generated by UPGMA method of cluster analysis. However, grouping of populations was not completely related to species and geographical regions. This study is the first evaluation of allicin content in wild populations of Allium sect. Acanthoprason and Asteroprason in Iran. High amount of allicin in these populations make them a new sources of allicin.

Molecular markers in the genetic diversity studies of representatives of the genus Rubus L. and prospects of their application in breeding

Род Rubus L. (семейство Rosaceae Juss.), по оценкам разных систематиков, состоит из 12–16 подродов, объединяющих ~750 видов. Самые крупные по числу видов подроды – Idaeobatus (Focke) Focke, к которому относятся малины, и типовой подрод Rubus (=Eubatus Focke), включающий виды ежевик. Представители рода Rubus обладают высокой пищевой и хозяйственной ценностью, а также лекарственными свойствами. Селекционные исследования направлены на расширение генетического разнообразия и создание новых сортов малин и ежевик, устойчивых к биотическим и абиотическим стрессорам и отличающихся высоким качеством плодов. Современные селекционно-генетические программы все шире включают достижения молекулярной генетики и геномики. В данной статье представлен обзор фундаментальных и прикладных исследований генетического разнообразия культивируемых и дикорастущих видов рода Rubus, выполненных на основе методов молекулярного маркирования. Рассмотрены основные типы молекулярных маркеров (RFLP, RAPD, SSR, ISSR, AFLP, SCAR, SSCP, ретротранспозонные маркеры и т. д.) и области их применения в изучении представителей рода Rubus. Приведены результаты работ по использованию методов ДНК-маркирования для решения самых разных задач, включая: исследование межвидового и внутривидового генетического разнообразия, филогенетических связей видов и надвидовых таксонов, выяснение спорных вопросов систематики, генотипирование и уточнение родословных сортов малин и ежевик, изучение сомаклональной изменчивости и др. Наиболее важным результатом в практическом плане является создание насыщенных молекулярно-генетических карт для разных видов малин и ежевик, на которых локализованы многочисленные гены и QTL, детерминирующие различные хозяйственно ценные признаки. В то же время необходимо отметить, что число маркеров, перспективных для проведения эффективного молекулярного скрининга, пока еще недостаточно.

Molecular phylogenetic study of Scleria subgenus Hypoporum (Sclerieae, Cyperoideae, Cyperaceae) reveals several species new to science

Scleria subgen. Hypoporum (Cyperaceae), with 68 species, is the second largest subgenus in Scleria. Species of this pantropically distributed subgenus generally occur in seasonally or permanently wet grasslands or on shallow soils over sandstone or lateritic outcrops, less often they can be found in (open) woodlands. Previous studies established the monophyly of the subgenus, but the relationships between the species remained uncertain. In this study, DNA sequence data of 61 taxa of Scleria subgen. Hypoporum, where possible represented by multiple accessions from across their distributional range, were obtained for four molecular markers: the coding chloroplast marker ndhF, the chloroplast intron rps16 and the nuclear ribosomal regions ETS and ITS. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood approaches. A species tree was constructed to summarise the results. The results indicate the existence of three sections: the monotypic, pantropically occurring, Scleria sect. Lithospermae, a new section from central and south America containing two species, and Scleria sect. Hypoporum, also pantropically distributed, containing the remainder of the species of the subgenus. Relationships in the latter section are not fully resolved. However, three or four different clades can be distinguished supported by some morphological characters. Our results indicate at least six new species in Scleria sect. Hypoporum. The new section and species are described in a taxonomical treatment. Their morphology is compared with (morphologically) closely related species.

Species identification and population structure analysis inGeraniumsubg.Geranium(Geraniaceae)

AbstractSpecies identification is fundamentally important within the fields of biology, biogeography, ecology and conservation. The genusGeraniumL. (Geraniaceae) comprises about 430 species distributed throughout most parts of the world. According to the most recent treatments, subg.Geraniumis the largest subgenus with over 370 species classified in ten sections. The subg.Geraniumis represented in Iran by 13 species. These species are grouped 3 sections. In spite vast distribution of manyGeraniumspecies that grow in Iran, there are not any available report on their genetic diversity, mode of divergence and patterns of dispersal.Therefore, we performed molecular (ISSR markers) and morphological studies of 102 accessions from 13 species ofGeranium(subg.Geranium) that were collected from different habitats in Iran. The aims of present study are: 1) can ISSR markers identifyGeraniumspecies, 2) what is the genetic structure of these taxa in Iran, and 3) to investigate the species inter-relationship? The present study revealed that combination of morphological and ISSR data can identify the species.

