Is the Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae), native to Ireland, or was it brought by the first copper miners?

The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is often referred to as one of Ireland’s ‘Lusitanian’ species to describe its disjunct distribution, since it is absent from Britain and is mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea and on the Iberian Peninsula. In Ireland, it is regarded as native in the south-west and in Co. Sligo. However, a recent genetic study suggests that it could have been introduced to Ireland directly from northern Spain. This possibility was previously dismissed, since palynological and archaeological evidence showed it to be present in south-west Ireland 4,000 years ago. Here, we examine how an introduction might have occurred prior to this date, by first reviewing what is known of its distribution, ecology and history in Ireland along with archaeological information. Then, combining an updated distribution of A. unedo where it is regarded as native in Ireland with historical accounts, palynological and archaeological records and other information from the literature, we present two online maps, designed to be an ongoing accessible resource. The information has enabled us to propose a means by which A. unedo might have arrived in Ireland with miners who came to work the first known copper mine in north-west Europe, in the Chalcolithic phase of the Late Neolithic, which was at Ross Island on Lough Leane in Co. Kerry. The species’ distribution today suggests that it then spread with subsequent Bronze Age copper mining activity in south-west Ireland, though this is unlikely to account for its arrival in Co. Sligo. Previous suggestions that A. unedo was once much more widely distributed in Ireland and subsequently contracted due to preferential cutting for smelting, are shown to be unfounded.

Contamination Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements and Foraminiferal Distribution Patterns in Lagos Lagoon: A Correlation Analysis

The ecological response of benthic foraminifera to bioavailable Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) was evaluated in Lagos Lagoon (Nigeria). We sampled and analyzed PTEs across Lagos Lagoon with the aim to investigate the extent of contaminated sediments, to document their distribution, and to explore the relationship between PTE concentration and the spatial distribution, composition, abundance, and species richness of benthic foraminifera biotas. PTE’s recordings showed a wide range reflecting a diffuse contamination, where Contamination and Enrichment Factor suggest low to extremely polluted sediments. Findings of a previous survey of the benthic foraminifera inhabiting Lagos Lagoon revealed diverse assemblages of benthic taxa, species-specific distribution patterns, gradients of species richness and abundance, and a disjunct distribution of agglutinated and hyaline-perforate/porcelaneous taxa along a pronounced salinity gradient. Correlation matrix analysis shows that except for Selenium, all PTE total concentrations positively correlate with mud and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and two of the most abundant agglutinated taxa, Ammotium salsum, and Trochammina sp. 1. Moreover, both species display significant positive correlations with CrF4-CoF2-F3-F4-total-CuF4-total-NiF3-F4-total-AlF4-total-FeF3-F4-total-ZnF3-F4-total. On the other hand, both foraminifers correlate negatively with PbF4-SeF3-Setotal. The overall significant positive correlation of these PTEs suggests that they behave as micronutrients when complexed with organic matter. No significant positive correlation with none of the PTEs in any fraction was found for neither species richness nor for the most abundant hyaline perforate species (Ammonia aoteana). Some PTE fractions were found to correlate either positively or negatively with individual species, suggesting that they function as either micronutrients and/or stressors. The resulting Contamination Factor of the PTE total concentrations shows that only a few sample sites can be classified as “moderately” polluted for chromium, zinc, and copper and that all sampled sites are classified as “highly polluted” for selenium. The highest concentrations for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were found towards the industrialized western part, an area that is characterized by moderate to high diversity but low abundances.

