Refine
Year of publication
Document Type
- Article (15267)
- Part of Periodical (2807)
- Working Paper (2338)
- Doctoral Thesis (2017)
- Preprint (1745)
- Book (1737)
- Part of a Book (1055)
- Conference Proceeding (734)
- Report (471)
- Review (165)
Language
- English (28526) (remove)
Keywords
- taxonomy (719)
- new species (431)
- morphology (170)
- Deutschland (141)
- Syntax (125)
- Englisch (120)
- distribution (112)
- Deutsch (98)
- biodiversity (96)
- inflammation (95)
Institute
- Medizin (5171)
- Physik (3452)
- Wirtschaftswissenschaften (1884)
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) (1558)
- Biowissenschaften (1500)
- Center for Financial Studies (CFS) (1474)
- Informatik (1365)
- Biochemie und Chemie (1075)
- Sustainable Architecture for Finance in Europe (SAFE) (1049)
- House of Finance (HoF) (701)
Seven species of Coccocarpia are reported from the Andaman Islands and two from the Nicobar Islands. These include four species new to India and to the Andaman Islands, viz. C. glaucina, C. cf. myriocarpa, C. sp. 1 and C. sp. 2, and two species new to the Nicobar Islands, viz. C. erythroxyli and C. palmicola. A key to all nine species of Coccocarpia known from India is presented and information on morphology, chemistry and distribution given.
We report for the first time 11 species of Frullania growing as epiphylls in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Colombia . Also listed are 29 Frullania species that have previously been recorded growing as epiphylls in other regions of the world. The highest diversity of Frullania epiphyllous species are in the floristic regions of New Zealand, New Caledonia, Macraonesia, and Madagascar. Frullania epiphylls range in altitude from sea-level to 2500m and can be categorised into facultative or accidental epiphylls. The number of Frullania species currently recorded growing as epiphylls will no doubt increase as more revisions of the genus in different floristic regions take place. This number may also increase if botanists were to explore leaf surfaces as a potential substrate for Frullania species, in addition to bark and rock habitats that have traditionally been described as microhabitats for the genus.
The group of African Cololejeunea species with a heart-shaped perianth and elongate marginal leaf cells has been studied. Cololejeunea iradieri is described as new from Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa), while Cololejeunea harrisii Pócs var. magna Tix. is raised to species level. Their relations to similar species, C. amaniensis Pócs, C. harrisii Pócs and C. tenuiparietata Tix., are discussed.
16 taxa of mosses and 4 taxa of hepatics have been identified from a recent collection of Seychelles bryophytes. Isopterygium subleptoblastum C.Müller is new to the Seychelles. Ectropothecium squarrifolium (Broth.) Nishimura is new to Africa 3 sensu Index Muscorum, but the identification is somewhat uncertain.
An annotated checklist of the lichens of Hong Kong, based on all available literature reports and specimens, including those recently collected by the authors, is presented. In total, 261 species are reported, of which 176 are new records for Hong Kong, 132 of which are new for China, 43 are new for East Asia, and 27 are new for Asia. The lichen vegetation is mainly tropical, as is shown by the distribution patterns of the identified species: 53 species are cosmopolitan, 40 northern temperate, 122 pantropical, 17 paleotropical and 29 endemic to tropical East Asia. With regard to substrata, 129 species are corticolous, 148 saxicolous, 17 foliicolous and 19 terricolous. Four species are newly described: Anisomeridium conorostratum Aptroot, A. hydei Aptroot, Caloplaca pulicarioides Aptroot and Placidiopsis poronioides Aptroot. The flora is rather poor in species; for example, no Caliciales have been found. In the past, the numbers of species of several groups such as the Graphidaceae, Heterodermia and Xanthoparmelia have been overestimated, whereas few pyrenocarps have been reported. The flora of wet granitic outcrops is surprisingly well developed in Hong Kong. Although not a single Peltula species was reported before, six species were identified, including one that was previously only known from Africa. In addition, several other cyanophilic genera are present, such as Euopsis, Psorotichia, Pyrenopsis and, most unexpectedly, Vestergrenopsis, each with one species. A comparison between old and recent records shows that many Lobarion species are now extinct. The drastic decline of species of the Lobarion vegetation indicates that air pollution and other habitat disturbances, mainly deforestation, to which these species are very sensitive, are seriously threatening the lichen biodiversity of Hong Kong.
Book Reviews
(1999)
M. P. Marcelli & T. Ahti (eds.) 1998. Recollecting Edvard August Vainio. CETESB, Sao Paulo, 188 pp (A5). Price US$ 30.00 + postage US$ 14.00 = US$ 44.00.
M. P. Marcelli & M. R. D. Seaward (eds.) 1998. Lichenology in Latin America - history, current knowledge and application. CETESB, Sao Paulo, 179 pp (A4). Price US$ 40.00 + postage US$ 14.00 = US$ 54.00.
All specimens in BM labelled Phyllodon truncatus or P. truncatulus have been examined, together with two new Uganda collections, and all African species conform to the type of P. truncatus, and all American species conform to the type of P. truncatulus. Buck’s (1987) assessment of this genus is supported, and it is confirmed that P. truncatulus does not occur in Africa.
The effect of lichen extracts obtained from Cladonia substellata and its main constituent, on the germination and growth of onion (Allium cepa L.) seedlings was investigated. No significant inhibitory effect of the lichen extracts and usnic acid on germination was found, except of usnic acid at the concentration of 726.7 mM. Growth inhibition of the radicle and of the hypocotyl of the seedlings was found for the total extract and for usnic acid in concentrations of 290.6 mM and 726.7 mM.
Decomposing wood forms the substrate for special lignicolous, hygrophilous, and sciophilous plant communities. In a moist tropical forest, vegetation on this substrate consists mostly of bryophytes. The material gathered from Mt. Meru and the Usambara Mts. in Tanzania comprises 102 taxa or genera of bryophytes. Of these 86 taxa are mosses and 16 hepatics. They were collected from a number of rotten logs at different stages of decay both in primeval and in cultivated forests. The bryophyte vegetation on these logs was examined by use of quadrats 20 x 20 cm. A total of 71 taxa occurred in 51 plots.
Eight moss species corresponding to nomina nuda recorded in the literature from Annobon Island are listed with their recent determination and current names. Leucophanes unguiculatum, Philonotis uncinata var. glaucescens and Vesicularia strephomischos are new records for the Equatorial Guinean bryoflora.
The new species Colura zoophaga from the Aberdare Mountains in Kenya is described as new. It differs from C. berghenii and C. hedbergiana in the obtuse apex, which is rounded or only weakly prolonged. C. zoophaga also differs from C. berghenii in the smooth leaf-cells, from C. hedbergiana in the 5-horned perianth keels and from C. calyptrifolia in the papillose perianth. A key to the African taxa of Sectio Macroramphus is provided. The ecology of C. zoophaga is briefly described.
From the mist oasis of Erkwit (Red Sea coastal plain of Sudan) 25 epiphytic lichen taxa are reported, probably the first lichen floristic report for the country. Most species encountered are widespread in warm and dry areas worldwide, while a few have their center in the Mediterranean region and document a Mediterranean element in this tropical region.
Fifteen taxa of mosses are reported from the island of Rodrigues. The second African report of Luisierella barbula (Schwaegr.) Steere bridges the Asian and New World disjunctions of this taxon. Three other species are reported new to the Mascarenes, i.e., Calymperes tenerum C.Müller var. tenerum, Fissidens ramulosus Mitten and Weissia edentula Mitten. Three are new to Rodrigues, i.e., Bryum truncorum Bridel, Fissidens sciophyllus Mitten and Vesicularia ayresii (Schimper ex Besch.) Broth.
Despite its small area (7500 km2), the Valle de México is the site of high plant diversity. Its flora includes about 105 species and varieties of pleuocarpous mosses, i.e., 31% of the total recognized for Mexico. The Leucodontales include 22 taxa, the Hookeriales are represented by two species only, and the Hypnales by some 81 taxa. Because of their epiphytic habitat, the Leucodontales are comparatively scarce in the Valle de México; the Hookeriales usually grow in lowland, shaded moist tropical forests. The large and diverse Order Hypnales is a north temperate taxon which, in the tropical latitudes, is distributed at high elevations in open forests that are frequent in the area of study. Drepanocladus capillifolius and Hygroamblystegium fluviatile are recorded for the first time for Mexico.
A survey of the limited literature on the mosses of Belize and an examination of various taxonomic revisions has been made, together with many recent collections giving rise to a list of 250 species and 13 varieties. Extensive nomenclatural changes have been made since the older contributions came into print, so that the present list will serve as a basis for future recording.
A brief account of the geography and floristic regions of Panamá is complemented with an historical account of the liverwort studies of this country. This is followed by an annotated checklist of 289 taxa, including 93 new for Panamá. Among these are four hornwort taxa that represent the first anthocerotes reported. Each checklist entry comprises proper taxon citation, collection data and/or bibliographic references.
Three genera of the moss family Sematophyllaceae are revised for Africa as part of a project looking at the mosses of Seychelles. Two of the three species of the genus Rhaphidostichum Fleisch. (Sematophyllaceae, Bryopsida) prove to belong to different genera (Papillidiopsis (Broth.) Buck & Tan and Acroporium Mitt.). One of the two species of Warburgiella Fleisch. is shown to belong to Trichosteleum All species are described and illustrated. The following two new combinations are made: Papillidiopsis mahensis (Besch.) O’Shea (basionym Rhaphidostegium mahense Besch.) and Acroporium subluxurians (Dix. & Thér.) Tan & O’Shea (basionym Rhaphidostichum subluxurians Dix. & Thér.). Papillidiopsis malayana (Dix.) Tan is made a synonym of P. mahensis, and the basionym of Warburgiella leptorrhyncha is altered to Hypnum leptorrhynchum Müll. Hal., Synopsis 2: 313. 1851.
Three mosses new to Vietnam
(1998)
A total of 233 foliicolous lichen species and 18 lichenicolous fungi are reported from Guyana as a result of the Smithsonian „International Cryptogamic Expedition to Guyana“ 1996. Three lichens and two lichenicolous fungi are new to science: Arthonia grubei sp.n., Badimia subelegans sp.n., Calopadia pauciseptata sp.n., Opegrapha matzeri sp.n. (lichenicolous on Amazonomyces sprucei), and Pyrenidium santessonii sp.n. (lichenicolous on Bacidia psychotriae). The new combination Strigula janeirensis (Bas.: Phylloporina janeirensis; syn.: Raciborskiella janeirensis) is proposed. Apart from Amazonomyces sprucei and Bacidia psychotriae, Arthonia lecythidicola (with the lichenicolous A. pseudopegraphina) and Byssolecania deplanata (with the lichenicolous Opegrapha cf. kalbii) are reported as new hosts for lichenicolous fungi. Arthonia pseudopegraphina growing on A. lecythidicola is the first known case of adelphoparasitism at generic level in foliicolous Arthonia. Arthonia flavoverrucosa, Badimia polillensis, and Byssoloma vezdanum are new records for the Neotropics, and 115 species are new for Guyana, resulting in a total of c. 280 genuine foliicolous species reported for that country, while Porina applanata and P. verruculosa are excluded from its flora. The foliicolous lichen flora of Guyana is representative for the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) and has great affinities with the Amazon region, while the degree of endemism is low. A characteristic species for this area is Amazonomyces sprucei. Species composition is typical of Neotropical lowland to submontane humid forests, with a dominance of the genera Porina, Strigula, and Mazosia. The table mountain vegetation supports elements of the upper montane forest, such as Echinoplaca fusconitida and Logilvia gilva. Foliicolous lichen diversity is highest in undisturbed lowland to submontane humid forest, much lower in the table mountain vegetation and drastically decreased in semi-open secondary vegetation and the coastal savanna. Species composition in semi-open, disturbed vegetation is similar to that found in the undisturbed forest canopy. Site preferences of foliicolous lichens follow those established by studies in other Neotropical regions like Costa Rica.
Three species of Webera and Pohlia described from China were reduced to new synonyms of other species of Pohlia. Webera ciliifera Broth. is a synonym of Pohlia elongata Hedw., W. pygmaea Broth. is a synonym of P. minor Schleich. ex Schwaegr. and P. subflexuosa Broth. is a synonym of P. flexuosa Hook.
In “A Preliminary List of the Mosses of Paraguay” Buck (1985) commented on the low level of bryological knowledge in this country. He also pointed out the need for muscological studies and encouraged collectors “to gather bryophytes whenever possible”. The present article follows this recommendation.
Twenty five species of Sticta occur in Australia. These are: Sticta baileyi, S. brevipes, S. camarae, S. caperata, S. cyphellulata, S. diversa, S. duplolimbata, S. filix, S. flavocyphellata, S. fuliginosa, S. howei, S. hypopsiloides, S. latifrons, S. limbata, S. marginifera, S. myrioclada, S. pedunculata, S. rutilans, S. sayeri, S. stipitata, S. sublimbata, S. subtomentella, S. variabilis and S. weigelii. A key and descriptions of each taxon are given together with details of biogeography, distribution, ecology and nomenclature. Sticta baileyi, S. flavocyphellata and S. howei are newly described, and Sticta myrioloba (Müll.Arg.) D.J.Galloway comb. & stat. nov., is proposed.
This paper represents an additional contribution toward the knowledge of a bryophyte flora of Chapada Diamantina National Park in the State of Bahia, Brazil, in which are reported 27 species of mosses belonging to 22 genera and 14 families, and four species of liverworts belonging to four genera and three families. Most of these species seem to be restricted to this high altitude geomorphological complex area.
This checklist provides in addition to a list of mosses and hepatics, a key to the species. We report 17 moss species of which 9 are new to Mona Island and 3 are new records for Puerto Rico (Fissidens minutus, Plaubelia sprengelii and Brymela callicostelloides). This report represents a 35% increase to the moss flora of Mona Island. Thirteen hepatics are reported of which 8 are new records, representing an increase of 31%. Two new synonyms (Bryum microdecurrens = Bryum coronatum, Riccia brittonii = Riccia elliottii) are included. No hornworts are known for the island.
Five new species of Hydroptila (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae), H. murtlei sp. n., H. criokera sp. n, H. auriscuspa sp. n., H. santarosa sp. n., and H. ebroensis sp. n., from Florida are described and illustrated. We provide an annotated list of the 76 species known to occur in the state, including 10 species that represent new state records, one of which is also a new country record. New illustrations are presented for those species which were difficult to identify or exhibited new range extensions into Florida, namely: Hydroptila acadia Ross, H. ajax Ross, H. icona Mosely, H. latosa Ross, H. lloganae Blickle, H. maculata (Banks), H. novicola Blickle and Morse, H. wakulla Denning, Oxyethira arizona Ross, O. lumipollex Kelley and Harris, and O. simulatrix Flint.
A list of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) intercepted on imported succulent plants at the plant quarantine of Korea from 2006 to 2010 is provided. A total of 15 species belonging to four families are listed. Of the 15 species that were intercepted, some species are potential pests that could gain entry and establish in Korea through the importation of plant material. Current information on intercepted scale insects is required to alert inspectors at quarantine sites to look carefully at succulent plants to prevent the introduction of an exotic species.
A new species of Cololejeunea section Protocolea, is described from Cerro Fábrega in Panama. The diagnostic characteristics of C. tixierii are lobes ovate-lanceolate, lobules never inflate but explanate or folded without forming a keel, reaching about half of the lobe length and perianth only faintly keeled at maturity.
Amorbia concavana (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is reported in Florida, USA. Male and female specimens are figured, and new host records are given. The species is compared to other Nearctic species of Amorbia Clemens. Florida specimens are more similar to Cuban than to Central American material with respect to male genitalia.
Systematic revision of the genus Orodaliscoides Schmidt, 1913 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae)
(2012)
The species belonging to the genus Orodaliscoides Schmidt (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) are redescribed and figured. The following new combinations are proposed: Orodaliscoides fimbripes (Brown, 1928) and Orodaliscoides giulianii (Gordon, 1977).
Delphastus quinculus Gordon and Diomus seminulus (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are reported for the first time feeding on eggs and first-instar nymphs of Crypticerya multicicatrices Kondo and Unruh (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae). Diagnosis and illustrations are provided for both species. Updated information on their biology, hosts and geographical distribution is also provided.
Beetles of the genus Paederus sensu stricto Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are often noticed because of their potency in inducing a dermal lesion, so-called linear dermatitis. This genus, which is placed in the tribe Paederini and subfamily Paederinae of Staphylinidae, currently comprises 490 species worldwide. Our study presents a short review of the former records of Paederus spp. in Iran plus some unpublished data. Field collections were done during March-October yearly (1997-2007) in northern and southern Iran and April-June from central, eastern, western and north-western Iran (2008-2009). The present study adds four species to the Iranian fauna of the genus Paederus, which are P. brevipennis Lacordaire, 1835, P. basalis Bernhauer, 1914, P. pubescens Cameron, 1914 and P. schoenherri Czwalina, 1899. Paederus brevipennis and P. schoenherri are the first members of the subgenus Harpopaederus Scheerpeltz, 1957, ever reported from Iran. Considering previous reports, museum-deposited materials and our findings, 14 species and subspecies of the genus Paederus, which are grouped in five subgenera, occur in Iran. These subgenera are Eopaederus Scheerpeltz, Harpopaederus Scheerpeltz, Heteropaederus Scheerpeltz, Paederus Fabricius and Poederomorphus des Cottes; however P. duplex spectabilis Bernhauer, 1913 is not yet attributed to any of the 13 so-far defined subgenera.
The multicicatrices fluted scale, Crypticerya multicicatrices Kondo and Unruh (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae) is reported from the islands of San Andres and Providencia, Colombia, as a recent invasive species. This scale insect is polyphagous, and attacks numerous plants of economic importance such as avocado, breadfruit, mango, papaya and tropical ornamental plants. A compiled list of 95 host plant species of C. multicicatrices is given. A diagnosis of the adult female of C. multicicatrices and a revised taxonomic key to the species of the tribe Iceryini (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) known from South America is provided. The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), also is reported for the first time from the island of San Andres, where it is found commonly on Hibiscus spp. and Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. The need for the implementation of a classical biological control program in the archipelago in order to control invasive scale insect pests is discussed.
The caatinga is a deciduous and xerophilous vegetation that covers large areas in Brazil. An irregular rainfall with a marked dry period is a characteristic feature. This paper represents the first contribution to the knowledge of the bryoflora from caatinga vegetation in the State of Bahia. The survey was carried out in several areas from Bahia in which eigthteen species of bryophytes were found (15 mosses and 3 liverworts). The bryoflora from caatinga is composed mainly of generalists and xerophilous taxa, but even some hygrophilous species can be found. A number of species including Hyophiladelphus agrarius, Hyophila involuta, Calymperes palisotii ssp. richardii, Bryum argenteum, Entodontopsis leucostega, Octoblepharum albidum, Frullania ericoides also occur in other vegetation types. However, there are a number of species restricted to this type of vegetation, such as Helicophyllum torquatum and Riccia vitalii, at least in Bahia. Most moss species were acrocarpous with erect and short (short-turf) growth-form, whereas the foliose hepaticae were of incubous, and thallose forms.
Aplagiognathus Thomson, 1861 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae, Macrotomini) and its two species, A. spinosus (Newman, 1840) and A. hybostoma Bates, 1879, are redescribed and figured. As the type of A. spinosus is apparently lost, a neotype for the species is designated herein as is a lectotype for A. hybostoma. Keys to the North and Central American genera of Macrotomini (excluding the West Indies) and to Aplagiognathus species are provided. Details on the numerous changes in the nomenclatural history of the genus are also chronicled.
Several lichen species are reported from the first time from New Guinea, based on material collected by the author in 1995. The following new taxa are described: Crustospathula cartilaginea gen. et spec. nov., Pseudopyrenula serusiauxii spec. nov. and Trypethelium galligenum spec. nov. Psoroma papuana Aptroot & Diederich nom. nov. is proposed as new name for Psoroma pannarioides Aptroot & Diederich.
This report contains the first inclusive phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic structure for the genera presently included within the scarabaeid tribe Dynastini. The study was based upon morphological, biogeographic and molecular data and yielded direct support for the recognition of three subtribes in the Dynastini: Dynastina MacLeay, New Status (Dynastes Kirby, Augosoma Burmeister, Megasoma Kirby, Golofa Hope), Xylotrupina Hope, New Status (Xylotrupes Hope, Allomyrina Arrow, Trypoxylus Minck, Xyloscaptes Prell) and Chalcosomina Rowland and Miller, New Subtribe (Chalcosoma Hope, Haploscapanes Arrow, Beckius Dechambre, Eupatorus Burmeister, Pachyoryctes Arrow). The results provide indirect but significant support for the origin of the tribe Dynastini to be of an age no later than the early Late Cretaceous. Molecular and morphological evidence suggests that Eupatorus as constituted in current taxonomic literature is not monophyletic, and taxonomic alternatives are discussed to address this deficiency. A plausible explanation is also provided for the perplexing use by F. W. Hope of the family-group names Xylotrupidae and Dynastidae.
New or little known epiphyllous liverworts : 6., Papillolejeunea gen. nov. from Papua New Guinea
(1997)
A new epiphyllous Lejeuneaceae genus, Papillolejeunea is described. It is a segregate of Lejeunea, characterized by a large, 2-4 celled, stout, papilla like first (distal) tooth on a well developed, inflated lobule, while the second (proximal) tooth is reduced, blunt, hidden with the usually involuted free lobule margin. Four new species are described within the genus. One, Papillolejeunea balazsii, forms the Section nov. Papillolejeunea and the type of the genus, characterized by large number of serially arranged mucilage cells on the dorsal surface and margin of the lobe, at the margin of amphigastria and on the perianth keels. Three further species, Papillolejeunea candida, Papillolejeunea papuana and Papillolejeunea touwii constitute the Section nov. Candidae, where no such dorsal and marginal glands occur. The distribution of the genus seems to be restricted to the mountainous area of New Guinea.
Of the three species of Acanthorrhynchium reported for Africa in a recent checklist, all prove to be the same as the widespread Asian species, Acanthorrhynchium papillatum (Harvey) Fleisch.: this is the first report of this taxon for Africa. Acanthorrhynchium decolor (Besch.) Fleisch. and A. loucoubense (Besch.) Fleisch. are made new synonyms of A. papillatum. Acanthorrhynchium serratum (Ren. & Card.) Fleisch. had already been made a synonym of A. loucoubense (as Taxithelium loucoubense) before Fleischer moved it into the genus Acanthorrhynchium.
Based on a recent moss checklist of sub-Saharan Africa, an analysis is made of moss diversity and endemism in the area. There are over 3000 taxa, 77% of which are endemic. Figures for diversity and endemism for each country are listed, mapped and graphed, and endemism is also considered at the genus level. As the bryophyte flora of Africa is comparatively poorly known, it is important to be prudent when drawing conclusions about biodiversity and endemism.
This is the first in a series of papers listing new records, which will be published whenever sufficient new records have been found. The taxa are arranged by countries for an easier evaluation, e.g. updates of checklists. The initials of the contributor for each record is shown in square brackets after the record, and these initials are interpreted at the end of the paper.
Niche breadth values of Sphagnum species in the páramo and cloud forests of Bolivia are similar to those reported for Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in North America, but niche overlap values are higher for Sphagnum species in Bolivia. The pH, conductivity, and concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, and P suggest that Sphagnum habitats in Bolivia are ombrotrophic in nature. Sphagnum is limited to small, scattered carpets in the páramo and cloud forests of the Bolivian Andes between 1800 and 4200 m. Common species found in these habitats include S. alegrense Warnst., S. boliviae Warnst., S. cuspidatum Ehrh., S. magellanicum Brid., S. oxyphyllum Warnst., S. recurvum P. Beauv., S. sanctojosephense Crum & Crosby, and S. sparsum Hampe.