A new black fly species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Taiwan, with keys to all 13 species of the Simulium varicorne species-group

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) huangi sp. nov. is described from female, male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Taiwan. This new species is placed in the Simulium burtoni subgroup of the Simulium varicorne species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia, one of the two largest subgenera of the genus Simulium in the Oriental Region. This species also represents a new record of the S. varicorne species-group from Taiwan. It is characterized in the adults by the antenna with eight flagellomeres almost uniformly darkened, in the pupa by gill filaments arranged as [(1+2) +(1+2)] + 2, and a pair of terminal hooks much widened, each with a serrated outer margin, and in the larva by the medium-long postgenal cleft. Taxonomic notes to distinguish this new species from four other known species of the S. burtoni subgroup from other countries are provided. Revised keys to all the 13 species of the S. varicorne species-group are given.

Mitochondrial COI gene as a tool in the taxonomy of mosquitoes Culex subgenus Melanoconion

The subgenus Melanoconion is the second largest subgenus within the genus Culex, with 160 described species. Several of the species are proven vectors of arboviruses, including West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus complex and Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus. Species of Melanoconion are well distributed from southern North America to most countries of South America and display the highest species diversity in tropical regions. Taxonomical identification within this group has been primarily based on morphological characters, with the male genitalia as the source of the most solid diagnostic features. The difficulty in reaching accurate species determinations when studying specimens of Culex (Melanoconion) has been extensively documented as a real limitation to expand knowledge of these insects. We tested the utility of the mitochondrial gene COI as a complementary tool in the taxonomy of Melanoconion. Using a data set of 120 COI sequences from Culex specimen captured in several localities in Brazil, the utility of COI barcodes for species delimitation is discussed through the evaluation of genetic divergences among specimens and the clustering patterns of species in three topologies obtained with Neighbor Joining, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference. For all specimens included in this study a previous morphological examination was performed, and most of the taxonomical determinations were corroborated using the COI barcode. We generated COI sequences that belong to 48 species of Melanoconion, with a mean intraspecific K2P genetic divergence of 3%; and all interspecific divergence values higher than the intraspecific divergence values. This is the first comprehensive study of subgenus Melanoconion, with evidence of COI as a useful and accessible DNA barcode.

An Eight Marker Phylogeny of Solanum sect. Micracantha (Solanaceae)

Abstract The 12 species of Solanum sect. Micracantha are part of the large subgenus Leptostemonum or “spiny solanums,” which includes some 350–400 species. Members of the section are found in the Neotropics and are characterized by a combination of characters including a viny, climbing habit using recurved prickles, unbranched inflorescences, deeply divided corollas, and glabrous fruits. Broad-scale phylogenetic relationships within the spiny solanums have been the subject of several recent studies, but many of the individual groups, including sect. Micracantha, have received little attention. In this study we infer relationships within sect. Micracantha and its placement within the spiny solanums using DNA sequence data from three chloroplast markers, trnT-F, rpl32-trnL, and ndhF-rpl32 and five nuclear markers, ITS, waxy, and three COSII markers: At1g44760 (COS4b), At1g50020 (COS5c), and At2g15890 (COS5). Results support the monophyly of sect. Micracantha (the Micracantha clade) and its sister relationsh...