Phylogeny and Biogeography of Acaena (Rosaceae) and its Relatives: Evidence of Multiple Long-Distance Dispersal Events Across the Globe

Abstract— Acaena (Rosaceae) is the most complex and ecologically variable genus in Sanguisorbinae. Although it has been the subject of several taxonomic treatments, the largest phylogenetic analysis to date only sampled a small fraction of the total global diversity (five to seven out of 45 to 50 species). This study included most of the species to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of Acaena and biogeographic patterns in Sanguisorbinae. Phylogenetic analyses of non-coding nuclear (ITS region) and chloroplast (trnL-F) DNA sequence markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses suggested that Acaena is a paraphyletic group with species of Margyricarpus and Tetraglochin nested within it. We identified strong support for eight subclades that are geographically or taxonomically structured. Nevertheless, the species-level relationships within subclades are still uncertain, which may be due to rapid diversification and lack of informative characters in the markers used. Sanguisorbinae, a primarily Southern Hemisphere clade, exhibits a classic Gondwana disjunct distribution. This current distribution is explained primarily by eight long-distance dispersal events. Our results suggested that Sanguisorbinae split into Cliffortia and Acaena around 13.6 mya. While Cliffortia diversified in southern South Africa, Acaena experienced several migration events in the Southern Hemisphere. Our estimation of the ancestral range suggested that Acaena likely originated in South Africa, followed by migration and subsequent diversification into southern South America. From there, the genus migrated to New Zealand, throughout the Andes, and to tropical areas in Central America, reaching as far north as California. Chile and New Zealand are the main sources of propagules for dispersal as well as the greatest diversity for the genus. The evolutionary relationships of species in Acaena combine a history of rapid diversifications, long-distance dispersals, and genetic variation within some taxa. Further research should be undertaken to clarify the infraspecific classification of A. magellanica.

Description of Nola estonica sp. nov., with comparison to N. aerugula and N. atomosa stat. rev. (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Nolinae)

Nola estonica Õunap sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Nolinae) is described based on type material from Estonia. The lectotype is designated for Glaphyra atomosa Bremer, 1861, which is reinstated from a subspecies of Nola aerugula (Hübner, [1793]) to a full species: Nola atomosa (Bremer, 1861) stat. rev. The status of these three taxa as separate species is supported by the results of phylogenetic analysis of DNA barcodes, as well as external and genital morphology of adult specimens. Two new synonyms are established as follows: Nola atomosa (Bremer, 1861) = Nola candidalis Staudinger, 1892 syn. nov. and Nola shin Inoue, 1982 syn. nov. N. estonica occurs sympatrically with N. aerugula in Estonia, and with N. atomosa in South Korea and easternmost Russia. While the available data suggest a disjunct distribution of N. estonica (eastern Europe and the temperate Far East), it appears highly possible that the species has a wide transpalaearctic distribution.

Rediscovery of the endemic Afrotropical genus Spathioplites (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) with major range extension records for Spathioplites phreneticus

The endemic, monotypic Afrotropical genus Spathioplites Fischer, 1962 is rediscovered based on new specimens collected in South Africa and Senegal. Spathioplites phreneticus Fischer, 1962 was previously known from the holotype (male) and 12 paratypes (11 males and a female) collected in Chad in 1959. As part of an ongoing long-term insect inventory survey program in Africa new specimens were recently collected in Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve in South Africa, extending the distribution range southwards by 4900 km. An additional historical specimen from Senegal was discovered in the collections of the Natural History Museum in Paris, extending the range westwards by 4000 km. Possible reasons for the disjunct distribution exhibited by current locality records for this species are discussed. The holotype male and a paratype female, as well as one of the two newly collected South African females were imaged. These photographs, as well as genus and species re-descriptions, are provided. An identification key to the Old World genera in the doryctine tribe Spathiini s. str. is also presented. All images and interactive identification keys are available on www.waspweb.org.

