DOCSLIB.ORG

Materials for Developing Databases in Taxonomic Research – a Review

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Materials for Developing Databases in Taxonomic Research – a Review MaterialsProc Indian for Natn Devleoping Sci Acad 74 Databases No.1 pp. 27-38 in Taxonomic (2008) Research – A Review 27 Review Article Materials for Developing Databases in Taxonomic Research – A Review M SANJAPPA*, P VENU** and W DINESH ALBERTSON** *Director, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata – 700 064 ** Botanical Survey of India, Deccan Circle, Hyderabad – 500 048 (Received 26 July 2007; Accepted 28 March 2008) The essentiality of databases in taxonomic research and in taxonomists’ perspective is emphasized. Specimens, illustrations and little known catalogues, besides consolidated floras are considered subjects for databases in taxonomic research. The present communication analyses the holdings in Indian herbaria, the problems that confront them and suggests ways for their greater exposition. It is felt that a consortium is to be evolved linking them to pool up the holdings and to facilitate greater accessibility of specimens. Images though not entirely substitute specimens, expedite in tracing specimens in specific herbaria, their prompt borrowing for study thereby taking appropriate taxonomic decisions and updating of nomenclature. This centralization accelerates revisionary studies and makes Indian taxonomists less dependent on European herbaria. Illustrations and less known catalogues, which too are crucially linked to literature, should find a place in databases. Images of live collections with names authenticated empower forestry personnel to collect locality specific information of various species in monitoring exercises. Problems associated with names and their inherent dynamism due to the flexibility given in the provisions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature in databases on consolidated floras of a state/ region are also addressed. The paper reviews the efforts put in by various institutions towards digitalization. It is suggested that the database on consolidated National Flora should be carefully phased initially building fully referenced species checklists for various families followed by appending additional data sets for value addition. This gives the needed stability to the developed database. Our approach should be gradual and graded and involving taxonomists as they are principle data generators. As the old databases are customized in configuration and utility and day by day the new ones getting added, this review cannot be claimed exhaustive. But it gives a broader perception with reference to the diverse resources on hand to be digitized and emphasizes how effective a database could be built upon. A thematic proposal is presented as a guideline with a submission for consideration/debate. Key Words: Databases; Catalogues; Digitization; Taxonomy; Herbaria; Illustrations; Flora and Types Background taxonomic databases concerning plant resources The Indian economy is essentially biomass based and including virtual herbaria. Though some attempts were the taxonomists, the inventory keepers of the biological made towards electronic databases in India, they have resources, are expected to play a major role in the not served fully the perceived needs of taxonomists nor exploitation and sustainable use of these resources in generated any desired impact towards data accessibility the coming years. A taxonomist finds himself at the door- by public at large. Another issue considered important step of biodiversity evaluation as he is the person is the image database for numerous collections existed supposes to announce the existence of new species, in various herbaria. The label data on the specimens is cautions the abundance/rarity of certain species and inadequate in case of old collections whereas collections announces the localities of species richness before from 1950’s onwards have reasonable field data that can anyone else can think of any further action. After assess where from the collections were made. Now Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a new explorations are undertaken keeping GPS, so both situation has been developed with recognition of latitudes and longitudes are accurately specified in each biological diversity and thereby taxonomy/taxonomists. of the specimens. The obvious issue to be addressed in Heywood [1] dealt how the taxonomists of the present database design is how to uniform the variable data day should make themselves relevant to societal needs. available in these sheets and simultaneously think of its Floral diversity generates a variety of stakeholders who integration for reference by users. More complications in turn need information and counsel for its sustainable may be anticipated in case of specimens bearing more utilization. Taxonomic databases are developed to than one name. It is implied here that one should provide the needed information to varied clients understand the specific issues inherent in taxonomic professionally and effectively. The information is to be research before developing a consolidated database on analyzed in the context of intended use and the format floral resources. It is likely while developing a database in which this is to be presented is to be decided prudently. that one may confront with numerous dilemmas with There is great activity around the world to build reference to names existing in the literature. As the 28 M Sanjapa et al. subject is historically connected, evolved with passage of the holotype) and paratype (additional specimens of time and specimens and literature distributed/dispersed selected from the material the author had on hand at the in various institutions, it is very difficult for a single