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The Palaeotropical genus Antirhea (Guettardeae, Rubiaceae) currently comprises 37 dioecious species classified into three subgenera, Antirhea, Mesocarpa and Guettardella. It has a complex taxonomic history with varying generic delineation and variable application of species names. Recent phylogenetic studies have indicated the non-monophyly of Antirhea, but the limited sampling does not allow resolution of its circumscription or nomenclatural changes to be proposed. Here, we reconcile the generic boundaries of Antirhea based on phylogenetic analyses of two nuclear (ETS, ITS) and three plastid loci (atpB-rbcL, rps16, trnT-F) using Bayesian, maximum likelihood and parsimony methods. Our results show that Antirhea in its current circumscription is highly polyphyletic, whereas its three subgenera are retrieved as well-supported independent clades. A new generic framework is proposed based on phylogenetic results and supported by morphological evidence. We intend to restrict Antirhea to species native to the Mascarene Islands and Madagascar, to reinstate the genus Guettardella with emended diagnostic features and to describe the new genus Achilleanthus to accommodate the species of subgenus Mesocarpa plus Guettarda glabrescens, G. hypoplasia and G. ngoyensis. As a consequence, seven new combinations in Achilleanthus and 17 new combinations in Guettardella are made.

The South American species of Marsdenia are transferred to Ruehssia, following the recognition of this lineage as independent from Marsdenia s.str. New combinations are provided for 22 species and 2 subspecies; eight names are lectotypified, and one is neotypified.

Premise Species of Apocynaceae are pollinated by a diverse assemblage of animals. Here we report the first record of specialized cockroach pollination in the family, involving an endangered climbing vine species, Vincetoxicum hainanense in China. Experiments were designed to provide direct proof of cockroach pollination and compare the effectiveness of other flower visitors. Methods We investigated the reproductive biology, pollination ecology, pollinaria removal, pollinia insertion, and fruit set following single visits by the most common insects. In addition, we reviewed reports of cockroaches as pollinators of other plants and analyzed the known pollination systems in Vincetoxicum in a phylogenetic context. Results The small, pale green flowers of V. hainanense opened during the night. The flowers were not autogamous, but were self-compatible. Flower visitors included beetles, flies, ants and bush crickets, but the most effective pollinator was the cockroach Blattella bisignata, the only visitor that carried pollen between plants. Less frequent and effective pollinators are ants and Carabidae. Plants in this genus are predominantly pollinated by flies, moths and wasps. Conclusions Globally, only 11 plant species are known to be cockroach-pollinated. Because their range of floral features encompass similarities and differences, defining a "cockroach pollination syndrome" is difficult. One commonality is that flowers are often visited by insects other than cockroaches, such as beetles, that vary in their significance as pollinators. Cockroach pollination is undoubtedly more widespread than previously thought and requires further attention.

Resumen Keller, H. A.; S. Liede-Schumann; A. Rapini & S. Cáceres Moral. 2020. El género Ruehssia (Apocynaceae) en la Argentina: filogenia, nuevas combinaciones y nuevos registros. Darwiniana, nueva serie 8(2): 414-437. Ruehssia se restableció recientemente para clasificar a todas las especies americanas de la tribu Marsdenieae. Aquí, ofrecemos una revisión del género en la Argentina, con una clave de identificación, comentarios, un mapa de distribución e imágenes de todas las especies. La posición filogenética de todas las especies se ha evaluado utilizando secuencias de ADN nuclear y cloroplástico. Reconocemos seis especies. Además de R. altissima y R. macrophylla, incluimos dos nuevos registros, R. hilariana y R. brasiliensis, y proponemos dos nuevas combinaciones en el género, R. castillonii (Lillo ex T. Mey.) H.A. Keller & Liede y R. tressensiae (S.A. Cáceres y Morillo) H.A. Keller & Liede. Ruehssia montana y R. ulei, previamente citadas para la Argentina, no habitan en el país. Abstract Keller, H. A.; S. Liede-Schumann; A. Rapini & S. Cáceres Moral. 2020. The genus Ruehssia (Apocynaceae) from Argentina: phylogeny, new combinations and new records. Darwiniana, nueva serie 8(2): 414-437. Ruehssia was recently reestablished to classify all American species of the tribe Marsdenieae. Here, we provide a revision of the genus in Argentina, with an identification key, comments, a distribution map, and images of all species. The phylogenetic position of all species has been assessed using chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences. We recognize six species. Besides R. altissima and R. macrophylla, we include two new records, R. hilariana and R. brasiliensis, and propose two new combinations in the genus, R. castillonii (Lillo ex T. Mey.) H.A. Keller & Liede and R. tressensiae (S.A. Cáceres & Morillo) H.A. Keller & Liede. Ruehssia montana and R. ulei, previously reported to Argentina, do not occur in the country.

A new species is described in African Vincetoxicum (incl. Tylophora), and the present status of Vincetoxicum in South Africa is recapitulated. The new species, here described as Vincetoxicum stylesii, is a twining forest dweller known so far only from the Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Due to its isolated phylogenetic position at the very base of Vincetoxicum, and to its rarity, it is to be regarded as a relict species. With the new species, the genus includes ten species in South Africa when adopting the here also proposed new synonymy for Vincetoxicum simianum (in V. cordatum) and V. badium var. latifolium (in V. umbelliferum); six of the species are endemic.

The Manobo tribe in the Philippines is culturally rich in ethnomedicinal practices and known to use popular plants locally named as “Lunas” (meaning “cure”). One of these is “Lunas-bagon tapol” which was previously identified as Lunasia sp. (Rutaceae) based on vegetative morphology. The other species is “Lunas-buyo” which is similar in ethnomedicinal use and morphology. This broadly-based study verifies these two “Lunas”-named specimens and evaluates the phytochemicals present and cytotoxic properties. The sequences of nuclear ITS, and plastid rbcL, and matK were investigated for species identification. Molecular confirmation using BLASTn nucleotide database query revealed that the two confused “Lunas”-named specimens were members of Piperaceae and not Rutaceae. Phylogeny of Asian Piper using ITS sequences revealed “Lunas-bagon tapol” as Piper decumanum L. and “Lunas-buyo” as Piper aduncum L. with strong support (BS = 100 %). Both Piper species similarly showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and fatty acids but the absence of cyanogenic glycosides. Also, P. decumanum has moderate amount of saponins while P. aduncum contains moderate amount of anthraquinones. A cytotoxic activity test using trypan blue exclusion method against normal lymphocytes from human blood showed low toxicity (91.9 % viable cells) for P. decumanum and mild toxicity (88.3 % viable cells) for P. aduncum when subjected to 1000 μg/ml of the stem ethanolic extracts. These results support the practical approach of molecular-based taxon identification and provide the biochemical and biological basis as to the constituents present and cytotoxic properties of these medicinal Piper species for future pharmacological research, conservation priorities and ecological management.

