bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cassini's Compositae genera: A nomenclatural and taxonomic assessment
Authors: Flann Christina , Greuter Werner , Hind D.J. Nicholas
Published: February 2019

Work on the Global Compositae Checklist has highlighted uncertainties and errors in the nomenclatural parameters of many genera and subgenera described by Henri Cassini. Problems concern rank (subgenus vs. genus); type designation; correct place of valid publication; alternative names; and other miscellaneous issues. An annotated list with correct nomenclatural information for 391 generic names or designations is provided, including types (newly designated here for 17 names) and one new combination (Gyptis tanacetifolia). The current taxonomic disposition of Cassini's genera and the accepted names for the listed typonyms are consistently mentioned. The familiar names Felicia and Chrysopsis, already conserved, are threatened by unlisted earlier synonyms, and currently used Fulcaldea turns out to be illegitimate. Proposals to deal with these problems by conservation are being presented separately.
Names of American vascular plants published in Loefling's Iter Hispanicum (1758) and its German translation (1766)
Authors: Dorr Laurence J. , Wiersema John H.
Published: February 2019

Loefling's Iter Hispanicum (1758) and its subsequent translations, editions, issues, and facsimiles are analyzed for their impact on the nomenclature of American vascular plants. The book, edited by Linnaeus and posthumously published, contains descriptions of plants found in Venezuela (as well as in the Iberian Peninsula). For American plants the original volume (1758) is the source of 31 new genera, 15 new species, and one replaced name, and a German translation (1766) is the source of an additional two new species. Many of these nomenclatural innovations have been ignored, overlooked, or intentionally suppressed, some for centuries. Other names in the Iter Hispanicum have been misinterpreted. We examine the reasons for considering these 49 names to be validly published and the nomenclatural ramifications. In the interests of nomenclatural stability we are forced to conclude that the names of at least ten taxa described by Loefling should be rejected: Ayenia sidiformis Loefl., Cofer Loefl., Cruzeta Loefl., Cruzeta hispanica Loefl., Edechia inermis Loefl., E. spinosa L., Justicia putata Loefl., Menais Loefl., Muco Loefl., and Samyda parviflora Loefl. Likewise the names of two species described by Linnaeus that are tied to the Iter Hispanicum should be rejected: Menais topiaria L. and Spermacoce suffruticosa L. Finally, we select neotypes for Gaura fruticosa Loefl., Salvinia michelii Loefl., and Waltheria melochioides Loefl.
Typification of the names of Iberian Valerianaceae taxa described by Linnaeus
Authors: Vázquez Francisco M. , Jarvis Charles E.
Published: February 2019

The typification of ten Linnaean names of taxa belonging to the Valerianaceae is discussed. Lectotypes are designated from the Linnaean herbarium at LINN (Valeriana dioica, V. locusta var. discoidea, V. phu, V. tripteris), the Burser Herbarium at UPS (V. montana, V. tuberosa), and from the Clifford Herbarium at BM (V. rubra). An illustration in a pre‐Linnaean work is designated as the lectotype of both V. locusta var. mutica and V. locusta var. pumila. Valeriana mixta, often treated as ambiguous, is discussed and will be proposed for formal rejection. Each type choice made here maintains the present usage of the corresponding Linnaean name.
New insights in the evolution of the liverwort family Aneuraceae (Metzgeriales, Marchantiophyta), with emphasis on the genus Lobatiriccardia
Authors: Preußing Markus , Olsson Sanna , Schäfer-Verwimp Alfons , Wickett Norman J. , Wicke Susann , Quandt Dietmar , Nebel Martin
Published: February 2019

Phylogenetic analyses using two fast evolving plastid markers (rps4, trnL‐F) reveal the occurrence of the Australasiatic liverwort genus Lobatiriccardia in the Neotropics. Two new species, Lobatiriccardia oberwinkleri and L. verdoornioides are reported from Ecuador. Phylogenetic reconstructions support Lobatiriccardia and Aneura as monophyletic sister groups and do not place Verdoornia as the first branching Aneuracean taxon but rather sister to Aneura and Lobatiriccardia, which is consistent with mycothallus development in Aneuraceae. Subsequently, Aneuraceae, as treated here, include Aneura, Lobati‐ riccardia, Riccardia, and Verdoornia. Although high levels of genetic structure can be observed among members of the Aneura pinguis complex, current species delimitations are questionable, and detailed analyses of cryptic speciation and biogeographic patterns are needed to understand the evolution of Aneura, with particular attention paid to the non‐photosynthetic species Aneura mirabilis. Ancestral state reconstructions suggest an evolutionary trend of female gametangia, and subsequently the sporophyte, moving from a central position on the dorsal side of the thallus (Verdoornia) to a marginal position between thallus lobes (Lobatiriccardia) to a more ventral (quasi latero‐ventral) position under the thallus margin (Aneura).
Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Vuilleminia (Basidiomycota) based on molecular and morphological evidence, with new insights into Corticiales
Authors: Ghobad-Nejhad Masoomeh , Nilsson R. Henrik , Hallenberg Nils
Published: February 2019