Phylogeography of the New Zealand whelks Cominella maculosa and C. virgata

<p>Cominella maculosa and C. virgata are common rocky shore whelk species from New Zealand. This study used DNA sequences from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) to expand an earlier unpublished dataset and examine the phylogeographic structure of both species in the Cook Strait region, of C. maculosa in the Chatham Islands, and of C. virgata in the northern North Island. Both species are found to have a considerable degree of phylogeographic structure, concordant with that reported by an earlier study and for other species with direct development. South Island sites sampled for C. maculosa had several private haplotypes and a high frequency haplotype that is shared with populations from the southern North Island. Together, these formed a ‘southern haplogroup’. Low diversity in ‘southern’ populations may reflect founder effects that would have occurred as part of a southward range expansion during the onset of the present interglacial period. The Chatham Islands samples had two haplotypes that formed a separate sub-group to the ‘southern haplogroup’, suggesting Chatham Islands populations are moderately isolated from those on mainland New Zealand but may have been founded from ‘southern’ populations relatively recently. The high frequency haplotype present in South Island samples of C. virgata is absent in Wellington samples but widespread in those from the north-eastern North Island. South Island populations may have been founded from the Hauraki Gulf through human-mediated translocation events. Phylogenetic analyses with a focus on C. virgata were conducted using the mitochondrial genes CO1 and 16SrRNA, and the nuclear gene 18S rRNA, to expand an earlier published dataset. The purported northern subspecies C. virgata brookesi does not form a monophyletic lineage and voucher specimens fluidly intergrade with the nominal subspecies, with which it is synonymised. A lectotype is designated for Buccinum lineolatum Quoy & Gaimard, 1833, for which Cominella virgata is a replacement name. Potential causes of the disjunct distribution patterns of C. virgata and other mollusc taxa are discussed with particular reference to the formation and timing of marine straits through the Auckland Isthmus and Cook Strait.</p>

Phylogeography of the New Zealand whelks Cominella maculosa and C. virgata

<p>Cominella maculosa and C. virgata are common rocky shore whelk species from New Zealand. This study used DNA sequences from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) to expand an earlier unpublished dataset and examine the phylogeographic structure of both species in the Cook Strait region, of C. maculosa in the Chatham Islands, and of C. virgata in the northern North Island. Both species are found to have a considerable degree of phylogeographic structure, concordant with that reported by an earlier study and for other species with direct development. South Island sites sampled for C. maculosa had several private haplotypes and a high frequency haplotype that is shared with populations from the southern North Island. Together, these formed a ‘southern haplogroup’. Low diversity in ‘southern’ populations may reflect founder effects that would have occurred as part of a southward range expansion during the onset of the present interglacial period. The Chatham Islands samples had two haplotypes that formed a separate sub-group to the ‘southern haplogroup’, suggesting Chatham Islands populations are moderately isolated from those on mainland New Zealand but may have been founded from ‘southern’ populations relatively recently. The high frequency haplotype present in South Island samples of C. virgata is absent in Wellington samples but widespread in those from the north-eastern North Island. South Island populations may have been founded from the Hauraki Gulf through human-mediated translocation events. Phylogenetic analyses with a focus on C. virgata were conducted using the mitochondrial genes CO1 and 16SrRNA, and the nuclear gene 18S rRNA, to expand an earlier published dataset. The purported northern subspecies C. virgata brookesi does not form a monophyletic lineage and voucher specimens fluidly intergrade with the nominal subspecies, with which it is synonymised. A lectotype is designated for Buccinum lineolatum Quoy & Gaimard, 1833, for which Cominella virgata is a replacement name. Potential causes of the disjunct distribution patterns of C. virgata and other mollusc taxa are discussed with particular reference to the formation and timing of marine straits through the Auckland Isthmus and Cook Strait.</p>

Phylogeny, Phylogeography and Population Connectivity of Lessonia (Phaeophyceae)