This further contribution to the knowledge of the foliicolous lichen flora of Costa Rica provides a detailed account on the genus Fellhanera. In total, 25 species and five undescribed taxa are treated. Ten species are described as new: Fellhanera angustispora sp.n., F. dictyospora sp.n., F. dispersa sp.n., F. emarginata sp.n., F. pilomarginata sp.n., F. longispora sp.n., F. muhlei sp.n., F. montana sp.n., F. verrucifera sp.n., and F. viridis sp.n. New combinations are F. pauciseptata (R. Sant.) R. Lücking comb.n. [Bas.: Bacidia pauciseptata R. Sant.] and F. rubida (Müll. Arg.) R. Lücking comb.n. [Bas.: Patellaria rubida Müll. Arg.]. F. dominicana (Vain.) Vezda is placed into synonymy with F. fuscatula (Müll. Arg.) Vezda, whose type has 7-septate ascospores, and the name F. subfuscatula R. Lücking sp.n. is introduced for the taxon with 5-septate ascospores formerly known as F. fuscatula. F. misionensis Ferraro & R. Lücking ined. and F. sublecanorina (Nyl.) Vezda are reported for the first time from Costa Rica. The formerly invalidly published names F. farinosa nom. nud. and F. pilosa nom. nud. are considered to be synonyms of F. fuscatula (Müll. Arg.) Vezda and F. rhapidophylli (Rehm) Vezda, respectively. Specimens identified as F. tuckeri nom. nud. belong to F. rhapidophylli as well. F. buxi is excluded from the foliicolous lichen flora of Costa Rica. A keys is provided to the complex group of species of Fellhanera with brownish apothecia and 3-septate ascospores. Infrageneric relationships within Fellhanera are briefly discussed, and notes on the ecology of the species are provided.
Grimmia pseudo-anodon Deguchi, previously known only from Peru, is reported as new to Bolivia. The specimens are from packets labelled as Coscinodon trinervis, collected by Herzog in 1911. Grimmia pseudo-anodon is distinct by its non-plicate leaves and straight, centrally attached seta. This is a range extension of some 300 km and an elevational increase of about 1000 m.
Sixty taxa of mosses, mainly pleurocarps, are reported from the Mascarenes. Two are new to Afr.3 sensu Index Muscorum, i.e., Brachythecium plumosum (Hedwig) Schimper in BSG and Palamocladium sericeum (Jaeger) C.Müller. Nine are new to the Mascarenes, i.e., Brachythecium decurrens Cardot, Callicostella parvocellulata Demaret & P.Varde, Helicodontium lanceolatum (Hampe & C.Müller) Jaeger, Lepidopilum carrougeauanum Thér. & P.Varde, Mittenothamnium microthamnioides (Geh.) Wijk & Marg., Orthostichopsis longinervis (Ren. & Cardot) Broth., Plagiothecium nitens Dixon, Rhynchostegium comorae (C.Müller) Jaeger and Trachypus bicolor var. hispidulus (C.Müller) Cardot. One is new to Mauritius and Réunion, but known from Rodrigues, i.e., Meiothecium madagascariense (Bridel) Broth. Five taxa are new to Mauritius, i.e., Callicostella salaziae (Besch.) Broth., Lopidium struthiopteris (Bridel) Fleischer, Macrohymenium acidodon (Mont.) Dozy & Molk., Orthostichella pentasticha (Bridel) Buck and Vesicularia lepervanchei (Besch.) Broth.
124 species of bryophytes, belonging to 46 families are reported for the Aberdare Mountains, of which 58 species are new for the Aberdares and 6 records are new for Kenya, indicated by * and ** respectively. The wetter, more humid southern and south-eastern parts of the range contain the greatest diversity of species, particularly in the montane forests while the drier northern part is poor in species.
Errata
(1996)
In the article "Secalonic acid A from Pseudoparmelia sphaerospora (Nyl.) Hale and P. hypomilta (Fée) Hale (Parmeliaceae)", published in Tropical Bryology 10: 201-204, 1995, the sentence at page 201 "Seven isomers are known of secalonic acid: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, all isolated from fungi by Budavari (1989)" should read: ""Seven isomers are known of secalonic acid: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, all isolated from fungi (Budavari 1989)".
Five species of the genus Cheilolejeunea are reported from Hong Kong. Among them, Cheilolejeunea osumiensis (Hatt.) Mizut. and Cheilolejeunea ryukyuensis Mizut. are new to China. Cheilolejeunea intertexta (Lindenb.) Steph. is newly reported for China except Taiwan, and Cheilolejeunea trifaria (Reinw. et al.) Mizut. is documented for the first time for mainland China except Hainan and Taiwan. The detailed description and illustration of Cheilolejeunea osumiensis as well as the key to the five Cheilolejeunea species of Hong Kong are also presented.
Aldabra Atoll, in the Republic of Seychelles, lies 450 km to the north of Madagascar and 650 km to the east of the Tanzanian coast of Africa (9o24’S, 46o20’E). It is one of the largest atolls in the world, with four main islands and numerous islets, totalling 97 km2. The underlying limestone is slightly raised, but is generally less than 8 m in elevation, and varies substantially in texture due to erosion. The atoll has been elevated above sea level for at least 80,000 years. Soils are generally shallow and alkaline (Trudgill 1979). The geology and ecology are outlined in Westoll and Stoddart (1971), Stoddart and Westoll (1979), and Stoddart (1984).
Nectar secretion was measured at 6-h intervals over a 24-h period in flowers of the Red Bloodwood, Corymbia gummifera (family Myrtaceae). Secretion varied among time periods and among trees. There was no clear diurnal or nocturnal pattern. Flowers produced 0.5–3 µl of dilute nectar (9% concentration) per hour throughout the diel cycle. Standing crops of nectar averaged 1–12.6 µl per flower and also varied temporally and spatially. Flowers were visited by a wide array of nectarivores: insects, birds, gliding possums and bats. Although it is likely that these visitors vary considerably in their effectiveness as pollinators, it would appear that Corymbia gummifera has a generalised pollination system.
Acacia blakei forests and scrubs of north-eastern NSW are described and compared to similar vegetation found in the south-east of the state, primarily dominated by Acacia silvestris. Like those in the south, Northern Wattle Dry Sclerophyll Forests form often discrete stands with abrupt margins on steep slopes in rugged terrain on shallow often rocky soils. The structure is usually of a cohort with stems of an even height and size up to 20 m tall, and a sparse understorey with few grasses, herbs or shrubs. These systems are potentially maintained by infrequent extreme fire events. Notes are made on their management and conservation.
New populations of three threatened mallee species, Eucalyptus castrensis K.D.Hill, Eucalyptus fracta K.D.Hill and Eucalyptus pumila Cambage (all Myrtaceae), have recently been found in the Singleton Military Area in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales (32°45’S, 151°15’E). Each population is significant as they increase the known distribution and total numbers of three highly restricted species. Details of the habitat and size of each additional population are given and conservation notes provided.
Cadellia pentastylis F.Muell., (family Surianaceae), a dry rainforest tree with a conservation listing of Vulnerable at state and national levels, was first collected from the Gunnedah area by the botanical collector J.L. Boorman in 1907. We report the first record of Cadellia pentastylis from the Gunnedah area (30°58’49’’S, 150°15’15’’E) since 1907, and provide details of the community and habitat where it occurs, on the lower slopes of Black Jack Mountain. Although this population is one of the smallest in New South Wales, it is significant as it is at its southern distributional limit, and is found adjacent to semi-evergreen vine thicket, another type of dry rainforest, on the same hillslope. We list the New South Wales occurrences of this species and discuss aspects of its flowering phenology.
Fossil spores preserved on historical archaeological sites at Parramatta and Richmond indicate that two or more species of the quillwort genus Isoetes (family Isoetaceae) were growing along rivers on the Cumberland Plain, west of Sydney, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Perispore ornamentation indicates the parent plants were related to Isoetes drummondii A.Braun and Isoetes muelleri A.Braun: A possible third species produced microspores that are similar to, but much larger than, the spores produced by modern Isoetes muelleri. Apart from one dubious record, Isoetes has not been found in the Sydney flora or on the New South Wales Central Coast and Central Tablelands botanical subdivisions, but does occur in the Central Western Slopes, and botanical subdivisions to the north of Sydney (North Coast, Northern Tablelands) and south (Southern Tablelands, South-Western Slopes, South-Western Plains), as well as in other States. Our data indicate the present day disjunct distribution of Isoetes in New South Wales is most likely to be due to European settlement. The ability of quillworts to survive moderate levels of disturbance during the early Colonial period raises the possibility that remnant populations may still survive in protected areas on the Cumberland Plain.
The exotic tree species Pinus radiata D. Don (in the family Pinaceae) has successfully spread from commercial plantations into adjacent vegetation in southeastern Australia. Identifying factors facilitating spread will aid the control of current invasions and the prediction of future invasion events. The structure and composition of vegetation can have an important role in determining community resilience to invasion. Two dry eucalypt sclerophyll woodlands in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney known to be invaded by Pinus radiata were surveyed to investigate the influence of eucalypt presence, species diversity, species composition and vegetation cover on the extent and density of invasion. Relationships between community characteristics and the level of pine invasion were weak and variable. Pines were found growing in plots with 0–70% understorey cover and 5–90% ground cover, and in areas of both high and low eucalypt diversity and presence, illustrating the high invasion potential of Pinus radiata.