A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the genus Riccia L. (Ricciaceae) in Australia

Several Australian Riccia taxa have been sequenced for the first time, with the majority from the monsoon tropics of the Northern Territory, north of 18° latitude. This allowed testing of several infrageneric groupings within the genus as well as morphological species concepts. Molecular data from one nuclear and four plastid markers support the genus as a monophyletic group. However, the monophyly of the two largest subgenera, subgenus Riccia and subgenus Ricciella, are not supported, with the latter being polyphyletic and well nested within subgenus Riccia. Several currently accepted species such as Riccia inflexa and Riccia lamellosa were also found to be polyphyletic. A second tree reconstruction using only trnL–F sequences allowed comparison to several taxa collected outside of Australia. This showed that some species have a truly cosmopolitan distribution, whereas others have not.

Scanning electron micrographs of leaves of BritishCarexspecies, 5. SubgenusCarex: sectionsSpirostachyae, DigitataeMitrataeAcrocystisRhychocystis,RhomboidalesandAulocystis

AbstractThis part completes the large subgenus Carex, embracing sections Spirostachyae, Digitatae, Mitratae, Acrocystis, Rhynchocystis, Rhomboidales, Aulocystis. It opens with the section Spirostachyae, a natural group, related to Ceratocystis and to C. sylvatica; like these, they show minor variations on ‘the default caricoid leaf’. These are followed by section Digitatae, of which the core C. digitata and C. ornithopoda are closely related, five dry grassland sedges of varied affinities, C. humilis, C. caryophyllea, C. montana, C. ericetorum and C. pilulifera (the last three traditionally placed in the heterogeneous section Acrocystis). These are derived from at least four different lineages and all have their closest allies outside Europe. All have different upper-surface ornamentation. Finally, three distinctive species are included, which are the sole representatives of their sections in Britain and Ireland, C. pendula, C. depauperata, C. atrofusca. These are either isolated or omitted altogether in ...

Scanning electron micrographs of leaves of BritishCarexspecies, 4. SubgenusCarex: sectionsPaludosae,Porocystis,Atratae,Paniceae,Pachystylae,Glaucae,CeratocystisandStrigosae

AbstractThis part includes about a third of the large Subgenus Carex, embracing sections Paludosae, Porocystis, Paniceae, Pachystylae, Ceratocystis and Strigosae. These are mostly plants of unwooded habitats, although C. pallescens (section Porocystis) is often associated with woods, and C. sylvatica and C. strigosa (section Strigosae) are characteristically woodland plants. At least three of the sections in this part (Atratae, Paniceae, Ceratocystis) appear to be natural on morphological and molecular criteria. As in subgenus Vignea, micromorphology clearly differentiates between several species-pairs (acutiformis/riparia, panicea/vaginata, hostiana/flava-group), but makes only a limited contribution at sectional level. Carex pallescens is closely linked with C. acutiformis in molecular analyses. Carex filiformis seems to have its phyletic affinities with Paniceae rather than with Acrocystis. In Ceratocystis, C. hostiana is clearly marked off by its papillose lower leaf surface from the C. flava group wh...

中国弧隔鼠尾草亚属(唇形科)的分布格局

The Subg. Salvia Benth. is the largest subgenus in the Salvia Linn. and is native to China. Most of the 44 species and 13 varieties in the subgenus contain active compounds and have medicinal effects similar to that of Salvia miltiorrhiza,and thus serves as a wild resource with relatively high prospects as medicinal plants. Morphological investigation shows that Subg. Salvia exhibits the original characteristics of the Salvia as well as notable species differentiation,and so it is an important group for studying the origin and evolution of the Salvia. Geographically,this subgenus is mainly distributed in higher elevation areas in the Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains,nevertheless a few extending to central and east China. Hence,intense pressure exists to protect this resource due to the subgenus is vulnerable to environmental,global climate change and disturbance of human activities. Based on aforementioned factors and combined with specimen records,documented 2689 species distribution records with latitude and longitude information,and 1007 records with elevation information,covering 286 county-level regions,a comprehensive survey of Subg. Salvia was conducted and their distribution map was plotted. Furthermore,their distribution pattern was analyzed on the level and vertical dimensions at the differentsections and series in the subgenus. The potential distribution regions with Subg. Salvia were predicted using maximum entropy ecological niche modelling( Maxent). In addition,dominant climatic factors affecting its present distribution were confirmed. The results showed that the Hengduan Mountains serves as the diversity center of this subgenus; its distribution range is from southeastern Tibet to western Sichuan,rarely spreading to northern Hebei and eastern Hubei. In this subgenus,narrow-ranging endemic species have a very high proportion( 45% of all species). In addition,the six series within the subgenus show a vicarious distribution as related to elevation,gradual transitioning from the narrow-ranging species of high elevation to wide-ranging species of low elevation. The subgenus potential distribution obtained based on a maximum entropy model was mostly consistent with the actual distribution of the species. Regarding the relationship between single climatic factors and probability of occurrence, the amount of precipitation of September and December, the temperature annual range,altitude,maximum temperature of March and temperature seasonality are the dominant climate factors influencing species distribution. In view of a key innovation for Salvia speciation,stamen differentiation was investigated in this study. The results showed that the filament to connective ratios of the stamen of Subsect. Annuae,Ser.Campanulatae and Ser. Maximowiczianae,of which the distributions spread to low-elevation areas,are far smaller than Ser.Hiantes,Ser. Digitaloidites and Ser. Brachylomae,of which the distributions are concentrated in high-elevation areas in the southwest; thus the former may be more evolutionary advanced than the latter. Environmental and climatic factors and pollinator choice may together determine the current distribution pattern of the Subg. Salvia.