<p>The brown algal genus Lessonia is distributed in the Southern Hemisphere where it can form dominant kelp beds on the exposed rocky shores of New Zealand, South America and Tasmania. Its disjunct distribution within the West Wind Drift contrasts with the view that it is a poor disperser. Apart from studies in Chile, where it is an economically important genus, little is known about Lessonia and in some areas even the number of species is unknown. Using different genetic markers I examined the phylogeny, phylogeography, and the connectivity of populations in Lessonia. Using the literature, species affiliations and nomenclatural problems have been investigated. Combining the sequences of three mitochondrial, one chloroplast and two nuclear markers, a supermatrix approach was used to investigate the phylogenetic relationship and the timing of speciation for all known Lessonia species. The Australasian Lessonia species form a clade within a paraphyletic grouping of South American species. Radiation in Lessonia occurred about 5 Mya at the beginning of the Pliocene and rapid radiation took place in Australasia 3.5 Mya. The data also revealed cryptic species within a L. variegata species complex. Further analysis within the Australasian clade, using mitochondrial (atp8-sp) and chloroplast (rbc-sp) markers and wider sampling (469 individuals from 57 sample sites) supported four cryptic species and revealed localized distribution for all Australasian lineages. Genetic breaks between Lessonia lineages corresponded well to known biogeographic regions and could be correlated to the geographic structure of New Zealand at the end of the Pliocene. The Cook Strait region was analysed more closely with newly developed microsatellite markers to test the influence of geographic breaks (Cook Strait and Palliser Bay) on the connectivity of populations. The results suggested that connectivity depends on the width of unsuitable habitat, and within inner Cook Strait it is facilitated by sometimes strong tidal flows that create turbulences and unique current patterns. The results implied that rafting is an important mean of dispersal. The study of the early literature on Lessonia supported the new lectotypification of L. flavicans but revealed that L. frutescens and possibly L. ovata (supported by images of rediscovered herbarium material) are synonymous to L. searlesiana and as the older epithets they should have priority. Suggestions have been made for the lectotypification of L. fuscescens and L. ovata. In general Lessonia shows non-overlapping distribution in Australasia but overlapping distribution in South America. Despite being a poor disperser, indicated by fine scale genetic structure, Lessonia is also able to connect populations over wide areas of unsuitable habitats.</p>

Phylogeny, Phylogeography and Population Connectivity of Lessonia (Phaeophyceae)

<p>The brown algal genus Lessonia is distributed in the Southern Hemisphere where it can form dominant kelp beds on the exposed rocky shores of New Zealand, South America and Tasmania. Its disjunct distribution within the West Wind Drift contrasts with the view that it is a poor disperser. Apart from studies in Chile, where it is an economically important genus, little is known about Lessonia and in some areas even the number of species is unknown. Using different genetic markers I examined the phylogeny, phylogeography, and the connectivity of populations in Lessonia. Using the literature, species affiliations and nomenclatural problems have been investigated. Combining the sequences of three mitochondrial, one chloroplast and two nuclear markers, a supermatrix approach was used to investigate the phylogenetic relationship and the timing of speciation for all known Lessonia species. The Australasian Lessonia species form a clade within a paraphyletic grouping of South American species. Radiation in Lessonia occurred about 5 Mya at the beginning of the Pliocene and rapid radiation took place in Australasia 3.5 Mya. The data also revealed cryptic species within a L. variegata species complex. Further analysis within the Australasian clade, using mitochondrial (atp8-sp) and chloroplast (rbc-sp) markers and wider sampling (469 individuals from 57 sample sites) supported four cryptic species and revealed localized distribution for all Australasian lineages. Genetic breaks between Lessonia lineages corresponded well to known biogeographic regions and could be correlated to the geographic structure of New Zealand at the end of the Pliocene. The Cook Strait region was analysed more closely with newly developed microsatellite markers to test the influence of geographic breaks (Cook Strait and Palliser Bay) on the connectivity of populations. The results suggested that connectivity depends on the width of unsuitable habitat, and within inner Cook Strait it is facilitated by sometimes strong tidal flows that create turbulences and unique current patterns. The results implied that rafting is an important mean of dispersal. The study of the early literature on Lessonia supported the new lectotypification of L. flavicans but revealed that L. frutescens and possibly L. ovata (supported by images of rediscovered herbarium material) are synonymous to L. searlesiana and as the older epithets they should have priority. Suggestions have been made for the lectotypification of L. fuscescens and L. ovata. In general Lessonia shows non-overlapping distribution in Australasia but overlapping distribution in South America. Despite being a poor disperser, indicated by fine scale genetic structure, Lessonia is also able to connect populations over wide areas of unsuitable habitats.</p>