Argostemma separatum, a new species with free stamens in star-shaped corolla from Mt. Halcon Oriental Mindoro, Philippines is here described and compared with Argostemma diversifolium, the only species of the genus with this type of flower. This species is distinct from A. diversifolium by its indumentum on stem, leaf blades and calyx, smaller leaf blades, fewer flowered inflorescences, shape of stipule and calyx, red tips on corolla lobes, and color of anthers. Based on the recent IUCN categories, the conservation status of A. separatum is Data Deficient (DD) since it was only collected at the type locality.

The MOG clade is one of the four neotropical lineages of the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae), and its core group is formed by the subtribes Metastelmatinae, Oxypetalinae, Gonolobinae, Tassadiinae and Topeinae, consisting of about 935 species and 63 genera. These subtribes form well-supported and morphologically distinguishable clades, but the relationships among them are yet to be resolved. Metastelmatinae is composed of approximately 300 species and 12 genera with complex circumscriptions. There is no agreement regarding the sequence of phylogenetic events at the beginning of the Metastelmatinae evolution. Petalostelma stands out for being a genus frequently assigned to the basal grade of Metastelmatinae. In this study, we evaluated the circumscription of Petalostelma, its phylogenetic position in Metastelmatinae and the relationships between the subtribes of the MOG core group, thus offering an overview of the initial diversification of Metastelmatinae. Our results support the monophyly of Petalostelma and a basal grade sequentially formed by Blepharodon s.s., Petalostelma, Barjonia and Minaria within Metastelmatinae; however, alternative hypotheses in which the positions of Petalostelma and Barjonia are interchanged cannot be rejected. The sister clades Metastelmatine–Gonolobinae and Oxypetalinae–Tassadiinae are the most likely within the MOG core group, although without statistical significance. We also present a taxonomic revision of Petalostelma in Brazil, including complete morphological descriptions, an identification key, illustrations, distribution maps, assessments of the conservation status and taxonomic comments for the nine species recognized in the country, including a new species from eastern Brazil, P. atlanticum, endemic to Espirito Santo and critically endangered.

L’exceptionnelle richesse floristique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie est mondialement connue. Plus de 3 400 espèces de plantes vasculaires indigènes y sont répertoriées, dont les trois-quarts sont endémiques de l’archipel. L’endémisme ne concerne pas seulement les espèces, mais aussi les genres (près d’une centaine) et même trois familles. La diversité se décline aussi sur le plan écologique, en lien avec l’histoire géologique originale de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, qui a favorisé le micro-endémisme et les espèces inféodées aux substrats ultramafiques. De nouvelles espèces continuent à être découvertes, aussi reste-t-il nécessaire de poursuivre prospections et recherches botaniques, afin de mieux comprendre l’origine et l’évolution de cette flore, et contribuer à sa préservation. Le présent volume regroupe trois familles d’Angiospermes. Celle des Apocynaceae dont la classification a été profondément remaniée depuis la publication en 1981 du fascicule « Apocynaceae », volume 10 de la Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances : les trois sous-familles traitées ici (Periplocoideae, Secamonoideae et Asclepiadoideae) formaient auparavant la famille des Asclepiadaceae. Les Phellinaceae qui, avec 10 espèces ligneuses, constituent l’une des trois familles endémiques du territoire. Enfin, la Nouvelle-Calédonie héberge quelques espèces de la famille cosmopolite des Capparaceae, toutes appartenant au genre du câprier (Capparis). Conformément à la ligne éditoriale de la collection, cet ouvrage comporte, pour chaque famille traitée indépendamment : une présentation générale suivie de descriptions détaillées des genres et des espèces ; des clés d’identification, en français et en anglais ; une illustration variée comprenant des dessins au trait et des photographies des plantes vivantes ; des cartes de répartition et une évaluation des besoins de conservation selon les critères de l’UICN.

A flexible use of the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) has been hypothesised to represent an intermediate stage along a C3 to full CAM evolutionary continuum, when relative contributions of C3 vs CAM metabolism are co-determined by evolutionary history and prevailing environmental constraints. However, evidence for such eco-evolutionary interdependencies is lacking. We studied these interdependencies for the leaf-succulent genus Drosanthemum (Aizoaceae, Southern African Succulent Karoo) by testing for relationships between leaf δ13 C diagnostic for CAM dependence (i.e. contribution of C3 and CAM to net carbon gain), and climatic variables related to temperature and precipitation and their temporal variation. We further quantified the effects of shared phylogenetic ancestry on CAM dependence and its relation to climate. CAM dependence is predicted by rainfall and its temporal variation, with high predictive power of rainfall constancy (temporal entropy). The predictive power of rainfall seasonality and temperature-related variables was negligible. Evolutionary history of the tested clades significantly affected the relationship between rainfall constancy and CAM dependence. We argue that higher CAM dependence might provide an adaptive advantage in increasingly unpredictable rainfall environments when the anatomic exaptation (succulence) is already present. These observations might shed light on the evolution of full CAM.

In order to evaluate the diversity, endemism, distribution and conservation of the genus Euphorbia in SW Asian countries, we generated an updated and annotated checklist of 249 taxa belonging to the current accepted four Euphorbia subgenera, 30 sections and five subsections, based on floristic compilations followed by extensive verification of nearly 24,000 herbarium vouchers from the region. We also provide updated distribution maps for 247 of the 249 taxa treated. The predominant group is Euphorbia subg. Esula, with 19 sections and 184 taxa (176 species), followed by subg. Chamaesyce (six sections, 32 species), subg. Euphorbia (two sections, 21 species) and subg. Athymalus (three sections, 12 species). Turkey, Iran and Syria are the most diverse countries, with 102, 92 and 50 species, respectively. The richest concentration of Euphorbia species in SW Asia are the eastern part of the Mediterranean region in Lebanon with 27–34 taxa; Alborz, Zagros (Iran), Lesser Caucasus, and Anti-Taurus (S Turkey) with 21–27 taxa each are the second richest areas. The highest number of endemics occurs in Iran (21 taxa), followed by Turkey (12 taxa) and Yemen (7 taxa). All 134 endemic and subendemic taxa were evaluated by the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Among the known Euphorbia species in the region, 10 of them (4.4%) are adventive. Life-form spectra show that the majority of species (80.7%) are hemicryptophytes, therophytes and chamaephytes. Twelve new records are reported here for Iran, Afghanistan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Turkey, six synonyms and three sectional transfers are suggested.