time of writing the description) are some designated types person to take decisions correctly. People have been in the type series. Vouchers/types can be loaned from attempting floral databases on various themes and in different herbaria. Personnel manned in some herbaria different formats. There are no prescriptions while outside purview of BSI are sometimes over-protective. designing databases and are formatted based on In many there is no provision of lending specimens and individual’s choices ignoring compatibility with others. a revisoner has to go and spend considerable period. The The authors have developed a strong case for its initiation custodians (not always keepers) of certain others do not in India, so that taxonomists don’t face the usual know the conventional herbarium practices. Some constraints such as non-availability of literature and herbaria are drawn little attention for regular care and specimens in execution of developing the much needed are sidelined as storehouses of collections and are looked inventory of plant resources and public at large could upon as liabilities. There is no effective mechanism to use this unused and under used data generated by share these resources and to date only personal taxonomists. communications have been facilitating limited exchanges. Issues in Taxonomic Research Relevant to Databases Identity Crisis and Lack of Types /Authenticated Specimens Revisions and Holdings in Herbaria A number of Indian plants have not been collected after Revisions are considered serious research topics the type collected by Europeans and some do not have particularly when undertaken for larger genera. They representative specimens in Indian herbaria. It is pertinent pose problems of various kinds and the study of each to stress here that many Indian species require genus is an experience by itself. Some larger genera pose redescribing as the earlier descriptions are based on problems exhibiting indistinct continuities between scanty material. Hemigraphis venosa is a classic example certain species. Some exhibit rarity while others confine and the identity crisis in it has led some workers to to narrow geographical regions and some have taxonomic overlook and others to include but unfortunately based and nomenclatural complexities. These hurdles make on wrong determinations. Literature including Nees [6], anyone impossible to make his own collections of all Clarke [7] and Gamble [8] did not give the exact locality. species under the taxon for study in reasonable time This confusion of the taxon is due to nonexistence of period. It compels invariably one to depend on collections any authentic material in any of the Indian herbarium. It available with different herbaria. The country has many was with great difficulty and protracted correspondence herbaria under different institutions and some with huge the type collections of this species could be borrowed collections. In total, there are 11 herbaria under Botanical from K and LIV. Now the specimens’ images are stored Survey of India and ca 50 under universities and various for future reference to facilitate collection. Same is the institutions. They together hold ca 4 million specimens case with Vernonia shevaroyensis Gamble which is allied [2, 3]. Types are considered highly important in any to V. arborea Buch.-Ham. (=V. monosis Benth. ex C.B. herbarium holdings. The type is the name bearer, the Clarke) and was erected based on Perrottet’s collection specimen associated with a name by first description and and delimited by leaf shape, tomentum, ribs of achene publication. It provides an objective basis and a fixed and the absence of glands between them. However, some reference for the use of the name [4, 5]. Most ecologists, others feel that V. shevaroyensis is not distinct from V. environmental biologists and chemists keep voucher arborea. The absence of type in CAL and its elimination specimens of their study. This enables the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download This Article As
    Int. J. Curr. Res. Biosci. Plant Biol. (2019) 6(10), 33-46 International Journal of Current Research in Biosciences and Plant Biology Volume 6 ● Number 10 (October-2019) ● ISSN: 2349-8080 (Online) Journal homepage: www.ijcrbp.com Original Research Article doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcrbp.2019.610.004 Some new combinations and new names for Flora of India R. Kottaimuthu1*, M. Jothi Basu2 and N. Karmegam3 1Department of Botany, Alagappa University, Karaikudi-630 003, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Botany (DDE), Alagappa University, Karaikudi-630 003, Tamil Nadu, India 3Department of Botany, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Salem-636 007, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding author; e-mail: [email protected] Article Info ABSTRACT Date of Acceptance: During the verification of nomenclature in connection with the preparation of 17 August 2019 ‗Supplement to Florae Indicae Enumeratio‘ and ‗Flora of Tamil Nadu‘, the authors came across a number of names that need to be updated in accordance with the Date of Publication: changing generic concepts. Accordingly the required new names and new combinations 06 October 2019 are proposed here for the 50 taxa belonging to 17 families. Keywords Combination novum Indian flora Nomen novum Tamil Nadu Introduction Taxonomic treatment India is the seventh largest country in the world, ACANTHACEAE and is home to 18,948 species of flowering plants (Karthikeyan, 2018), of which 4,303 taxa are Andrographis longipedunculata (Sreem.) endemic (Singh et al., 2015). During the L.H.Cramer ex Gnanasek. & Kottaim., comb. nov. preparation of ‗Supplement to Florae Indicae Enumeratio‘ and ‗Flora of Tamil Nadu‘, we came Basionym: Neesiella longipedunculata Sreem.
