P. J. Garnock-Jones

Correlated Evolution of Sexual System and Life-History Traits in Mosses

In mosses, separate and combined sexes are evolutionarily labile, yet factors selecting for this variation are unknown. In this study, we investigate phylogenetic correlations between sexual system and five life-history traits (asexual reproduction, chromosome number, gametophore length, spore size, and seta length). We assigned states to species on a large-scale phytogeny of mosses and used maximum likelihood analyses to test for the correlations and investigate the sequence of trait acquisition. Mosses in lineages with separate sexes were significantly more likely to be large, whereas those in lineages with combined sexes had higher chromosome numbers. Moreover, evolutionary transitions to separate sexes were more likely to occur in lineages with small spores. There was no support for a correlation between asexual reproduction and separate sexes. These results suggest that sexual system evolution is influenced by traits affecting mate availability and the dispersal of gametes and spores, and provides evidence for the existence of syndromes of life-history traits in mosses.

Phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences suggests a Pliocene origin for the bipolar distribution of Scleranthus (Caryophyllaceae)

Scleranthus is a genus of about 12 species of herbaceous plants or subshrubs native to Eurasia and Australasia. Here Scleranthus is shown to consist of European and Australasian clades, which diverged within the last 10 million years. Biogeographic implications of this dating and alternative hypotheses explaining the disjunct north-south distribution of the genus, are discussed. The trans-Tasman distributions of S. biflorus and S. brockiei are of recent origin and therefore consistent with long-distance dispersal rather than vicariance explanations. Morphological and ITS sequence data sets are significantly incongruent and trees derived from them differ over relationships among Australasian species. Hybridisation and introgression or lineage sorting are invoked to explain this discordance. Within the family Caryophyllaceae, Scleranthus ITS2 sequences have greater similarity to sequences from representatives of the subfamilies Alsinoideae and Caryophylloideae than to sequences from representatives of the subfamily Paronychioideae. SB01 Phy loal Scl R. D. S

First phylogenetic and biogeographical study of the southern bluebells (Wahlenbergia, Campanulaceae).

Wahlenbergia is a largely southern hemisphere genus of at least 260 species; within Campanulaceae only Campanula is larger. This first phylogeny of Wahlenbergia was reconstructed using about 20% of the 260 species in the genus based on the nuclear ribosomal ITS marker and the chloroplast trnL-F marker with samples from South Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Wahlenbergia was confirmed to be non-monophyletic, though most of the species form a clade. Our tree topology and date estimates indicate that Wahlenbergia diverged in South Africa about 29.6 mya, then dispersed to Australasia about 4.8 mya, thus indicating the radiation of Wahlenbergia occurred relatively recently. Radiations occurred in both of these main centres; there are currently about 170 species in South Africa and 45 species and subspecies in Australasia. New Zealand species comprise two clades, both rooted within the Australasian clade. We thus propose two dispersals from Australia to New Zealand, one leading to a radiation of species with the rhizomatous herbaceous growth form ca. 1.6 mya, and the other leading to a radiation of species with the radicate growth form 0.7 mya. Dispersals from Australia to New Zealand match the expected direction, following the west wind drift and ocean currents. The herbaceous growth form was shown to be ancestral for the genus as a whole, and polyploidy has been a mechanism of the evolution of the genus in Australasia.

Heliohebe (Scrophulariaceae - Veroniceae), a new genus segregated from Hebe

Abstract The species group previously known as Hebe ‘Paniculatae’ is segregated as a new genus, Heliohebe. The new genus is characterised by a number of unique synapomorphies, and does not share apomorphic character states with Hebe, Parahebe, Derwentia, or Chionohebe. It appears to have arisen early in the radiation of the New Zealand Veroniceae. Five species are recognised: H. hulkeana with two subspecies, H. lavaudiana, H. pentasepala, H. raoulii with two subspecies, and H. acuta. H. acuta is a new species and H. pentasepala was formerly treated at varietal rank under Hebe raoulii. H. acuta is quite similar to H. raoulii, but has smaller, more intensely coloured flowers, and the anterior calyx lobes are free. It grows sympatrically with H. hulkeana subsp. hulkeana, H. pentasepala, and H. raoulii subsp. raoulii. Keys, synonymy and typification, descriptions of all taxa, distribution maps, and a cladistic analysis of Heliohebe are presented.