Dapar MLG, Meve U, Liede-Schumann S, Alejandro GJD. 2020. Ethnomedicinal appraisal and conservation status of medicinal plants among the Manobo tribe of Bayugan City, Philippines. Biodiversitas 21: 3843-3855. Manobo tribe is one of the most populated indigenous communities in the Philippines clustered in various parts of Mindanao archipelago with distinct cultural traditions and medicinal practices. This study aims to document the Agusan Manobo tribe medicinal plant uses and knowledge and to assess the conservation status of their medicinal plants found in upland ancestral lands where ethnomedicinal practices still prevail. Ethnomedicinal data were gathered from 95 key informants through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field walks in five selected upland barangays of Bayugan City. Family importance value (FIV) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) were quantified. The conservation status of their medicinal plants was assessed based on the international and national listing of threatened species. A total of 90 species belonging to 82 genera and 41 families were identified as ethnomedicinally important. Highest FIV (98.9) was reported for Piperaceae in treatment for skin diseases and infections. The most cited medicinal plant species was Piper decumanum L. (RFC=0.95), which is primarily used in treatment for insect and snake bites. Conservation assessment revealed that the five upland areas of the Agusan Manobo tribe are habitats of endemic, endangered, vulnerable and threatened species. The results of this study present the rich ethnomedicinal knowledge of Agusan Manobo cultural community, which could serve as a useful source of information to improve community healthcare and environmental conservation and management. Local people and the government should actively participate in shared management responsibilities for viable conservation strategies and sustainable use of the cultural community resources.

Understanding how and why rates of evolutionary diversification vary is a central issue in evolutionary biology and ecology. The concept of adaptive radiation has attracted much interest, but is metaphorical and verbal in nature, making it difficult to quantitatively compare different evolutionary lineages or geographic regions. In addition, the causes of evolutionary stasis are relatively neglected. Here we review the central concepts in the evolutionary diversification literature and bring these together by proposing a general framework for estimating rates of diversification and quantifying their underlying dynamics, which can be applied across clades and regions and across spatial and temporal scales. Our framework describes the diversification rate ( d ) as a function of the abiotic environment ( a ), the biotic environment ( b ) and clade-specific phenotypes or traits ( c ); thus d ~ a , b , c . We refer to the four components ( a − d ) and their interactions collectively as the ‘Evolutionary Arena’. We outline analytical approaches to this conceptual model that open up new avenues for research, and present a case study on conifers, for which we parameterise the general model. We also discuss three conceptual examples based on existing literature: the Lupinus radiation in the Andes in the context of emerging ecological opportunity and fluctuating fragmentation due to climatic oscillation; oceanic island radiations in the context of archipelago isolation and island formation and erosion; and biotically driven radiations of the Mediterranean orchid genus Ophrys . The results of the conifer case study are consistent with the long-standing scenario that large niches, lack of competition, and high-rates of niche evolution differentially promote diversification, but these results go further by quantifying the statistical interactions between variables representing these three drivers. The conceptual examples illustrate how using the synthetic Evolutionary Arena framework results in highlighting gaps in current knowledge, and thus help to identify future directions for research on evolutionary radiations. In this way, the Evolutionary Arena framework promotes a more general understanding of variation in evolutionary rates by making quantitative results comparable between case studies, thereby allowing new syntheses of evolutionary and ecological processes to emerge.

(English) This study was conducted to investigate the ethnomedicinal plants used by the Agusan Manobo as potential drug leads for the treatment of cuts and wounds. Despite the prominence of the locality on medicinal plant use, the area was previously ignored due to distance and security threat from the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army. Oral medicinal plant knowledge was documented. Methods: Ethnomedicinal survey was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 among 50 key informants through a semi-structured questionnaire; open interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to gather information on medicinal plants used as a treatment for cuts and wounds. Nonparametric inferential statistics Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were set at 0.05 level of significance to determine if there was a significant difference of ethnomedicinal knowledge among respondents when grouped according to location, social position, occupation, educational level, civil status, gender and age. Quantitative ethnomedicinal data was obtained from Family Importance Value and Relative Frequency of Citation. Results: Present documentation enumerates 48 species of medicinal plants belonging to 45 genera and 26 families used by the community and their only tribal healer for the treatment of cuts and wounds. Asteraceae (7 species) was the best-represented family and Piper species were cited to be the most frequently used medicinal plant species. Statistically, the medicinal plant knowledge among respondents was significantly different ( p < 0.05) when grouped according to occupation, educational level, civil status, gender, and age but not when grouped according to location ( p = 0.234) and social position ( p = 0.580). Conclusion: The current study documents the medicinal plant knowledge of Agusan Manobo in the treatment of cuts and wounds. The traditional medicinal systems of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) are sources of knowledge for bioprospecting. More ethnobotanical studies should be encouraged before the traditional knowledge of indigenous people vanishes.

Two new species of Ophiorrhiza collected from Mt Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental, Philippines, are herein described and illustrated. Ophiorrhiza erythropilosa is the third Philippine species possessing involucral bracts and is further characterized by its predominantly villose stems that appear red due to strikingly red‐violet trichomes, subpersistent bifid stipules, linear involucral bracts without prominent midrib, and 4 mm long urceolate corolla that is villose outside and lightly puberulous inside. Ophiorrhiza hamiguitanensis is characterized by its coriaceous, lanceolate leaves with attenuate apex and base, brochidodromous venation, subpersistent bilobed stipules with slightly recurved acute tips, presence of 1.5–2.5 mm long linear ensiform bracts, heterostylous flowers, clavate calyces and broadly obcordate capsules.