Vuilleminia is a corticioid genus common in Europe whose species inhabit decaying and dead attached wood of angiosperms. To examine the circumscription of the genus and the phylogenetic relationships among its species, we analyzed nuclear ribosomal sequence data from the ITS region and the LSU gene with maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods and also studied morphological characters. Our results challenge the notion that spore size and host specificity are critically important factors in delimiting species of Vuilleminia. A taxonomic summary of the accepted species in Vuilleminia is provided. Vuilleminia species described from the South America and Africa are demonstrated to be distinct from those of the north temperate region. Australovuilleminia coccinea gen. & sp. nov. is proposed for the taxon previously reported as V. comedens from New Zealand. Punctulariopsis gen. nov. is proposed for V. subglobispora described from Argentina (= Punctulariopsis subglobispora) and V. obducens from Ethiopia (= Punctulariopsis obducens). Vuilleminia is shown to be a monophyletic genus, apparently north hemispheric, and currently comprises six species. Vuilleminia together with the closely related genera Cytidia and Australovuilleminia form a well‐supported clade (Vuilleminia clade) and the family name Vuilleminiaceae is resurrected to recognize this clade. Vuilleminia quercina (= Corticium quercicola) is not closely related to the other Vuilleminia species and is instead nested in a completely different clade (Corticium clade). A new genus Marchandiopsis is erected for this taxon.
Apportionment of institutional votes for the Nomenclature Section: A rebuttal to Smith & al.
Authors: Applequist Wendy L. , Callmander Martin W. , Davidse Gerrit , Sennikov Alexander , Thulin Mats , Vorster Piet , Yatskievych George
Published: February 2019

Smith & al. (2010) have suggested that the apportionment of institutional votes for the Nomenclature Section of the International Botanical Congress based upon taxonomic activity represents a “colonial legacy” that disadvantages developing nations, and that institutional votes should instead be distributed based at least in part upon a country's human population and the size of its flora. While we agree that increasing participation by developing‐country taxonomists is an important goal, we believe that Smith & al. fail to support their claim that the current practice of plant nomenclature is harmful to developing nations. No evidence has been offered of regional biases regarding proposals to change the wording of the Code, which represent the vast majority of the votes taken at any Nomenclature Section, nor has the current process of apportionment of institutional votes been shown to be biased. The reform measures proposed by Smith & al. would, as we show, introduce explicit discrimination based on nationality into the International code of botanical nomenclature, undermining the international cooperation among taxonomists that is necessary for the smooth functioning of a universally accepted system of nomenclature. Rather than making hasty and perhaps harmful changes to the current means of voting, we suggest that the international taxonomic community should consider carefully what measures will best facilitate participation without creating new sources of injustice.
Typification of names of American species of vascular plants proposed by Linnaeus and based on Loefling's Iter Hispanicum (1758)
Authors: Dorr Laurence J. , Wiersema John H.
Published: February 2019

Neotypes are proposed for the names of ten species of American plants that Linnaeus based in whole or in part on descriptions in Loefling's Iter Hispanicum: Allionia incarnata, Allionia violacea, Ayenia tomentosa, Byttneria scabra, Krameria ixine, Lecythis ollaria, Moniera trifolia, Viola arborea, Viola calceolaria, and Viola oppositifolia. Lectotypes are proposed for the names of six species of American plants that Linnaeus based in whole or in part on descriptions in the same work: Ayenia magna, Cecropia peltata, Ellisia acuta, Jussiaea pubescens, Loranthus occidentalis, and Spermacoce strigosa. A neotype also is proposed for a Jacquin name, Hybanthus havanensis, which Linnaeus renamed as Viola hybanthus. We also argue that Laetia americana is neotypified by the type applied to the illegitimate name Laetia apetala.
Paraphyletic groups as natural units of biological classification
Authors: Hörandl Elvira , Stuessy Tod F.
Published: February 2019

Despite the broad acceptance of phylogenetic principles in biological classification, a fundamental question still exists on how to classify paraphyletic groups. Much of the controversy appears due to (1) historical shifts in terminology and definitions, (2) neglect of focusing on evolutionary processes for understanding origins of natural taxa, (3) a narrow perspective on dimensions involved with reconstructing phylogeny, and (4) acceptance of lower levels of information content and practicability as a trade‐off for ease of arriving at formal classifications. Monophyly in evolutionary biology originally had a broader definition, that of describing a group with common ancestry. This definition thus includes both paraphyletic and monophyletic groups in the sense of Hennig. We advocate returning to a broader definition, supporting use of Ashlock's term holophyly as replacement for monophyly s.str. By reviewing processes involved in the production of phylogenetic patterns (budding, merging, and splitting), we demonstrate that paraphyly is a natural transitional stage in the evolution of taxa, and that it occurs regularly along with holophyly. When a new holophyletic group arises, it usually coexists for some time with its paraphyletic stem group. Paraphyly and holophyly, therefore, represent relational and temporal evolutionary stages. Paraphyletic groups exist at all levels of diversification in all kingdoms of eukaryotes, and they have traditionally been recognized because of their descent‐based similarity. We review different methodological approaches for recognition of monophyletic groups s.l. (i.e., both holophyletic and paraphyletic), which are essential for discriminating from polyphyly that is unacceptable in classification. For arriving at taxonomic decisions, natural processes, information content, and practicability are essential criteria. We stress using shared descent as a primary grouping principle, but also emphasize the importance of degrees of divergence plus similarity (cohesiveness of evolutionary features) as additional criteria for classification.
Phylogeny of subtribe Gentianinae (Gentianaceae): Biogeographic inferences despite limitations in temporal calibration points
Authors: Favre Adrien , Yuan Yong-Ming , Küpfer Philippe , Alvarez Nadir
Published: February 2019