A taxonomic revision of the Hebe parviflora complex (Scrophulariaceae), based on morphology and flavonoid chemistry

Abstract Two entities have long been recognised at the rank of either species or variety in the New Zealand endemic Hebe parviflora complex but, because one of the critical type specimens had not previously been examined by New Zealand botsnists, there has been uncertainty regarding the correct application Of names. The two entities Can be distinguished on characters of habit, leaves, flowers, leaf flavonoids, and chromosome number, and are accepted here at species rank. H. parvlflora is the correct name for the tetraploid entity previously known as H. parvrflora var. arborea, and H. stenophylla is the diploid entity previously known as H. parviflora var. angustifolia (the autonym var. parviflora has not been used in any recent treatments). H. stenophylla has several distinct geographic races and new names are provided at varietal rank for two of these: var. hesperia occurs in limestone areas near the north‐west coast of the South Island, between Cape Farewell and the Heaphy River; var. oliveri occurs on exposed bluffs on Stephens Island in Cook Strait. Circumscription of these varieties leaves var. stenophylla comprising a range of morphological forms whose relationships require further elucidation. A comparative study of leaf flavonoids identifies flavonoid characters that clearly distinguish H. parviflora and H. stenophylla, and the profiles of these species are compared with those of the related species H. strictissima and H. traversii. Historical factors affecting the distribution of H. parviflora and H. stenophylla are discussed, and descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations of diagnostic morphological characters are provided for all taxa.

Lepidium naufragorum (Brassicaceae), a new species from Westland, and notes on other New Zealand coastal species of Lepidium

Abstract A new species, Lepidium naufragorum Garn.-Jones et D.A.Norton, is described. It is compared with L. flexicaule, with which it had previously been included. L. naufragorum is endemic to West-land, and known from only six sites. It is assigned the IUCN threat status of “Rare”, reflecting its restricted distribution and potential for decline. L. flexicaule is apparently extinct in the North Island, but occurs sparingly between Cape Farewell and Punakaiki in the South Island, where its distribution overlaps with that of L. naufragorum. Taxonomic status and variation of L. banksii, L. obtusatum, and L. oleraceum are discussed, and a key to indigenous coastal species of Lepidium is provided.

Iti lacustris (Brassicaceae), a new genus and species from Southern New Zealand

Abstract Iti lacustris, a small annual herb from Fiordland, south-west New Zealand, is described and illustrated. It belongs in tribe Sisymbrieae, but its adaptations to an unusual habitat and its unspecialised reproductive morphology obscure its affinities. Iti lacustris is a minor component of lake-edge turf on cobble beaches at Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau. Although I. lacustris is rare and possibly endangered, its distribution within Fiordland National Park, and the legal confinement of the levels of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau, provide considerable protection of its habitat.

A taxonomic revision of Parahebe (Plantaginaceae) in New Zealand

Abstract Seventeen species of Parahebe are recognised for New Zealand, an increase of six from the most recent Flora treatment. The new species result from division of P. catarractae sens. lat. into P. catarractae (now confined to Fiordland), P. martinii (Marlborough), and P. lanceolata (North Island and North‐West Nelson); two new species (P. senex in North‐West Nelson and P. spectabilis in the Takitimu Range); and acceptance of P. brevistylis and P. laxa at species rank. We also describe two subspecies in P. cheesemanii: subsp. cheesemanii from Nelson and subsp. flabellata from Arthurs Pass. Species limits are discussed in terms of morphological and flavonoid evidence, and some limited data on natural and artificial hybrids are also presented. Problems of the generic limits in the Veroniceae are discussed in relation to Parahebe. Parahebe appears to be paraphyletic and future changes in nomenclature are likely. This treatment covers the New Zealand plants treated as Parahebe in recent Floras.

Description and flavonoid chemistry of Hebe calcicola (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from north-west Nelson, New Zealand

Abstract Hebe calcicola is a new species described from outcropping marble in north‐west Nelson, New Zealand. It is a shrub with glossy leaves to 45 mm long, no sinus in the leaf bud, unbranched and lateral inflorescences, pedicillate flowers, white corollas that are papillate within with tubes shorter than surrounding calyces, and pubescent ovaries and fruit. It is placed in series Occlusae, and is morphologically and geographically distinguished from other members of that group. A comparative study of leaf flavonoids has identified flavonoid characters that Clearly distinguish H. calcicola from the morphologically similar species H. rakaiensis, H. subalpina, H. truncatula, H. traversii, and H. strictissima, and supports morphological evidence for the existence of naturally occurring hybrids between H. calcicola and both H. albicans and H. salicifolia.

Hebe rapensis (F. Brown) Garnock-Jones comb. nov. and its relationships

Abstract Veronica rapensis F. Brown is transferred to Hebe. The species is endemic to Rapa Island, and is related to the shrubby Hebe species of the Chatham Islands and islands to the north of New Zealand, which all belong to the group “Occlusae”. Of eight Hebe species on such warm temperate to subtropical Islands, seven belong to the “Occlusae” and five of these are not found on the New Zealand mainland. On Rapa there is a small element of endemic species with close relatives in New Zealand.