Background The Philippines is renowned as one of the species-rich countries and culturally megadiverse in ethnicity around the globe. However, ethnopharmacological studies in the Philippines are still limited especially in the most numerous ethnic tribal populations in the southern part of the archipelago. This present study aims to document the traditional practices, medicinal plant use, and knowledge; to determine the relative importance, consensus, and the extent of all medicinal plants used; and to integrate molecular confirmation of uncertain species used by the Agusan Manobo in Mindanao, Philippines. Methods Quantitative ethnopharmacological data were obtained using semi-structured interviews, group discussions, field observations, and guided field walks with a total of 335 key informants comprising of tribal chieftains, traditional healers, community elders, and Manobo members of the community with their medicinal plant knowledge. The use-report (UR), use categories (UC), use value (UV), cultural importance value (CIV), and use diversity (UD) were quantified and correlated. Other indices using fidelity level (FL), informant consensus factors (ICF), and Jaccard’s similarity index (JI) were also calculated. The key informants’ medicinal plant use knowledge and practices were statistically analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results This study enumerated the ethnopharmacological use of 122 medicinal plant species, distributed among 108 genera and belonging to 51 families classified in 16 use categories. Integrative molecular approach confirmed 24 species with confusing species identity using multiple universal markers (ITS, matK, psbA-trnH, and trnL-F). There was strong agreement among the key informants regarding ethnopharmacological uses of plants, with ICF values ranging from 0.97 to 0.99, with the highest number of species (88) being used for the treatment of abnormal signs and symptoms (ASS). Seven species were reported with maximum fidelity level (100%) in seven use categories. The correlations of the five variables (UR, UC, UV, CIV, and UD) were significant (rs ≥ 0.69, p < 0.001), some being stronger than others. The degree of similarity of the three studied localities had JI ranged from 0.38 to 0.42, indicating species likeness among the tribal communities. Statistically, the medicinal plant knowledge among respondents was significantly different (p < 0.001) when grouped according to education, gender, social position, occupation, civil status, and age but not (p = 0.379) when grouped according to location. This study recorded the first quantitative ethnopharmacological documentation coupled with molecular confirmation of medicinal plants in Mindanao, Philippines, of which one medicinal plant species has never been studied pharmacologically to date. Conclusion Documenting such traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and practices is highly essential for future management and conservation strategies of these plant genetic resources. This ethnopharmacological study will serve as a future reference not only for more systematic ethnopharmacological documentation but also for further pharmacological studies and drug discovery to improve public healthcare worldwide.

Background Philippines is renowned as one of the species-rich countries and culturally megadiverse in ethnicity worldwide. Ethnomedicinal knowledge of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) is vital for biodiversity conservation and healthcare improvement. This study aims to document the traditional practices, medicinal plant use, and knowledge; to determine the relative importance, consensus, and the extent of all medicinal plants used; and to integrate molecular confirmation to some medicinal plants used by the Agusan Manobo. Methods Quantitative ethnopharmacological data were obtained using semi-structured interviews, group discussions, field observations, and guided field walks with a total of 335 key informants comprising of tribal chieftains, traditional healers, community elders and residents of the community with their traditional medical knowledge. The use categories (UC), use report (UR), fidelity level (FL), and informant consensus factors (ICF) were quantified. The informants' medicinal plant use knowledge and practices were statistically analyzed using the descriptive and inferential statistics Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results A total of 122 medicinal plant species belonging to 108 genera and 51 families, used in 16 use categories, were collected and identified. Integrative molecular approach confirmed 24 species with uncertain identity using multiple universal markers. The highest ICF (0.96) was cited for the category of abnormal signs and symptoms (ASS). The maximum FL values of 100% were found for Carica papaya L., Premna odorata Blanco, Cinnamomum mercadoi S.Vidal, Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook.f. & Thomson, and Ficus concinna (Miq.) Miq. used for the treatment of dengue fever, cough with phlegm, stomach trouble, joint pain, and fracture and dislocation, respectively. The highest UR (1134) and UC (12) was reported for Anodendron borneense (King & Gamble) D.J.Middleton. Statistically, the medicinal plant knowledge among respondents was significantly different ( p

Understanding how and why rates of evolutionary diversification vary is a key issue in evolutionary biology, ecology, and biogeography. Evolutionary rates are the net result of interacting processes summarized under concepts such as adaptive radiation and evolutionary stasis. Here, we review the central concepts in the evolutionary diversification literature and synthesize these into a simple, general framework for studying rates of diversification and quantifying their underlying dynamics, which can be applied across clades and regions, and across spatial and temporal scales. Our framework describes the diversification rate (d) as a function of the abiotic environment (a), the biotic environment (b), and clade‐specific phenotypes or traits (c); thus, d ~ a,b,c. We refer to the four components (a–d) and their interactions collectively as the “Evolutionary Arena.” We outline analytical approaches to this framework and present a case study on conifers, for which we parameterize the general model. We also discuss three conceptual examples: the Lupinus radiation in the Andes in the context of emerging ecological opportunity and fluctuating connectivity due to climatic oscillations; oceanic island radiations in the context of island formation and erosion; and biotically driven radiations of the Mediterranean orchid genus Ophrys. The results of the conifer case study are consistent with the long‐standing scenario that low competition and high rates of niche evolution promote diversification. The conceptual examples illustrate how using the synthetic Evolutionary Arena framework helps to identify and structure future directions for research on evolutionary radiations. In this way, the Evolutionary Arena framework promotes a more general understanding of variation in evolutionary rates by making quantitative results comparable between case studies, thereby allowing new syntheses of evolutionary and ecological processes to emerge., The Evolutionary Arena (EvA) framework for comparative studies on evolutionary radiations, stasis, and biodiversity decline. EvA conceptualizes context‐dependent species diversification in concert with lineage‐specific traits and abiotic and biotic environmental conditions. In this concept paper, we synthesize recent progress in diversification research into a heuristic framework into which relevant processes can be grouped and parameterized (e.g., here for the conifers).