The subtribe Gentianinae comprises ca. 425 species, most of them within the well‐studied genus Gentiana and mainly distributed over the Eurasian continent. Phylogenetic relationships between Gentiana and its closest relatives, the climbing gentians (Crawfurdia, Tripterospermum) and the new genus Metagentiana, remain unclear. All three genera were recently found to be polyphyletic, possibly because of poor sampling of Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia. Highest diversity of Gentianinae occurs in the western Himalaya, but the absence of uncontroversial fossil evidence limits our understanding of its biogeography. In the present study, we generated ITS and atpB‐rbcL sequences for 19 species of Tripterospermum, 9 of Crawfurdia and 11 of Metagentiana, together representing about 60 percent of the species diversity of these genera. Our results show that only Metagentiana is polyphyletic and divided into three monophyletic entities. No unambiguous synapomorphies were associated with the three Metagentiana entities. Different combinations of three approximate calibration points were used to generate three divergence time estimation scenarios. Although dating hypotheses were mostly inconsistent, they concurred in associating radiation of Gentiana to an orogenic phase of the Himalaya between 15 and 10 million years ago. Our study illustrates the conceptual difficulties in addressing the time frame of diversification in a group lacking sufficient fossil number and quality.
Generic delimitation and historical biogeography in the early‐divergent 'ambavioid' lineage of Annonaceae: Cananga, Cyathocalyx and Drepananthus
Authors: Surveswaran Siddharthan , Wang Rui Jiang , Su Yvonne C.F. , Saunders Richard M.K.
Published: February 2019

Generic delimitation of Cyathocalyx and Drepananthus has been controversial, with some authors recognizing them as distinct genera, and others recognizing a more broadly defined Cyathocalyx, inclusive of Drepananthus. Some doubt also exists regarding the relationships between these taxa and Cananga. Molecular phylogenetic analyses are presented based on combined psbA‐trnH spacer, trnL‐F, matK and rbcL sequences. Results indicate that Cananga, Cyathocalyx s.str. and Drepananthus form three generally well‐supported clades, although with inadequate resolution of relationships among the three clades. Morphological variation is re‐evaluated, and the narrower delimitation of Cyathocalyx proposed, necessitating 21 new nomenclatural combinations following the recognition of Drepananthus as a distinct genus. Divergence times are estimated using an uncorrelated lognormal distributed (UCLD) relaxed molecular clock. Historical biogeographical analysis suggests that the ambavioid lineage originated in Africa, with subsequent dispersal into Asia. Alternative hypotheses for this dispersal, involving rafting on the Indian tectonic plate versus migration via the extensive boreotropical forests associated with the Eocene thermal maximum, are evaluated, and the latter route identified as the most consistent with the divergence age estimates and the geological and palaeoclimatic data.
Phylogenetic generic classification of parmelioid lichens (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) based on molecular, morphological and chemical evidence
Authors: Crespo Ana , Kauff Frank , Divakar Pradeep K. , del Prado Ruth , Pérez-Ortega Sergio , de Paz Guillermo Amo , Ferencova Zuzana , Blanco Oscar , Roca-Valiente Beatriz , Núñez-Zapata Jano , Cubas Paloma , Argüello Arturo , Elix John A. , Esslinger Theodore L. , Hawksworth David L. , Millanes Ana , Molina M. Carmen , Wedin Mats , Ahti Teuvo , Aptroot Andre , Barreno Eva , Bungartz Frank , Calvelo Susana , Candan Mehmet , Cole Mariette , Ertz Damien , Goffinet Bernard , Lindblom Louise , Lücking Robert , Lutzoni Francois , Mattsson Jan-Eric , Messuti María Inés , Miadlikowska Jolanta , Piercey-Normore Michele , Rico Víctor J. , Sipman Harrie J.M. , Schmitt Imke , Spribille Toby , Thell Arne , Thor Göran , Upreti Dalip K. , Lumbsch H. Thorsten
Published: February 2019

Parmelioid lichens are a diverse and ubiquitous group of foliose lichens. Generic delimitation in parmelioid lichens has been in a state of flux since the late 1960s with the segregation of the large, heterogeneous genus Parmelia into numerous smaller genera. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that some of these new genera were monophyletic, some were not, and others, previously believed to be unrelated, fell within single monophyletic groups, indicating the need for a revision of the generic delimitations. This study aims to give an overview of current knowledge of the major clades of all parmelioid lichens. For this, we assembled a dataset of 762 specimens, including 31 of 33 currently accepted parmelioid genera (and 63 of 84 accepted genera of Parmeliaceae). We performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined datasets including two, three and four loci. Based on these phylogenies and the correlation of morphological and chemical characters that characterize monophyletic groups, we accept 27 genera within nine main clades. We re‐circumscribe several genera and reduce Parmelaria to synonymy with Parmotrema. Emodomelanelia Divakar & A. Crespo is described as a new genus (type: E. masonii). Nipponoparmelia (Kurok.) K.H. Moon, Y. Ohmura & Kashiw. ex A. Crespo & al. is elevated to generic rank and 15 new combinations are proposed (in the genera Flavoparmelia, Parmotrema, Myelochroa, Melanelixia and Nipponoparmelia). A short discussion of the accepted genera is provided and remaining challenges and areas requiring additional taxon sampling are identified.
Evolutionary history and taxonomy of the Cuscuta umbellata complex (Convolvulaceae): Evidence of extensive hybridization from discordant nuclear and plastid phylogenies
Authors: Costea Mihai , Stefanović Saša
Published: February 2019