The species‐rich, paleotropical genus Memecylon (Melastomataceae): Molecular phylogenetics and revised infrageneric classification of the African species

AbstractThe internal and external transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA were sequenced in 167 samples of Memecylon s.str. and 22 outgroup samples of Lijndenia, Mouriri, Spathandra, Votomita, and Warneckea. Maximum‐likelihood analyses of ETS, ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 alignments yielded tree topologies that are not significantly incongruent, with one exception involving the Tanzanian sample Luke 9741. Monophyly of Memecylon s.str. is strongly supported in the separate ETS and the combined ETS + ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2 analyses. Also supported in all analyses except 5.8S is a sister‐group relationship between a small species‐group from western and central Africa (Memecylon subg. Mouririoidea, ovary 4‐loculed) and the remaining taxa (M. subg. Memecylon, ovary unilocular). In the combined analysis, internal branches at the base of M. subg. Memecylon are short and weakly supported, yet within this large subgenus one finds a series of monophyletic groups representing different parts of the widespread paleotropical distribution (one group in western and central Africa; two separate groups in East Africa, one of these extending to southern Africa and disjunctly to western and northern Madagascar; one species‐rich group occurring exclusively on Madagascar and the neighboring Comoro and Mascarene islands; and three distinct groups in Indo‐Malesia, one of these also including the Seychelles endemic M. elaeagni). Within the western and central African clade, M. sect. Polyanthema sensu Jacques‐Félix is paraphyletic with respect to M. sect. Afzeliana, and at the morphological level it seems to be a group defined by symplesiomorphies (ovary unilocular, fruit globose). Three East African species (M. fragrans, M. greenwayi, M. semseii) are returned to Memecylon s.str. after being erroneously transferred to Lijndenia by Borhidi. The Madagascan endemic M. mocquerysii is no longer considered a taxonomic synonym of the distantly related, Tanzanian M. cogniauxii. In addition to elevating M. sect. Mouririoidea to subgeneric rank, the following changes are proposed in the infrageneric classification of African Memecylon: (1) the circumscription of sect. Polyanthema is narrowed to comprise only the members of the “M. polyanthemos complex” sensu Jacques‐Félix; (2) Engler's sections Tenuipedunculata, Cauliflora, and Obtusifolia are re‐instated with emended descriptions (in the case of sect. Cauliflora with an expanded circumscription); (3) seven new sections, Buxifolia, Diluviana, Felixiocylon, Germainiocylon, Magnifoliata, Montana, and Sitacylon, are described; (4) the purported occurrence of M. sect. Pseudonaxiandra in East Africa is rejected. A key is provided to the two subgenera and twelve sections currently recognized in African Memecylon. Further study is needed toward a sectional classification of Indo‐Malesian Memecylon, and for revision of the seven Madagascan sections recognized by Jacques‐Félix.

