Subgeneric Rank Research Articles

The Gastrocoptinae of Australia (Gastropoda : Pulmonata : Pupilloidae): Systematics, distribution and origin

The Gastrocoptinae of Australia are revised on the basis of over 13 000 specimens from nearly 600 localities. Of 23 nominal species 12 are synonymised; Gastrocopta stupefaciens, sp. nov., and G. solemorum, sp. nov., are described, making a total of 13 species. A key to the species is provided. Pumilicopta Solem, 1989 is reduced to subgeneric rank. Eleven of 13 species are endemic to Australia, one to Australia and New Guinea, and one is recorded from Australia and some Pacific islands. The gastrocoptines inhabit only coastal areas and the 'Red Centre'; only three species are exclusively southern. Relationships with extralimital taxa, based on derived characters of apertural barriers and shell sculpture, indicate that the gastrocoptines colonised Australia at least four times from Asia and adjacent islands. The first immigration may have taken place in the mid-Miocene.

Notes on Sri Lankan Acanthaceae

Various changes in rank are made in Acanthaceae in connection with the forthcoming account for Flora of Ceylon. Two Sri Lankan varieties of Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees var. axillaris Trimen and var. crocea Trimen are raised to subspecific rank, the latter as subsp. arida, nom. nov. The genus Indoneesiella Sreem. is reduced to subgeneric rank within Andrographis Wall. ex Nees. Rungia latior Nees is reduced to subspecific rank within Rungia longifolia Nees.

A Systematic Revision of Melomys (Rodentia:Muridae) of New Guinea

A program of multi-variate discriminant analysis is used to separate approximately 900 specimens, currently identified as species of the genus Melomys, into significantly different taxa at generic, specific and subspecific level. A combination of metric characters and multistate characters is used to indicate phenetic relationships between the taxa previously identified. Metric characters are used in combination with multistate characters to provide diagnoses of genera, and species and subspecies within genera. As a result, Melomys is redefined to include only four species, rufescens, leucogaster, lutillus and frigicola, in New Guinea. Nine species are included in Paramelomys, raised from its previous subgeneric rank. Two species formerly included in Melomys (lanosus and rattoides) are removed to a new genus. Melomys fellowsi is removed to another new genus. Some comments on the generic disposition of extralimital species are made.

The type of Ancistrocactus (Cactaceae)

Salm-Dyck (1850: 28) published the Echinocactus sect. Uncinati for 15 species of Echinocactus. One of the included specific names was E. uncinatus Pfeiffer & Otto (often incorrectly attributed to Galeotti), and under Art. 22.4 of the Code (Greuter & al., 1988) the type of the sectional is the same as the type of the specific name. The type of E. uncinatus is t. 18 Pfeiffer & Otto's Abbildungen, vol. 2, as it is either the holotype under Art. 7.3 Note 1, or the obligate lectotype (only extant portion of the original material) accordance with Art. 7.4-5. The neotypification by Ferguson (1991) is thus superseded (Art. 8.1(a)). Schumann (1897-1898: 292) raised Salm-Dyck's section to the rank of subgenus and published the new Echinocactus subg. Ancistrocactus. As circumscribed by Schumann the subgenus contained 20 species, including E. uncinatus. Schumann directly cited Salm-Dyck's epithet as a replaced synonym and therefore published his new as an avowed substitute. In accordance with Art. 7.11, Echinocactus subg. Ancistrocactus is typified by the type of Echinocactus sect. Uncinati. (Schumann was not obliged to retain Salm-Dyck's epithet upon the change of rank and chose not to do SO.) Britton & Rose (1923: 4) raised Schumann's subgenus to generic rank, but excluded all of Salm-Dyck's original species except Echinocactus scheeri Salm-Dyck. They designated E. megarhizus Rose as type, but under Art. 7.12 Ancistrocactus (Schumann) Britton & Rose is typified by the type of its basionym, namely E. uncinatus, which Britton & Rose referred to Ferocactus. Britton & Rose's actions do not fall within the scope of Art. 48.1. That addresses When an author adopts an existing name (the generic Ancistrocactus did not exist until Rose published it) and A new formed from a previously published legitimate (stat. nov., comb. nov.) is covered by Art. 7.12. Britton & Rose's exclusion of the type does not prevent Art. 7.12 from applying, because that paragraph, as currently worded, applies in all circumstances, apparently regardless of whether the type was excluded or not. Backeberg (1938: [22]) published Glandulicactus with Echinocactus uncinatus Pfeiffer & Otto as type (though credited to Galeotti). Hence, Glandulicactus is an illegitimate synonym of Ancistrocactus. Buxbaum (in Krainz, 1963) published the combination Hamatocactus subg. Glandulicactus, which is illegitimate because the epithet of Echinocactus subg. Ancistrocactus Schumann should have been adopted.

