Subgeneric Level Research Articles

Redefinition of Cornexcisia Fan amp; Kano, 2000 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), with the first description of the female of Sarcophaga kurahashii (Shinonaga amp; Tumrasvin, 1979).

Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 is proposed as a senior synonym of Cornexcisia Fan Kano, 2000, syn. nov. and Fanzideia Xue, Verves Du, 2011, syn. nov. Cornexcisia Fan Kano, 2000, stat. rev. is given status as a subgenus and is considered a senior synonym of Fanzideia Xue, Verves Du, 2011, syn. nov. at the subgeneric level. Cornexcisia is argued to contain S. (Cornexcisia) longicornuta (Fan Kano, 2000), comb. nov., S. (C.) cygnocerca (Xue, Verves Du, 2011), comb. nov., S. (C.) kurahashii (Shinonaga Tumrasvin, 1979), subgen. comb. nov. (from Phallosphaera Rohdendorf) and S. (C.) suthep Pape Bänziger, 2003, subgen. comb. nov. (from Rosellea Rohdendorf). Sarcophaga (C.) kurahashii is newly recorded from China (Yunnan), the male is redescribed and the female is described for the first time, supported by photographs, illustrations and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences. Species of Cornexcisia share an exceptionally long postpedicel in the female and the following apomorphic distiphallic appendages in the male: juxta ventro-proximally with an apically divided arm with cuticular pile, and lateral styli bifurcated from the base with each branch elongate, gently curved and slightly expanded apically. A key to the species of Cornexcisia is provided.

Pollen morphology in Rubus (Rosaceae) and its taxonomic implications

Rubus is one of the most species-rich and most taxonomically challenging genera in Rosaceae. Pollen morphology of Rubus species has been described by many researchers but never in a comprehensive study. In this study, pollen morphology of 155 species and 13 varieties representing all 12 subgenera of Rubus was examined using scanning electron microscope to investigate whether pollen characters can help elucidate the challenging taxonomy in this genus. The results showed that the pollen grains of studied Rubus species are tricolporate, and pollen shape varies from suboblate, spheroidal, subprolate and prolate to perprolate. Exine ornamentation of examined pollen grains can be divided into six types and three subtypes. The pollen cluster analysis tree, which was performed using nine pollen characters, does not agree well with the traditional macromorphological classification and molecular phylogenetic trees based on DNA fragments. Except for subg. Chamaemorus and subg. Comaropsis, pollen morphology seems difficult to distinguish at subgeneric or sectional level, and consequently it lacks significant taxonomic value at these levels. Pollen morphology may not be considered a diagnostic feature for the division of subgenera and sections in Rubus. Though pollen morphology alone is not sufficient to elucidate or reconstruct the taxonomic relationships within Rubus, it can provide some useful information for the taxonomic treatment at specific level.

Phylogenetic analysis and preliminary classification of the Parathalassiinae (Diptera: Empidoidea: Dolichopodidae sensu lato).

Phylogenetic relationships of the subgroups of Parathalassiinae are presented, based on a morphological cladistic analysis. Worldwide, all known extant genera, species groups and newly discovered undescribed lineages are represented in the analysis. Some previously proposed generic relationships are supported by the analysis, but recognition of many current genera renders the present concept of Microphorella Becker as both paraphyletic and polyphyletic. Microphorella merzi Gatt is here classified in Eothalassius Shamshev Grootaert, as Eothalassius merzi (Gatt) comb. nov. A preliminary classification with all included extant lineages within the Parathalassiinae (at the genus and species group level) is outlined. The ranking of these lineages is discussed and several species groups of Microphorella may need to be elevated to generic or subgeneric level, whereas some currently recognized genera may need to be relegated to subgenera.