    [Show full text]
  • 9 Costion Plant Endemism 133-166 PROOFS
    Micronesica 41(1): 131–164, 2009 Plant Endemism, Rarity, and Threat in Palau, Micronesia: A Geographical Checklist and Preliminary Red List Assessment 1 CRAIG M. COSTION Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5001 [email protected] ANN HILLMANN KITALONG The Environment, Inc., P.O. Box 1696, Koror, Palau 96940 TARITA HOLM Palau Conservation Society/PALARIS, P.O. Box 1811, Koror, Palau, 96940 Abstract—An official checklist of the endemic plant species of Palau has been long awaited, and is presented here for the first time. For each species a substrate limitation, growth form, and relative abundance is listed. In addition an IUCN red list assessment was conducted using all available data. For over half of the endemic species there is insufficient data to provide a red listing status however an expected minimum number of threatened plants out of the total is inferred. Approximately 15% of Palau’s endemic plants are believed to be only known from the type collection and many more only known from a few collections. These taxa however may now be prioritized and targeted for future inventory and research. The taxonomic robustness of several of these taxa is questionable and it is expected that more endemic species will be lost to synonymy in the future. Previous estimations have significantly over-estimated the rate of plant endemism in Palau (e.g., 194). Here, 130 plants are recognized for Palau, making its level of plant endem- ism comparable to some of its neighboring Micronesian islands to the east, notably Guam and Pohnpei.
    [Show full text]
  • Oxford Plant Systematics OPS 9 January 2002
    Oxford Plant Systematics With news from Oxford University Herbaria (OXF and FHO), Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford OPS 9 January 2002 Contents Editorial 4 mm Robert Scotland .................................................................... 2 News items .......................................................................... 3 B C Student progress .................................................................. 3 Timothy Waters Alex Wortley A Abstracts of systematic theses submitted in 2001 ............. 4 1 mm Jonathan Bennett Elizabeth Moylan Julian Starr D 2001 publications ................................................................. 5 Expeditions and visits ......................................................... 5 4 mm 2 cm Refurbishment of Oxford University Herbaria Stephen A. Harris .................................................................. 6 Sibthorp Medal awarded Roger Mills ............................................................................ 8 E F G Oxford, Greek Revival and John Sibthorp H. Walter Lack ...................................................................... 8 H 2 mm Three days plant collecting in Eastern Bolivia 2 mm John Wood .......................................................................... 10 4 mm I Evergreen forest flora of Malawi J K L Book Review Stuart Cable ........................................................................ 12 Herbaria A. Habit. B. Flower section. C. Gynoecium. D. Ovary pubescence. E. Bract. F. Visitors ...............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • THE ANDEAN SPECIES of PILEA by Ellsworth P. Killip INTRODUCTION
    THE ANDEAN SPECIES OF PILEA By Ellsworth P. Killip INTRODUCTION Pilea is by far the largest genus of Urticaceae. Weddell in his final monograph 1 of the family recognized 159 species as valid, about 50 of which were said to occur in the Andes of South America. That these species had a very limited range of distribution was indicated by the fact that more than 30 were known from only a single collection and that only 9 of the others were in any sense widely distributed in the Andean countries. Two, P. microphyUa and P. pubescens, occurred throughout the American Tropics, and P. kyalina and P. dendrophUa extended eastward in South America. In the 50 years following the publication of this monograph only 10 species were described from the Andean region. Because of the large number of specimens of Pilea collected by expeditions to the Andes sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution, the New York Botanical Garden, the Gray Herbarium and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, which were submitted to me for identification but which could not be assigned to any known species, I began the preparation of a mono- graph of all the Andean species. This was completed in 1935 but unfortunately could not be printed in its entirety at that time. Instead, a greatly abridged paper was published,2 which contained a key to all the Andean species, descriptions of 30 new ones, and a few changes of name and of rank. In this there was no opportunity to present descriptions of the earlier species or to discuss their synonymy.