Taxonomic status of Genabea, with two new species of Genea (Pezizales)

The taxonomic position of Genabea in the Pezizales is discussed. Due to discovery of an intermediate species between Genea and Genabea in China, the modern concepts of these two genera become confused. In this paper, Genabea is reduced to subgeneric rank in the genus Genea, i.e. Genea subgen. Genabea (Tul. & C. Tul.) stat. nov. (basionym: Genabea Tul. & C. Tul.), typified by Genea fragilis (Tul. & C. Tul) comb. nov. (basionym: Genabea fragilis Tul. & C. Tul.). The species formerly included in Genabea are revised. Three species of Genea found in China are described and illustrated in detail, including Genea sinensis, Genea variabilis which are described as new and Genea fragilis as new to the Chinese mycoflora. A key to the species is provided.

Phylogenetic Relationships within the Rhodoreae (Ericaceae) with Specific Comments on the Placement of Ledum

The cladistic relationships of the tribe Rhodoreae (Ericaceae; Rhododendroideae) are investigated. The tribe is likely monophyletic, and may be diagnosed by the perulae found with the inflorescence. The genus Rhododendron, as currently recognized, is shown to be paraphyletic. However, if Ledum is included (as a subsection of sect. Rhododendron, within subg. Rhododendron), and Therorhodion is excluded, then the genus is probably monophyletic. Ledum likely is related most closely to Rhododendron subsect. Edgeworthia. The cladistic relationships within Rhododendron are consistent with the recognition of eight subgenera: Anthodendron, Azaleastrum, Candidastrum, Chonias- trum, Hymenanthes, Mumeazalea, Rhododendron, and Tsutsusi. The monophyly of Copeland's segregate genera is thus, in large part, supported, although these groups are placed here at subgeneric rank. Among these subgenera, Anthodendron is possibly cladistically basal. This subgenus and the phe- netically similar subgenera Tsutsusi, Azaleastrum, Choniastrum, Candidastrum, and Mumeazalea have been recognized traditionally as the azalea complex or chorus subgenerum Nomazalea, but this group is paraphyletic and should not be given formal taxonomic recognition. The circumscription and phylogenetic relationships of some subgenera, e.g., Azaleastrum (as broadly defined, i.e., in- cluding Choniastrum, Mumeazalea, and Canadidastrum) need further study. Menziesia and Tsusiophyllum are recognizable at the generic level, and may be related due to the shared possession of slit-like anther dehiscence. Thus, the pattern of character variation within the tribe may be expressed bv the recognition of four genera: Therorhodioni, Menziesia, Tsusiophyllurn, and Rhododendronq The fol- lowing new combinations are made: Rhododendron subsect. Ledum, R. palustre, R. groenlandi cum.

Notulae oribatologicae XLVIII. the taxonomic position ofSteganacarus brevipilus(Berlese, 1923) andTropacarusin the Steganacaridae system (Acarida, Oribatida)

Abstract The classical species, Steganacarus (Tropacarus) brevipilus (Berlese, 1923), was analyzed morphologically, biogeographically and genetically in order to exactly define its taxonomic position in the Steganacarid system. The traditional morphological character of the median notogastral ridge and the gene-enzyme systems confirm the close affinity of brevipilus to S. (T.) carinatus (Koch) and the validity of subgeneric rank for Tropacarus.

Biochemical systematic analysis of evolutionary relationships of groupers from the gulf of California

Four species of groupers ( Epinephelus), with overlapping distribution ranges occurring in the middle and lower regions of the Gulf of California, were studied in terms of biochemical, genetic and functional enzymic characters. The electrophoretic analysis of extracts of tissues of these four congeners revealed that the species Epinephelus (Cephalopholis) panamensis is closely related genetically to E. labriformis and so with the rest of the major branch Epinephelus, thus suggesting a recent evolutionary divergence from that branch. Although this species might find its subgeneric rank justified in accordance with the observed differences of its anatomical characters in relation to the rest of the species studied, an alternate scheme of the group phylogeny is proposed and the recognition that Cephalopholis is not a valid genus or subgenus of this American species. Finally, the apparent relationship between these results and the biogeography of the involved species is discussed