Background Drosanthemum, the only genus of the tribe Drosanthemeae, is widespread over the Greater Cape Floristic Region in southern Africa. With 114 recognized species, Drosanthemum, together with the highly succulent and species-rich tribe Ruschieae, constitute the ‘core ruschioids’ in Aizoaceae. Within Drosanthemum, nine subgenera have been described based on flower and fruit morphology. Their phylogenetic relationships, however, have not yet been investigated, hampering understanding of monophyletic entities and patterns of geographic distribution. Methods Using chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequence data, we performed network- and tree-based phylogenetic analyses of 73 species of Drosanthemum with multiple accessions for widespread species. A well-curated, geo-referenced occurrence dataset comprising the 134 genetically analysed and 863 further accessions was used to describe the distributional ranges of intrageneric lineages and the genus as a whole. Results Phylogenetic inference supports nine clades within Drosanthemum, seven of which group in two major clades, while the remaining two show ambiguous affinities. The nine clades are generally congruent to previously described subgenera within Drosanthemum, with exceptions such as cryptic species. In-depth analyses of sequence patterns in each gene region were used to reveal phylogenetic affinities inside the retrieved clades in more detail. We observe a complex distribution pattern including widespread, species-rich clades expanding into arid habitats of the interior (subgenera Drosanthemum p.p., Vespertina, Xamera) that are genetically and morphologically diverse. In contrast, less species-rich, genetically less divergent, and morphologically unique lineages are restricted to the central Cape region and more mesic conditions (Decidua, Necopina, Ossicula, Quastea, Quadrata, Speciosa). Our results suggest that the main lineages arose from an initial rapid radiation, with subsequent diversification in some clades.

BackgroundDrosanthemum,the only genus of the tribe Drosanthemeae, is widespread over the Greater Cape Floristic Region in southern Africa. With 114 recognized species,Drosanthemumtogether with the highly succulent and species-rich tribe Ruschieae constitute the ‘core ruschioids’ in Aizoaceae. WithinDrosanthemum, nine subgenera have been described based on flower and fruit morphology. Their phylogenetic relationships, however, have not yet been investigated, hampering understanding of monophyletic entities and patterns of geographic distribution.MethodsUsing chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequence data, we performed network- and tree-based phylogenetic analyses of 73 species represented by multiple accessions ofDrosanthemum. A well-curated, geo-referenced occurrence data set comprising the phylogenetically studied and 867 further accessions was used to describe the distributional ranges of intrageneric lineages and the genus as a whole.ResultsPhylogenetic inference supports nine clades withinDrosanthemum, seven of them group in two major clades, while the remaining two show ambiguous affinities. The nine clades are generally congruent to previously described subgenera withinDrosanthemum, with exceptions such as (pseudo-) cryptic species. In-depth analyses of sequence patterns in each gene region revealed phylogenetic affinities not obvious in the phylogenetic tree. We observe a complex distribution pattern including widespread, species-rich clades expanding into arid habitats of the interior (subgeneraDrosanthemump.p., Vespertina, Xamera) that are molecular and morphologically diverse. In contrast, less species-rich, molecularly less divergent, and morphologically unique lineages are restricted to the central Cape region and more mesic conditions (Decidua,Necopina, Ossicula, Quastea, Quadrata, Speciosa). Our results suggest initial rapid radiation generating the main lineages, with some clades showing subsequent diversification.

Prestonia R. Br. (apocynoids, Echiteae) comprises ca. 58 species, which are lianas with eglandular leaves, axillary or terminal cymose inflorescences, sepals with a single colleter, flowers usually with an annular corona around the mouth and/or free corona lobes, follicular fruits, and truncate seeds that are comose at themicropylar end. Three infrageneric classifications have been proposed in the last 110 years, all of them based only on morphological characters and none of which have been tested with molecular data. In the present study, based on the analyses of 62 nuclear and 258 chloroplast sequences from 65 species, we test the monophyly of Prestonia as well as the infrageneric classifications proposed for the genus. Prestonia was shown to bemonophyletic, but the infrageneric sections proposed by Schumann, Woodson, and Pichon are all non-monophyletic. We propose a new infrageneric classification for Prestonia, recognizing six sections: Coalitae Woodson, Denticulatae J. F. Morales, M. E. Endress & Liede, Exsertae J. F. Morales, M. E. Endress & Liede, Haemadictyon (Lindl.) Baill., Mollis J. F. Morales, M. E. Endress & Liede, and Prestonia. A key to the sections is provided. Prestonia pickelii Markgr. is removed fromthe synonymy of P. quinquangularis (Jacq.) Spreng. and resurrected as an accepted species. We provide a brief overview of the prolific groundbreaking work of Robert E. Woodson and Marcel Pichon in the Apocynaceae and Prestonia, and respectfully pay homage to their invaluable contributions to our knowledge of the family.

Pollination by flies (Diptera) has been important to the diversification and ecology of the flowering plants, but is poorly understood in contrast to pollination by other groups such as bees, butterflies and birds. Within the Apocynaceae the genera Ceropegia and Riocreuxia temporarily trap flies, releasing them after a fixed, species-specific period of time, during which pollination and/or pollen removal occurs. This “trap flower” pollination system shows convergent evolution with unrelated species in other families and fascinated Stefan Vogel for much of his career, leading to ground-breaking work on floral function in Ceropegia (Apocynaceae). In this new study we extend the work of the latest broad analysis published by some of the authors (Ollerton et al., 2009 − Annals of Botany). This incorporates previously unpublished data from India and Africa, as well as recently published information, on the diversity of po llinators exploited by Ceropegia. The analyses are based on a more accurate phylogenetic understanding of the relationships between the major groups, and significantly widens the biogeographic scope of our understanding of fly pollination within Ceropegia. Information about the pollinators of 69 taxa (species, subspecies and natural varieties) of Ceropegia is now available. Twenty five families of Diptera are known to visit the flowers of Ceropegia, of which sixteen are confirmed as pollinators. Most taxa are pollinated by species from a single family. Overall, there were no major biogeographic differences in the types of Diptera that were used in particular regions, though some subtle differences were apparent. Likewise there were no differences between the two major clades of Ceropegia, but clear differences when comparing the range of Diptera exploited by Ceropegia with that of the stapeliads. This clade, one of the largest in the Asclepiadoideae, is a fascinating example of a species radiation driven by an apparently relatively uniform set of pollinators.

The Philippine endemic Timonius quadrasii Elmer exhibits disparate features against the current delimitation of Timonius, and of the subfamily Cinchonoideae. Morphological examination revealed very...