Maximum polyphyly: Multiple origins and delimitation with plesiomorphic characters require a new circumscription of Minuartia (Caryophyllaceae)

AbstractMinuartia is one of the larger genera of Caryophyllaceae with about 175 species distributed mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The taxonomy of the genus has been studied by several authors, resulting in the recognition of numerous infrageneric groups. Previous phylogenies of the Caryophyllaceae showed that Minuartia is polyphyletic, but included only a limited sample of the genus. We here provide a molecular phylogeny of Minuartia including all infrageneric groups recognized in the last revision of the genus. We reconstructed the phylogeny of the genus using DNA sequences of nrITS and plastid matK from 160 ingroup and 105 outgroup samples. The evolution of the morphological character relevant for the delimitation of Minuartia (three styles plus three capsule valves/teeth) was reconstructed. Minuartiahas been defined with a plesiomorphic character and is highly polyphyletic. All four subgenera fall into different lineages containing other genera of the family, and M. subg. Minuartia, as by far the largest subgenus, falls into seven clades, which together do not form a monophylum. These clades are closely related to several other genera, e.g., Sagina, Colobanthus and Scleranthus. In several cases taxonomic groups below subgeneric rank are monophyletic. The type of Minuartia, M. dichotoma, is part of a clade containing M. sect. Plurinerviae and sect. Minuartia. We propose to retain this clade as Minuartia s.str. and to transfer the other species of Minuartia to the genera Cherleria, Eremogone, Facchinia, Mcneillia, Minuartiella, Mononeuria, Pseudocherleria, Rhodalsine, Sabulina and Triplateia.

Molecular phylogeny of the bee genusHoplitis(Megachilidae: Osmiini) - how does nesting biology affect biogeography?

The genus Hoplitis (Megachilidae: Osmiini) comprises about 360 described species and occurs on all continents except Australia, South America, and Antarctica. Using five genes, we inferred the phylogeny of Hoplitis including 23 out of the 27 currently recognized subgenera, applying both Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Compared to the current morphology-based classification, our phylogeny resulted in three classificatory changes: first, the subgenera Alcidamea, Cyrtosmia, Dasyosmia, Megalosmia, Monumetha, and Prionohoplitis are merged into one large subgenus Alcidamea Cresson, 1864, comb. nov.; second, the subgenera Annosmia, Bytinskia, Coloplitis, and Hoplitis are merged into one large subgenus Hoplitis Klug, 1807, comb. nov.; third, the subgenera Acrosmia, Hoplitina, Penteriades, and Proteriades are merged into one large subgenus Proteriades Titus, 1904, comb. nov. We provide evidence that the genus Hoplitis has a Palaearctic origin and that colonization events to southern Africa and to the Nearctic, as well as recolonization events from the Nearctic to the Palaearctic occurred. The species of the genus Hoplitis exhibit an extraordinary diversity in nesting behaviour, comprising both below and above ground nesting. Parsimony mapping revealed that ground nesting in excavated burrows is the ancestral state amongst Hoplitis bees. We hypothesize that nesting biology strongly affected both range expansion and long-distance dispersal in Hoplitis. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London

Palynology of selected species of Fissidens (Hedw.)

Spores from 19 species of the subgenus Aloma Kindb. of the moss genus Fissidens were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Aloma is the largest subgenus of Fissidentaceae and is characterized by the presence of a peristome of scariosus type. The spores of the subgenus Aloma are present in monads, size small to very small, heteropolar, plano-convex, with a proximal aperture region, and the sporoderm is formed by a perine, exine, and intine. The intine is not stratified, the exine is psilate, and the perine granulated. The ornamentation elements may occur singly or grouped on the surface of the spore. The aperture region shows irregular contours, ranging from circular to elongated, due to the weakness of the sporoderm proximal pole. The observed variations among species are related to different patterns of distribution of the sporoderm granules and nanogranules. Quantitative analysis combined with qualitative results did not allow all species of the subgenus Aloma to be distinguished. The results of this study demonstrate that the spore is a useful tool for taxonomic studies, and suggest that its characters be included in phylogenetic analyses, to assist in the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of mosses.