Robust phylogenetic position of the enigmatic hydrozoan, Margelopsis haeckelii revealed within the family Corymorphidae

The life-cycle and polyp morphology of Margelopsidae representatives are very different from all other Aplanulata cnidarians. Until recently, their evolutionary origin and phylogenetic position has been a subject of significant speculation. A recent molecular study based only on COI data unexpectedly placed Margelopsidae as a sister group to all Aplanulata, despite the Margelopsid morphology suggests affiliation with Tubulariidae or Corymorphidae. Here we used multigene analyses, including nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and mitochondrial (16S rRNA and COI) markers of the Margelopsidae hydroid Margelopsis haeckelii Hartlaub, 1897, to resolve its phylogenetic position with respect to other hydrozoans. Our data provides strong evidence that M. haeckelii is a member of the family Corymorphydae, making the family Margelopsidae invalid. Furthermore, we show that medusa previously known as M. harlaubii Browne, 1903 is sister to Plotocnide borealis, Wagner, 1885 and might be a member of Boreohydridae. The phylogenetic signal of polyp and medusа stages is discussed in light of concept of inconsistent evolution and molecular phylogenetic analysis.

Nomenclatural novelties and typification of names in Scorzonera sensu lato (Asteraceae, Cichorieae) for the Italian vascular flora

According to recent molecular study, the genus Scorzonera sensu lato is polyphyletic. A revised circumscription of this genus was proposed with the recognition of seven genera: Scorzonera sensu stricto, Gelasia, Lipschitzia, Pseudopodospermum, Pterachaenia, Ramaliella, and Takhtajaniantha. Accordingly, a taxonomic treatment of the genus Scorzonera sensu lato for the Italian vascular flora is presented. Nomenclatural types for six names are designated here: Scorzonera calcitrapifolia var. decumbens, S. columnae, S. deliciosa, S. neapolitana, S. trachysperma var. undulata, and S. villosa. Furthermore, the following new combinations are proposed: Gelasia villosa subsp. columnae, Pseudopodospermum hispanicum subsp. asphodeloides, P. hispanicum subsp. neapolitanum, and P. undulatum subsp. deliciosum.

A new combination in the genus Siler (Apiaceae) for the Balkan flora

A recent molecular study (Banasiak et al. 2016) reconstructed the phylogeny of all the genera belonging to tribe Scandiceae Spreng. subtribe Daucinae Dumort., showing that the genus Laserpitium Linnaeus (1753: 248) is polyphyletic. Banasiak et al. (l.c.) split Laserpitium into 5 genera: Laserpitium L., Ekimia Duman & Watson (1999: 200), Laser Borkh. ex Gaertner, Meyer & Scherbius (1799: 244, 384), Siler Miller (1754: without pagination), Silphiodaucus (Koso-Poljansky 1916: 211) Spalik, Wojewódska, Banasiak, Piwczyński & Reduron in Banasiak et al. (2016: 578), and Thapsia Linnaeus (1753: 261).

Global genetic homogeneity in the deep-sea foraminiferan Epistominella exigua (Rotaliida: Pseudoparrellidae)

Epistominella exigua is one of the most common deep-sea foraminiferal morphospecies and has a world-wide distribution. A recent molecular study revealed high genetic similarity between Arctic, Atlantic and Antarctic populations of this species. Here, we show that the small-subunit (SSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences of an E. exigua population from Pacific are almost identical to those reported previously from the other three oceans. This result confirms the genetic homogeneity of E. exigua, which contrasts with the prevalence of highly differentiated populations in planktonic and shallow-water benthic foraminiferans. We discuss special features of diversifications mechanisms in the deep sea that may be responsible for the lack of genetic differentiation and global distribution of some meiofauna species.