The vegetation of Culgoa National Park (22 986 ha in area; 29°15’ S, 147°15’ E) in the central north of New South Wales, approximately 40 km west of Goodooga and adjoining the NSW/Queensland border, is described. Six vegetation communities are delineated based on UPGMA analysis of cover-abundance scores of all vascular plant taxa. These communities are mapped based on ground truthing and air photo interpretation. All communities are simple in structure being primarily woodlands, shrublands and grasslands. Communities described are: 1) Eucalyptus coolabah Woodlands, 2) Muehlenbeckia florulenta Shrubby Thickets, 3) Eucalyptus coolabah – Acacia pendula Woodlands & Grasslands, 4) Eucalyptus largiflorens – Eucalyptus coolabah Woodlands, 5) Eucalyptus largiflorens – Alectryon oleifolius Woodlands, 6) Callitris glaucophylla – Eucalyptus populnea Woodlands and Shrublands. A total of 240 vascular plant taxa were found of which 8% were exotic in origin. Conservation issues are discussed.
The vegetation of Warra National Park (29° 29’S, 151° 56’E; 2041 ha in area) and Wattleridge (29°31’S, 151°54’E; 648 ha in area), located approximately 35 km southeast of Glen Innes and 5 km west of Mount Mitchell, within the Guyra and Severn Shires in the New England Tablelands Bioregion NSW, is described. Nine vegetation communities are defined, based on flexible UPGMA analysis of cover-abundance scores of all vascular plant taxa. These communities have been mapped based on analysis of quadrat data, air photo interpretation, substrate variation and ground-truthing.
Communities described are: (1) Leptospermum novae-angliae (New England Tea-tree) – Bursaria spinosa (Blackthorn) Riparian Scrub & Heath, (2) Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum) – Eucalyptus nova-anglica (New England Peppermint) Woodland, (3) Haloragis heterophylla (Variable Raspwort) – Carex inversa (Sedge) Herbfield, (4) Baeckea omissa (Baeckea) – Leptospermum gregarium (Swamp Tea-tree) Closed Wet Heath, (5) Eucalyptus cameronii (Die-hard Stringybark) – Eucalyptus campanulata (New England Blackbutt) Shrubby Open Forest, (6) Eucalyptus radiata subsp. sejuncta (Narrow-leaved Peppermint) – Eucalyptus acaciiformis (Wattle-leaved Peppermint) Woodland, (7) Eucalyptus cameronii (Die-hard Stringybark) – Eucalyptus caliginosa (Broad-leaved Stringybark) Grassy Open Forest, (8) Eucalyptus nobilis (Manna Gum) – Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate) Tall Open Forest, and (9) Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate) – Eucalyptus nobilis (Manna Gum) Tall Open Forest, (10) Leptospermum novae-angliae – Kunzea obovata – Brachyloma saxicola Shrubby Open Scrub and Closed Heath.
Of 11 communities within the area, four should be considered as threatened, while 18 taxa are considered to be of conservation significance.
The Southern Forests study area covers an area of about six million hectares of south-eastern New South Wales, south of Oberon and Kiama and east of Albury and Boorowa (latitude 33° 02’–37 ° 06’ S; longitude 146° 56’ – 147° 06’ E). The total area of existing vegetation mapped was three million hectares (3 120 400 hectares) or about 50% of the study area. Terrestrial, wetland and estuarine vegetation of the Southern Forests region were classified into 206 vegetation groups and mapped at a scale between 1: 25 000 and 1: 100 000. The classification was based on a cluster analysis of detailed field surveys of vascular plants, as well as field knowledge in the absence of field survey data. The primary classification was based on 3740 vegetation samples with full floristics cover abundance data. Additional classifications of full floristics presence-absence and tree canopy data were carried out to guide mapping in areas with few full floristic samples. The mapping of extant vegetation was carried out by tagging vegetation polygons with vegetation codes, guided by expert knowledge, using field survey data classified into vegetation groups, remote sensing, and other environmental spatial data. The mapping of pre-1750 vegetation involved tagging of soils mapping with vegetation codes at 1: 100 000 scale, guided by spatial modelling of vegetation groups using generalised additive statistical models (GAMS), and expert knowledge. Profiles of each of the vegetation groups on the CD-ROM* provide key indicator species, descriptions, statistics and lists of informative plant species.
The 206 vegetation groups cover the full range of natural vegetation, including rainforests, moist eucalypt forests, dry shrub forests, grassy forests, mallee low forests, heathlands, shrublands, grasslands and wetlands. There are 138 groups of Eucalyptus forests or woodlands, 12 rainforest groups, and 46 non-forest groups. Of the 206 groups, 193 were classified and mapped in the study area. Thirteen vegetation groups were not mapped because of their small size and lack of samples, or because they fell outside the study area.
Updated regional extant and pre-1750 vegetation maps of southern New South Wales have been produced in 2005, based on those originally prepared in 2000 for the southern Regional Forest Agreement (RFA). Further validation and remapping of extant vegetation over 10% of the study area has subsequently improved the quality of the vegetation map, and removed some of the errors in the original version. The revised map provides a reasonable representation of native vegetation at a scale between 1: 25 000 and 1: 100 000 across the study area.
In 2005 native vegetation covers 50% of the study area. Environmental pressures on the remaining vegetation include clearing, habitat degradation from weeds and nutrification, severe droughts, changing fire regimes, and urbanisation. Grassy woodlands and forests, temperate grasslands, and coastal and riparian vegetation have been the most reduced in areal extent. Over 90% of the grassy woodlands and temperate grasslands have been lost. Conservation of the remaining vegetation in these formations is problematic because of the small, discontinuous, and degraded nature of the remaining patches of vegetation.
Sclerolaena napiformis is found on fertile plains in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales and is endangered Australia-wide. Introductory work on its germination shows that seeds cannot germinate until the woody fruit has broken down. The seeds tolerate a wide range of temperatures for germination, suggesting that germination occurs regardless of season if sufficient rain falls. Seed ageing effects reduce seed viability, but some seed is still viable after two years storage. Flower buds first appear 21 weeks from germination and some fruits have matured by week 29. In the field, plants die back to their taproots in late autumn and resprout in spring. Ninety percent of tagged plants were still alive two years later. The physiological seed dormancy imposed by an intact fruit wall provides a mechanism for the development of persistent soil seed banks. Work on the ecological significance of such banks is needed. The literature on interactions between Sclerolaena fruit and seed biology and ants is briefly reviewed.
Ecological data in tabular form are provided on 668 plant species of the families Lemnaceae to Zosteraceae, 505 native and 163 exotics, occurring in the Sydney region, defined by the Central Coast and Central Tablelands botanical subdivisions of New South Wales (approximately bounded by Lake Macquarie, Orange, Crookwell and Nowra). Relevant Local Government Areas are Auburn, Ashfield, Bankstown, Bathurst, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Blayney, Blue Mountains, Botany, Burwood, Cabonne, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Cessnock, Crookwell, Evans, Fairfield, Greater Lithgow, Gosford, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Hurstville, Kiama, Kogarah, Ku-ring-gai, Lake Macquarie, Lane Cove, Leichhardt, Liverpool, Manly, Marrickville, Mosman, Mulwaree, North Sydney, Oberon, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Pittwater, Randwick, Rockdale, Ryde, Rylstone, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Singleton, South Sydney, Strathfield, Sutherland, Sydney City, Warringah, Waverley, Willoughby, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Wollongong, Woollahra and Wyong. The study area falls within the Sydney Basin IBRA Bioregion.
Families are: Lemnaceae, Liliaceae, Lomandraceae, Luzuriagaceae, Najadaceae, Orchidaceae, Philydraceae, Phormiaceae, Poaceae, Pontederiaceae, Posidoniaceae, Potamogetonaceae, Restionaceae, Ripogonaceae, Smilacaceae, Sparganiaceae, Thismiaceae, Typhaceae, Uvulariaceae, Xanthorrhoeaceae, Xyridaceae, Zingiberaceae, Zosteraceae.