Ebony Wood Identification to Battle Illegal Trade

Illegal logging is a serious global issue. It is not only a great threat to rare forest species, but also contributes to the current biodiversity crisis and climate change. Despite international agreements, 10-30% of all imported wood has been illegally logged. Many of these trees, especially rosewood (Dalbergia) and ebony (Diospyros), are very important for the global market because of their high economic value. Ebony is a common name for the black heartwood (inner parts of the stem) of some Diospyros species. These woods are used in products such as acoustic musical instruments. The genus Diospyros includes over 700 species globally. More than 200 of them are endemic to Madagascar, which is a one of the richest regions in terms of biodiversity. This island is situated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Eastern Africa and is known for its unique biodiversity. Due to over-harvesting in recent decades, many Malagasy species of Diospyros are listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES; CITES checklist for Diospyros). Trade of these species requires CITES permits. All described Malagasy ebony species under Appendix II meaning that, while not currently threatened with extinction they may become so if trade is not controlled. Controlling the logging trade is often more difficult than it seems. Labels are easily switched, different species of wood can be mixed, permits can be falsified, and many more tricks are used to get illegally logged wood onto the global market. One of the most commonly used techniques to identify timber products is the assessment of species-specific cellular patterns (White et al. 1991). Wood anatomy has been practiced for more than 200 years, and automated tools have been developed to identify wood at the genus and species level over the past decade (Figueroa-Mata et al. 2018, Hafemann et al. 2014, Koch et al. 2011, Ravindran et al. 2018). However, the lack of sufficient resolution for species-level identification, especially for speciose genera such as Diospyros, is the main drawback of this method. Identification using molecular barcoding is an alternative but challenging method as timber is composed mainly of dead cells and the few living cells often have poor DNA quality. A third identification method is direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART TOF MS; Espinoza et al. 2015, Evans et al. 2017). This method analyses the chemical composition of a wood sample, resulting in a species-specific chemical fingerprint. DART TOF MS has already been successfully applied to several tree genera including Dalbergia (rosewood), Aquilaria (agarwood), and Quercus (oak). The main disadvantage of this method is that it can only be applied to heartwood samples from the inner part of the trunk. In order to develop a comprehensive and accurate identification tool to identify Malagasy ebony woods, we are working towards building an image recognition model based on wood anatomical microscopic images. As a case study, we successfully trained our classifier using a public dataset (Martins et al. 2012) such that our model was able to distinguish different tree genera of that dataset with 93% accuracy. We are currently extending this work to the subgeneric level of Diospyros. This will be used to establish the presence of ebony woods in acoustic musical instruments based on reference samples from wood specimens preserved in natural history musea. To achieve sufficient accuracy, we are focusing on the microscopic features of transverse and tangential orientation planes in ebony woods. Our database will include very high resolution images of Diospyros species, and can help wood anatomist at wood identification institute and customs officers at harbours to increase the accuracy of the identification of illegally logged ebony woods.

Unraveling patterns and processes of diversification in the South Andean-Patagonian Nassauvia subgenus Strongyloma (Asteraceae, Nassauvieae)

Congruence among different sources of data is highly desirable in phylogenetic analyses. However, plastid and nuclear DNA may record different evolutionary processes such that incongruence among results from these sources can help unravel complex evolutionary histories. That is the case of Nassauvia subgenus Strongyloma (Asteraceae), a taxon with five putative species distributed in the southern Andes and Patagonian steppe. Morphometric and phylogeographic information cast doubt on the integrity of its species, and previous molecular data even questioned the monophyly of the subgenus. We tested those questions using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences by the application of different methods such as phylogenetic trees, networks, a test of genealogical sorting, an analysis of population structure, calibration of the trees, and hybridization test, assembling non-synchronous incongruent results at subgenus and species levels in a single reconstruction. The integration of our molecular analyses and previous taxonomic, morphological, and molecular studies support subgenus Strongyloma as a monophyletic group. However, the topology of the nuclear trees and the evidence of polyploids within subgenus Nassauvia, suggest a hypothetical origin and initial radiation of Nassauvia related to an ancient hybridization event that occurred around 17–6.3 Myr ago near the Andes in west-central Patagonia. Plastid data suggest a recent diversification within subgenus Strongyloma, at most 9.8 Myr ago, towards the Patagonian steppe east of the Andes. These processes cause phylogenies to deviate from the species tree since each putative species lack exclusive ancestry. The non-monophyly of its species using both plastid and nuclear data is caused mainly by incomplete lineage sorting occurred since the Miocene. The final uplift of the Andes and Pliocene-Pleistocene glacial-interglacial and its consequences on the landscape and climate structured the genetic composition of this group of plants in the Patagonian steppe. The molecular data presented here agree with previous morphological studies, in that the five putative species typically accepted in this subgenus are not independent taxa. This study emphasizes that adding more than one sequence per species, not combining data with dissimilar inheritance patterns without first performed incongruence tests, exploring data through different methodologies, considering the timing of events, and searching for the causes of poorly resolved and/or incongruent phylogenies help to reveal complex biological underlying processes, which might otherwise remain hidden.

