Infraspecific variation of some brown Parmeliae (in Poland) – a comparison of ITS rDNA and non-molecular characters

Infraspecific variation of the ITS rDNA region of some brown Parmeliae occurring in Poland is studied and compared with non-molecular characters. Haplotype networks are used to illustrate the variability within the species. Both newly-produced sequences from Central Europe and from all over the world, downloaded from the GenBank, are used. The number of haplotypes found for each taxon ranged from five in Melanelia stygia to 12 in Melanelia hepatizon and Montanelia disjuncta; however, their numbers correlate with the number of specimens tested. New haplotypes for Melanelia agnata, M. hepatizon and Cetraria commixta are found. Based on our 169-sample dataset, we could not infer any geographical correlation, either locally or world-wide. Many of the analysed haplotypes were widely distributed and the same haplotype was often shared between temperate and polar populations. A comparison of molecular, morphological, anatomical and chemical characters also shows no correlation.

The Lycopodiaceae of Panamá

The present paper provides keys to the genera and species of Lycopodiaceae for 6 genera and 40 species recorded from Panamá. The treatment includes nomenclature, descriptions of species and information about distribution and habitats, and notes on problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation. All species are illustrated, and representative specimens are cited.

Leaf epidermal micromorphology in Aspidistra (Asparagaceae): diversity and taxonomic significance

Micromorphological characters of leaf epidermis were investigated in 69 species of Aspidistra using scanning electron microscopy. Sculpture of epidermis varies from smooth to verrucose and rugose in the genus. The abaxial epidermis of some species bears papillae, whereas the adaxial surface uniformly lacks the papillae. Sculpture type of epidermis and density of papillae are generally found to be stable characters at a species level. The infraspecific variation of epidermis sculpture, where present, ranges from smooth to verrucose or from verrucose to rugose. Micromorphological characters of leaf epidermis are shown to have potential taxonomic significance in Aspidistra; in combination with the type of shoot structure, they allow to subdivide the species into 13 groups. The groups are largely incongruent with floral morphological traits. An identification key to the studied species of Aspidistra based on vegetative characters (gross leaf and shoot morphology and characters of leaf epidermis) is presented.

Mediterranean Subspecies versus Californian Varieties: An Example from Acmispon (Leguminosae, Loteae)

The tribe Loteae of the family Leguminosae has major centers of diversity in the Mediterranean Region and California. It is used here to illustrate different traditions of taxonomic interpretation of infraspecific variation among researchers in different continents. Recent accounts of European and Mediterranean taxa commonly make an emphasis on recognizing subspecies. In contrast, accounts of North American Loteae recognize all infraspecific taxa as varieties. Harmonization of taxonomic concepts across continents is essential for a more accurate representation of data in global biodiversity databases. It is reasonable to use the rank of subspecies for geographically defined infraspecific units with localized zones of intergradation. Such subspecies may be at least partially compatible across continents and taxonomic groups. In the present paper, we discuss taxa traditionally included in or associated with Acmispon glaber (Vogel) Brouillet (=Syrmatium glabrum Vogel) and demonstrate a need for recognizing three species, of which one has three geographically defined subspecies. Required nomenclatural combinations are proposed. It is proposed that subspecies rather than varieties should be recognized in a number of other species of North American Loteae (and other plant groups). Inland subspecies of Acmispon glaber and A. maritimus offer an opportunity for comparative analysis in an eco-evo-devo framework.

The Lycopodiaceae of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana

The present paper provides keys to the genera and species of Lycopodiaceae for the 5 genera and 25 species recorded from Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The treatment includes nomenclature, descriptions of species, and information about distribution and habitats, and notes on problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation. All species are illustrated, and representative specimens are cited.

A precarious future for distinctive peripheral populations of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

Conservation efforts rely on robust taxonomic assessments that should be based on critical assessment of interspecific boundaries, infraspecific variation, and potentially distinctive peripheral populations. The meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) is widely distributed across North America, including 28 morphologically defined subspecies and numerous isolated populations. Because some subspecies are of high conservation concern, we examined geographic variation across the range of the species to test existing infraspecific taxonomy in terms of local and regional diversification. We sequenced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 20 subspecies of M. pennsylvanicus and contextualized infraspecific variation through comparison of pairwise genetic distances derived from an extended data set of 63 species of Microtus. We found strong support for at least three divergent clades within M. pennsylvanicus, with observed intraspecific clade divergence exceeding that between several pairwise comparisons of sister species within Microtus. Six nuclear genes were then sequenced to test the validity of mtDNA structure and to further evaluate the possibility of cryptic, species-level diversity using Bayes factor species delimitation (BFD) analyses. BFD consistently and decisively supported multiple species based on the multilocus approach. We propose that taxonomic revision of the meadow vole is required, with the eastern clade now identified as M. pennsylvanicus (Ord 1815), the western clade as M. drummondii (Audubon and Bachman 1853), and the coastal Florida clade as M. dukecampbelli (Woods, Post, and Kilpatrick 1982). We suggest that such an arrangement would more closely reflect evolutionary history and provide critical context for further examination of distinctive southern peripheral populations that harbor novel evolutionary legacies and adaptive potential.

Synopsis of the genus Phlegmariurus (Lycopodiaceae) in Colombia

This article presents the results of a study of a large material of Colombian Lycopodiaceae, describing 75 species of the genus Phlegmariurus, some of them subdivided into several varieties. Their nomenclature, distribution and habitats are indicated, and problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation are discussed. All species are illustrated, and studied specimens are cited. An attempt has been made to group the species, mainly following the clades of recent molecular studies. The following taxa are described as new to science: Phlegmariurus cocuyensis, P. cruentus var. exilis, P. cruentus var. illimitatus, P. idroboi, and P. josesantae.

Review on the synonymy concerning genus Amphidromus Albers, 1850 (Gastropoda: Camaenidae), with descriptions of new species

This study rectifies several probable errors in recent research regarding synonymy of Amphidromus Albers, 1850, the infraspecific variation of which is extreme and can lead to improper nomenclature assignments. Two new species of Amphidromus recorded from Vietnam and Thailand are also described.

Diderma fallax. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

A description is provided for Diderma fallax, a myxomycete commonly observed on dead branches and/or twigs in the litter of Apiaceae, Cytisus sp., Gramineae [Poaceae], Prunus spinosa and Vaccinium myrtillus. Some information on its interactions and habitats, economic impacts, infraspecific variation, dispersal and transmission, and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Morocco, Canada (British Columbia), USA (California, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming), Chile, Philippines, Russia (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug), Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Russia (Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Tver Oblast), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK).