Sergei L. Mosyakin

Deliberate and unintentional introduction of invasive weeds: A case study of the alien flora of Ukraine

SummaryBased on the analysis of invasions of alien plants in Ukraine, the impact of non-native plant species upon the native flora and adverse consequences of their spread are assessed. A case study gives examples of the role of alien plants in fragmentation of populations of native species; contamination of genetic resources of rare and endangered native species, formation of new ecotypes and hybridization with native taxa, disruption of the structure of natural plant communities as a result of introduction of alien species and formation of specific plant communities with domination of aliens. Arguments are provided against uncontrolled casual introductions and subsequent escape from cultivation as a result of ill-judged deliberate introduction of plants for ornamental, agricultural, technical, forestry, and other uses without any preliminary assessment of their invasion potential in the region concerned. Invasions of alien plants promote dramatic changes in the taxonomic, geographical, and ecological patterns of local floras, disruptions in the phytosociological spectrum, spectra of biomorphs, deterioration of zonal peculiarities of the flora, and finally lead to the decline of the vegetation productivity. A list of highly invasive plant species threatening forest, steppe, and submediterranean zones of East Europe is provided.

Origins of native vascular plants of antarctica: Comments from a historical phytogeography viewpoint

The article provides an overview of the problem of the origin of the only native vascular plants of Antarctica, Deschampsia antarctica (Poaceae) and Colobanthus quitensis (Caryophyllaceae), from the viewpoint of modem historical phytogeography and related fields of science. Some authors suggest the Tertiary relict status of these plants in Antarctica, while others favor their recent Holocene immigration. Direct data (fossil or molecular genetic data) for solving this controversy are still lacking. However, there is no convincing evidence supporting the Tertiary relict status of these plants in Antarctica. Most probably, D. antarctica and C. quitensis migrated to Antarctica in the Holocene or Late Pleistocene (last interglacial?) through bird-aided long-distance dispersal. It should be critically tested by (1) appropriate methods of molecular phylogeography; (2) molecular clock methods, if feasible; (3) direct paleobotanical studies; (4) paleoclimatic reconstructions; and (5) comparison with cases of taxa with similar distribution/dispersal patterns. The problem of the origin of Antarctic vascular plants is a perfect model for integration of modern methods of molecular phylogeography and phylogenetics, population biology, paleobiology, and paleogeography for solving a long-standing enigma of historical plant geography and evolution.

Kali versus Salsola : the instructive story of a questionable nomenclatural resurrection

ABSTRACTThe article provides an analysis of the current situation with lectotypification of the generic name Salsola L. (Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae sensu APG) and recent nomenclatural “resurrection” of the generic name Kali Mill., following molecular phylogenetic findings. Here we present additional arguments in favor of our recent nomenclatural proposal on conservation of the generic name Salsola with S. kali L. as the conserved type. Another option is the typification of Salsola with S. soda L., in which case taxa of the S. kali clade are placed in the genus Kali Mill. ( sensu Akhani & Roalson) in its new circumscription. Positive and negative taxonomic and nomenclatural outcomes of each solution are discussed. Our position regarding the typification of Salsola is reconfirmed. The final decision on the nomenclatural fate of Salsola will be adopted at the XIX International Botanical Congress in 2017, following decisions and recommendations of two committees of the IAPT, which will evaluate our Salsola conservation proposal and report if typifications done by Standley in the North American Flora are supersedable.

(2323) Proposal to conserve the name Salsola (Chenopodiaceae s.str.; Amaranthaceae sensu APG) with a conserved type.

1 M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Tereshchenkivska Street 2, Kiev, 01601, Ukraine 2 University of Greifswald, Institute of Biology and Landscape Ecology, Soldtmannstrase 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany 3 University of Kassel, Institute of Biology, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany Author for correspondence: Sergei L. Mosyakin, s_mosyakin@hotmail.com

Pollen morphology of tribes Aptosimeae and Myoporeae supports the phylogenetic pattern in early-branching Scrophulariaceae revealed by molecular studies

Abstract Mosyakin S. L. & Tsymbalyuk Z. M.: Pollen morphology of tribes Aptosimeae and Myoporeae supports the phylogenetic pattern in early-branching Scrophulariaceae revealed by molecular studies. — Willdenowia 45: 209–222. 2015. — Version of record first published online on 15 July 2015 ahead of inclusion in August 2015 issue; ISSN 1868-6397;

Anemonastrum tenuicaule and A. antucense (Ranunculaceae), new combinations for a New Zealand endemic species and its South American relative

Abstract A rational taxonomic circumscription of genera in tribe Anemoneae (Ranunculaceae) is briefly discussed. It is concluded that, in view of the morphological diversity of the group and recent molecular phylogenetic findings, a moderately narrow approach to the re-circumscription of genera earlier included in Anemone sensu lato is preferable, in particular, with the recognition of the lineage with the base chromosome number x = 7 (Anemone subgen. Anemonidium) as two genera, Hepatica sensu stricto and Anemonastrum in an expanded circumscription (including Anemonidium, Arsenjevia, Jurtsevia, and Tamuria). Following these conclusions, new nomenclatural combinations are proposed for two related species endemic to New Zealand and South America, respectively: Anemonastrum tenuicaule (= Anemone tenuicaulis, Ranunculus tenuicaulis) and Anemonastrum antucense (= Anemone antucensis). Information on typification is updated: the lectotype of Anemone antucensis is the specimen from P and not a specimen from G, and the lectotype of Ranunculus tenuicaulis is a specimen from AK. Biogeographic scenarios already proposed to explain the relationship of these two species and some other South America – New Zealand distribution patterns are discussed. It is concluded that the long-distance dispersal scenario fits best the available data for Anemonastrum. Two host-specific and geographically restricted species of Urosystis parasitizing A. tenuicaule and A. antucense are briefly discussed.