A New Combination in Kleinia (Compositae)

The results of recent studies by Jeffrey (1986) show that Kleinia Mill. cannot satisfactorily be separated from Notonia DC., and he has reduced the latter genus to sub-generic rank within Kleinia. Notoniopsis B. Nord. is not distinguishable from Kleinia Mill. by any reliable characters and is placed in synonymy. Kleinia, as defined by Jeffrey (1. c.) has constantly discoid capitula, uniform pappus hairs, narrow, elongated anther-collars, only slightly dilated at the base, drusiform crystals in the ovary wall and short to elongated conical style-arm appendages. Comparison of 2 Indian taxa, Kleinia grandiflora (DC.) N. Rani and Notonia balsamica Dalzell & Gibson, shows them to be congeneric, which necessitates a new combination in Kleinia for the latter species, as follows:-

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Observations on the Funariaceae. 3. Entosthodon steerei, a New Species from the Ecuadorian Andes

Entosthodon steerei Fife, sp. nov., from the Ecuadorian Andes is characterized by an inclined, obovoid capsule with a nearly transverse mouth and a weakly differentiated neck, a unique spore ornamentation pattern, and strongly bordered leaves. Its affinities lie with species traditionally placed in the Plagiodus group of Funaria sensu Brotherus. While examining specimens of Funariaceae col- lected by W. C. Steere in the Ecuadorian Andes, I discovered an undescribed species of Entosthodon. This species has affinities with the species of En- tosthodon placed by Brotherus (1924) in Funaria sect. Plagiodus Mitt. Mitten's section Plagiodus de- serves subgeneric rank within a broadly defined ge- nus Entosthodon (Fife 1982). The Plagiodus group is characterized by usually unbordered leaves, asymmetric, inclined capsules with oblique mouths, double peristomes with sigmoid, apically free teeth, and usually baculate-insulate or insulate spores.

Notes on East African Umbelliferae: Oenanthe, and a Genus New for Tanzania

Summary. Oenanthe procumbens (Wolff) Norman and Oe. palustris (Chiov.) Norman are retained in Oenanthe in spite of the differences in fruit anatomy which caused Chiovenda to describe the genus Stephanorossia, here reduced to subgeneric rank, and the combination proposed. Afroligusticum elliotii (Engl.) Norman is recorded from Tanzania. Oenanthe being a rather troublesome genus in much of its range, some difficulties were anticipated in dealing with the African species, in spite of the fact that Norman (1932, 1933) had apparently tidied them up very nicely. In describing his Oe. uhligii Norman (1932) stated that: 'the ripe fruit of this species .... can best be described by comparing it with that of the widely spread and well-known Oe. stolonifera (Roxb.) DC., from which it is practically indistinguishable, both outwardly and in the cross-section . . . .' In view of this it was puzzling that when Norman (1933) discovered that Stephanorossia palustris Chiov. provided an earlier specific epithet for his Oe. uhligii, he made no comment on the very different fruit anatomy described by Chiovenda which caused the latter to place his new genus Stephanorossia in a completely different tribe of the Umbelliferae from Oenanthe. Norman simply stated in his second paper: 'I must confess that I am unable to see that Stephanorossia Chiov. differs in any way from Oenanthe L., as understood by, I believe, all recent writers'. Presumably Norman was so convinced of the correctness of his own observations that he merely assumed that Chiovenda's description was erroneous. Having previous experience of lapses on Chiovenda's part, I had every expectation when I came to investigate the matter that Norman's view would be justified. It is not. Chiovenda's observation of the characters which are important in this case-viz., the number of ribs on the fruit and the position of the vittae--was perfectly accurate, and Norman's was apparently faulty. The three African species of Oenanthe, all well-known, are Oe. mildbraedii Wolff, Oe. palustris (Chiov.) Norman and Oe. procumbens (Wolff) Norman. This last was described as a second species of Stephanorossia (elliotii) by J. J. Clark (1913), the type specimen being Scott Elliot 7791-which is also a syntype of Oenanthe procumbens and of Oe. ruwenzoriensis Norman (a synonym of procumbens). This implies that Clark believed (a) that Chiovenda's observations on Stephanorossia palustris Chiov. were correct, and (b) that the characters which Chiovenda described at a generic level were found also in Scott Elliot 7791. Clark, too, was quite correct. The fruit anatomy of the plants at present called Oenanthe procumbens and Oe. palustris is quite diverse from that found in Oe. mildbraedii, and that recorded in the literature for Oenanthe gener