Ceropegia L. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) comprises more than 200 species, all characterized by complex pitfall flowers. The deceptive flowers are myiophilous and pollinated predominantly by small flies from different families. It has been suggested that floral scent cues, that mimic food sources or oviposition sites, play an important role for attraction of target fly pollinators, and, together with morphological flower traits, explain the high functional specialization in terms of pollination by specific taxa. However, apart from two Ceropegia species, the floral scent composition and the mimicry strategies in this genus are unexplored. We tested for associations between floral scent and insect visitor and pollinator assemblages of 14 Ceropegia species. We also used nrDNA and chloroplast DNA markers to calculate a Maximum Likelihood tree and test for phylogenetic signal in scent chemistry and flower visitors/pollinators. The observed pollinators belonged to eight fly families, at least 18 genera, and 33 morphospecies, but each Ceropegia species was typically associated with only one or two pollinating fly families or genera. We detected a total of 317 floral volatiles, including aliphatic and aromatic components, terpenes, and various unknowns. Both flower visitor and pollinator patterns did not show an overall association with floral scent chemistry. There was phylogenetic signal in flower visiting fly families and fly pollinator assemblages, but not in flower visiting fly morphospecies and overall scent chemistry. We discuss that despite the not existing correlation between pollinator and scent patterns the highly specific pollination system in Ceropegia will be explained mainly by floral scent chemistry.

Marsdenia R.Br. represents the largest group of Asclepiadoideae in New Caledonia. With five new endemic species described here, and one new combination, the number of Marsdenia species increases to 18 for New Caledonia. The new species are all restricted to ultramafic substrates. Marsdenia kaalensis Meve, Gâteble & Liede, sp. nov. is only known from the Mt. Kaala area in northwestern Grande-Terre, and M. weberlingiana Liede, sp. nov. is restricted to one locality at Ho (Houailou). In contrast, the other three species (Marsdenia mackeeorum Meve, Gâteble & Liede, sp. nov., M. neocaledonica Meve, Gâteble & Liede, sp. nov. and M. paulforsteri Meve, Gâteble & Liede, sp. nov.) are fairly widely distributed and locally common. All new species are fully illustrated, and a distribution map is provided. Moreover, the new combination Marsdenia guillauminiana (P.T.Li) Meve, Gâteble & Liede, comb. nov. (based on Tylophora guillauminiana P.T.Li) is proposed for this rare endemic, originally described as Tylophora micrantha Guillaumin. Tylophora anisotomoides Schltr., syn. nov., instead, is proposed as a new and additional synonym of Vincetoxicum biglandulosum (Endl.) Kunze.

Southwest Asia is one of the most important centers of diversity for leafy spurges (Euphorbia subgen. Esula), and Iran is one of the richest countries both for species and endemics in the subgenus. Section Esula, the second largest of the 21 sections of this subgenus, comprises c. 96 taxonomically and phylogenetically poorly understood species with complicated patterns of morphological variation. The Euphorbia osyridea alliance is an Iranian-centered group harboring the well-known endemic and semi-endemic species, E. buhsei, E. osyridea, and two poorly understood and yet undescribed taxa. In a phylogenetic framework based on nuclear ribosomal ITS (internal transcribed spacer) and plastid ndhF sequences, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphisms were used to investigate genetic structure and genetic diversity in seven populations of the endemic and semi-endemic species of E. osyridea alliance. Phenetic analysis (principal component analysis) was used to assess morphological differentiation of the alliance. Neither nuclear nor plastid sequences provided sufficient resolution to disentangle the diversification patterns within the E. osyridea alliance. The combined evaluation of phylogenetic study, ISSR analysis, and morphological data confirmed that studied populations of E. osyridea alliance can be divided into four different groups including two new endemic species, E. khabrica sp. nov. and E. austro-iranica sp. nov. Typification, description, data on distribution and habitats, key to species as well as pertinent comments are given.

The Marsdenieae (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) comprise approximately 750 species and 26 accepted genera, half of which contain just one or two species. The tribe has been under-represented in phylogenetic studies to date, most of which have focussed on the ornamental paleotropical genus Hoya and related genera. American Marsdenieae are all currently classified in Marsdenia, a heterogeneous genus with about 150 species distributed in the tropics and subtropics and whose broad circumscription has been questioned for a long time. Here, we perform phylogenetic analyses comprising half of the tribe's genera and using two plastid (trnL-F and psbD-trnT) and two nuclear (ITS and ETS) regions. Our analyses show that the American species of Marsdenia are monophyletic but not closely related to M. tinctoria, the type of the genus. Thus, we reinstate Ruehssia H.Karst. to classify this American clade of Marsdenieae. We present a taxonomic revision of the genus in Brazil, with 42 species (one with two varieties) recognised. Other than R. macrophylla, the type of Ruehssia, all names are new combinations. One new synonym is proposed and 10 lectotypes and two neotypes are selected. All species are described and illustrated, together with comments and distribution maps for their occurrence in Brazil.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:57:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-23 British Ecological Society Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Background and Aims: Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions. Methods: The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated. Key Results: Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented. Conclusions: Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades. Faculty of Arts Science and Technology University of Northampton, Newton Building, Avenue Campus Lehrstuhl für Pflanzensystematik Universität Bayreuth Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107 Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) Curso de Licenciatura em Educação do Campo - LEC Campus JK - Diamantina School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01 Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste UNNE-CONICET Department of Plant Biology Ecology and Evolution, 301 Physical Sciences Laboratorio de Plantas Vasculares Departamento de Biología Comparada Facultad de Ciencias UNAM Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações - LEPI Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'- Unesp Saint Louis University Department of Biology Biology Extension Building, 1008 S. Spring Ave. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Mah. 269. Cad. Urankent Prestij Konutlarý Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town, P/Bag X3 Ecosystem Management Group ETH Zurich EDB UMR 5174 Université de Toulouse UPS, 118 route de Narbonne Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva - Biología Floral IMBIV (UNC-CONICET) Departamento de Botânica Museu Nacional Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Quinta da Boa Vista Department of Plant Sciences Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of the Free State, PO Box 339 Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Departamento de Botânica - CB Laboratório de Biologia Floral e Reprodutiva - POLINIZAR Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Universidade Federal de São Carlos - UFSCar Centro de Ciências Agrárias Depto. Ciências da Natureza Matemática e Educação, Rod. Anhanguera Km 174 Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915 Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC) IMBIV (CONICET-UNC) Herbarium - Royal Botanic Gardens Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas (LABIBO) Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Av. Bolivia 5150 Department of Biosciences University of Salzburg Biology Department Franklin and Marshall College Natural History Museum Georgia College, 231 W. Hancock Street Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Penryn Campus Department of Biology Willamette University Department of Botany Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road Department of Biodiversity Earth and Environmental Sciences Academy of Natural Sciences Drexel University Center for Ecological Research Kyoto University, Hirano 2-509-3 Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Laboratório de Fenologia Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), PO Box 661 School of Biological Sciences Royal Holloway University of London Graduate School of Arts and Sciences University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Campus IX. Rodovia BR 242, km 4, s/n. Flamengo Tropical Biology Association David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street Instituto de Biologia - UFU, Campus Umuarama Bloco 2D Department of Botany Rhodes University, PO Box 94 Biospheres Eshwari, 52/403, Nanasaheb Peshva Marg, Near Ramna Ganpati Department of Evolution Ecology and Organismal Biology University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Av. Universitária s/n, Novo Horizonte Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia Kunming Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road Laboratorio de Ecología UBIPRO FES-Iztacala Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Tlalnepantla de Baz Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Departamento de Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109 Department of Plant Sciences Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of the Free State, Qwaqwa campus, Kestell Road Penn State University, 542 ASI Building Department of Chemistry and Bioscience Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University, 3-11 Tsurukabuto Departamento de Biologia Vegetal Universidade Federal de VIçosa (UFV) Museo Botánico Córdoba y Cátedra de Morfologia Vegetal (IMBIVUNC-CONICET) Graduate School of Technology Industrial and Social Science Tokushima University, 2-1 Minamijyosanjima Centro Acadêmico de Vitória Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Departamento de Educação Universidade Federal da Paraiba Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente Universidade Federal da Paraiba Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações - LEPI Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'- Unesp Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Laboratório de Fenologia

