Latin American Species Research Articles

Evaluation of primers reported for KDR detection in Anopheles species collected in the departments of Caaguazú and Alto Paraná in Paraguay

KDR mutations in the sodium channel gene (VGSC) have already been detected in at least 13 species of Anopheles mosquitoes, mostly African species, but the molecular techniques for detection in Latin American species have yet to be determined. In our country, Anopheles darlingi species is the main vector of Malaria, and A. albitarsis, the secondary vector. We used samples of Anoheles from the species A. strodei, A. albitarsis, A. fluminensis, A. evansae, A. nuneztovari, A. nyssorhynchela lutzi and A. oswaldoi collected at the departments of Caaguazu and Alto Parana in Paraguay. For the amplification and sequentiation, primers reported for the VGSC gen of A. strodei in Guatemala were used and were specific only for A. strode in this case. The sequence revealed the TTA codon that codifies for a leucine as the TTG sequence, reported for the susceptible version at position L1014. The amplified fragment is approximately 225 base pairs. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of the VGSC gene in Anopheles mosquitoes in Paraguay and for the species A. strodei

Nomenclatural anomalies among Kunth's Rubiaceae

AbstractHumboldt and Bonpland made one of the most important early expeditions yielding plant collections from Latin America. Carl Sigismund Kunth prepared the Nova genera et species plantarum for their magnificent Voyage aux régions équinoctiales du Nouveau Continent, fait en 1799–1804. At almost the same time, Roemer and Schultes were publishing the 16th edition of Linnaeus's Systema vegetabilium. Many Latin American species were treated in both publications under different names. In most cases, Kunth's names have priority over those published in Roemer and Schultes, but there are exceptions. Six rubiaceous names of Kunth are illegitimate because he cited prior valid names as synonyms: Declieuxia chiococcoides, Hedyotis cervantesii, Hedyotis hypnoides, Spermacoce distans, Spermacoce diversifolia (≡ Crusea simplex, comb. nov.), and Spermacoce tenella, and one, Macrocnemum tinctorium, because it is a later homonym. Many botanists have treated these names as available or improperly typified them; all are illegitimate and not to be used, and their typification is resolved.

Notes on Pleuroweisieae (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) in North America

Ardeuma aurantiacum is new to North America from a collection in Florida. Anoectangium stracheyanum is new to Canada from a station in British Columbia. Anoectangium euchloron, a Latin American species, apparently intergrades with A. aestivum in North America.

Bat-borne rabies in Latin America.

The situation of rabies in America is complex: rabies in dogs has decreased dramatically, but bats are increasingly recognized as natural reservoirs of other rabies variants. Here, bat species known to be rabies-positive with different antigenic variants, are summarized in relation to bat conservation status across Latin America. Rabies virus is widespread in Latin American bat species, 22.5%75 of bat species have been confirmed as rabies-positive. Most bat species found rabies positive are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “Least Concern”. According to diet type, insectivorous bats had the most species known as rabies reservoirs, while in proportion hematophagous bats were the most important. Research at coarse spatial scales must strive to understand rabies ecology; basic information on distribution and population dynamics of many Latin American and Caribbean bat species is needed; and detailed information on effects of landscape change in driving bat-borne rabies outbreaks remains unassessed. Finally, integrated approaches including public health, ecology, and conservation biology are needed to understand and prevent emergent diseases in bats.

Kissing bugs in the United States: risk for vector-borne disease in humans.

Eleven species of kissing bugs are found in the United States. Their home ranges may be expanding northward, perhaps as a consequence of climate change. At least eight of the species, perhaps all, are reported to harbor Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Because humans are encroaching on kissing bug habitat, there is concern for vector-transmitted Chagas disease in the United States. To date, documented autochthonous cases of Chagas in humans in the United States are rare. Kissing bugs are capable of adapting to new habitats such as human domiciles; however, they do not colonize homes in the United States as in Central and South America. We review the biology, behavior, and medical importance of kissing bugs and the risk they pose for transmission of Chagas disease in the United States. Where possible, descriptions of US species are compared to the epidemiologically important Latin American species.