Genetic Diversity of Campylobacter Jejuni Isolated from the Poultry Food Chain.

IntroductionCampylobacter jejuni is one of the most frequently reported causes of foodborne bacterial enteric disease worldwide. The main source of these microorganisms is contaminated food, especially of poultry origin. There are several molecular methods for differentiation of Campylobacter isolates at the subgenus level, and one of these is porA-typing based on the sequencing of the major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) encoding gene. The aim of the study was to test the molecular relationship of C. jejuni strains isolated at different points along the poultry food chain and assess the population structure of the isolates.Material and MethodsA total of 451 C. jejuni were used in the study, and a DNA fragment of 630 bp of the MOMP encoding gene was amplified and sequenced.ResultsOne hundred and ten sequence types were identified, with 69 (62.7%) unique to the isolates' origin and 30 not present in the database. The most prevalent nucleotide variant 1 was detected in 37 (8.2%) strains. These isolates were identified in all poultry sources tested, especially in faeces (15 isolates) but also in poultry carcasses and meat (11 isolates in each).ConclusionThe porA typing method was highly discriminative for C. jejuni of poultry origin since the Simpson's diversity index (D) achieved a value of 0.876, indicating considerable diversity in the bacterial population tested. The method may be further used for epidemiological investigation purposes.

Revision of the amphiamerican genus Mysidium Dana, 1852 (Crustacea: Mysida: Mysidae), with descriptions of two new species and the establishment of two new subgenera

Revised definitions are given for the genus Mysidium Dana, 1852, and its eight previously known species, based on material from Curaçao, Bonaire and SE-Brazil, along with the evaluation of published data. Type material of Diamysis columbiae Zimmer, 1915, M. cubanense Băcescu & Ortiz, 1984 and M. rubroculatum Băcescu & Ortiz, 1984 is examined. A lectotype is designated for D. columbiae Zimmer, 1915, a senior synonym of Mysidium columbiae (Zimmer, 1915). Two new species are described, M. triangulare Wittmann sp. nov. from Curaçao and M. antillarum Wittmann sp. nov. from Curaçao and Bonaire. Known ranges are extended by first records of M. cubanense from Curaçao and Bonaire and of M. integrum W.M. Tattersall, 1951 from SE Brazil. Three morphologically different groups are established at the subgeneric level: (1) the nominotypical subgenus Mysidium Dana, 1852 with M. gracile (Dana, 1852), M. integrum, M. cubanense, M. rubroculatum and M. triangulare sp. nov. from the West Atlantic plus M. rickettsi Harrison & Bowman, 1987 from the East Pacific; (2) Occimysidium Wittmann subgen. nov. represented only by M. pumae Ortiz, Hendrickx & Winfield, 2017 from the Pacific coast of Mexico; and finally (3) Orientomysidium Wittmann subgen. nov. comprising M. columbiae and M. antillarum sp. nov. from the West Atlantic. The poorly known M. iliffei Băcescu, 1991 is not assigned to any subgenus. A key to the resulting three subgenera and ten nominal species of the genus Mysidium is given.

Evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of Microtea (Microteaceae), a basal lineage in the core Caryophyllales.