Data are derived from herbarium collections, literature and field observations. It is hoped that the many, often alarming gaps in the information available will stimulate much-needed research into the ecology of more of the species. Information is provided so far as available to us for each plant species in the following categories:
Life History: Growth form, vegetative spread, longevity, primary juvenile period (time from germination to fruiting), reproduction, flowering and fruiting times, fruit/seed type, dispersal, establishment and growth, fire response, interaction with other organisms.
Distribution: Status/origin (native/naturalised), botanical subregions, distribution in Sydney area, selected locations.
Habitat: Habitat, altitude, annual rainfall, typical local abundance, vegetation, substrate, exposure.
Conservation: Conservation status.
The Orchidaceae are one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants. Orchids grow as terrestrial, lithophytic, epiphytic or climbing herbs but most orchids native to the Sydney Region can be placed in one of two categories. The first consists of terrestrial, deciduous plants that live in fire-prone environments, die back seasonally to dormant underground root tubers, possess exclusively subterranean roots, which die off as the plants become dormant, and belong to the subfamily Orchidoideae. The second consists of epiphytic or lithophytic, evergreen plants that live in fire-free environments, either lack specialised storage structures or possess succulent stems or leaves that are unprotected from fire, possess aerial roots that grow over the surface of, or free of, the substrate, and which do not die off seasonally, and belong to the subfamily Epidendroideae.
Orchid seeds are numerous and tiny, lacking cotyledons and endosperm and containing minimal nutrient reserves. Although the seeds of some species can commence germination on their own, all rely on infection by mycorrhizal fungi, which may be species-specific, to grow beyond the earliest stages of development. Many epidendroid orchids are viable from an early stage without their mycorrhizal fungi but most orchidoid orchids rely, at least to some extent, on their mycorrhizal fungi throughout their lives. Some are completely parasitic on their fungi and have lost the ability to photosynthesize. Some orchids parasitize highly pathogenic mycorrhizal fungi and are thus indirectly parasitic on other plants.
Most orchids have specialised relationships with pollinating animals, with many species each pollinated by only one species of insect. Deceptive pollination systems, in which the plants provide no tangible reward to their pollinators, are common in the Orchidaceae. The most common form of deceit is food mimicry, while at least a few taxa mimic insect brood sites. At least six lineages of Australian orchids have independently evolved sexual deception. In this syndrome, a flower mimics the female of the pollinating insect species. Male insects are attracted to the flower and attempt to mate with it, and pollinate it in the process.
Little is known of most aspects of the population ecology of orchids native to the Sydney Region, especially their responses to fire. Such knowledge would be very useful in informing decisions in wildlife management.
For the Western Plains of New South Wales, 213 plant communities are classified and described and their protected area and threat status assessed. The communities are listed on the NSW Vegetation Classification and Assessment database (NSWVCA). The full description of the communities is placed on an accompanying CD together with a read-only version of the NSWVCA database.
The NSW Western Plains is 45.5 million hectares in size and covers 57% of NSW. The vegetation descriptions are based on over 250 published and unpublished vegetation surveys and maps produced over the last 50 years (listed in a bibliography), rapid field checks and the expert knowledge on the vegetation. The 213 communities occur over eight Australian bioregions and eight NSW Catchment Management Authority areas. As of December 2005, 3.7% of the Western Plains was protected in 83 protected areas comprising 62 public conservation reserves and 21 secure property agreements. Only one of the eight bioregions has greater than 10% of its area represented in protected areas. 31 or 15% of the communities are not recorded from protected areas. 136 or 64% have less than 5% of their pre-European extent in protected areas. Only 52 or 24% of the communities have greater than 10% of their original extent protected, thus meeting international guidelines for representation in protected areas. 71 or 33% of the plant communities are threatened, that is, judged as being ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’.
While 80 communities are recorded as being of ‘least concern’ most of these are degraded by lack of regeneration of key species due to grazing pressure and loss of top soil and some may be reassessed as being threatened in the future. Threatening processes include vegetation clearing on higher nutrient soils in wetter regions, altered hydrological regimes due to draw-off of water from river systems and aquifers, high continuous grazing pressure by domestic stock, feral goats and rabbits, and in some places native herbivores — preventing regeneration of key plant species, exotic weed invasion along rivers and in fragmented vegetation, increased salinity, and over the long term, climate change.
To address these threats, more public reserves and secure property agreements are required, vegetation clearing should cease, re-vegetation is required to increase habitat corridors and improve the condition of native vegetation, environmental flows to regulated river systems are required to protect inland wetlands, over-grazing by domestic stock should be avoided and goat and rabbit numbers should be controlled and reduced. Conservation action should concentrate on protecting plant communities that are threatened or are poorly represented in protected areas.
Foreword
(2006)
This issue of Cunninghamia contains the first two papers of a project involving the classification and assessment of the native vegetation of New South Wales, Australia (NSWVCA). Besides developing a comprehensive typology of the vegetation, the project aims to assess the protected area and threat status of the State’s vegetation. It collates information on vegetation composition, geographic distribution of plant communities, physiographic features, threats, aspects of condition, planning and management and representation in protected areas into a single database system. A photographic library is also being collated for use with the database and use in publications and education programs.
A vegetation classification titled, NSW Vegetation Classification and Assessment (NSWVCA), is described. It aims to classify the native vegetation of New South Wales, Australia covering 80 million hectares distributed across 18 Australian bioregions. It is estimated that between 800 and 1200 plant communities will be described. The best available data is used to establish the classification including vegetation map descriptions, floristic groups derived from plot data and expert advice. Extensive field checking assists with the classification and status assessments. Plant communities are listed under five hierarchical levels and are recorded on a database containing 90 fields supported by 45 tables and 64 forms. 39 database reports list plant communities for several types of planning regions and under State and national broad vegetation classifications. Database fields include plant community scientific name, common name, three layers of characteristic species, an ‘Authority’ field that cites references supporting the definition of a community, substrate, soils, landform, distribution by various regions including bioregions and Catchment Management Authority areas, descriptions and lists of threatening processes and aspects of condition. Estimates of pre-European extent, current extent and areas in public reserves and secure property agreements are recorded and qualified with accuracy levels. One of five threat categories: ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’, ‘near threatened’ or ‘least concern’ is assigned to each plant community based on the application of six criteria including: the proportion of remaining extent compared to an estimated pre-European extent, loss of key species and plant community integrity.
The NSWVCA will progress over four geographical sections of NSW commencing with the mainly arid and semi-arid Western Plains (this volume), progressing eastwards to the Western Slopes, the Tablelands and finally the biologically complex Coast and Escarpment. The NSWVCA will assist with: selecting new protected areas, guiding incentive payments and land use decisions in the NSW property vegetation planning process, site assessment in environmental impact assessments, assisting with nominations and definitions of threatened ecological communities in State and Federal laws, prioritizing CMA and other regional targets for the protection and restoration of vegetation and assisting in public education about native vegetation.
A CD accompanying the paper contains a read-only version of the database and outputs of Part 1 of the NSWVCA project – the vegetation of the NSW Western Plains.
Musil uses the word 'Dichter', 'poet', as a dignified title reserved for artists of great achievement (different from 'Schriftsteller', 'writer'). His use of the word emphasizes the importance of the specifically poetic qualities of literature (and of the poetic sensibility of criticism,) not as an idle objection to the contemporary merging of literary works with either pure sensation and feeling, or with other forms of discourse. Focusing on "Törless", as well as on Musil's notebooks and essays, this article shows how Musil understands the relationship between rational thinking and the latent ideas and thoughts that emerge within the poetic dimension (the 'other state of mind' or 'other condition.') This approach illuminates Musil's conception of "precision and soul" - the interlocking of sensitive perceptiveness and intellectual rigor - as a necessary pre-condition for valuable literature and valuable life.
The sand spit that separates Shallow Inlet from Waratah Bay (38º52ʹ S, 146º13ʹ E), near Wilsons Promontory in southern Victoria, has developed since the previous spit was washed out in 1901. Initially without vegetation, the spit was colonised in the 1960s by the exotic grasses *Thinopyrum junceiforme and to a lesser extent *Ammophila arenaria. These species are native to the coast of western Europe, where they fulfil a key role in dune establishment. Being able to grow through sand accumulating among the culms, these grasses formed mounds where seeds or rhizome fragments were washed up during king tides. Where somewhat sheltered from the strongest impact of the westerlies, mounds gradually coalesced and formed short ridges at the landward side of the spit, and ‘dune fields’ towards its distal end. Circumstances favourable for dune field formation were enhanced by episodic processes in spit growth due to channel shifting in the tidal delta and the gradual lengthening of the main outlet channel.