    [Show full text]
  • A Phylogenetic Approach Toward the Understanding of Disjunct Distributions of Plant Taxa in Western Ghats and Northeastern India
    Rheedea Vol. 26(2) 99–114 2016 ISSN: 0971 - 2313 A phylogenetic approach toward the understanding of disjunct distributions of plant taxa in Western Ghats and northeastern India R. Puri1, P. Barman1,2 and R. Geeta1* 1Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110007, India. 2Division of Genomic Resources, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi – 110012, India. *E-mail: [email protected] Abstract There are many Indian plant taxa with disjunct distributions in northeastern India and Western Ghats, raising several systematic and biogeographic questions. Such questions are best addressed in a phylogenetic context as presented in this review of nine genera (Arisaema Mart., Begonia L., Ceropegia L., Hoya R. Br., Impatiens L., Indigofera L., Rubus L., Strobilanthes Blume and Vitis L.). These genera were chosen because they contain species that are endemic and occur in either northeastern India or Western Ghats, and at least one species is included in global phylogenetic analyses. This review reveals that even with limited sampling within India, the phylogenetic studies are consistent with present understanding of the Indian flora: that it contains Chinese, South East Asian and African influences, and that the collision of India with Asia played a crucial role in the dispersal of some taxa into India. Some of these dispersals occurred soon after the collision (e.g., Arisaema at 45 ma), while others were more recent (Begonia at 15 ma from SE Asia). Other dispersals occurred between India and Africa (e.g., Begonia at 13.75 ma and Indigofera 13 ma). We analyzed new sequences of ITS and atpB-rbcL regions from nine species of Impatiens, combined with existing data.
    [Show full text]
  • Lamiales – Synoptical Classification Vers
    Lamiales – Synoptical classification vers. 2.6.2 (in prog.) Updated: 12 April, 2016 A Synoptical Classification of the Lamiales Version 2.6.2 (This is a working document) Compiled by Richard Olmstead With the help of: D. Albach, P. Beardsley, D. Bedigian, B. Bremer, P. Cantino, J. Chau, J. L. Clark, B. Drew, P. Garnock- Jones, S. Grose (Heydler), R. Harley, H.-D. Ihlenfeldt, B. Li, L. Lohmann, S. Mathews, L. McDade, K. Müller, E. Norman, N. O’Leary, B. Oxelman, J. Reveal, R. Scotland, J. Smith, D. Tank, E. Tripp, S. Wagstaff, E. Wallander, A. Weber, A. Wolfe, A. Wortley, N. Young, M. Zjhra, and many others [estimated 25 families, 1041 genera, and ca. 21,878 species in Lamiales] The goal of this project is to produce a working infraordinal classification of the Lamiales to genus with information on distribution and species richness. All recognized taxa will be clades; adherence to Linnaean ranks is optional. Synonymy is very incomplete (comprehensive synonymy is not a goal of the project, but could be incorporated). Although I anticipate producing a publishable version of this classification at a future date, my near- term goal is to produce a web-accessible version, which will be available to the public and which will be updated regularly through input from systematists familiar with taxa within the Lamiales. For further information on the project and to provide information for future versions, please contact R. Olmstead via email at [email protected], or by regular mail at: Department of Biology, Box 355325, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195, USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Cumbum Valley, Western Ghats, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India
    Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 499-505. 2008. Plant Inventory in Disturbed and Undisturbed Sites of Pachakumachi Hill (Highwavys Mountains), Cumbum Valley, Western Ghats, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India Jegan, G., ** and Muthuchelian, K.* Centre for Biodiversity and Forest studies, Department of Bioenergy School of Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources, Madurai Kamaraj University Madurai – 625 021, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: [email protected] **First Author: [email protected] Issued 13 July 2008 Abstract Disturbances play an important role in the determination of species diversity. As an exception, undisturbed areas (VS) possess lower number of species compared to disturbed areas (TS). The richness of family is not affected by disturbance. The number of individuals decreases from undisturbed to disturbed sholas. Lauraceae is the abundant family not respect to the disturbances. Key Words: Disturbance, Lauraceae, sholas, Western Ghats. Introduction Tropical forests occupy ca. 7% of the earth’s area (Myers 1984). In India, they occupy ca. 84% of the total forest cover (637293 Km2) which is 19.39% of the total geographical area. Tropical evergreen forests face a serious threat, both natural as well as anthropogenic. Due to the disturbances many species have become endangered. This implies a poor regeneration potential of the tree species. Thus, the need to set priorities for conservation of tree diversity has become inevitable. Identification of conservation areas ideally requires exhaustive knowledge of species and ecosystem diversity and distribution (Menon et al. 2001). Primary forests of Asia, particularly those of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats of peninsular India are disappearing at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities and are replaced by forests comprising inferior species or their land use pattern changed (Parthasarathy 1999).