The basal position of the small American genus Microtea within the core Caryophyllales was suggested only recently in accordance with molecular phylogeny. However, the specific relationships within the genus were not traced. The results of our phylogenetic analysis based on the matK chloroplast gene suggest the monophyly of Microtea, and Ancistrocarpus and other related genera should be included in it. Microtea is divided into two major sister clades: clade A consisting of M.glochidiata, M.maypurensis and M.tenuifolia, and clade B comprising M.debilis, M.sulcicaulis, M.scabrida, M.celosioides, and M.papillosa. The nrDNA dataset (ITS), although containing only a limited number of accessions, shows the same species number in clade A, and the remaining species studied (M.debilis, M.scabrida and M.celosioides) form clade B. Subgeneric status is assigned to clades A and B corresponding with the names Microteasubgen.Ancistrocarpus subgen. nov. and Microteasubgen.Microtea, respectively. The diagnostic characters at the subgeneric level are as follows: length of pedicels, number of flowers at each node, number of stamens and styles. A multivariate analysis of 13 distinguishing morphological characters supports the results of phylogenetic analysis. All species have similar pericarp and seed ultrasculpture and anatomy, and they share the reticulate pericarp surface (independent of presence or absence of finger-shaped outgrowths on its surface) and rugose or slightly alveolate seed ultrasculpture. On the basis of morphological characters, we accept 10 Microtea species. A checklist includes a new diagnostic key, morphological descriptions and distribution patterns of each species. Galeniacelosioides is the oldest legitimate name available for the plants previously known as Microteapaniculata, for which the combination Microteacelosioides is validated here. The neotypes of Galeniacelosioides and Microteasprengelii were designated from the collections of Prinz Wied at BR. The name M.foliosa is discussed and finally synonymized with M.scabrida. The lectotypes of Ancistrocarpusmaypurensis (≡Microteamaypurensis), Microteadebilisvar.ovata (=M.debilis), M.glochidiata, M.maypurensisvar.angustifolia (=M.tenuifolia), M.glochidiataf.lanceolata (=M.maypurensis), M.longebracteata (=M.celosioides), M.paniculatavar.latifolia (=M.scabrida), M.portoricensis, M.scabrida, M.sulcicaulis, and Potamophilaparviflora (=M.maypurensis) are designated. Microteasulcicaulis is reported for the first time as native to Bolivia, and M.maypurensis is reported from Indonesia (Java), where it is found as an alien plant with an unclear invasion status.

Evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of Microtea (Microteaceae), a basal lineage in the core Caryophyllales

The basal position of the small American genusMicroteawithin the core Caryophyllales was suggested only recently in accordance with molecular phylogeny. However, the specific relationships within the genus were not traced. The results of our phylogenetic analysis based on thematK chloroplast gene suggest the monophyly ofMicrotea, andAncistrocarpusand other related genera should be included in it.Microteais divided into two major sister clades: clade A consisting ofM.glochidiata,M.maypurensisandM.tenuifolia, and clade B comprisingM.debilis,M.sulcicaulis, M.scabrida,M.celosioides, andM.papillosa. The nrDNA dataset (ITS), although containing only a limited number of accessions, shows the same species number in clade A, and the remaining species studied (M.debilis,M.scabridaandM.celosioides) form clade B. Subgeneric status is assigned to clades A and B corresponding with the names Microteasubgen.Ancistrocarpus subgen. nov. and Microteasubgen.Microtea, respectively. The diagnostic characters at the subgeneric level are as follows: length of pedicels, number of flowers at each node, number of stamens and styles. A multivariate analysis of 13 distinguishing morphological characters supports the results of phylogenetic analysis. All species have similar pericarp and seed ultrasculpture and anatomy, and they share the reticulate pericarp surface (independent of presence or absence of finger-shaped outgrowths on its surface) and rugose or slightly alveolate seed ultrasculpture. On the basis of morphological characters, we accept 10Microteaspecies. A checklist includes a new diagnostic key, morphological descriptions and distribution patterns of each species.Galeniacelosioidesis the oldest legitimate name available for the plants previously known asMicroteapaniculata, for which the combinationMicroteacelosioidesis validated here. The neotypes ofGaleniacelosioidesandMicroteasprengeliiwere designated from the collections of Prinz Wied at BR. The nameM.foliosais discussed and finally synonymized withM.scabrida. The lectotypes ofAncistrocarpusmaypurensis(≡Microteamaypurensis), Microteadebilisvar.ovata (=M.debilis),M.glochidiata, M.maypurensisvar.angustifolia (=M.tenuifolia), M.glochidiataf.lanceolata (=M.maypurensis),M.longebracteata(=M.celosioides), M.paniculatavar.latifolia (=M.scabrida),M.portoricensis,M.scabrida,M.sulcicaulis, andPotamophilaparviflora(=M.maypurensis) are designated.Microteasulcicaulisis reported for the first time as native to Bolivia, andM.maypurensisis reported from Indonesia (Java), where it is found as an alien plant with an unclear invasion status.