Austrofestuca littoralis and Spinifex sericeus joined the two foreign grasses in their pioneering role. The herbaceous Actites megalocarpa and the shrub Ozothamnus turbinatus established in the lee of the grasses, but conditions on mounds, dune crests and windward slopes are too severe for other species. Only at more sheltered sites is further development of vegetation possible. In the lee of the dune fields it has progressed into an open shrubland, initially of Ozothamnus turbinatus, Olearia axillaris and Olearia glutinosa, later enriched by Acacia longifolia var. sophorae, Leptospermum laevigatum and Leucopogon parviflorus. Wind-dispersed taxa form the dominant component of the vegetation, but several animal-dispersed species became established as well. The complement of woody species begins to resemble that of the dune scrub found elsewhere along this part of the Victorian coast, but several wind-dispersed species, notably Banksia integrifolia, are still lacking and it would appear that dispersal is still a limiting factor in vegetation development. It is pointed out that dune development on the sand spit was initiated by exotic grasses and that without their presence, it is doubtful whether any vegetation would have established there.
Many photos support the text- the narrative will say what words can say but words can never say it all (Love 1999).
Diversity and distribution of exotic plant taxa in Kosciuszko National Park in south-eastern Australia were reviewed based on 1103 records of exotics from 18 vegetation surveys conducted between 1986 and 2004. 154 taxa from 23 families were recorded in the alpine to montane zones, with eleven taxa in the alpine, 128 taxa in the subalpine and 69 taxa in the montane zone. Nearly all taxa were associated with anthropogenic disturbance with only four taxa exclusively recorded in natural areas. 62 taxa were recorded from subalpine ski resort gardens, and although not recorded as naturalised in the vegetation surveys, their presence in the Park is a concern.
Road verges provided habitat for numerous exotics (65 taxa). 44 taxa were recorded in both disturbed and natural locations but most were uncommon (33 taxa < 2% frequency). Nine common taxa Acetosella vulgaris, Achillea millefolium, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cerastium spp., Dactylis glomerata, Hypochaeris radicata, Taraxacum officinale and Trifolium repens comprised 68% of records. These species are common to disturbed areas in other areas of Kosciuszko National Park, NSW and worldwide. The forb Acetosella vulgaris was the most ubiquitous species particularly in natural areas where it was recorded at 36% frequency. Based on the data presented here and a recent review of other data sets, there are at least 231 exotic taxa in the Park (including exotics in gardens). The increasing diversity and abundance of exotics is a threat to the natural values of this Park.
African Olive, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G.Don) Cif. (family Oleaceae) is a dense-crowned tree introduced into Australia for horticulture in the mid 19th century. In recent decades, African Olive has become an aggressive woody weed, capable of forming a dense and permanent canopy in a wide range of vegetation types in south-west Sydney and beyond. Characteristics of African Olive invasion in south-west Sydney, and its seed dispersal by frugivorous birds are consistent with experience from Norfolk Island and Hawaii. We use records and aerial photographs from Mount Annan Botanic Garden and other bushland areas in south-west Sydney to describe the invasion stages and impacts of African Olive. The capacity for African Olive to establish in both temperate and subtropical zones, underlie the potential for spread well beyond current distribution in New South Wales. Research is now required to further develop control techniques and ecological restoration strategies for areas of heavy African Olive infestation. Mapping of current locations and a coordinated control strategy for African Olive is required to prevent future permanent loss of native plant diversity.
A survey covering almost all known sites and most areas of potential habitat of the rare plant Blandfordia cunninghamii (family Blandfordiaceae) in 2004 recorded over 4000 plants from 27 locations, with 80% of the plants in the upper Blue Mountains west of Sydney (lat 33° 40' S, long 150° 20' E), and the remainder as a disjunct occurrence on Mount Kembla in the Illawarra. Habitat requirements of Blandfordia cunninghamii were found to be southern aspect (SE to SW), a slope of > 30°, high rainfall (>1200 mm a year), good drainage, partial canopy cover (30-50%), and acid clayey sands with a pH of 4.5-5, at an altitude between 500 and 950 m. Using International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) parameters, we consider that the number of plants (less than 10 000), their Extent of Occurrence (940 square km), Area of Occupancy (80 km2) are below the threshold for Vulnerable. There is observed decline in habitat and numbers and we conclude that there may be less than 10 locations (under IUCN definitions). This would mean that the species could be considered Vulnerable under IUCN Criteria.
Epiphytes are generally considered rare in complex forests on the western edge of the Atherton Tablelands, north Queensland. This assertion is based on comparisons with wetter forests in the Wet Tropics bioregion, but is of limited use in restoration projects where targets need to be quantified. We quantified ‘rarity’ for a subset of the epiphyte community in one of the largest remaining patches of Type 5b rainforest at Wongabel State Forest(17°18' S, 145°28' E). The bundance of large individuals of the epiphytic fern species Asplenium australasicum, Drynaria rigidula, Platycerium bifurcatum, and Platycerium superbum were recorded from 100 identified midstorey or canopy trees. Epiphytes were less rare than the canopy trees sampled, averaging 1.7 individuals per tree. A clumped distribution was suggested with large epiphytes only occurring on 57 of the 100 trees. As tree size increased so did the number of individuals and species of large epiphytes recorded; only trees taller than 20 m yielded more than one epiphyte. Trees from the Meliaceae and Rutaceae hosted the most epiphytes, but host tree specificity patterns were not conclusive. Techniques for including epiphytes in restoration planning and projects are considered, and a quantified restoration target for epiphyte communities in Type 5b plantings is outlined.
The extent of eucalypt decline in moist coastal forests of south-eastern Australia is increasing with resultant losses in biodiversity and productivity. This survey aimed to identify factors associated with the decline of Eucalyptus saligna (Sydney Blue Gum) in Cumberland State Forest, a moist sclerophyll forest within urban Sydney. Eucalyptus saligna was the dominant overstorey species in six 20 m radius plots, which differed in floristic composition, structure and crown condition. One plot was colonised by bell miners (Manorina melanophrys). A range of leaf, tree and plot scale parameters were assessed including insect damage and free amino acid content, visual crown condition, floristics and soil chemistry. The plot permanently colonised by bell miners also had Eucalyptus saligna trees in the poorest condition. Both the weed Lantana camara and the soil pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi were present in some of the plots but neither was strongly consistent with the severity of crown decline. There were, however, significant correlations among the foliar traits of insect damage, free amino acid content and relative chlorophyll content. Free amino acid content differed significantly between leaf age cohorts. Plots differed notably in topsoil organic matter and soil nitrogen, but the plot with the poorest visual crown condition score had intermediate mean values for both soil properties within the ranges presented by the six plots. Overall, crown condition score was weakly negatively correlated with topsoil organic carbon and total nitrogen content. The unhealthiest plot also had the highest density of shrubby understorey. Site factors that could influence both the quantity and quality of foliage (e.g. free amino acid content) in eucalypt crowns, and hence the population dynamics of herbivorous insects and bell miners, are discussed in relation to Eucalyptus saligna crown decline.
Distribution of plant size and reproductive success is investigated in the temperate epiphytic orchid Sarcochilus australis (Lindl.) Rchb. f. at Kinglake National Park, Victoria, in south-eastern Australia, and applied to estimating the effective population size. Plant size distribution (leaf number, length of longest leaf and number of flowers) was not normally distributed. Most individuals were vegetative and it is estimated that more than half of all individuals are too small to flower, however exceptionally large individuals even though rare are able to have more than one active inflorescence. Flowering probability is plant size dependent and follows a sigmoid curve. The minimum observed leaf size of a flowering individual was 26 mm, however these small individuals have a low probability of flowering (<30%), while large plants (> 80 mm) have a much higher probability of flowering (90%). The effective population size (Ne) of the Kinglake population of Sarcochilus australis was estimated from the distribution of flower production, and shown to be small (Ne = 10–19%) and comparatively similar to some of the other published estimates of effective populations size in orchids. From this basic survey of size distribution in Sarcochilus australis it is predicted that genetic diversity is low.