    [Show full text]
  • Asteraceae): Additions to the Genus Acilepis from Southern Asia
    PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 122(2):131–145. 2009. Studies on the Paleotropical Vernonieae (Asteraceae): additions to the genus Acilepis from southern Asia Harold Robinson* and John J. Skvarla (HR) Department of Botany, MRC-166, National Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 37012, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, U.S.A., e-mail: [email protected]; (JJS) Department of Botany and Microbiology, and Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-6131, U.S.A., e-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—Thirty-three species are recognized in the genus Acilepis with new combinations provided for A. attenuata, A. chiangdaoensis, A. divergens, A. doichangensis, A. fysonii, A. gardneri, A. heynei, A. kingii, A. lobbii, A. namnaoensis, A. nayarii, A. nemoralis, A. ngaoensis, A. ornata, A. peguensis, A. peninsularis, A. principis, A. pseudosutepensis, A. setigera, A. sutepensis, A. thwaitesii, A. tonkinensis,andA. virgata. Acilepis belcheri is described as new. The rhizomiform structure of the pollen muri is discussed and compared with other Vernonieae in Old World Erlangeinae and in New World Lepidaploinae with similar muri. This study continues a series of papers ceous species in Asia under the name by the senior author aimed at delimiting Vernonia were insufficiently known at monophyletic genera within the tribe that time to determine their proper Vernonieae (Asteraceae), broadly sum- placement with regard to Acilepis, includ- marized by Robinson (1999a, 1999b, ing Vernonia attenuata DC. and V. 2007). The principal result has been the divergens (Roxb.) Edgew. These two disintegration of the extremely broad and species, widespread in southern Asia from aphyletic concept of the genus Vernonia India to China, were reviewed but left Schreb.
    [Show full text]
  • Vernonieae: Asteraceae)
    PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 122(2):146–149. 2009. A new genus, Khasianthus, from India, Myanmar, and China (Vernonieae: Asteraceae) Harold Robinson* and John J. Skvarla (HR) Department of Botany, MRC 166, National Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 37012, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, U.S.A., e-mail: [email protected]; (JJS) Department of Botany and Microbiology, and Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklohama 73019-6131, U.S.A., e-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—A new Asian genus of Vernonieae, Khasianthus, is named for Vernonia subsessilis DC. It is most closely related to the primarily African genus Baccharoides Moench. The recognition that the genus Verno- Materials and Methods nia Schreb. is mostly North American (Robinson 1999a) means that most spe- Pollen was removed from herbarium cies formerly placed in that genus have to sheets from the U.S. National Herbarium be reassigned. Species to be reassigned in Washington, D.C. and treated with include all the Old World members of the acetolysis solution (Erdtman 1960). Prep- tribe Vernonieae under the name Verno- aration for scanning electron microscopy nia. Reassignment of paleotropical Ver- (SEM) consisted of staining with osmium- nonieae was begun by Robinson (1999b), thiocarbohydrazide and pulse sputter but that treatment was incomplete and coating as described in detail in recent overly simplistic. More concise concepts studies of Asian Vernonieae (Robinson & have more recently been derived for Skvarla 2006, 2007; Robinson et al. 2008). members of the subtribe Gymnanthemi- Examination was with JEOL 880, LEICA nae in Asia with the restoration of the 440, and AMRAY 1810 scanning electron genera Monosis DC.
    [Show full text]
  • 6. Tribe VERNONIEAE 86. ETHULIA Linnaeus F., Dec. Prima Pl. Horti Upsal. 1. 1762
    Published online on 25 October 2011. Chen, Y. L. & Gilbert, M. G. 2011. Vernonieae. Pp. 354–370 in: Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H. & Hong, D. Y., eds., Flora of China Volume 20–21 (Asteraceae). Science Press (Beijing) & Missouri Botanical Garden Press (St. Louis). 6. Tribe VERNONIEAE 斑鸠菊族 ban jiu ju zu Chen Yilin (陈艺林 Chen Yi-ling); Michael G. Gilbert Herbs, shrubs, sometimes climbing, or trees; hairs simple, T-shaped, or stellate. Leaves usually alternate [rarely opposite or whorled], leaf blade entire or serrate-dentate [rarely pinnately divided], venation pinnate, rarely with 3 basal veins (Distephanus). Synflorescences mostly terminal, less often terminal on short lateral branches or axillary, mostly cymose paniculate, less often spikelike, forming globose compound heads or reduced to a solitary capitulum. Capitula discoid, homogamous. Phyllaries generally imbricate, in several rows, rarely in 2 rows, herbaceous, scarious or leathery, outer gradually shorter. Receptacle flat or rather convex, naked or ± fimbriate. Florets 1–400, all bisexual, fertile; corolla tubular, purple, reddish purple, pink, or white, rarely yellow (Distephanus), limb narrowly campanulate or funnelform, 5-lobed. Anther base bifid, auriculate, acute or hastate, rarely caudate, apex appendaged. Style branches usually long and slender, apex subulate or acute, dorsally pilose, without appendage. Achenes cylindric or slightly flattened, (2–)5–10[–20]-ribbed, or 4- or 5-angled, rarely ± terete; pappus usually present, persistent, of many filiform setae, bristles, or scales, often 2-seriate with inner series of setae or bristles and shorter outer series of scales, sometimes very few and deciduous (Camchaya) or absent (Ethulia). Up to 120 genera and 1,400 species: throughout the tropics and extending into some temperate regions; six genera (one introduced) and 39 species (ten endemic, two introduced) in China.
