Russell L. Barrett

A review of the genus Lepidosperma Labill. (Cyperaceae: Schoeneae)

Abstract. Species diversity in the genus Lepidosperma Labill. is much greater than previously thought. On the basis of morphological and molecular data, we currently recognise 73 named species (mainly in Australia), with many more species yet to be described. As a precursor to a complete revision, we review the names published in Lepidosperma. All published names at infrageneric, specific and infraspecific rank are typified and their current taxonomic status is indicated. Brief distribution notes are given for the 73 named species recognised. We also give a list of names referrable to other genera. A summary of the taxonomic history of the genus is provided, as well as notes on the specimens collected by early collectors in Australia. Three new combinations are made in Lepidosperma: L. asperatum (Kük.) R.L.Barrett, L. neozelandicum (Kük.) R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson and L. rigidulum (Kük.) K.L.Wilson. L. sanguinolentum K.L.Wilson is a nomen novum based on L. drummondii var. floribundum Kük. Lectotypes are designated for eight infrageneric names and for 39 specific and infraspecific names, including the following: L. angustifolium Hook.f., L. angustatum R.Br., L. angustatum var. curvispiculum Benth., L. australe (A.Rich.) Hook.f., L. benthamianum C.B.Clarke, L. brunonianum Nees, L. brunonianum var. binuciferum Kük., L. canescens Boeckeler, L. carphoides Benth., L. concavum var. pyramidatum Benth., L. confine Nees, L. costale Nees, L. costale var. densispicatum Kük., L. drummondii Benth., L. effusum Benth., L. forsythii A.A.Ham., L. gladiatum Labill., L. globosum Labill., L. inops F.Muell. ex Rodway, L. laterale var. angustum Benth., L. laterale var. majus Benth., L. leptophyllum Benth., L. leptostachyum Benth., L. leptostachyum var. asperatum Kük., L. muelleri Boeckeler, L. neesii Kunth, L. perplanum Guillaumin, L. perteres C.B.Clarke, L. pruinosum Kük., L. pruinosum var. rigidulum Kük., L. quadrangulatum A.A.Ham., L. resinosum var. pleianthemum Kük., L. scabrum Nees, L. scabrum var. effusum Benth., L. sieberi Kunth, L. squamatum Labill., L. tenue Benth., L. viscidum R.Br. and L. viscidum var. subpyramidale Kük. Twenty-two excluded names are listed and new combinations are provided in Tricostularia for L. aphyllum R.Br. and L. exsul C.B.Clarke. A lectotype is selected for L. pauciflorum F.Muell. (= Tricostularia pauciflora (F.Muell.) Benth.).

Phylogenetic revision of Backhousieae (Myrtaceae): Neogene divergence, a revised circumscription of Backhousia and two new species

Abstract. Backhousieae is a small tribe of Myrtaceae composed of two genera (Backhousia and Choricarpia) endemic to Australia. Phylogenetic analyses (parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian) were performed on a combined chloroplast (matK, trnH–psbA, trnC–psbM, trnL–F, rps16) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacers) dataset for all nine species of Backhousia, two species of Choricarpia and two undescribed species. Backhousieae is monophyletic; however, Choricarpia is embedded within Backhousia. In all analyses there were four strongly supported clades containing two to four taxa, with no support for relationships among clades, and the relationships of B. bancroftii and B. citriodora remain unresolved. Bayesian relaxed-clock molecular dating indicated that the Backhousieae has been potentially present in rainforest across Australia for more than 50 million years. The current distribution of Backhousia is inferred to be largely due to the contraction of Australian rainforest in the Neogene. New combinations in Backhousia are made for the two species of Choricarpia, and B. gundarara and B. tetraptera are described as new species. B. gundarara is known only from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, widely disjunct from the remaining Backhousia in eastern Queensland and New South Wales, and appears to be a lineage isolated by increasing aridity during the Miocene.