The Cuscuta umbellata complex is one of the 15 major clades recently circumscribed in C. subg.Grammica. Most of its members occur in North America and the Caribbean (C. desmouliniana, C. lacerata, C. leptantha, C. liliputana, C. odontolepis, C. polyanthemos, C. tuberculata, C. umbellata), but three species (C. acuta, C. membranacea, C. umbellata) grow in South America, and one (C. hyalina) is found as a native species in India, Pakistan and Eastern to South Africa. Basic morphology, scanning electron microscopy and sequence data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the plastid trnL‐F region were used to reconstruct the phylogeny, gain a better understanding of the evolutionary history, and determine species boundaries. Our results show that in its currently accepted delimitation C. umbellata is polyphyletic. Discordances between phylogenies derived from plastid and nuclear data strongly suggest that at least four independent hybridization events have occurred in the evolution of this species group, rendering relationships among its members more complex than previously thought. One of these reticulation events involves C. umbellata var. reflexa, a taxon that has been considered synonymous to C. umbellata var. umbellata in the last decades. This hybrid is morphologically intermediate but distinct from its putative parents, C. odontolepis or C. acuta on the maternal side, and C. umbellata (var. umbellata) on the paternal side, which supports its treatment as a new species, C. legitima. Cuscuta umbellata is further redefined to exclude C. umbellata var. dubia, which is merged into C. desmouliniana. A new classification is provided, together with an identification key, descriptions, illustrations, and geographical distributions for the twelve species of the clade.
Lecto‐ and epitypification of Ficus racemosa L. (Moraceae)
Authors: Upadhyay Gautam Kumar , Srivastava Sunil Kumar
Published: February 2019

A lectotype and an epitype for Ficus racemosa L., the name for the species commonly known as "Clustered Fig", are proposed. The name was apparently based primarily on a plate in Rheede's Hortus Malabaricus labelled "Atty‐Alu", a Malayalam dialect name for the plant figured. However, as the plate shows ambiguity by portraying a branch having figs in simple or true racemes, whereas the accompanying text describes the infructescences as panicled, an epitype is designated here to fix the application of this name in accordance with its current usage.
Neckera and Thamnobryum (Neckeraceae, Bryopsida): Paraphyletic assemblages
Authors: Olsson Sanna , Enroth Johannes , Buchbender Volker , Hedenäs Lars , Huttunen Sanna , Quandt Dietmar
Published: February 2019

Recent phylogenetic analyses indicated that the backbone phylogeny of the pleurocarpous moss family Neckeraceae falls into three distinct clades. Here the detailed composition and phylogenetic relationships of the two major clades (the Neckera clade and the Thamnobryum clade) are analysed. The phylogenetic analyses, based on sequence data from the plastid rpl16 intron and the rps4-trnT-trnL-trnF cluster as well as the nuclear ITS1 and 2, retained this tripartition and revealed a strong biogeographic pattern, especially inside the Neckera clade. In addition, several morphological characters that have been held as unique and characteristic to a certain group of mosses and therefore valuable in taxonomic classification, were shown to be highly homoplastic and subjected to convergent evolution. Consequently, the circumscriptions of Leptodon and Thamnobryum are amended, the new genera Exsertotheca, Echinodiopsis and Thamnomalia (each with two species), and Alleniella (with ten species) are formally described and several implied nomenclatural changes are proposed, including synonymisation of Alsia with Neckera and Cryptoleptodon with Leptodon.
Molecular phylogeny of Camphorosmeae (Camphorosmoideae, Chenopodiaceae): Implications for biogeography, evolution of C4‐photosynthesis and taxonomy
Authors: Kadereit Gudrun , Freitag Helmut
Published: February 2019