A Review of the Mexican Lizard Barisia imbricata, and the Description of a New Subspecies

External character data from members of the Barisia imbricata complex support the validity of Tihen's (1949b) arrangement, with two species (B. levicollis, B. imbricata) and three subspecies of B. imbricata (B. i. imbricata, B. i. ciliaris, B. i. planifrons). In addition, B. i. jonesi subsp. nov. from the isolated Sierra de Coalcoman, Michoacan, is described. A key is provided for the entire complex. The genus Barisia Gray (1838), originally proposed for Gerrhonotus imbricatus Wiegmann, G. rudicolis Wiegmann, and G. lichenigerus Wagler, was redefined by Tihen (1949b) to include all these taxa (with lichenigerus an invalid junior synonym of imbricatus) and seven other species (G. moreleti Bocourt, G. monticolus Cope, G. viridiflavus Bocourt, G. gadovi Boulenger, Pterogasterus modestus Cope, Barissia antauges Cope and B. levicollis Stejneger), with G. imbricatus the type by subsequent designation by Stejneger (1890). The validity of Tihen's grouping has never been questioned, but its proper rank has been a source of considerable disagreement beginning with Stebbins (1958), who proposed subgeneric rank. Meszoely (1970) adopted Stebbins' arrangement, but Bogert and Porter (1967) retained Barisia at the generic level. Criley (1968) could find no osteological distinction for the group. Yet Waddick and Smith (1975) maintained that generic rank is justified on grounds of scale characters, and we follow that conclusion here. The genus retains the same composition today as understood by Tihen, with the exception of the addition of Gerrhonotus lugoi McCoy (1970) to it * Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita,

A Classification of the New World Species of Aster (Asteraceae)

In order effectively to list and comment on the results of cytological investigations inAster in a companion paper, a scheme of infrageneric classification is presented which utilizes the basic chromosome number as a pivotal diagnostic character. Reasons are stated as to why, with the exception ofUnamia Greene which is transferred toSolidago, and the commonly recognized generaLeucelene Greene,Machaeranthera Nees andXylorhiza Nutt., none of the segregate genera previously proposed or recorded in the literature is upheld. Instead, these taxa are being given subgeneric or sectional rank. Two additional subgenera are established to accommodate the species groups traditionally placed in “Aster proper,” which are characterized by having basic chromosome numbers ofx = 5 andx = 8, respectively. Altogether ten subgenera of the genusAster, five of them subdivided further into a total of 24 sections, are recognized as having representative species in the New World. All basionyms and type species are listed, and a number of new combinations and status changes are validated in accordance with the International Rules of Botanical Nomenclature. Where known (from literature and personal research), chromosome numbers are recorded for the species.

The Genus Glandularia (Verbenaceae) in North America

-The genus Glandularia is recognized as a valid genus distinct from Verbena based on consistent differences in seed morphology, chromosome number, the length of the style, reproductive modes, ploidal levels, and continent of origin. Eight new chromosome counts are given. Also a revision of the taxonomy of the 23 North American species of Glandularia is presented. Two sections, three new species, and one new variety are recognized. In his 13th edition of Linneaus' Systema, Gmelin (1791) established the genus Glandularia with a single species, Glandularia carolinensis based on Walter's Anonymous caroliniensis (1788). From Gmelin's original description, borrowed from Walter, Germen 4 partitum. Stil. 2fidus, glandula inter utramque laciniam media, it seems quite reasonable to assume that the name Glandularia was derived from the glandular appearance of the stigmatic area rather than the glandular hairs of the calyx and floral bract or the glandular appendage on the anther connective as might be supposed. A New World genus of annual or perennial herbs, Glandularia, grows in habitats ranging from the margins of mesic woodlands to dry desert slopes. Species of Glandularia usually grow in an open, often disturbed habitat. Although they can be found in flower during all months of warm weather, they flower primarily in the spring and again in late summer and fall. Glandularia has a disjunct distribution in North and South America. In North America it can be found from Guatemala to South Dakota and from Virginia and Florida to Arizona. South American species are known from Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil. Although no complete taxonomic treatment is available for the South American species, there are probably more than fifty. The North American species were monographed by Perry (1933) who recognized 19 species, 6 varieties, and one form under Verbena section Glandularia Schauer. In North America Glandularia grows from Guatemala to South Dakota and from Virginia and Florida to California. The greatest diversity is found in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The taxonomic status of the genus Glandularia has been perceived differently by a number of different authors. The taxa placed here in the genus Glandularia have been given sectional rank under Verbena (Perry, 1933), subgeneric rank under Verbena (Lewis & Oliver, 1961), or generic rank (Schnack, 1944, 1964; Schnack & Covas, 1944, 1946; Small, 1933) based on morpholoXical, anatomical, and cvtological eviI Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071.

