In the large angiosperm order Lamiales, a diverse array of highly specialized life strategies such as carnivory, parasitism, epiphytism, and desiccation tolerance occur, some lineages possess drastically accelerated DNA substitutional rates or miniaturized genomes. However, understanding evolution these phenomena in order, clarifying borders relationships among lamialean families, has been hindered by largely unresolved trees past. Our analysis rapidly evolving trnK/matK, trnL-F rps16...

A new species of blind snake in the genus Letheobia is described from Akagera National Park eastern Rwanda. The most similar to L. gracilis complex, particularly and graueri. It differs all other by a unique combination morphological characters, including highest number middorsal scale rows (834) extreme elongation (total-length/midbody-width ratio 131) any world; 22-22-22 longitudinal rows; snout dorsal profile rounded, lateral bluntly rounded with an angular horizontal edge ventrally;...

The new species Neoschumannia gishwatiensis from Rwanda is described. It differs the two other known of in larger, emerald green, smooth, and brilliant, corolla lobes, with whitish clavate hairs at base. phytogeography species, as an Albertine Rift endemic, discussed, a key to provided.

Abstract: The Lamiales are one of the largest orders angiosperms, with about 22 000 species. Scrophulariaceae, as their most important families, has recently been shown to be polyphyletic. As a consequence, this family was re‐classified and several groups former scrophulariaceous genera now belong different such Calceolariaceae, Plantaginaceae, or Phrymaceae. In present study, relationships Craterostigma, Lindernia its allies, hitherto classified within were analyzed. Sequences chloroplast...

A particular adaptation to survival under limited water availability has been realized in the desiccation-tolerant resurrection plants, which tend grow a habitat with seasonal rainfall and long dry periods. One of best-studied examples is Craterostigma plantagineum. Here we report an unexpected finding: Lindernia brevidens, close relative C. plantagineum, exhibits desiccation tolerance, even though it endemic montane rainforests Tanzania Kenya, where never experiences L. brevidens found...

The attractiveness of nectar rewards depends both on the quantity produced and its chemical composition. It is known that composition can differ in plant species depending main pollinator associated with species. aims this study were to test formally whether traits are adapted pollination syndromes speciose Balsaminaceae and, if so, a combination mirrors syndromes.Comparative methods based Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models used volume, sucrose proportion, sugar amino acid concentration had evolved...

The species-rich genus Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) is represented in Madagascar by no less than 260 species. We conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Malagasy based on nuclear and plastid data 52 accessions (representing 33 species) to: 1) reassess monophyly ; 2) assess sections Preimpatiens ( Humblotianae Vulgare groups) with spurs Trimorphopetalum without as delimited Perrier de la Bâthie, well that subgenera defined Fischer Rahelivololona; 3) infer current status some...

An annotated checklist of the Kakamega Forest in District is presented. The includes plants found mainly Buyangu National Reserve, and Nature Reserves Isecheno Yala. It also adjacent forest fragments Malava, Kisere Kaimosi. Nine hundred eighty six (986) plant taxa (including 36 introduced or cultivated, 12 probably misidentified, 111 photo recorded taxa, 83 undocumented taxa) 129 families 527 genera are recorded. This represents about 15.2% total number 6506 Kenyan vascular species. For each...

Fischer E., Schäferhoff B. & Müller K.: The phylogeny of Linderniaceae - new genus Linderniella, and combinations within Bonnaya, Craterostigma, Lindernia, Micranthemum, Torenia Vandellia. — Willdenowia 43: 209–238. December 2013. ISSN 0511-9618; © 2013 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. Stable URL: http//dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.43.43201The recently described are a monophyletic group that emerged in the course disintegration Scrophulariaceae last years. First molecular studies sampled only small fraction...

Pollination syndromes and their predictive power regarding actual plant-animal interactions have been controversially discussed in the past. We investigate pollination Balsaminaceae, utilizing quantitative respectively categorical data sets of flower morphometry, signal reward traits for 86 species to test effect different types on patterns retrieved. Cluster Analyses floral are used combination with independent pollinator observations. Based we retrieve seven clusters, six them...

The lichen habit has apparently evolved independently in at least five major clades of mushroom-forming basidiomycetes (Agaricomycetes). Tracing the origin lichenization these groups depends on a clearer understanding phylogenetic relationships basidiolichens to other fungi. We describe here new family made up tropical, soil-inhabiting fungi that form lichenized, scale-like squamules and erect, coral-like fruiting structures. These structures are common two basidiolichen genera, Multiclavula...

Pollen/ovule (P/O) ratios are often used as proxy for breeding systems. Here, we investigate the relations between systems and P/O ratios, pollination syndromes, life history climate zone in Balsaminaceae. We conducted controlled system experiments (autonomous active self-pollination outcrossing tests) 65 Balsaminaceae species, analysed pollen grain ovule numbers evaluated results combination with data on syndrome, a phylogenetic basis. Based fruit set, assigned three systems: autogamy,...