Novel chloroplast markers for the study of intraspecific variation and hybridisation in the Lepidosperma costale species complex (Cyperaceae)

To investigate intraspecific variation and hybridisation in the Lepidosperma costale species complex, forty-one primers to amplify regions containing chloroplast microsatellites and insertions/deletions were designed using de novo sequencing. Twenty-six loci were polymorphic within three diploid populations, with 2 to 9 alleles per locus. A further 15 loci exhibited fixed size differences between the diploid individuals and a population of putative allopolyploid origin. These markers will assist studies of genetic diversity and hybridisation in Lepidosperma, help inform the conservation of taxa in the Lepidosperma costale species complex, and may have utility across the Cyperaceae.

DNA ploidy variation and distribution in the Lepidosperma costale complex (Cyperaceae): implications for conservation and restoration in a biodiversity hotspot

Intraspecific ploidy variation is an important component of angiosperm biodiversity; however, this variation is rarely considered in conservation programs. This is of particular concern when conservation activities include augmentation, reintroduction or ecological restoration because there are potentially negative consequences when ploidy variants are unintentionally mixed within populations. We surveyed regional ploidy variation in the Lepidosperma costale Nees species complex (Schoeneae: Cyperaceae) in the South West Australian Floristic Region, an international biodiversity hotspot. Several L. costale sensu lato populations are threatened by iron-ore extraction, including the rare L. gibsonii R.L.Barrett, and these populations are the subject of ecological restoration programs. The DNA ploidy of 2384 individuals from 28 populations across the range of the species complex was determined and four DNA ploidy levels were discovered, namely, diploid, triploid, tetraploid and pentaploid. Diploids and tetraploids were the most common cytotypes and were largely geographically segregated, even at an exhaustively studied contact zone. Triploids were found at a low frequency in two populations. The rarity of triploids suggests substantial interploidy sterility, and that mixing of ploidy variants should, therefore, be avoided when restoring L. costale s.l. populations. These data provide a guide for L. costale s.l. germplasm collection and suggest that polyploidy may be an important driver of diversification in these sedges.

Examining range disjunctions in Australian Terminalia (Combretaceae) with taxonomic revision of the T. canescens and T. cunninghamii species complexes

Abstract. Several range disjunctions have been identified in the Australian species of the genus Terminalia L. Field studies and examination of herbarium specimens of taxa with range disjunctions have demonstrated that taxonomic changes are justified. Detailed morphological studies of the Terminalia canescens (DC.) Radlk. species complex showed that four taxa should be recognised. The name Terminalia circumalata F.Muell. is resurrected as a taxon endemic to the Pilbara region, with T. canescens not occurring in that region. The distinction of Terminalia bursarina F.Muell., T. canescens and T. pterocarya F.Muell. is also supported. Terminalia cunninghamii C.A.Gardner has been considered to have a disjunct range between the far north and south-west of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Terminalia kumpaja R.L.Barrett is described as a new species to accommodate the disjunct southern populations because morphological examination has shown them to be distinct. Terminalia kumpaja is restricted to the Dampier Botanical District. Full descriptions and illustrations of key identifying features are provided for these species. Keys to all Australian Terminalia species are presented. Additional species with disjunct distributions that warrant further study are noted. Lectotypes are selected for Terminalia circumalata and T. rogersii W.Fitzg.

Bush Blitz and biodiversity discovery in Australia

Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia. Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia. School of Plant Biology, Faculty Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Present address: Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Email: russell.barrett@bgpa.wa.gov.au

Reinstatement of Goodenia pritzelii Domin (Goodeniaceae) from the north Kimberley and description of G. oenpelliensis as a new species from the Northern Territory

Goodenia pritzelii Domin is reinstated as a poorly known species from the north Kimberley region of Western Australia. Known only from four collections including the type, G. pritzelii is clearly allied to G. arachnoidea Carolin with which it is known to be sympatric at one location. A new species, Goodenia oenpelliensis R.L.Barrett related to G. kakadu Carolin is described, known only from the type collection from Oenpelli in the Northern Territory.