Vaccinium (Ericaceae): Ethnobotany and pharmacological potential

Vaccinium (Ericaceae) is a cosmopolitan genus that reaches 450 species. In different places its berries are being consumed as food and, currently Vaccinium spp. based herbal medicines and in the market. Mainly functional foods are from V. mirtillus and V. macrocarpon from Europe and North America respectively. Hence, for reviewing the ethnobotanical interests of this genus, available literature and specialized databases were accessed. There are reports of medicinal uses or food uses of 36 Vaccinium species, mainly from North America, Asia and Europe. More than 70 diverse uses were compiled, mainly from the systems: digestive, genitourinary and endocrine/metabolic. Most commonly reported uses were: antidiabetic, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, antidiarrheal, antipyretic and astringent. In 22 species, berries are used as food. Fruits and leaves were the most cited useful parts of the plant. Geographic distribution of published researches pointed out that, except V. floribundum and V. meridionale, most of autochthonous Latin-American species has not been studied yet as part of a research work, therefore ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological activity are needed to be studied in this region. According to pharmacological investigation, that in many cases corroborated traditional uses: presence of biologically active compounds in this genus (mainly polyphenolics) could mean a potential field for development of herbal medicines or nutritional supplements from this plant.

Wood identification of Dalbergia nigra (CITES Appendix I) using quantitative wood anatomy, principal components analysis and naive Bayes classification

Dalbergia nigra is one of the most valuable timber species of its genus, having been traded for over 300 years. Due to over-exploitation it is facing extinction and trade has been banned under CITES Appendix I since 1992. Current methods, primarily comparative wood anatomy, are inadequate for conclusive species identification. This study aims to find a set of anatomical characters that distinguish the wood of D. nigra from other commercially important species of Dalbergia from Latin America. Qualitative and quantitative wood anatomy, principal components analysis and naïve Bayes classification were conducted on 43 specimens of Dalbergia, eight D. nigra and 35 from six other Latin American species. Dalbergia cearensis and D. miscolobium can be distinguished from D. nigra on the basis of vessel frequency for the former, and ray frequency for the latter. Principal components analysis was unable to provide any further basis for separating the species. Naïve Bayes classification using the four characters: minimum vessel diameter; frequency of solitary vessels; mean ray width; and frequency of axially fused rays, classified all eight D. nigra correctly with no false negatives, but there was a false positive rate of 36.36 %. Wood anatomy alone cannot distinguish D. nigra from all other commercially important Dalbergia species likely to be encountered by customs officials, but can be used to reduce the number of specimens that would need further study.

Biomass component equations for Latin American species and groups of species

• Studies dealing with the estimation of biomass, site productivity and the contribution of forests to the global carbon balance require the use of allometric equations. There have been a great number of equations developed to estimate biomass components of trees and shrubs in various ecosystems. However, there are less literature compilations that address the calculations of biomass components. • I report a total of 229 sets of allometric equations to estimate biomass components for 102 species in 72 different forest communities of arid, semi-arid, subtropical, tropical and temperate Latin-American ecosystems. • The selection of the appropriate allometric model is a key element in the accurate estimation of biomass, stand productivity, carbon stocks and fluxes, and as a consequence, it is important to apply special effort to the selection and estimation of biomass equations. • I also discuss statistical methods of parameter estimation and recommend the dissection of two conventional allometric equations when biomass studies are conducted on a wide range of diameters. In order to use nondestructive procedures of biomass estimation such as the fractal theory, the null hypothesis that the mean slope b value is equal to 2.67 was rejected for Latin American biomass

Two Specific Strains of Histoplasma capsulatum causing Mucocutaneous Manifestations of Histoplasmosis: Preliminary Analysis of a Frequent Manifestation of Histoplasmosis in Southern Brazil