Camphorosmeae constitute a species‐rich tribe of Chenopodiaceae‐Camphorosmoideae that consists mostly of subshrubs and annuals, distributed in steppes and semi‐deserts of Australia, Eurasia, North Africa, southern Africa and North America. We study (1) the relationships of Camphorosmeae to major lineages of the closely related Salsoloideae and (2) the diversification of the tribe with focus on the non‐Australian members using sequence variation of five different markers (rbcLgene,ndhFgene,atpB‐rbcLspacer,psbB‐psbHspacer, ITS) and morphological characters. The cpDNA analyses revealed six early‐branching lineages in Camphorosmoideae/Salsoloideae (Camphorosmeae, Salsoleae s.str., Caroxyloneae,Salsola kaliclade,Nanophytonclade,Salsola genistoidesclade) and supported partly (ndhFandatpB‐rbcLspacer) the sister‐group relationship of Camphorosmeae and all Salsolean clades. The distinctness of Camphorosmeae and Salsoleae s.l. is further supported by seed, stigma and pollen morphology. Molecular clock estimates point to an earlier radiation in Salsoleae s.l. (Early to Middle Oligocene) than in Camphorosmeae (Early Miocene). In Salsoleae s.l. early radiation might have been enhanced by multiple evolution of C4‐photosynthesis which facilitated the spread into drier habitats of Eurasia. In Camphorosmeae, C4‐photosynthesis likely evolved two times, probably in the Middle Miocene. During the Miocene Camphorosmeae spread from Eurasia to Australia, North America and at least two times to South Africa. Only the Australian lineage diversified, the others remained species‐poor. The molecular trees congruently resolve three major clades of unclear relationship within Camphorosmeae, Chenolea clade (five widely disjunct and morphologically divergent C3‐species, possibly remnants of old lineages), Sclerolaena clade (ca. 150 C3‐species from Central Asia [3 spp.] and Australia [147 spp.], probably the results of a rapid radiation during the Pliocene) andBassia/Camphorosmaclade (ca. 23 C4‐species and one C3/C4‐intermediate which are widely distributed in Eurasia and southern Africa). The phylogenies show the artificial state of the current generic and subtribal classifications of Eurasian, North American and South African Camphorosmeae. All non‐monotypic genera exceptCamphorosmaandNeokochiawere found to be polyphyletic. A revised classification of the tribe is proposed including reinstatement of the newly defined subfamily Camphorosmoideae, description of the new generaSpirobassia(1 sp.),Eokochia(1 sp.),Grubovia(3 spp.) andSedobassia(1 sp.), and several new combinations and synonymizations.
Molecular phylogenetics of the Mesoamerican bamboo Olmeca (Poaceae, Bambuseae): Implications for taxonomy
Authors: Ruiz-Sanchez Eduardo , Sosa Victoria , Mejía-Saules M. Teresa
Published: February 2019

Phylogenetic analyses based on five DNA plastid sequences from representative taxa of the Neotropical woody bamboo subtribe Guaduinae were performed to determine the generic limits of Olmeca and the relationships among its species. The phylogenetic position of a putative new taxon from Mexico was also determined. It appeared that, additional to the two species recognized in Olmeca, two Mesoamerican species of Aulonemia—A. clarkiae and A. fulgor—should be transferred to Olmeca. This transfer is supported by morphology. Individuals of an undescribed taxon from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico, were also retrieved embedded in the Olmeca group and are newly described as O. zapotecorum. The distribution range of the redefined genus Olmeca, currently composed of five species, now extends from southern Mexico to Honduras.
Phylogenetic relationships in the order Cucurbitales and a new classification of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)
Authors: Schaefer Hanno , Renner Susanne S.
Published: February 2019

We analysed phylogenetic relationships in the order Cucurbitales using 14 DNA regions from the three plant genomes: the mitochondrial nad1 b/c intron and matR gene, the nuclear ribosomal 18S, ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2, and 28S genes, and the plastid rbcL, matK, ndhF, atpB, trnL, trnL‐trnF, rpl20‐rps12, trnS‐trnG and trnH‐psbA genes, spacers, and introns. The dataset includes 664 ingroup species, representating all but two genera and over 25% of the ca. 2600 species in the order. Maximum likelihood analyses yielded mostly congruent topologies for the datasets from the three genomes. Relationships among the eight families of Cucurbitales were: (Apodanthaceae, Anisophylleaceae, (Cucurbitaceae, ((Coriariaceae, Corynocarpaceae), (Tetramelaceae, (Datiscaceae, Begoniaceae))))). Based on these molecular data and morphological data from the literature, we recircumscribe tribes and genera within Cucurbitaceae and present a more natural classification for this family. Our new system comprises 95 genera in 15 tribes, five of them new: Actinostemmateae, Indofevilleeae, Thladiantheae, Momordiceae, and Siraitieae. Formal naming requires 44 new combinations and two new names in Cucurbitaceae.
Taxonomy of Polygonoideae (Polygonaceae): A new tribal classification
Authors: Sanchez Adriana , Schuster Tanja M. , Burke Janelle M. , Kron Kathleen A.
Published: February 2019

The subfamily Polygonoideae has a world‐wide distribution and is an important component of many countries’ floras. In this study we present the most comprehensive sampling available to date, including data from three chloroplast genes (matK, ndhF, rbcL) for 82 species in Polygonaceae (54 from Polygonoideae). Based on our results, we propose a new taxonomic classification for Polygonoideae that includes five well‐supported tribes: Calligoneae, Fagopyreae, Persicarieae, Polygoneae, and Rumiceae. Overall, the results from molecular data represent significant progress in understanding the evolutionary relationships of major groups within the family. This classification also provides an assessment of diagnostic morphological characters for the tribes. The present work will promote reevaluation of morphological characters within this diverse group, especially synapomorphies for Polygonoideae, and for tribes with a particularly complex history such as Fagopyreae, Persicarieae, and Polygoneae. A new combination, Fagopyrum tibeticum, is proposed.
A case study of DNA barcoding in Chinese Grimmiaceae and a moss recorded in China for the first time
Authors: Liu Yan , Ge Tong Cao , Ge Xue-Jin
Published: February 2019