FIRST RECORD OF CANTHARELLUS MINOR IN VIETNAM

This species of mushroom with orange fruiting bodies and yellow flesh grows in clumps on the forest land in the coordinates 11o56'34.45" N, 108o28'33.56" E in the pine (Pinus kesiya) forest, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. The results of analysis on the morphology, both macro- and micro-morphological characteristics of this mushroom showed that, pileus: 5-15 mm wide, infundibuliform; yellowish to orange; margin incurred, wavy-liked margin, non-striate; Pileus surface: smooth, scaleless, yellowish; Lamellae: distant, decurrent, not intervenose, concolorous to pileus; Context: concolourous to the pileus, slight sweetness, aromatic flavor; Stipe: cylindrical shape, surface smooth, concolourous to pileus, 1-2 mm diameter, 20-50 mm length; Basidiospores: 6-11.5 x 4-6.5 μm, ovoid-ellipsoid with smooth surface; Basidia: 65 x 10 μm, cornuted 4-6 spores per basidium. Phylogenetic analysis of nrLSU sequence yielded consistent topology in different taxa of Cantharellus. The phylogenetic position of XC02 was obtained and accepted at sub-generic level: subgenus Parvocantharellus. This clade was suggested to be monophyletic, and separated from other sub-generic levels. Morphologically phylogenetically distinct from the other species of clade 4, such as C. appalachiensis, C. tabernensis, C. aff. Congolensis. The highly supported monophyletic group with referent Cantharellus minor was obtained with the bootstrap value of 99, indicated that XC02 was significant closely to Cantharellus minor. Phylogenetic of nrLSU analysis revealed clades with statistical support corresponding to morphological observation, thus, XC2 was concluded as Cantharellus minor.

Descriptions of two new acanthocephalans (Rhadinorhynchidae) from marine fish off the Pacific coast of Vietnam.

Two rhadinorhynchid acanthocephalans are described from marine fishes off the Pacific coast of Vietnam. Sclerocollum neorubrimaris n. sp. (Gorgorhynchinae Van Cleave & Lincicome, 1940) is described from the spine-foot rabbitfish Siganus guttatus (Bloch) (Siganidae) off Nha Trang. The new species is similar to the type-species, Sclerocollum rubrimaris Schmidt & Paperna, 1978 in most measurements and counts but has a posterior cephalic ganglion, a sub-ventral female gonopore, and one dorsal paravaginal filament bundle. In S. rubrimaris, the cephalic ganglion is near the middle of the receptacle, the female gonopore is terminal with two paravaginal filament bundles. The new species is distinguished from three other species of Sclerocollum Schmidt & Paperna, 1978 in proboscis hook formulas and the position of the female gonopore and cephalic ganglion. The issue of the importance of the position of the cephalic ganglion at the generic and sub-generic levels in the Acanthocephala is discussed. Females of Australorhynchus multispinosus n. sp. (Gorgorhynchinae) are described from the red cornetfish Fistularia petimba Lacépède off Nha Trang in the Pacific south. It is distinguished from the only other species of the genus, Australorhynchus tetramorphacanthus Lebedev, 1967, by having more trunk spines extending beyond the level of the proboscis receptacle and a smaller proboscis with considerably fewer hooks.

Diversity of Chroogomphus (Gomphidiaceae, Boletales) in Europe, and typification of C. rutilus

In this study, eight species of Chroogomphus are recognized from Europe: C. britannicus, C. aff. filiformis 1, C. fulmineus, C. cf. helveticus, C. mediterraneus, C. cf. purpurascens, C. rutilus, and C. subfulmineus. Different candidates for the application of the name C. rutilus are evaluated and the best fit to the description is selected; lecto- and epitypes are chosen to fix the name. Chroogomphus fulmineus and C. mediterraneus are also epitypified and a new species, C. subfulmineus, is described. The infrageneric classification is revised and a new subgenus Siccigomphus and three new sections, Confusi, Filiformes, and Fulminei are introduced. The former sections Chroogomphus and Floccigomphus are elevated to subgeneric level. Comparison of the ITS regions (nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of all species studied shows that there is a minimum interspecific difference of 1.5 %, with the exception of the two species belonging to sect. Fulminei which differ by a minimum of 0.9 %. Ecological specimen data indicate that species of Chroogomphus form basidiomes under members of Pinaceae, with a general preference for species of Pinus. Five European species have been recorded under Picea, while Abies and Larix have also been recorded as tree associates, although the detailed nutritional relationships of the genus, involving other suilloid fungi in particular, have yet to be fully clarified.

Phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomic re-assessment of Multifurca (Russulaceae, Russulales) using three-locus data.

Multifurca is a small genus newly established to accommodate lactarioid and russuloid species with some characters reminiscent of corticoid members of Russulaceae. It shows an amphi-pacific distribution with strong preference for the tropical zone of the Northern Hemisphere and thus has particular significance for biogeographical study. Using worldwide samples and three loci (ITS, 28S rDNA and rpb2), we demonstrated that Multifurca is split into two highly supported major clades that are here recognized at the subgeneric level: subg. Furcata subg. nov. exclusively includes lactarioid species, while subg. Multifurca includes species with a russuloid habit. Using phylogenetic species recognition and comparison of genetic distances we recognize five new and six previously described species, almost double the known number of species before this study. Molecular dating using a Bayesian method suggested that Multifurca originated in early Paleocene and diversified in the Eocene. The most recent interspecific divergences occurred both in Asia and America, roughly at the same time around the Pliocene. Ancestral area reconstruction and comparisons of genetic distances and morphology suggested an early divergence within Australasia or tropical Asia. From the early Miocene to Pliocene, multiple dispersals/migrations to Australasia and North America by island hopping or land bridge likely happened. Vicariance at the late Tertiary might be the most likely mechanism accounting for the eastern Asia—southeastern North America and Australasia—tropical Asia disjunct distributions. The shared polymorphisms in the ITS alignment, numerous degenerated base pairs in the rpb2 sequences and weak conflict between the ITS and LSU genealogies of M. subg. Furcata suggest recent speciation. Host specificity of Multifurca species or species pairs is relatively low. Host shifts are believed to have aided establishment in new territories during the dispersals and migrations.

The family Parasitidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) - history, current problems and challenges

The family Parasitidae comprises two subfamilies, Parasitinae and Pergamasinae. A generic concept of this family is not stable and requires a revision. The number of genera varies depending on authors and their view on the systematics of the family, especially on the rank of taxa. We recognize 23 genera within Parasitinae and 22 genera within Pergamasinae, 4 of them are subdivided into subgenera. A dichotomous key for separation of genera and subgenera is provided. A new genus, Coprocarpais n. g. with type species Parasitus copridis Costa, 1963 is proposed and a diagnosis is given. The genus Erithosoma is not assigned to any subfamily because a description of females is missing. The most pressing taxonomic problems at generic and subgeneric levels are discussed. Fourteen new combinations are proposed.

Bispiraloconulus serbiacus gen. et sp. nov., a giant arborescent benthic foraminifer from the Berriasian of Serbia

A new benthic foraminifera is described as Bispiraloconulus serbiacus gen. et sp. nov. from Berriasian shallow-water carbonates of the Kurilovo area, eastern Serbia. Above all it is characterized by its centimeter-sized arborescent test. With the exception of its morphology, all other test characteristics are reported from Spiraloconulus Allemann & Schroeder (Aalenian-Berriasian) of the family Hauraniidae, subfamily Amijellinae. In the current classifications of the Foraminiferida, test morphology is considered an important criterion at the generic and subgeneric level. The morphology of Bispiraloconulus gen. nov. necessitates a suprageneric emdendation to include arborescent-shaped foraminifera that display an exoskeleton (subepidermal network). Besides Spiraloconulus, Bispiraloconulus gen. nov. can be compared with the Cretaceous branching genera Bireophax Bolli, Thomasinella Schlumberger, and Torremiroella Canerot & Brun.

Molecular markers for phylogenetic applications derived from comparative plastome analysis of Prunus species

AbstractInterspecific and intergeneric relationships of Prunus s.l. are still unclear due to low levels of genetic variation among species, and resulting partially unresolved phylogenetic inferences. Here we sequenced and compared six complete plastomes from two subgenera of Prunus in order to choose molecular markers to increase the amount of genetic variation suitable for inference of Prunus phylogeny. The plastomes range between 157 817 and 158 995 bp in length, and we found different levels of inverted repeat (IR) contraction among the three sampled subgenera of Prunus s.l. Most regions in Prunus plastomes considered individually provide low phylogenetic resolution at the subgenus or species level compared to a tree constructed using all 78 coding regions combined. We compared levels of variation among 206 coding regions and noncoding (intergenic and intron) plastid regions and inferred phylogenies from each region considered individually. We then chose using two regions together for future studies of relationships in Prunus, ycf1 and trnT‐L, that display high to moderate levels of variation among coding and intergenic regions, respectively, and that individually permit inference of resolved species‐level trees in Prunus with moderate to strong branch support. Considered together, these two regions allow inference of the same topology of Prunus inferred using all coding plastid regions combined, with comparable levels of tree support to the full plastome set. These two loci should therefore be useful as a plastid phylogenetic marker set for further inference of relationships within Prunus s.l.