Skin lesions, uncommon in US cases (<10%), occur in 38-85% of cases reported from Latin America. Although these differences may reflect reporting bias, delayed diagnosis, or differences in host immune response among different ethnic groups, they also could result from genetic differences changing the pathobiology of the organism. It is possible that genetic differences among strains of H. capsulatum may influence the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of histoplasmosis. We examined the clinical features of patients with mucocutaneous manifestations of histoplasmosis and performed genetic analysis based on nucleotide sequence variations in the internal transcribed spacer regions of rRNA genes of H. capsulatum isolates of patients. Two pairs of PCR primers were designed to develop and amplify the ITS regions of H. capsulatum, 5'-TACCCGGCCACCCTTGTCTA-3' and 5'-AGCGGGTGGCAAAGCCC-3'. These primers were based on the ITS sequence of Ajellomyces capsulatus, the ascomycetous teleomorph form of H. capsulatum, deposited in the GenBank (accession number U18363). Eight patients attending a tertiary-care hospital in southern Brazil were enrolled into the study. All case patients had skin cultures growing H. capsulatum at the mycology laboratory. Six of eight (75%) patients were HIV-positive and presented involvement of multiples organs by H. capsulatum. Two HIV-negative patients did not present evidence of involvement of other organs besides mucosa and skin. ITS sequencing of a DNA H. capsulatum fragment of 485-bp from isolates of 8 patients revealed two distinct strains. The 2 distinct fragments (Hc1, Hc2) differed from each other at 7 positions in the ITS regions. They were identical to strains of H. capsulatum isolated in patients from Colombia and Argentina, but different from strains isolated in US. Hc1 and Hc2 were isolated in 5 patients and 3 patients, respectively, with mucocutaneous manifestations of histoplasmosis. Both Hc1 and Hc2 strains were isolated in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected patients. Mucocutaneous manifestations of histoplasmosis, which are frequently seen in Brazilian patients were caused by 2 specific strains in our institution. Those strains have been isolated in patients with these particular clinical features of histoplasmosis in Latin America. Our study suggests that unique pathogenic characteristics among the Latin American species of H. capsulatum might explain its increased dermatotropism.

Typifications of the names of some Latin American species ofFossombronia(Fossombroniaceae)

Abstract Eleven lectotypes and one neotype are designated for the names of the 12 Latin American species in the genus Fossombronia Raddi that have not been previously typified. The entries for each are given in alphabetical order with author citation, place and date of publication, herbarium of deposit and supporting information. The original protologue and images of the herbarium label for each type specimen can be viewed at the URL .

Characterisation ofLymnaea cubensis,L. viatrixandL. neotropican. sp., the main vectors ofFasciola hepaticain Latin America, by analysis of their ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA

Although, in the endemic areas throughout the world, human fascioliasis presents varying patterns in its epidemiology, the species of lymnaeid snail that act as intermediate hosts and vectors are always crucial in the transmission of the causative parasites. Species in the Galba/Fossaria group of snails, such as Lymnaea cubensis, L. viatrix var. A ventricosa, L. viatrix var. B elongata and Galba truncatula, appear to be frequently involved in the transmission of Fasciola hepatica in Central and South America, although specific classification within this morphologically and anatomically confusing group is often very difficult. To explore the potential use of molecular analyses in the identification of vector snails, regions of the ribosomal DNA - the small subunit (18S) gene and internal transcribed spacers (ITS-2 and ITS-1) - and of the mitochondrial DNA - the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) - of wild-caught lymnaeid snails of L. cubensis, L. viatrix var. A ventricosa, L. viatrix var. B elongata and G. truncatula have been sequenced. The samples of the Latin American species included specimens from the respective type localities. The genetic distances observed and the results of phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that two different species exist within L. viatrix. Lymnaea neotropica n. sp. (=L. viatrix var. B elongata) is here proposed for specimens from Lima, Peru, and is differentiated from L. viatrix (=L. viatrix var. A ventricosa), L. cubensis and G. truncatula. The data collected on the 18S ribosomal-RNA gene indicate that the snails investigated may cover more than one supraspecific taxon. The ITS-2, ITS-1 and COI nucleotide sequences are clearly useful markers for the differentiation of these morpho-anatomically similar lymnaeid species. The numerous microsatellite repeats found within ITS-2 are potential tools for differentiation at population level.

Studies on Latin American water mites of the genus Torrenticola Piersig, 1896 (Torrenticolidae, Hydrachnidia, Acari)

In this paper the Latin American species of the water mite genus Torrenticola are presented and discussed comprehensively for the first time. All 21 previously known species from Central and South America are portrayed in detail, descriptions are given for 36 new species from Costa Rica: Torrenticola adunca, T. alargada, T. alexandra, T. alticola, T. altifontana, T. amalgamada, T. ambigua, T. australis, T. baderi, T. chicacoxalis, T. chirripoensis, T. collina, T. conopalpis, T. corta, T. cortobrazo, T. costaricense, T. cumbrensis, T. delgada, T. dispersa, T. elhachensis, T. esferica, T. esquinada, T. fastigata, T. flexirostris, T. fontinale, T. guanacastensis, T. harpagophora, T. levicoxalis, T. menudopalpis, T. monticola, T. pervagata, T. rapidensis, T. ratoncitoi, T. rubella, T. tilaranensis and T. torpebrazo. The Latin American species of Torrenticola are subdivided in a clear, robust system of ten species groups – five of these are regarded as phylogenetic entities, five as rather artificial groups. An identification key to these species groups is given, as well as keys, measurement tables, figures and detailed descriptions of all species within these groups. The males of T. gennada Cook, 1980 and T. keesdavidsi Cramer, 1992, as well as the female of T. amala Cook, 1980 are described for the first time. Descriptions and figures of the genital skeleton of nine formerly described species are given for the first time. All information available on the habitat preferences (habitat type, stream velocity, altitudinal distribution, choriotope types, temperature and conductivity) and the geographical distribution of the species is presented. Zoogeographical characteristics, endemicity and habitat preferences of the 42 species of Torrenticola found in Costa Rica are analysed. The main object of this study is to facilitate further systematic and ecological work on this important genus and to make it accessible for general limnological surveys.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology in Latin America over the last decade (1997–2006)

