Cornelia Löhne

Phylogeny of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae): Evidence from Substitutions and Microstructural Changes in the Chloroplast trnT‐trnF Region

Nymphaea is the most speciose, phenotypically diverse, and geographically widespread (nearly global) genus of Nymphaeales. Phylogenetic relationships among 35 of an estimated 45–50 species of Nymphaea are presented based on an analysis of the chloroplast trnT‐trnF region. Because this is the first phylogenetic analysis of Nymphaea, monophyly of the genus had to be tested, and its status in Nymphaeales had to be inferred. Rooting was therefore extended to more distant outgroups (Amborella, Austrobaileyales). Monophyly of Nymphaea received weak support, with a Euryale‐Victoria clade appearing as sister. The three major lineages within Nymphaea are constituted by the northern temperate subg. Nymphaea that is sister to all remaining species, a subgg. Hydrocallis‐Lotos clade, and a subgg. Anecphya‐Brachyceras clade. The Australian genus Ondinea was nested at species level within Nymphaea subg. Anecphya. The pantropical subg. Brachyceras as currently circumscribed does not appear natural, with Nymphaea petersiana belonging to subg. Lotos. Microstructural changes are frequent and highly informative, exhibiting lower levels of homoplasy than substitutions. Reconstructing the evolution of microstructural changes shows a strong insertion bias in simple sequence repeats. Complex indels are often explained by mutational events that occurred independently in different parts of the tree rather than being the result of stepwise events at subsequent nodes. AT‐rich, satellite‐like sequence parts have evolved independently in the P8 stem loop of the trnL group I intron in Nuphar and in major lineages of Nymphaea. They seem to be conserved in sequence within species but are highly variable among species. Moreover, the trnT‐trnF region provides a signal that allows recognition (bar coding) of most species analyzed so far.

The petD group II intron as a species level marker: utility for tree inference and species identification in the diverse genus Campanula (Campanulaceae).

Abstract Borsch T., Korotkova N., Raus T., Lobin W. & Löhne C.: The petD group II intron as a species level marker: utility for tree inference and species identification in the diverse genus Campanula (Campanulaceae). — Willdenowia 39: 7–33. — Online ISSN 1868-6397;

The unusual Ondinea, actually just another Australian water-lily of Nymphaea subg. Anecphya (Nymphaeaceae)

Abstract Löhne C., Wiersema J. H. & Borsch T.: The unusual Ondinea, actually just another Australian water-lily of Nymphaea subg. Anecphya (Nymphaeaceae). — Willdenowia 39: 55–58. — Online ISSN 1868-6397;

Legal and Ethical Challenges: From Collection Management to Access and Benefit-Sharing

Building, using, and managing zoological research collections are complex and demanding tasks, not only from a scientific point of view. In fact, scientists and collection managers are also embedded in a multifaceted sphere of conventions, regulations, and legislation. An important international framework for the exploration and conservation of biodiversity is the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). However, the CBD does not only focus on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It also sets out basic principles for a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from its utilization. Those principles have been implemented in national laws and international agreements on access and benefit-sharing, such as the Nagoya Protocol. In many cases, however, those laws turn out to be critical impediments for the access to and exchange of biological material, research results, and other information within the scientific community. The article will provide an overview on the concept of access and benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol and its implementation in Europe and Germany, as well as challenges and recommendations for collection management. It will also shortly address other regulations affecting the preparation and transportation of zoological samples, i.e., the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), European legislation on animal by-products, and international rules for the air shipment of dangerous goods.