A fossil fig from the Miocene of southwestern China: Indication of persistent deep time karst vegetation

Foliage fossils of a fig, Ficus microtrivia J. Huang et Z. K. Zhou sp. nov. (Moraceae) is reported from early to middle Miocene lacustrine sediments in the Wenshan Basin, Yunnan, southwestern China. The leaf architecture and preserved exocrine veinlet glands on the fossils are irrefutable evidence for genus-level systematic assignment. Four venation patterns in the extant genus Ficus L. are summarised and established, subgenus and species level comparisons of the fossils are applied according to this framework. The nearest living relative of the new fossil-species is Ficus trivia Corner of Subgen. Ficus, a species restricted to the karst shrub habitat in southern China and northern Vietnam. Together with other elements of the fossil assemblage, this species indicates that open, shrubby vegetation on limestone similar to that in the same region today, already existed in the early to middle Miocene.

Contribution to the pollen morphology of Tragopogon (Asteraceae) in Turkey

The pollen morphology of 25 Tragopogon L. taxa (including four subspecies and four varieties) distributed in Turkey was studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that pollen grains of the examined Tragopogon taxa are suboblate and oblate-spheroidal in shape, and 3-zonocolpororate with fifteen lacunae. The lenghts of the polar axes and equatorial axes range from 31.57 to 40.35 µm and 35.32 to 44.65 µm, respectively. Numerical analyses show that the length of equatorial axis and the pore length are the most valuable characters among nineteen palynological traits for separating the examined taxa. The general palynological characteristics of the examined taxa allow some taxonomical evaluations for the genus. However, the results of cluster and principal component analyses did not support the division of the genus at any subgeneric level; neither did the ligule colour, as reported in the literature.

Bulb tunic anatomy and its taxonomic implication in Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae: Allioideae)

Allium is taxonomically a difficult genus with blurred taxonomic borders at all taxonomic ranks. In this research, anatomy and morphology of bulb tunics in 42 species of the genus representing its 16 currently recognized sections and 6 subgenera (Allium, Cepa, Reticulatobulbosa, Amerallium, Polyprason and Melanocrommyum) were investigated. Our results indicated the following characters to be most informative at sectional and subgeneric levels: features of calcium oxalate crystals and subepidermal cell layer of the outermost bulb tunic, type of tracheids, and bulbils presence. Three main types of crystals, i.e. prismatic, sand and druses, were fairly common among the investigated species except for the members of A. sect. Acanthoprason (A. subg. Melanocrommyum) that often lack crystals. The subepidermal layers of outer tunics were mostly composed of hexagonal, rectangular, or elongated cells but A. paradoxum (A. subg. Amerallium, sect. Briseis) showed the pentagonal type and A. longisepalum (A. subg. Amerallium, sect. Molium) the elliptic type of subepidermal cells. The members of A. sub. Melanocrommyum showed various types of tunic cells and crystals.

On the taxonomy of the genera Planovalvata Dubatolov Kishida,Stigmatophora Staudinger and Pseudomiltochrista Dubatolov Bucsek, with description of one new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini).

The type species of the genus Planovalvata Dubatolov Kishida, 2012, previously incorrectly identified as Eugoa roseivena Hampson, 1894, is described as new: Planovalvata confusa Volynkin, Dubatolov Kishida, sp. nov. Taxonomic placement of the genera Planovalvata and Pseudomiltochrista Dubatolov Bucsek, 2016 is clarified. The combination is revised: Stigmatophora roseivena (Hampson, 1894), comb. rev. Pseudomiltochrista is synonymized with Stigmatophora and downgraded to a subgenus level. One new combination is established: Stigmatophora (Pseudomiltochrista) zolotuhini (Dubatolov Bucsek, 2016), comb. nov. Male and female genitalia of S. roseivena are illustrated and described for the first time.