Mosses are among the basal lineages of embryophytes and one of the three bryophyte lineages. In the present study, four regions of chloroplast DNA (rbcL‐a, rps4, trnH‐psbA, trnL intron) were used to investigate the applicability of DNA barcoding to four moss genera of Grimmiaceae (Racomitrium, Coscinodon, Grimmia, Schistidium) in China. The species resolution of the four loci examined was 65% (trnH‐psbA), 59% (rps4), 53% (rbcL‐a) and 29% (trnL intron). However, rps4 (59%) provided a higher value of monophyletic species with bootstrap support >50% than trnH‐psbA (47%), rbcL‐a (35%), and trnL intron (18%). No multi‐locus combinations could significantly increase the species resolution but they increased the percentages of monophyletic species with bootstrap support >50% compared to the best single locus. Species of the genus Racomitrium could be resolved completely by rps4 and mostly (>80%) by rbcL‐a or trnH‐psbA. The species of Coscinodon (i.e., C. cribrosus) showed distinct plastid region sequences in rbcL‐a, rps4, trnH‐psbA, and trnL intron. Inter‐specific sequence sharing or high intra‐specific variability led to large amounts of barcoding failure in Grimmia and Schistidium. Furthermore, using a combination of morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding for identification, a moss species, Racomitrium elongatum, was recorded for the first time in China. The results suggest that trnH‐psbA is potentially the best barcode in mosses and rps4 a good supplementary locus for future use, as standard plant barcodes (rbcL + matK) do not perform well in this taxonomic group.
The controversy over the retypification of Acacia Mill. with an Australian type: A pragmatic view
Authors: Thiele Kevin R. , Funk Vicki A. , Iwatsuki Kunio , Morat Philippe , Peng Ching-I , Raven Peter H. , Sarukhán José , Seberg Ole , McNeill John , Orchard Anthony E. , David John C.
Published: February 2019

The conservation of Acacia with an Australian type has been perhaps the most controversial issue to have been dealt with under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature in many years. Before, during and since the vote on the matter at the Seventeenth International Botanical Congress in Vienna, strong opinions have been expressed in print, on the web and in the popular media. Opponents of the Vienna decision are currently focusing on details of the process by which the vote was conducted, rather than on the merits or otherwise of the original proposal. They have signalled an intention to challenge and to try to overturn the Vienna decision at the Melbourne Congress. We are a group of taxonomists, from a range of backgrounds and with a range of opinions on the original proposal, who believe that the Vienna process was fundamentally sound, and that continuance of this argument in its current form is damaging to the international nomenclatural consensus. We provide this paper as, we hope, an objective, non‐partisan summary of the issue and conclude with the recommendation that the international taxonomic community should accept the retypification of Acacia and move on.
Typification of Leontodon taraxacum L. (≡ Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.) and the generic name Taraxacum: A review and a new typification proposal
Authors: Kirschner Jan , Štěpánek Jan
Published: February 2019

The previous typification of Leontodon taraxacum L. (≡ Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.) and hence of the generic name Taraxacum is analysed. It is shown that the typification and consequent nomenclatural and interpretation changes have been almost totally ignored by the botanical public and therefore have become a source of ambiguity or confusion, and that the previous lectotype is in serious conflict with the protologue. A new lectotype is designated that is in accordance with the protologue and corresponds to the currently generally adopted reasonably broad interpretation of Taraxacum officinale as a name of an aggregate of agamospermous and sexual common dandelions. The new lectotype is “Dens leonis latiore folio Bauh., In Lusatia, Bohemia, Dania,” J. Burser vi.37 (UPS). In order to retain the broad‐sense interpretation of the name, the authors do not recommend subsequent epitypification of the name.
Molecular phylogeny of Diplolepis (Apocynaceae‐Asclepiadoideae) and allied genera, and taxonomic implications
Authors: Hechem Viviana , Calviño Carolina I. , Ezcurra Cecilia
Published: February 2019

Diplolepis, a genus from southern South America traditionally considered monotypic, has recently been shown from molecular data to include a few species that form a monophyletic group at the base of the MOG clade of Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae). The species transferred to Diplolepis include plants from temperate South America mostly described under the generic name “Cynanchum”. Phylogenetic analyses of cpDNA trnT‐trnF and rps16 sequences of 51 accessions of Asclepiadaceae using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods show that all “Cynanchum” from southern Argentina and Chile (except C. atacamense), Tweedia australis and Diplolepis form a well‐supported monophyletic group. Within this group, three clades are recognized: two morphologically homogeneous groups from South Andean forests and high elevation areas, and a more diverse group in flower and leaf morphology from southern South American desert and semidesert areas. The phylogenetic position of C. atacamense is equivocal but the species is transferred to Diplolepis based on morphological and biogeographical coherence. The morphological, geographical and environmental characteristics of the three recognized clades of Diplolepis are discussed and eight nomenclatural changes are proposed.
Phylogenetic relationships of Artemisia subg. Dracunculus (Asteraceae) based on ribosomal and chloroplast DNA sequences
Authors: Pellicer Jaume , Vallès Joan , Korobkov Aleksandr A. , Garnatje Teresa
Published: February 2019

Molecular‐phylogenetic analyses of a large sampling of Artemisia subg. Dracunculus were carried out under Bayesian and maximum parsimony criteria to circumscribe the subgenus and explore the relationships between the species in the core of the subgenus. The Dracunculus complex was resolved into two main clades: one core clade including most of the Eurasian representatives plus a few closely related North American endemic species, and a second, small clade including A. salsoloides and A. tanaitica. Segregation of the latter two species is proposed in order to keep the subgenus monophyletic. Within the core clade, the existence of different lineages such as the A. dracunculus or A. campestris complexes, as well as the relationships of Mausolea, Neopallasia and Turaniphytum, are scrutinized. Discordances between the molecular data and previous morphological taxonomic treatments are noted. The occurrence of polyploidy in the subgenus is explored using previously published and newly generated genome size data.
Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the fern genus Anisocampium (Athyriaceae)
Authors: Liu Yea-Chen , Chiou Wen-Liang , Kato Masahiro
Published: February 2019