Miscellanea hepaticologica 141-150

141. Anomacaulis fiaccidus (Steph. 1917) Grolle c. n. has to replace A. hamatilobus (Grolle 1965) Schust. 142. Colura leratii (Steph. 1908) Steph. Has to replace C. apiculata Schiffn. ex Steph. 1916. 143. Herbertus sendtneri (Nees) Lindb. 1874 has to replace H. sendtneri (Nees) Evans 1917. 144. The redetected type of Herbertus stramineus (Dum.) Trev. in BR wholly justifies the recent usage of that name instead of H. aduncus auct. 145. The large styli of Jovetastella Tixier were misinterpreted as amphigastria. Jovetastella is reduced to subgeneric rank within Cololejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn., necessitating C. subg. Jovetastella (Tixier) Grolle n. st. et c. and C. paniensis (Tixier) Grolle c. n. 146. Lichenastrum Dill. 1811 is lectotypified with Jungermannia Ianceolata L. emend. Grolle, thus becoming a synonym of Jungermannia L. s. str. 147.Lophozia elongata Steph. has to replace L. elongata (Lindb. ex Kaal.) Steph. 148. Mannia triandra (Scop. 1772) Grolle c. n. has to replace M. rupestris (Nees 1817)Frye et Clark. A redetected type specimen of M archantia ludwigii Schwaegr. 1814 turned out to be Mannia triandra. Therefore Asterella gracilis (F. Web.) Underw. has to replace A. ludwigii auct. 149. Grimaldia chilensis Lindenb. ex Mont. 1839 was newly placed in synonymy of Sauteria berteroana Mont. 1839. 150. Telaranea nematodes (Gottsche ex Aust. 1879) Howe has to replace T. sejuncta auct., whereas the true T. sejuncta (Angstr. 1877) S. Arn. is a synonym of Arachniopsis diacantha (Mont. 1856) Howe. T. sejuncta yare breviseta (Herz.) Fulf. is still another species, thus the single record of T. nematodes or T. sejuncta from Juan Fernandez is rejected.

A synopsis of the carbomycetaceae and terfeziaceae (tuberales)

The Carbomycetaceae Trappe fam.nov. is established for the genus Carbomyces , formerly included in the Terfeziaceae. The Terfeziaceae now includes Amylascus Trappe gen.nov., Delastria Tul. & Tul., Hydnobolites Tul. & Tul., Mukagomyces Imai, Picoa Vitt., Terfezia (Tul. & Tul.) Tul. & Tul., and Tirmania Chatin. A parallel polyphyletic origin is postulated for these genera, but the family Terfeziaceae is retained until more data permit re-evaluation of the entire Tuberales. Two former genera are reduced to subgeneric rank: Picoa subgen. Leucangium (Quel.) Trappe and Terfezia subgen. Mattirolomyces (Fisch.) Trappe. These new combinations are proposed: Tirmania nivea (Desf. ex Fr.) Trappe, Amylascus herbertianus (Cribb) Trappe, Terfezia arenaria (Moris) Trappe, and T. terfezioides (Matt.) Trappe.

Comparative morphology of the skull of the Ribbon seal, Histriophoca fasciata, with remarks on systematics of Phocidae