Ludwig Leichhardt had to abandon a large and important collection of botanical specimens during his Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington. Here we attempt to assess the significance of the lost collection by identifying the botanical references in his detailed published journal from the journey. From Leichhardt’s description of the plants and their habitats, and with our accurate knowledge of current distribution, it has been possible, in most cases, to identity his botanical references to a single species. In other cases there is lower degree of certainty. Well over one hundred of the species recorded in Leichhardt’s journal would have been new to science at the time if specimens had survived. The record does identify some potential locations for species that would represent range extensions and suggests an indigenous status for a number of plant species that where previously considered exotic. Certainly Leichhardt was a talented botanist and his significant contribution to Australian natural science should be recognised.
Native vegetation of the upper Murrumbidgee catchment in southeast NSW and the Australian Capital-Territory (ACT) was classified into 75 plant communities across 18 NSW Vegetation Classes within nine Structural-Formations. Plant communities were derived through numerical analysis of 4,106 field survey plots including 3,787-plots from 58 existing survey datasets and 319 new plots, which were sampled in under surveyed ecosystems. All plant-communities are described at a level appropriate for discrimination of threatened ecological communities and distinct-vegetation mapping units.
The classification describes plant communities in the context of the upper Murrumbidgee catchment and surrounding-landscapes of similar ecological character. It incorporates and, in some instances, refines identification of plant-communities described in previous classifications of alpine vegetation, forest ecosystems, woodlands and grasslands-across the Australian Alps and South Eastern Highlands within the upper Murrumbidgee catchment. Altitude,-precipitation, soil saturation, lithology, slope, aspect and landscape position were all important factors in guiding-plant community associations.
Nine Threatened Ecological Communities under Commonwealth, NSW and ACT legislation occur in the upper-Murrumbidgee catchment. This study has also identified five additional plant communities which are highly restricted-in distribution and may require active management or protection to ensure their survival.
The Duck River Reserve and Rookwood Cemetery in the highly urbanised Auburn district of western-Sydney hold small but botanically valuable stands of remnant native vegetation. In the late 1970s, local resident G.A.-(Tony) Price, recognised the value of these remnants, both for the species they held and the clues they could give us-to the past, and spent three years surveying and collecting plants at these sites. Price recorded the species present and-their abundance, and described the habitats in which they were found. He observed the ecology of plant interactions,-moisture, shading and fire response, interpolating them into a picture of the landscape and vegetation of the district-prior to European settlement. At a time when field botany was inaccessible to many, and the focus of conservation was-largely on the broader scale, Price’s local scale work at these sites was unusual and important. Though never formally-published, Price’s 1979 account ‘The Vegetation of Duck River and Rookwood Cemetery, Auburn’ has been cited in-all subsequent work of consequence for the area. This paper presents and reviews Price’s work and discusses his-observations in relation to the current vegetation of these areas. Tony Price’s contributions also highlight the value and-role that ordinary citizens can play alongside professional botanists and plant ecologists in long term data collection,-considered observation and environmental management. A copy of Price’s original unpublished account has been-included as an appendix to this paper.
The distribution, population sizes and habitat preferences of the rare tree ferns Cyathea cunninghamii Hook.f. (Slender Tree Fern) and F1 hybrid Cyathea x marcescens N.A.Wakef. (Skirted Tree Fern) in south-eastern Australia are described, together with the extension of the known distribution range of Cyathea cunninghamii from eastern Victoria into south-eastern New South Wales. Floristic and ecological data, encompassing most of the known habitat types, vegetation associations and population sizes, were collected across 120 locations. Additional information was sought from literature reviews, herbarium collections and field surveys of extant populations.
Cyathea cunninghamii is widespread, with the majority of populations occurring in Tasmania and Victoria, one population in south-eastern NSW and a disjunct population in south-eastern Queensland; Cyathea x marcescens is confined to south and eastern Victoria and south and north eastern Tasmania. Both taxa occur on King Island in Bass Strait. Both taxa have a near coastal distribution with most populations occurring in sub-coastal hinterland and escarpment forests with a median altitude of 288 m. Hierarchical cluster analysis of floristic data across the species’ geographic range identified six vegetation communities ranging from rainforest to damp sclerophyll forest. Their micro-habitat preferences were consistently identified as steeply incised gullies of minor headwater streams of coastal and sub-coastal ranges with a plentiful moisture regime and geomorphic protection from extreme stream flow events, flooding and bank scouring. Sporophyte recruitment was associated with exposed soil of stream banks and edges of constructed walking tracks.
Population sizes of both taxa are small with the majority of populations consisting of less than five adult individuals, with total populations of Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea x marcescens estimated at 919 and 221 mature individuals respectively.
Population extinctions in Victoria and Tasmania have primarily been associated with outlier populations in regions subject to agricultural land clearance, habitat modification and changes to fire regimes in crown forests. Nonanthropogenic mortality was associated with land slips, tree falls and stream bank scouring by flood water. Conservation of the hybrid Cyathea x marcescens necessitates the preservation of habitats where both Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea australis occur in close proximity to substrates suitable for spore germination. In future, molecular techniques may prove useful for field identification of juvenile stages, facilitating selection of progeny of Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea x marcescens for cultivation and re-introduction to sites of previous or possible future extinctions.
A preliminary list consisting of 159 bryophyte taxa (82 liverworts and 77 mosses) has been compiled from the bryological literature on the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Central-Western Africa) until 1995. A general overview of the physical features and vegetation of the country, and an account of the history of its bryological exploration are also included.
Basing on an evaluation of the literature and some unpublished collections, 745 taxa of lichen forming-fungi are reported from the Venezuelan Andes, including 10 infraspecific taxa. Of these taxa 37 are new records for Venezuela: Actinoplaca vulgaris (Müll. Arg.) Vezda & Poelt, Asterothyrium decipiens (Rehm) R. Sant., Calopadia foliicola (Fée) Vezda, C. fusca (Müll. Arg.) Vezda, C. phyllogena (Müll. Arg.) Vezda, Chrysothrix chlorina (Ach.) J. R. Laundon, Cystocoleus ebeneus (Dillwyn) Thwaites, Diploschistes scruposus (Schreb.) Norm., Echinoplacaleucotrichoides (Vain.) R. Sant., Fellhanerabouteillei (Desm.) Vezda, F.dominicana (Vain.) Vezda, F. fuscatula (Müll. Arg.) Vezda, F. sublecanorina (Nyl.) Vezda, Gyalectidium filicinum Müll. Arg., Lecidea limosa Ach., Lepraria neglecta Auct., Ochrolechia africana Vain., Peltigera vainioi Gyelnik, Phyllobathelium nigrum R. Sant. & Tibell, Phyllophialealba R. Sant., Polymeridiumalbidum (Müll. Arg.) R. C. Harris, Porina epiphylla (Fée) Fée, Racodium rupestre Pers., Ramalina asahinae W. Culb. & C. Culb., R. calcarata Krog & Swinsc., R. puiggarii Müll Arg., R. rectangularis Nyl., Rhizoplaca melanophthalma (DC.) Leuckert & Poelt, Strigula antillarum (Fée) Müll. Arg., S. platypoda (Müll. Arg.) R. C. Harris, Tapellaria epiphylla (Müll. Arg.) R. Sant., T.nana (Fée) R. Sant., Tephromela aglaea (Sommerf.) Hertel & Rambold, Tricharia vainioi R. Sant., Trichothelium epiphyllum Müll. Arg., T. bipindense F. Schill. and Vezdaea foliicola Sérusiaux. Another 4 species are new records only for the Venezuelan Andes: Dimerellaepiphylla (Müll. Arg.) Malme, Porinaatrocoerulea Müll. Arg., Ramalina peruviana Ach. and Woessia apiahica (Müll. Arg.) Sérus. A list of synonyms used in the consulted literature is added. Four new combinations are proposed: Dictyonema zahlbruckneri (Schiffn.) V. Marcano, Heterodermia tropica (Kurok.) Sipman, Parmelinopsis cleefii (Sipman) V. Marcano & Sipman and Phyllobaeislinearis (De Vries) V. Marcano & Sipman.
Pleuridium andinum Herz., a rare moss previously known from only 3 sites in South America, is here reported from a second locality in Peru. The new locality is near Aquas Caliente, Peru, ca. 5720 m a.s.l. This discovery is only one of three collections made since this species was first collected at the “locus classicus” in Bolivia in 1911. The holotype was examined and the original Latin diagnosis is amended in English as a result of examination of both the holotype and the newly discovered specimens. Previously unknown taxonomic features are figured.