    [Show full text]
  • 9 Costion Plant Endemism 133-166 PROOFS
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265109793 Plant Endemism, Rarity, and Threat in Palau, Micronesia: A Geographical Checklist and Preliminary Red List Assessment Article in Micronesica · January 2009 CITATIONS READS 8 178 3 authors, including: Craig Costion Ann Kitalong Smithsonian Institution Independent Researcher 38 PUBLICATIONS 263 CITATIONS 18 PUBLICATIONS 52 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: The Environment, Inc. and Belau National Museum Herbarium View project The Environment Inc View project All content following this page was uploaded by Craig Costion on 24 November 2014. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Micronesica 41(1): 131–164, 2009 Plant Endemism, Rarity, and Threat in Palau, Micronesia: A Geographical Checklist and Preliminary Red List Assessment 1 CRAIG M. COSTION Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5001 [email protected] ANN HILLMANN KITALONG The Environment, Inc., P.O. Box 1696, Koror, Palau 96940 TARITA HOLM Palau Conservation Society/PALARIS, P.O. Box 1811, Koror, Palau, 96940 Abstract—An official checklist of the endemic plant species of Palau has been long awaited, and is presented here for the first time. For each species a substrate limitation, growth form, and relative abundance is listed. In addition an IUCN red list assessment was conducted using all available data. For over half of the endemic species there is insufficient data to provide a red listing status however an expected minimum number of threatened plants out of the total is inferred.
    [Show full text]
  • Compositae (Tribu Vernoniae)
    FLORA DEL BAJÍO Y DE REGIONES ADYACENTES Fascículo 38 septiembre de 1995 FAMILIA COMPOSITAE* TRIBU VERNONIEAE** Por Jerzy Rzedowski***,**** y Graciela Calderón de Rzedowski Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Centro Regional del Bajío Pátzcuaro, Michoacán Plantas herbáceas, arbustivas o arborescentes, a veces trepadoras; hojas casi siempre alternas y pinnatinervadas; brácteas involucrales por lo general graduadas; cabezuelas homógamas, en algunas especies con una sola o con unas pocas flores, éstas normalmente todas hermafroditas, moradas, azules o blancas; vilano comúnmente de cerdas, no pocas veces con una serie externa de páleas o cerdas más cortas; anteras sagitadas o auriculadas en la base, provistas de apéndices terminales; ramas del estilo cilindráceas, por lo general agudas en el ápice y pubescentes por fuera. El grupo comprende alrededor de 70 géneros y unas 1500 especies, de las que cerca de mil corresponden a Vernonia. En su gran mayoría son de distribución tropical y de relativamente escaso interés económico. En la región de estudio representado por cuatro géneros. * La descripción de la familia puede consultarse en el fascículo 32 de esta serie. ** Referencias: Gleason, H. A. Vernonieae. North Amer. Fl. 33: 47-110. 1922. Jones, S. B. Flora of Peru. Tribe Vernonieae. Fieldiana: Botany, n. s. 5: 1-73. 1980. *** Se agradece al Dr. Uwe Braun, de la Universidad Martin Luther de Halle, a la Dra. Lourdes Rico, de los Reales Jardines Botánicos de Kew, al Dr. Jean-Noël Labat, del Museo de Historia Natural de París, al Dr. Servando Carvajal, del Instituto de Botánica de Guadalajara, así como a los M. en C. Ana Rosa López Ferrari y Adolfo Espejo, de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, por haber buscado tipos de varios taxa de Vernonieae y proporcionado fotografías de los mismos.
    [Show full text]