Report of the Special-purpose Committee on Virtual Participation in the Nomenclature Section

The Special-purpose Committee on Virtual Participation in the Nomenclature Section was established by the XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC) in Shenzhen, China in 2017, with the mandate “to investigate the possibility of and mechanisms for virtual participation and voting in the Nomenclature Section of an International Botanical Congress via the internet” and to report to the XX IBC. The wide access to the World Wide Web and availability of software for virtual meetings makes the possibility for virtual (online) attendance and voting at a Nomenclature Section seem attainable and advisable. In order to make informed recommendations, we discussed various aspects of online attendance and voting, such as: who should be able to observe?; what would qualify a person to cast institutional votes and personal votes?; if the accumulation of institutional votes should be allowed by an online voter; registration of online voters; how costs would be covered; and recommendations for online attendees. This report provides a synthesis of our discussions and is necessary for interpreting the proposals of this Special-purpose Committee to change aspects of Div. III (Provisions for governance) of the Code (Landrum & al. in Taxon 70: 1397–1398. 2021). This report and those proposals should be consulted together.Fil: Landrum, Leslie R.. Arizona State University; Estados UnidosFil: Fortunato, Renee Hersilia. Universidad de Morón. Facultad de Agronomía y Ciencias Agroalimentarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Barkworth, Mary. State University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Breitwieser, Ilse. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research; Nueva ZelandaFil: Demissew, Sebsebe. Addis Ababa University; EtiopíaFil: Dönmez, Ali A.. Hacettepe University; TurquíaFil: Dutta, Suchandra. Rishi Dayaram And Seth Hassaram National College And Seth Wassiamull Assomull Science College; IndiaFil: Freire Fierro, Alina. Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam; EcuadorFil: Kim, Young Dong. Hallym University; Corea del SurFil: León, Blanca. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; PerúFil: Moore, Gerry. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Mosyakin, Sergei L.. Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; UcraniaFil: Oh, Sang Hun. Daejeon University; Corea del SurFil: Parra-O, Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Prado, Jefferson. Instituto de Botânica de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rico Arce, Lourdes. Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad; México. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino UnidoFil: Sennikov, Alexander N.. Russian Academy of Sciences; Rusia. University of Helsinki; FinlandiaFil: Smith, Gideon F.. Nelson Mandela University; Sudáfric

Framing the future for taxonomic monography: Improving recognition, support, and access

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Framing the future for taxonomic monography: Improving recognition, support, and access

Taxonomic monographs synthesize biodiversity knowledge and document biodiversity change through recent and geological time for a particular organismal group, sometimes also incorporating cultural and place-based knowledge. They are a vehicle through which broader questions about ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes can be generated and answered (e.g., Muñoz Rodríguez et al., 2019). Chiefly, monography represents the foundational research upon which all biological work is based (Hamilton et al., 2021). Moreover, monography can be a pathway to developing inclusive scientific practices, engaging diverse audiences in expanding and disseminating indigenous and local knowledge and significance of place. Apart from the scientific importance of monography, these comprehensive biodiversity treatments are also crucial for policy, conservation, human wellbeing, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Taxonomic, cultural and biodiversity data within monographs aid in the implementation of law and policy, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Buck & Hamilton, 2011), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (e.g., Neo et al., 2017). While vital as a knowledge resource and tool for conservation and research, monographs are not available for many groups of organisms. This is of particular concern for organisms that are threatened with extinction, of medical or economic importance, and those organisms that have the potential to provide insight into biodiversity change over time because they are most susceptible to global change. In discussing the future of collections-based systematics, researchers have highlighted the importance of updated monographic workflows, collaborative teams, and effective ways to educate and disseminate the results of monographs to the public and scientific community (e.g., Wen et al., 2015; Grace et al., 2021). Here, we discuss how improving recognition, support, and access can lead to greater inclusivity while promoting a more active, sustainable, and collaborative outlook for monographic research. </p

Systematics of Monnina (Polygalaceae)

Endemic to the Neotropics, Monnina is the second largest genus in Polygalaceae, yet little is known about its phylogenetic history and morphological character evolution. Because Monnina demonstrates a great deal of morphological variability among species, a phylogenetic study was conducted to resolve where characters important in the diversification of the genus fit within an evolutionary framework. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F regions were used to delimit the placement of Monnina in Polygalaceae and the infrageneric division within the genus. The results show that Monnina is a monophyletic genus subdivided into six clades. Ancestral character reconstructions point towards several synapomorphies in the genus. Indehiscent 1- to 2-seeded fruit is a synapomorphy for Monnina. Clade A is herbaceous, lacks extra-floral nectaries (EFN), and includes a tubular keel apex and 2-seeded dry fruits. The apex of the tubular keel is considered a synapomorphy for Clade A. Although, Clade B is also herbaceous, it lacks EFN in some species, glandular hairs and 2-seeded dry fruits. Glandular hairs are considered the synapomorphy for Clade B. Clade C includes herbaceous, shrub, and arborescent species that lack or exhibit EFN, and includes tri-lobed keels and 1- to 2-seeded fleshy or dry fruits. An irreversible reduction to 1-seeded fruits evolved in the ancestor to Clades D, E and F. While the external members of Clade D have similar characteristics to herbaceous members from Clade C, an internal subclade (D1) is denoted with fire adaptations and a distribution restricted to the Cerrado in southeastern South America. Clade E supports herbaceous plants with stipitate EFN (synapmorphic character). Clade F supports the greatest species range (northern Andes and Central America) and number of species (richness) that are characterized by shrub and arborescent species with fleshy fruits that lack EFN. Further phylogenetic studies that utilize molecular and morphological data will be required to elucidate biogeographical diversification rates.Ph.D., Environmental Science -- Drexel University, 201