Study of skulls from 145 Ribbon seals, mainly from the Bering Sea, disclosed much greater variation in form than was indicated by earlier descriptions. The characters of greatest diagnostic value in the Ribbon seal are the short rostrum, broad cranium with reduced temporal fossae. short, wide palate with small, widely spaced teeth, and the elongate, thickwalled bullae with massive, widely exposed petrosals. Comparison of these skulls with examples from each of the other recognized genera of Phocidae revealed several deficiencies in the referred cranial characteristics of taxa at all ranks below the family. Provisional support for J. E. King's recently proposed division of the Phocidae into two subfamilies, Phocinae and Monachinae, is reported; the distinctions formerly employed for diagnosis of a third subfamily, Cystophorinae, can be ascribed to convergent evolution. Craniologically, the subfamily Phocinae is divisible into three tribes: Erignathini, Cystophorini, and Phocini. The first two are monotypic; the third is polytypic. The subtribes Phocina and Histriophocina are untenable; while Histriophoca's nearest structural relative is Pagophilus, the latter shows equal or closer relationship with Phocu. Within the tribe Phocini, only the Grey seal, Hlichoerus grypus, shows sufficient cranial differentiation for recognition as a monotypic genus. The other four major taxa within that tribe show a complex system of intergrading characters that disallows generic recognition, other than as a polytypic group. Therefore, the Ribbon, Harp, Harbor, and Ringed seals are re‐assigned to subgeneric rank, under the inclusive genus Phoca (sensu luto).

The Pacific Species of the Clinid Fish Genus Paraclinus

The New World genus Paraclinus contains 19 known species, 11 in the Pacific and 8 in the Atlantic. Four new Pacific species are named here. P. tanygnathus n. sp., P. magdalenae n. sp., P. stephensi n. sp., and P. ditrichus n. sp. can be distinguished on the basis of meristics, color pattern, and details of squamation. Several of the species of Paraclinus are partially isolated by differential bathymetric ranges. Most notable in this regard are P. altivelis and P. magdalenae, which are known only from moderate depths (25-100 ft). Four species of Paraclinus, P. altivelis, P. magdalenae, P. ditrichus, and P. walkeri have restricted ranges, being known from one or a few localities. At the other extreme, P. mexicanus is taken throughout the Panamic faunal province. Ten species are known to occur in the northern part of the Panamic province and three in the southern; part of the disparity may be due to lack of collecting in Central America and northern South America. P. integripinnis zacae and P. mexicanus cleophensis are regarded as synonymous with the respective nominate subspecies. Although certain species groups of Paraclinus may be discerned, none merit subgeneric rank, and relationships between groups are unclear.

A REVISION OF THE NEW WORLD OXYPORINAE (COLEOPTERA: STAPHYLINIDAE)

AbstractThe New World species of the staphylinid subfamily Oxyporinae are revised. Only one genus, Oxyporus Fab., with two subgenera, is included in the subfamily. The genus Pseudoxyporus, described by Nakane and Sawada (1956), has been reduced to subgeneric rank. Sixteen species are included in the revision. Two new species, O. bierigi from Costa Rica and Panama, and O. balli from Mexico are described; two names are placed in synonymy [O. fasciatus Melsh. (= O. vittatus Grav.) and O. fenyesi Bernhauer (= O. mexicanus Fauvel)]; and two names are reduced to subspecific level [O. bicolor Fauvel (= O. vittatus bicolor) and O. austrinus Horn (= O. femoralis austrinus)]. All of the New World species and subspecies have been redescribed and illustrated, and a key has been included for the separation of all the taxa.

The Geographic Variation of Polistes (Megapolistes subg. n.) Rothneyi Cameron

The species discussed in this paper has been generally misidentified by previous authors. BINGHAM (1897) and DOVER (1929, 1931) confused it with the closely related P. hebraeus (F.) (a junior synonym of P. olivaceus (DeGeer)). Bequaert correctly separated this species from its close relatives (P. olivaceus and P. jadwigae Dalla Torre), but unfortunately he did not publish his conclusions. Specimens in various collections have been labelled by him as P. jokahamae Radoszkowski, 1887, a name that has also been used by Japanese authors (SONAN, 1943; TSUNEKI, 1957, 1962; YOSHIKAWA, 1962; mostly emended as “yokohamae”). The original description of P. jokahamae, however, does not apply to the present species and leaves no doubt that Radoszkowski’s species must be regarded as a synonym of P. japonicus Saussure, 1858. The oldest available name for oui species appears to be P. rothneyi, proposed in 1900 by P. CAMERON for a male Polistes from Barrackpore, Bengal. In the same paper Cameron described the female from Assam, but he did not recognize it as being conspecific with rothneyi and called it rufolineatus. Polistes rothneyi belongs to a group of closely related species which appears to deserve subgeneric rank. The name proposed here for this group is taken from Dr. J. Bequaert’s unpublished notes, now preserved in the U.S. National Museum and kindly made available to me by Dr. Karl V. Krombein.