We redefine the fern genus Anisocampium based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis using two regions of the chloroplast genome. The redefined genus is separate from Athyrium s. str. and comprises four species, two of which were previously assigned to Athyrium or Kuniwatsukia. Anisocampium paucijugum is reduced to a synonym of A. cumingianum. The four accepted species in Anisocampium are morphologically distinct but the putative hybrid An. ×saitoanum suggests low reproductive isolation in the genus. Anisocampium can be distinguished from related genera by a combination of characters only.
The Acacia retypification debate: Perspectives of African amateur botanists
Authors: Moore Andy , Cotterill Fenton P.D.
Published: February 2019

Amateur botanists represent an important constituency that makes significant scientific contributions in fields such as biogeography and is the source of important funding for research and conservation issues. We argue that the African amateur botanical constituency has not had a platform to make a contribution to the Acacia retypification debate. We further raise concerns that what we perceive as the failure of the Spermatophyta Committee to adhere to nomenclature guidelines has the potential to undermine nomenclature processes, and the legitimacy of botanical decision‐making bodies. It exposes these bodies to accusations of marginalization of Third World countries, especially those in Africa, and has possible legal ramifications, all with the potential to disrupt research and conservation priorities.
Nomenclature and revised typification of Cheilanthes bonariensis (Cheilantheae, Pteridaceae)
Authors: Ponce M. Mónica , Zimmer Brigitte
Published: February 2019

A revised typification of Acrostichum bonariense, based on the cited illustration, is necessary. An epitype is designated to interpret the inadequate original drawing.
Investigating the relationship between pre‐service physics teachers' professional knowledge, self‐concept, and interest
Authors: Sorge Stefan , Keller Melanie M. , Neumann Knut , Möller Jens
Published: February 2019

This study investigates the relationships between professional knowledge, self‐concept, and interest of pre‐service physics teachers. In order to support student learning and interest development alike, teachers need a profound professional knowledge and respective motivational orientations. Developing both professional knowledge and motivational orientations in teachers is therefore a key challenge of teacher education. Prior research has focused on the development of content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) within teacher education, but the role of motivational orientations such as self‐concept and interest have mostly been neglected areas of study. As individuals develop domain‐specific motivational orientations, they compare their achievement in an external frame to the achievement of their peers, and they compare their achievements in an internal frame across domains. The effects of these psychological processes on domain‐specific motivational orientations are described by the generalized internal/external frame of reference model (GI/E model). We assessed the professional knowledge (CK and PCK) and motivational orientations (self‐concept and interest) of N = 200 pre‐service physics teachers from 12 teacher education institutes in Germany. To investigate the predictions of the GI/E model, we utilized structural equation modeling. In line with the GI/E model, the analysis revealed that pre‐service teachers use social comparisons. Pre‐service teachers with a higher CK/PCK also showed a higher CK/PCK self‐concept. We also identified instances of internal comparisons as we found that a high level of CK corresponds with a lower PCK self‐concept. While we could not identify the same effects from professional knowledge on interest, self‐concept mediated the effects from professional knowledge on interest. The results suggest that interdependencies between professional knowledge and motivational orientation should be given more consideration in teacher education research and should also be addressed more explicitly in teacher education.
NIPAL4 deletion identified in an American Bully with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis and response to topical therapy
Authors: Briand Amaury , Cochet‐Faivre Noelle , Reyes‐Gomez Edouard , Jaraud‐Darnault Ambre , Tiret Laurent , Chevallier Lucie
Published: February 2019

Ichthyoses represent a heterogeneous group of hereditary cornification disorders characterized by generalized scaling of the skin. An autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) has been described in American Bulldogs and is caused by a variant in the NIPAL4 gene encoding for the ICHTHYIN protein. So far, this variant has not been described in other breeds. A 1.5‐year‐old female pedigreed American Bully was referred for generalized scaling and bad coat quality since adoption at 8 weeks of age. Clinical examination, cytological and histopathological examination, and DNA testing were performed. Clinical examination revealed a generalized scaling; cytological evaluation using impression with acetate tapes showed a secondary Malassezia dermatitis. Histopathological examination revealed a moderate to marked, diffuse, compact orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with the formation of large scales. Few Malassezia were observed in the stratum corneum associated with minimal mixed perivascular inflammation and moderate epidermal hyperplasia. DNA testing of the dog revealed that he carries two defective alleles of the NIPAL4 gene previously described in the American Bulldog. We performed a commercially available breed detection test which, although not specifically testing for “American Bully” signatures, revealed a high probability of American Bulldog DNA signature within the past three generations. Topical treatment using a combination of keratolytic and keratomodulator shampoo, emollient and moisturizers spray and antimicrobial wipes achieved a marked clinical improvement after only 1 month. Continuous topical treatment was necessary to maintain clinical improvement. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of the deleterious NIPAL4 variant in an American Bully as well as the first description of clinical management and follow‐up of ARCI in this breed.
Scrambling time from local perturbations of the rotating BTZ black hole
Authors: Štikonas Andrius
Published: February 2019

