Distribution of sex forms in the phanerogamic flora

In the plant kingdom, particularly in the phanerogamic flora, hermaphroditism is by far the most common, yet the number of other sex forms is not negligible. This study was undertaken with the view of ascertaining the relative proportions in which such sex forms occur. For this purpose Engler and Prantls "Natürliche Pflanzenfamilien" with all the Nachträge (which are complete up to 1912) have been used. The lists that follow are the results of this examination

Fissidens in the Neotropics

The land areas of the Western Hemisphere south of the United States support over 276 species of Fissidens (Wijk et al. 1962, 1969). This number is approximately 30% of the total number of species known. Progress made on a monograph of the family in the neotropics and the adjacent areas is summarized; approximately 50% of the species have been studied. Commonality among the neotropical, African and Asian species of Fissidens is discussed. Changes to be made in the classification of the family are indicated. New characters used in distinguishing species and the classification of the family are enumerated

The taxonomist - an endangered race : a practical proposal for its survival

Background: Taxonomy or biological systematics is the basic scientific discipline of biology, postulating hypotheses of identity and relationships, on which all other natural sciences dealing with organisms relies. However, the scientific contributions of taxonomists have been largely neglected when using species names in scientific publications by not citing the authority on which they are based. Discussion: Consequences of this neglect is reduced recognition of the importance of taxonomy, which in turn results in diminished funding, lower interest from journals in publishing taxonomic research, and a reduced number of young scientists entering the field. This has lead to the so-called taxonomic impediment at a time when biodiversity studies are of critical importance. Here we emphasize a practical and obvious solution to this dilemma. We propose that whenever a species name is used, the author(s) of the species hypothesis be included and the original literature source cited, including taxonomic revisions and identification literature - nothing more than what is done for every other hypothesis or assumption included in a scientific publication. In addition, we postulate that journals primarily publishing taxonomic studies should be indexed in ISISM. Summary: The proposal outlined above would make visible the true contribution of taxonomists within the scientific community, and would provide a more accurate assessment for funding agencies impact and importance of taxonomy, and help in the recruitment of young scientists into the field, thus helping to alleviate the taxonomic impediment. In addition, it would also make much of the biological literature more robust by reducing or alleviating taxonomic uncertainty. Keywords: Taxonomy crisis; taxonomic impediment; impact factor; original species description; citation index; systematic

A preliminary treatment of the Central American species of Octoblepharum (Musci: Calymperaceae)

The species of Octoblepharum occurring in Central America have been critically examined. Six are recognized as valid species: O. albidum, O. cocuiense, O. cylindricum, O. erectifolium, O. pulvinatum and O. stramineum. Synonyms are given for these species: O. longifolium = O. albidum; O. mittenii, O. fragillimum, O. pellucidum and =O. pulvinatum var. angustifolium are synonyms of O. cocuiense; O. juruense and O. densum = O. pulvinatum and O. purpureo-brunneum = O. stramineum. All species are widely distributed in the area except for O. cylindricum and O. stramineum that are known only from Belize and Panama respectively.Las especies de Octoblepharum que se presentan en America Central han sido criticamente estudiadas. Se reconocen seis especies: O. albidum, O. cocuiense, O. cylindricum, O. erectifolium, O. pulvinatum y O. stramineum. Se dan los sinonimos para estas especies: O. longifolium = O. albidum; O. fragillimum, O. mittenii, O. pellucidum, O. perforatum y =.O. pulvinatum var. angustifolium son sinonimos de O. cocuiense; O. juruense y O. densum = O. pulvinatum y, O. purpureo-brunneum = O. stramineum. Todas las especies son de amplia distribucion en el area excepto O. cylindricum y O. stramineum que se conocen solo para Belize y Panama respectivamente

Taxonomic results of the Bryotrop expedition to Zaire and Rwanda : 31., the Andean Daltonia latolimbata Broth. in Herzog in Africa

Daltonia latolimbata Broth. described in 1916 from the Bolivian Andes occurs also in the high African mountains, consequently is an Andean-Afroalpine species

The distribution and synonyms of Breutelia microdonta (Mitt.) Broth. : with additional notes on certain taxa of Breutelia

Breutelia microdonta (Mitt.) Broth., described originally from Brazil, is the oldest name for a disjunct widespread tropical species that includes as synonyms B. angustifolia Rehm. ex Sim of Southern Africa and B. merrillii Broth. of the Philippines. Breutelia kilaueae (C. Muell.) Broth. of Hawaii is considered a synonym of the austral Pacific species B. affinis (Hook.) Mitt., and B. brachyphylla Broth. of Ecuador is reduced to synonymy under the North Andean B. squarrosa Jaeg. Breutelia anacolioides Herz. of Bolivia is removed to Philonotis as a synonym of the North Andean P. incana (Tayl.) H. Robins. Differences in spore ornamentation offer an additional character distinguishing Breutelia from Philonotis

Redescripción del género Cryphidium (Cryphaeaceae, Bryophyta), con notas sobre su taxonomía

Cryphidium leucocoleum (Mitt.) A. Jaeger is a member of Cryphaeaceae, a mainly pleurocarpic moss family. The finding of this controversial species in the Pampa Region allowed us to carry out a comprehensive study about its taxonomy and morphology. As a result, the first complete description and illustration of the species are here presented. Additionally, the nomenclatural identity of other species is clarified.Cryphidium leucocoleum (Mitt.) A. Jaeger es un miembro de Cryphaeaceae, una familia de musgos predominantemente pleurocárpicos. El hallazgo de esta especie, con posición taxonómica muy discutida, en la Región Pampeana nos permitió llevar a cabo un estudio meticuloso acerca de su taxonomía y morfología. Como resultado, se presenta la primera descripción e ilustración completa de la especie. Adicionalmente, la identidad nomenclatural de otras especies es definida.Fil: Flores, Jorge Rafael. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, Guillermo Martin. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A taxonomic revision of Pseudosymblepharis Broth. (Musci: Pottiaceae) in Asia

In Asia, Pseudosymblepharis Broth., consists of only one species: Pseudosymblepharis bombayensis (C. Muell.) Sollman. Although the extremes in the collections (e.g. larger versus smaller plants) at first sight look distinct, intermediates were seen rather frequently. The more variable characters are discussed. Small-sized specimens of Pseudosymblepharis are distinguished from Trichostomum tenuirostre (Hook. & Tayl.) Lindb., Trichostomum brachydontium Br. and several other species. Twenty-three reductions to synonymy are proposed. Data on distribution and habitat are given