USOS DE MELASTOMATACEAE EN EL ECUADOR

Volume: 20Start Page: 233End Page: 26

Making nomenclature governance more inclusive through virtual attendance and electronic voting at the nomenclature section of an international botanical congress

Participating in, and voting at, the Nomenclature Section of an International Botanical Congress is neither simple nor easily affordable. The technology of virtual meeting attendance and electronic voting should presently be sufficient to allow people from around the world to participate in the Nomenclature Section and thus make the process of nomenclature governance more inclusive and democratic.Fil: Landrum, Leslie R.. Arizona State University; Estados UnidosFil: Demissew, Sebsebe. Addis Ababa University; EtiopíaFil: Fortunato, Renée Hersilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Morón; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Freire-Fierro, Alina. Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam; EcuadorFil: Moore, Gerry. United States Department Of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Parra-O., Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Arce, Lourdes Rico. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Reino UnidoFil: Smith, Gideon F.. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; Sudáfrica. University Of Coimbra, Centre For Functional Ecology; Portuga

Monnina (Polygalaceae), a New World monophyletic genus full of contrasts.

Endemic to the Neotropics, Monnina is the second largest genus of Polygalaceae, yet little is known about its phylogenetic history, biogeography, and morphological character evolution. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted Bayesian and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL–F regions to test the monophyly of Monnina s.l. We used this phylogenetic framework to (i) infer divergence time estimates of lineages within the genus and reconstruct their historical biogeography; (ii) reconstruct the evolution of morphological characters of putative ecological and evolutionary importance in Monnina; and (iii) test for correlations between our phylogenetic hypothesis and environmental data. Our results reveal that Monnina is monophyletic with an indehiscent, 1–2-seeded fruit as a synapomorphy for the genus. We identify six clades within Monnina based on our combined phylogenetic results: Clades A, B, and D are primarily distributed in southern and eastern South America, Clades C and E are primarily Central Andean, and Clade F is chiefly distributed in the Northern Andes and Central America. The ancestor of the Monnina stem lineage dispersed from Australia/Africa to South America during the late Eocene to early Oligocene. The divergences of major lineages within the genus began in the early Miocene. We inferred the most recent common ancestor of Monnina to be an herbaceous plant with one-seeded samaroid fruits. The origins of fleshy fruits and shrubby habits are phylogenetically correlated within Monnina, and their concerted convergent evolution may have promoted increased net diversification rates in the two most species-rich subclades of the genus

Campaigning for a Global Collections Network: Improving the digital representation and visibility of natural science collections from Latin America and the Caribbean

Global conservation of biodiversity is more important than ever before. The success of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and monitoring strategy will depend on the availability of reliable, information-rich biodiversity data. Natural science collections throughout the world are repositories for and stewards of primary biodiversity records, which they maintain and preserve in the long-term, and can contribute to biodiversity monitoring specifically at the species and genetic diversity levels.Accurate and up-to-date information about scientific collections as data providers and mediators lie at the core of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) data (Wilkinson 2016). The visibility and discoverability provided by collections’ digital representations promote an institution’s, a country’s and a region’s wealth in biodiversity records and data; highlight human efforts and social networks for maintaining and providing access to high-quality physical and digital records; and form the basis for attribution and effective transaction managment implementing the CARE principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics; Carroll 2021). Providing powerful functionality, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Registry of Scientific Collections (GRSciColl) is evolving into the global catalog for information on collections.The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region is among the most biodiverse regions of the planet. Throughout the LAC region, a wealth of initiatives exists for describing, recording, protecting and managing biodiversity and biodiversity data. The region’s many collections, their scientists, staff and volunteers are crucial partners in these endeavors. A diversity of local to national and regional networks are active, fostering communication, support and capacity building.Last year, the Biodiversity Crisis Response Committee (BCRC) of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) in cooperation with the GRSciColl team at GBIF, developed the concept and first materials for a Global Collections Network Campaign. In cooperation with the national GBIF Node, a pilot campaign was conducted in Ecuador. In addition, close connections were formed to the task group developing Latimer Core, TDWG’s upcoming collection description standard, the MaterialSample task group of Darwin Core, as well as the community developing the next-generation data infrastructure based on the Digital Extended Specimen concept (Hardisty et al. 2022) and open FAIR digital objects (Schultes and Wittenburg 2019), e.g. defined by the openDS standard.Building on the pilot campaign and continuing the collaboration with the GRSciColl team, a partnership endorsed by GBIF’s SPNHC node and led by two members of SPNHC’s BCRC was formed that includes biodiversity scientists, collections staff and GBIF national node managers from Argentina, Ecuador and Guatemala. Supported by the GBIF Capacity Enhancement Support Programme and starting in August 2022, the partnership has the goal to increase the number, coverage and density of high quality records available through GRSciColl, thereby providing visibility and improving the recognition of natural science collections existing within the three countries and the LAC region. The CESP project contributes towards the aim of the campaign to build step by step an equitable, inclusive and engaged Global Collections Network