The first-branching lineages of the tribe Ceropegieae, Anisotominae, Leptadeniinae, and Heterostemminae, are the focus of the present study. In the ingroup we molecularly analysed 34 samples from southern and (north)eastern Africa and Asia for the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and five plastid markers (trnT-L, trnL-F and trnH-psbA intergenic spacers, trnL, and rps16 introns). Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were conducted for phylogenetic reconstruction and Bayesian binary MCMC (BBM) analysis as implemented in RASP for testing biogeographic inference. Sister to the well-known hyperdiverse subtribe Stapeliinae (around 700 species) are the Anisotominae, an African subtribe of c. 30 species, with the tropical Neoschumannia in sister-group position to the remaining genera, Anisotoma, Emplectanthus, Riocreuxia, and Sisyranthus. Emplectanthus is sequenced in full for the first time, and its monophyly as sister to Anisotoma is documented. As in Sisyranthus, new sequences in Riocreuxia...

Tribe Sabiceeae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) has undergone recent taxonomical changes with the incorporation of the related genera Ecpoma, Pseudosabicea and Stipularia into the type genus Sabicea. We use phylogenetic analysis and morphological data to verify the relationships among members of the tribe, including the most comprehensive taxon sampling of the tribe to date with 74 of 145 species. Sequence data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and three plastid markers (petD, rps16, trnT–F) were used to infer relationships among the members of the tribe. Individual analyses using maximum likelihood, parsimony and Bayesian approaches reveal several supported clades: the former genus Stipularia is resolved as a monophyletic unit, but Ecpoma is monophyletic only if Sabicea urbaniana and Sabicea xanthotricha are included (corresponding to Sabicea subgenus Stipulariopsis sensu Wernham). Pseudosabicea is biphyletic, with one clade corresponding to section Anisophyllae of Halle (1964) and the other one to the other sections (Floribundae and Sphaericae) of the genus. Eleven morphological characteristics were recorded for all species studied and seven have been mapped onto the phylogenetic tree to study their evolution in the group and assess their value for the classification of Sabicea s.l. Finally, our study shows that a combination of diagnostic characteristics should be used to differentiate each group and we propose to recognise four subgenera in Sabicea.

INTRODUCTION: Within the Apocynoideae (Apocynaceae) pro‐toxic dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids have been reported only in Echiteae. However, attraction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐pharmacophagous insects suggested their presence in Alafia cf. caudata Stapf (Nerieae: Alafiinae) and Amphineurion marginatum (Roxb.) D.J. Middleton (Apocyneae: Amphineuriinae), both used as medicinal plants. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the presence of dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids in Alafia cf. caudata and Amphineurion marginatum and identify their structures. METHODS: Methanol extracts of air‐dried roots, stems and leaves of non‐flowering plants were analysed using HPLC‐ESI(+)MS and MS/MS or collision‐induced dissociation MS in low and/or high resolution modes. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were tentatively identified based on the mass spectrometry data. Solid phase extraction combined with semi‐preparative HPLC were used to isolate major alkaloids. Structures were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: Monoesters of retronecine with senecioic, hydroxysenecioic or syringic acids were identified in roots of Alafia cf. caudata. Two unprecedented 10‐membered macrocyclic dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid diesters were isolated from roots of Amphineurion marginatum. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were detected in root and leaf material of Alafia cf. caudata at 0.34 and 0.01% dry weight (DW), and 0.13, 0.02 and 0.09% DW in root, leaf and stem material of Amphineurion marginatum. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of pro‐toxic dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids suggests that medical preparations of these plants pose potential health risks to consumers. Dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids are evidently more widespread in Apocynoideae than previously assumed, and it would seem rewarding to study other members of this family for the presence of pyrrolizidines, dehydropyrrolizidines and dihydropyrrolizines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cynanchum constitutes one of the very few Asclepiadoid genera that are distributed both in the Old and the New World. The present study of more than 100 species, based on Bayesian and maximum likelihood analysis of five chloroplast and four nuclear markers, resolves nine clades. No unambiguous morphological characters are associated with any particular Glade or a combination of several clades, so that a wide concept of Cynanchum seems the most appropriate taxonomic solution for the group. For this reason, several hitherto independent genera, Glossonema, Graphistemma, Holostemma, Metalepis, Metaplexis, Odontanthera, Pentarrhinum, Raphistemma and Seshagiria are included in Cynanchum. In addition, Adelostemma and Sichuania are subsumed under Cynanchum for morphological reasons. The necessary new combinations are made, resulting in twelve new species combinations, two new subspecies combinations, and two new names.