We investigate the distribution of Latin American comparative biochemistry and physiology across subject areas and systematic groups. Our study focuses on papers published over the last decade (1997-2006) in four leading topical journals. Brazil dominates the production of papers, followed by Argentina, Mexico and Chile, which together account for 91% of the production in numbers. These countries differ in a number of variables that we discuss in the text. Questions regarding the physiology of wild animals are particularly common, but comparative approaches to study practical issues are also well represented throughout the continent. The most frequent topics in the latter context include the action of snake venoms, the physiology of pathogens and their hosts, and the physiology of domestic or cultured species. The subjects of metabolism, thermoregulation and digestive physiology constitute 40% of the contributions in the database. Regarding systematic groups, most attention has been devoted to vertebrates, mostly anuran amphibians. Other highlighted groups are octodontid rodents, phocid mammals and characid fish. Among invertebrates, malacostracan decapods are by far the best studied group. Many taxa of wild animals are represented by just one or a few studies, thus limited information is available about a large number of Latin American species.

Upward range extension of Andean anurans and chytridiomycosis to extreme elevations in response to tropical deglaciation

AbstractHigh‐alpine life forms and ecosystems exist at the limits of habitable environments, and thus, are especially sensitive to environmental change. Here we report a recent increase in the elevational limit of anurans following glacial retreat in the tropical Peruvian Andes. Three species have colonized ponds in recently deglaciated terrain at new record elevations for amphibians worldwide (5244–5400 m). Two of these species were also found to be infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), an emerging fungal pathogen causally associated with global amphibian declines, including the disappearance of several Latin American species. The presence of this pathogen was associated with elevated mortality rates of at least one species. These results represent the first evidence of upward expansion of anurans to newly available habitat brought about by recent deglaciation. Furthermore, the large increase in the upper limit of known Bd infections, previously reported as 4112 m in Ecuador, to 5348 m in this study, also expands the spatial domain of potential Bd pathogenicity to encompass virtually all high elevation anuran habitats in the tropical Andes.

Cyttaria espinosae . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Cyttaria espinosae . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. DISEASE: A highly evolved and highly specific obligate parasite causing often spectacular cankers only on branches of Nothofagus species. Fruitbodies only appear on the cankers; this fungus does not cause wood decay. HOSTS: Nothofagus dombeyi, N. glauca, N. obliqua, N. obliqua var. macrocarpa, N. nervosa ( Fagaceae ) [old fallen fruitbodies have also been recorded on litter and soil; almost 70% of all records are from N. obliqua ]. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina (Neuquén); Chile (La Araucanía, Los Lagos, Santiago de Chile, Bío-Bío, Maule). Highest recorded altitude: 300 m. This species has a more northerly distribution than other Latin American species. TRANSMISSION: Not known, but presumably infection is by wind-dispersed ascospores. INGOLD (1988) elegantly postulated that the pitted surface of fruitbodies of Cyttaria espinosae evolved not only to maximize hymenial surface area but also, by causing localized air turbulence in their windy environment, to assist ascospore dispersal by preventing build-up of a layer of static air immediately adjacent to the fruitbody surface, functioning in a similar way to the pits of golf balls.

