Taxonomic notes on the identity of Rungia latior var. anamalayana (Acanthaceae) from Western Ghats, India

Rungia latior Nees var. anamalayana Chandrab. & V. Chandras., examined as part of the revisionary studies on the Acanthaceae of Western Ghats, have shown some taxonomic ambiguity. As the original authors rightly pointed out, the variety ‘does not fit within the circumscription of the typical species’. Based on our recent collections, we also felt that the varietal status is superfluous as the same has got some merits to be recognized as a distinct species. As such the status of the variety has been reassessed; elevated to the specific rank and a new combination has been set, conserving the varietal name as the specific epithet. Accordingly, the species is renamed as Rungia anamalayana (Chandrab. & V. Chandras.) A. Nazarudeen & G. Rajkumar comb. et stat. nov. The distinctive features and alliance of the species is discussed and a full account of the species is presented with illustrations.

The impact of different names for a wine variety on prices

Purpose The purpose of this study is to illustrate a general method for identifying the price impact of using a different varietal name for a wine. Design/methodology/approach A revealed preference research approach is employed using marketed wines and prices. Price impacts are estimated using hedonic price models which control for the influence of other factors on prices. The technique is applied to the use of accepted synonyms to describe different varieties of Australian wine. Findings The use of varietal synonyms in the Australian market is suggested to be more of a marketing strategy designed to command a higher price rather than because of wine stylistic reasons. Important premiums are estimated for the use of the terms Syrah, Pinot Gris and to a lesser extent for Fumé Blanc. Practical implications Australian wine producers may be able to command price premiums by strategically choosing a name for a particular varietal. It appears no significant stylistic changes are needed to “justify” any varietal name change, and as such, only a label name change may be required. A switch to French-associated or -sounding names for a wine varietal may result in price premiums for Australian producers. Originality/value The paper illustrates a general revealed preference method for identifying wine varietal name price premiums and further illustrates the importance of “Frenchness” in wine name use.

Validation of the names Oenothera issleri and O. issleri var. silesiacoides (Onagraceae)

The name Oenothera issleri Renner ex Rostański was not validly published in 1965 due to the lack of a single type designation. In this paper the holotype is indicated and the name is validly published using Rostański’s original diagnosis. The varietal name O. issleri var. silesiacoides Rostański & Jehlík is validated in the same way.

Correction to Phytotaxa 61: A synopsis of the species of Cyathea (Cyatheaceae-Polypodiopsida) with pinnate to pinnate-pinnatifid fronds

After the publication of the synopsis of simply pinnate species of Cyathea (Lehnert 2012), it was brought to my attention that I erroneously used Hemitelia munita Kuhn (1869: 162) as basionym for a variety in Cyathea grandifolia Willdenow (1810: 490) while there already was a validly published varietal name available that takes priority within that rank

A review of Ancorina, Stryphnus, and Ecionemia (Demospongiae, Astrophorida, Ancorinidae), with descriptions of new species from New Zealand waters

New collections of New Zealand ancorinid sponges with sanidasters, regular and sanidaster-like microrhabds, andamphiaster-like microscleres, has prompted us to review the integrity of ancorinid genera Ancorina Schmidt, EcionemiaBowerbank, and Stryphnus Sollas (Demospongiae, Astrophorida, Ancorinidae). The varietal name in Ancorina progressa(von Lendenfeld 1907) var. diplococcus Dendy, 1924 has been elevated to full species status, and A. stalagmoides (Dendy,1924) has been redescribed. Two new species, A. bellae sp. nov., from the Three Kings Islands, and A. globosa sp. nov.,from Campbell Rise, have been described. Two New Zealand species previously assigned to Ancorina by Dendy (1924)have been transferred to Ecionemia: E. alata (Dendy 1924) and E. novaezelandiae (Dendy 1924). The genus Stryphnus isrecorded for the first time in New Zealand waters, and 6 new species are described here; S. poculum sp. nov., S. levis sp.nov., S. novaezealandiae sp. nov., S. spelunca sp. nov., and S. atypicus sp. nov. Specimens identified as Asteropus simplex(Carter 1879) by Dendy (1924) and Bergquist (1968), a genus without triaenes, have been transferred to Stryphnus and renamed as S. ariena sp. nov., as all specimens contained rare triaenes.

Unit cell data of serpentine group minerals

Least-squares analyses of powder X-ray diffraction data have been undertaken for minerals and synthetics of composition (Mg,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni)3−xSi2O5 (OH)4. New polytypes of nepouite and greenalite have been established, and eleven new or altered unit cells have been calculated. Baumite is an unnecessary varietal name for a manganoan ferroan lizardite-1T; tosalite is an unnecessary varietal name for a manganoan greenalite; clinochrysotile is an unnecessary polytype name for chrysotile-2Mc1; orthochrysotile is an unnecessary polytype name for chrysotile-2Orc1; ortho-antigorite and ortho-hexagonal serpentine are unnecessary names for lizardite-6T1; and septechlorite should not be used. The powder data of the serpentine group are in general, poor.

CHROMOSOME NUMBERS AND TAXONOMIC NOTES ON NORTHERN GRASSES: I. TRIBE TRITICEAE

Chromosome numbers and voucher specimens are recorded for some collections of the tribe TRITICEAE Dumort., mainly collected in Canada. The somatic chromosome numbers of the following are recorded: (1) Elymus canadensis L., 2n = 28; (2) Elymus cinereus Scribn. & Merr., 2n = 28 and 2n = 56; (3) Elymus glaucus Buckl., 2n = 28; (4a) Elymus innovatus Beal subsp. innovatus, 2n = 28; (4b) Elymus innovatus Beal subsp. velutinus Bowden, 2n = 56; (5) Elymus wiegandii Fern., 2n = 28; (6) Eremopyrum triticeum (Gaertn.) Nevski, 2n = 14; (7) Sitanion hystrix (Nutt.) J. G. Smith, 2n = 28; (8) × Agrohordeum macounii (Vasey) Lepage, 2n = 28; (9) × Agroelymushirtiflorus (Hitchc.) Bowden, 2n = 28; and (10) × Agroelymus ungavensis (Louis-Marie) Lepage, 2n = 28. Because var. coreensis Hack. is an earlier varietal name, Elymus mollis Trin. var. coreensis (Hack.) Bowden replaces E. mollis Trin. var. japonicus Bowden as the name for the variety that occurs on the shores of the Sea of Japan.