The Philippine taxa of Mussaenda Burm. ex L. (Rubiaceae, Ixoroideae, Mussaendeae) are revised here, based on field observations and study of herbarium specimens. Twenty-four species and four varieties are recognized, with three new species and one new variety. In the Philippines, M. grandibracteata Alejandro is described from the province of Occidental Mindoro, M. liedeae Alejandro from Palawan, and M. milleri Elmer ex Alejandro from Nueva Ecija; M. philippica A. Rich var. pubescens Alejandro is described from Davao Oriental. A lectotype is newly designated for M. benguetensis Elmer, and the invalid name M. milleri is validated herein. Mussaenda macrophylla Wall. var. grandisepala (Jayaw.) Alejandro has new status for its rank as variety rather than form, and the epithet grandisepala is lectotypified. Subsequent lectotypifications are designated for M. scandens Elmer and M. vidalii Elmer. The morphology of Philippine Mussaenda is compared with Asian and African Mussaenda and is distinguished from...

Vincetoxicum sensu lato is a tropical lineage comprising two clades that have reached high northern latitudes. Of the temperate clades, one is restricted to the Far East, the other one (Vincetoxicum s. str. Clade) extends into Europe, but their ranges overlap in Central China and Japan. Three species invasive in North America, V. hirundinaria, V. nigrum and V. rossicum, are members of the Vincetoxicum s. str. Clade. We explore the prerequisites for the range expansion in the Vincetoxicum s. str. Clade performing Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses on sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the nuclear external transcribed spacer region (ETS), and five plastid markers. The resulting phylogeny is used to conduct biogeographic analysis using BioGeoBEARS to reconstruct ancestral species ranges. Moreover, we map the known occurrences of two rare characters in Asclepiadoideae, the possession of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids and reported cases of autogamy onto our phylogeny. Finally, we have conducted ecological niche modelling using Maxent on a total of 220 spatially unique occurrences of nine Vincetoxicum s. str. species spanning more than 4,000 km along the east-west gradient to learn about the climatic conditions along the presumed migration route. Our results indicate a north-westward migration in Vincetoxicum s. str. along the Asian mountain chains to Europe. Climatic preferences of the nine species sampled are dissimilar, except for the common exposure to at least one month of subfreezing temperatures, indicating a rather wide climatic tolerance for the clade as a whole. The three species invasive in North America belong to the northern Eurasian subclade and show the rare combination of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids and autogamy.

The cosmopolitan genus Marsdenia R. Br. in its conventional circumscription has been shown to be strongly polyphyletic, with all New World species grouping in a single clade. Therefore, the genus Ruehssia H. Karst. was recently reinstated to encompass the 42 Brazilian species, initially. In the present study, the nine Cuban species currently classified under Marsdenia are transferred to Ruehssia, and two species, R. lindenii and R. yamanigueyensis, both endemic to Cuba, are described as new. Ruehssia yamanigueyensis is characterized by very thin, wiry stems and small leaves and flowers, while R. lindenii is like R. clausa in habit, but differs strongly in the shape of the staminal corona. Illustrations and a distribution map for two new species are provided, as well as a key to all Ruehssia species on Cuba. Lectotypification is performed where necessary.

This study provides ethnomedicinal information and conservation status of medicinal trees used by the Manobo and Higaonon indigenous communities of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews, group discussion, and guided field walks with a total of 145 informants comprising of 95 Manobo and 50 Higaonon people with their traditional medical knowledge. A total of 43 tree species belonging to 36 genera and 22 plant families were recorded as ethnomedicinally important. Family importance value (FIV) was highest in Moraceae (99.33), followed by Lamiaceae (97.33), Rutaceae (96.00), Lauraceae (94.00), and Fabaceae (93.33). Plant parts are used for fracture and dislocation, weakness and fatigue, snakebite, diarrhea, and postpartum care and recovery, respectively. Highest relative frequency of citation (RFC) was cited for both Cinnamomum mercadoi S.Vidal and Ficus concinna (Miq.) Miq. Assessment of conservation status revealed that most of the medicinal trees with 20 species were not assessed (NA), followed by 15 species as least concern (LC), two species as vulnerable (VU), two species as other threatened species (OTS), two species as data deficient (DD), and one species each as endangered and near threatened, namely Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq., and Calamus megaphyllus Becc., respectively. Only seven species (16%) are endemic in the Philippines. These findings provide a rationale for future in-situ conservation strategies of these important medicinal trees in indigenous ancestral lands for sustainable utilization of these genetic resources as part of the traditional heritage of the Manobo and Higaonon.

The pantropical genus Ixora is highly diverse, with several species endemic to the Philippines. Owing to their endemic nature, many of these species are endangered and little is known about their basic biology. This study aimed to establish baseline information about the bioclimatic niches of Ixora species endemic to the Philippines, determine suitable areas and potential range shifts under future climate conditions, and identify priority areas for conservation and future research. Locality records of 12 endemic Ixora species from the Philippine archipelago were analyzed, with a particular focus on the five most abundant species I. auriculata, I. bartlingii, I. cumingiana, I. macrophylla, and one island endemic species, Ixora palawanensis. Bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database at 2.5' resolution were used, with a focus on annual means and seasonality of temperature and precipitation as well as precipitation of the warmest quarter. Analysis of the relationships of the species locations with the bioclimatic variables showed that the bioclimatic niches of the five focal Ixora species generally had narrow temperature and wider precipitation niches. Species distribution modeling with the model Maxent suggested that I. auriculata and I. bartlingii will likely shift their geographic distributions southwards under predicted levels of climate change, while I. cumingiana and I. macrophylla were found to likely expand their ranges. Ixora palawanensis, in contrast, was predicted to decrease its potential distribution with future climate change. Further, results of species distribution modeling for the rare endemic Ixora species I. bibracteata, I. chartacea, I. ebracteolata, I. inaequifolia, I. longistipula, I. luzoniensis, and I. macgregorii were presented, which, however, had much less observation points and therefore only provide a first estimate of potential species distributions. The generated potential habitat suitability maps can assist policy makers in designing conservation strategies for the species and in identifying areas with potential to withstand climate change until at least 2080.