Preliminary assessment of the flagship species concept at a small scale

AbstractFlagship species are charismatic species that serve as a symbol and rallying point to stimulate conservation awareness and action but are often used synonymously as de facto umbrella species to delineate reserve boundaries. We tested the extent to which the presence of a flagship species would protect other ‘background species’ at the local scale at which practical decisions about small reserves are often made. Using long term sightings, we identified four 1 km2 sites that are frequently visited by jaguars and by tapirs (flagship species), and by white‐lipped peccaries and spider monkeys (non‐flagship species) in neotropical rainforest in Belize. We then made inventories of five vertebrate taxonomic groups at each site. We found no consistent differences in species richness or abundances of frogs, phyllostomid bats, terrestrial mammals, scansorial mammals or birds across the four sites, except that frog diversity and abundance was higher close to a river at the flagship site where tapirs were found. Since these classic Latin American flagship species fail to encompass particularly high numbers or abundances of vertebrate species at a local scale, they appear to be a poor conservation tool when co‐opted as umbrella species for delineating the location of very small reserves in the neotropics.

Reproductive status of endemic felid species in Latin American zoos and implications for ex situ conservation

AbstractReproductive evaluations were conducted on 185 male cats representing eight endemic Latin American species that were maintained in 44 zoos and private facilities in 12 Latin American countries. Reproductive assessments (testicular measures, ejaculate quality, and blood testosterone/cortisol concentration) were used to establish normative values for large‐ and small‐sized cats in Latin American collections. Data also were analyzed using multiple regression to study the impact of proven breeder status, diet, and various animal housing combinations. Most felids (&gt;95%) in the survey were of wild‐born origin, and &lt;20% had produced offspring in captivity. Larger felids had bigger testes and produced more semen, but tended to produce low‐sperm‐density ejaculates. The ejaculates of small felids were more sperm‐concentrated, but contained fewer total spermatozoa. Sperm motility was unrelated to species size, and certain species (puma, margay, tigrina, and jaguarundi) consistently produced few (&lt;40%) normal sperm forms. Across species, &gt;50% of males had low sperm counts (&lt;1 million total sperm per ejaculate). Among large cats (jaguars and pumas), proven breeders had larger (P&lt;0.05) testes, greater semen volume, and more normal sperm than nonbreeders. Males on adequate diets had higher (P&lt;0.05) circulating cortisol. Among small‐sized felids, proven breeders had higher (P&lt;0.05) testosterone, and males housed alone or paired with a conspecific female had more (P&lt;0.05) total sperm per ejaculate and greater (P&lt;0.05) seminal and testicular volumes. Fifty‐nine ejaculates (potentially representing ∼100 artificial insemination (AI) or 26,000 in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures) were cryopreserved for a felid genome resource bank. In conclusion, breeding success and reproductive traits for many endemic felids in Latin American zoos appear to be suboptimal, and likely would benefit from improvements in diet and exhibitry. Technology transfer and continued training of zoo staff and scientists in Latin American countries are essential if these zoos are to achieve their tremendous conservation potential for felids and other threatened endemic species. Zoo Biol 22:421–441, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Symbiotic properties of sinorhizobia isolated from Acacia and Prosopis nodules in Sudan and Senegal

The host specificity, infection process and effectiveness of nodules produced by several African sinorhizobial strains on different Acacia and Prosopis species (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae) were studied. Sinorhizobium arboris strain HAMBI 1552T, S. kostiense strains HAMBI 1489T and HAMBI 1493, S. saheli strain HAMBI 1496 and S. terangae bv. acaciae strain ORS 1058 induced nitrogen fixing nodules on seedlings of the following African or Latin American species (marked with *): A. angustissima*, A. mellifera, A. nilotica, A. oerfota (synonym A. nubica), A. senegal, A. seyal, A. sieberiana, A. tortilis subsp. raddiana, P. chilensis*, P. cineraria, P. juliflora and P. pallida*. All strains increased plant yield significantly compared with uninoculated seedlings watered with nitrogen-free medium, but none appeared to be superior. The sinorhizobial strains were unable to effectively nodulate Sesbania rostrata (Papilionoideae).

Porotrichum tenuinerve (Musci: Neckeraceae), a New Species from Honduras, with a Provisional Key to Porotrichum in Central America

Porotrichum tenuinerve sp. nov. differs from other species in the genus by its gonioautoicous condition and short, frequently double costae. A key to the species of Porotrichum in Central America is given, which incorporates synonymy proposed by Sastre-de Jesus and Smith. Porotrichum mutabile Hampe, P. insularum Mitten, and P. plagiorhynchum Renauld & Cardot are tentatively placed in the synonymy of Porotrichum longirostre (Hooker) Mitten; Homaliodendron piniforme (Bridel) Enroth is reported for the first time from Central America (Panama). Porotrichum is a prevalent moss genus in Central American cloud forests, where it grows on tree trunks and branches, boulders and rock outcrops. It has a dendroid habit with erect stems arising along welldeveloped stolons. Porotrichum species may have up to five different leaf morphologies: stolon, stipe, stem, branch, and flagellate branch leaves. Taxonomic characters of specific importance are found in the relative size of the plants and leaves, leaf cell shape, leaf margin dentation, and leaf shape. Due in part to the variability of its leaf morphologies, the taxonomy of the group is unsettled. There appear to be many more names in the literature than species in nature. Regardless of its overdescribed status, the genus still harbors novelties, as can be seen in the following Honduran collection of Porotrichum. This moss is strikingly different from all other Latin American species of the genus and represents a species new to science. Porotrichum tenuinerve B. Allen, sp. nov. TYPE: Honduras. Lempira: Montafia de Celaque, trail from Camp Don Tomas to first ridge, 14?34'N, 88?39'W, Allen 11338 (holotype, MO; isotypes, NY, TEFH). Figures 1-10. A P. longirostri costis brevibus saepe duplicibus et statu monoico sexuali differt. Plants medium size, 3-6 cm high, yellow-green to green, dendroid and frondose, irregularly pinnate, flagellate branches sometimes formed distally. Stolons creeping with reduced leaves and abundant rhizoids. Stipes 10-15 mm long, in cross section with epidermis of 2-3 layers of small, thick-walled, red cells and cortex of 6-9 outer layers of somewhat larger, thick-walled, yellow cells, 7-10 inner layers of larger, firm-walled, orange cells, central strand well developed, sometimes with a dense, black discoloration. Stem leaves complanate, smooth when dry, asymmetric, oblong-cultriform, 2-3 mm long, 0.7-1.0 mm wide, broadly acute, broadly apiculate, margins serrate or dentate at apex, teeth sometimes of 2-3 cells, serrulate to midleaf; costa very short and double or single and reaching / leaf length; upper cells long-rhomboidal, 30-60 ,um long, 7-10 um wide, median and basal cells linear-fusiform to vermicular, 50-90 um long, 6-10 um wide, alar cells shorter, often porose. Branch leaves variable, identical to stem leaves or oval below and spathulate above with intermediate forms common. Axillary hairs 4-6 cells long, 1-2 short, quadrate, reddish, firm-walled basal cells and 3-4 elongate, hyaline, thin-walled cells. Gonioautoicous. Setae 15-20 mm long, reddish yellow. Capsules erect to suberect, ovoid-cylindrical, somewhat constricted at base, 1.52.0 mm long, stomata present at base; opercula conic-rostrate, 1.5 mm long. Exostome teeth linear, 0.6-0.8 mm long, 0.08 mm wide at base, dorsal surface striate-papillose below, vermiculate-papillose at middle, lightly papillose above, trabeculae and median line thin below, thickened in the upper 1/,; ventral surface with projecting trabeculae, lightly papillose. Endostome lightly papillose; basal membrane 0.2 mm long, processes 0.4-0.5 mm long, NOVON 4: 315-318. 1994. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.82 on Mon, 17 Oct 2016 04:51:32 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Allozyme Differentiation and Biosystematics of the Californian Closed-Cone Pines (Pinus subsect. Oocarpae)

Allozyme differentiation at 32 loci was studied in the three Californian species of Pinus subsect. Oocarpae: P. attenuata, P. muricata, and P. radiata, and in a small sample of a Latin American species of the subsection, P. oocarpa. The Californian species were previously known to comprise highly differentiated, disjunct populations, but with uncertain phylogenetic relationships among several populations and species. All populations had clear affinities for single species. The controversial Channel Islands (Santa Cruz Island) population of P. muricata and the Mexican Island (Guadalupe and Cedros islands) populations of P. radiata were distinct within their respective species, but clearly fell within each species complex. Con- to evidence from other traits, the Californian species were equally differentiated from one another allozymically, with no evidence of close relationships among pairwise comparisons of the three species. Pinus oocorpa, the putative ancestral species, was about two times more variable, and at substantial and approximately equal genetic distance from each of the three Californian species. Divergence of populations within species was generally clinal. The initial radiation of P. attenuata was in the Sierra Nevada, and subsequent divergence was toward the coast in the Siskiyou Mountains, and then south through the coast range to southern California. Divergence in both P. muricata and P. radiata occurred northward along the coast, with the southern island populations retaining ancestral alleles, and differentiation from P. oocarpa increasing northward within species. Genetic differentiation among species was twice that among populations within species.