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the entanglement entropy of the rotating BTZ black hole perturbed by a massive back-reacting free falling particle. Then, mutual information between two finite intervals in two asymptotic regions of rotating BTZ is derived. It allows us to find the scrambling time, the time scale in which mutual information vanishes. We give a dual large c CFT description in terms of a thermofield double state with different temperatures for left and right moving modes that is perturbed by a local operator. Exact matching between gravity and CFT results is obtained.
Holographic RG flows on curved manifolds and the F-theorem
Authors: Ghosh J. K. , Kiritsis E. , Nitti F. , Witkowski L. T.
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We study F-functions in the context of field theories on S
3 using gauge-gravity duality, with the radius of S
3 playing the role of RG scale. We show that the on-shell action, evaluated over a set of holographic RG flow solutions, can be used to define good F-functions, which decrease monotonically along the RG flow from the UV to the IR for a wide range of examples. If the operator perturbing the UV CFT has dimension Δ > 3/2 these F -functions correspond to an appropriately renormalized free energy. If instead the perturbing operator has dimension Δ < 3/2 it is the quantum effective potential, i.e. the Legendre transform of the free energy, which gives rise to good F-functions. We check that these observations hold beyond holography for the case of a free fermion on S
3 (Δ = 2) and the free boson on S
3 (Δ = 1), resolving a long-standing problem regarding the non-monotonicity of the free energy for the free massive scalar. We also show that for a particular choice of entangling surface, we can define good F-functions from an entanglement entropy, which coincide with certain F-functions obtained from the on-shell action.
A Starting Point: Provide Children Opportunities to Engage with Scientific Inquiry and Nature of Science
Authors: Murphy Clíona , Smith Greg , Broderick Nicola
Published: February 2019

This paper explores the effect teachers’ participation in a targeted inquiry-based/nature of science (NoS) continuing professional development programme had on Irish primary children’s experiences of scientific inquiry and developing conceptions of NoS. Data were gathered from 459 children from 10 Dublin schools. The findings revealed that their teachers’ engagement with the targeted professional development programme had positive effects on the children’s experiences of scientific inquiry and on their developing NoS conceptions. It was apparent that professional development methodologies were effectively implemented throughout the school year. which led to a significant increase in these children’s engagement with more child-led inquiry-based approaches and a significant decrease in engagement with more teacher-led methodologies. Furthermore, engagement with the professional development methodologies resulted in the children developing more elaborate conceptions regarding ‘general aspects’ of NoS. The findings are significant in that that they add to the growing body of literature that asserts that pedagogy regarding ‘general aspects’ of NoS is an appropriate starting point in supporting the development of young children’s NoS conceptions. Furthermore, engagement with the programme methodologies during school science enabled the children to make sense of science in their everyday lives. Science education policy documents worldwide highlight the importance of scientific literacy and suggest that if students are to become scientifically literate it is essential that they develop their understanding about the processes of science and the type of knowledge science produces and have the ability to apply this scientific knowledge in every day contexts. The findings in this study are significant in that it is apparent that engagement with inquiry-based and NoS pedagogies appeared to have been a very good starting point in supporting the development of these young children’s scientific literacy skills.
Approximation of fixed point of multivalued ρ-quasi-contractive mappings in modular function spaces
Authors: Okeke Godwin Amechi , Khan Safeer Hussain
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this paper is to extend the recent results of Okeke et al. (2018) to the class of multivalued ρ-quasi-contractive mappings in modular function spaces. We approximate fixed points of this class of nonlinear multivalued mappings in modular function spaces. Moreover, we extend the concepts of T-stability, almost T-stability and summably almost T-stability to modular function spaces and give some results.
Duration of untreated illness and response to SRI treatment in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Albert Umberto , Barbaro Francesca , Bramante Stefano , Rosso Gianluca , De Ronchi Diana , Maina Giuseppe
Published: February 2019

Background:

The duration of untreated illness (DUI) is a potentially modifiable parameter associated with worst prognosis in several psychiatric disorders, but poorly investigated in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Our aims were to estimate the mean DUI in a large sample of individuals with OCD and its impact on response to the first ever adequate SRI treatment.

Methods:

We retrospectively examined records of 251 patients with OCD (SCID-I, DSM-IV) who referred to our Department and were prospectively and naturalistically treated according to International Guidelines. The DUI was defined as the interval between age at onset and age at which patients received their first adequate pharmacological treatment. Response rates were compared in subjects with brief (≤24 months) versus long DUI. Logistic regression models predicting response and 12-week Y-BOCS score were run with DUI (among others) as independent variable.

Results:

The mean DUI was 106.19 ± 118.14 months, with a mean interval between onset of the disorder and when patients sought professional help of 82.27 ± 112.30 months. Response rates were significantly reduced in subjects with a long DUI, using both the cut-off of 24 months and the median value of 60 months. Regression analyses confirmed that a long (>24 months) DUI predicts poorer response and higher Y-BOCS scores at 12 weeks.

Conclusions:

Our results, although preliminary, seem to suggest that a longer duration of untreated illness in OCD is associated with poorer outcome in terms of response to SRI treatments. It is imperative to do all the possible to shorten the DUI, both by improving access to mental health services, improving the ability of primary care physicians and mental health professionals to recognize OCD, and disseminate best-practice prescription guidelines.