Phylogenetic position of Meteoromyrtus (Myrtaceae)

We investigated the phylogenetic affinities of the rare and threatened Indian species Meteoromyrtus wynadensis (Bedd.) Gamble. Sequences from the ITS and ETS regions of nrDNA and the trnK/matK and psbA–trnH regions of the plastid genome were compiled in a 45 taxon dataset augmented by sequences from Genbank. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and Bayesian approaches showed that Meteoromyrtus is deeply embedded in Eugenia and sister to E. reinwardtiana in a clade with other Old World taxa. The evidence clearly indicates that the genus should be considered a synonym of Eugenia and that the species should henceforth be known by its original name E. wynadensis Bedd

A new combination in Ackama (Cunoniaceae)

Taxonomic revisions of the genera Ackama and Caldcluvia have left one taxon without a current validly published name under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN, McNeill et al. 2012), and the new combination Ackama paniculosa is made

Additions to Lissanthe (Styphelioideae: Ericaceae) in Western Australia: L. synandra sp. nov. and L. pleurandroides comb. nov.

The genus Lissanthe R.Br. (Styphelioideae: Ericaceae) has been recently revised but further field and herbarium studies have brought to light two further species from southern Western Australia. Parsimony analysis of plastid atpB–rbcL spacer sequence data confirms the placement of these two species in Lissanthe. Thus, L. synandra Crayn & Hislop is described as new and L. pleurandroides (F.Muell.) Crayn & Hislop is transferred from Leucopogon. Lissanthe synandra is unique in the genus in having angled branchlets, corolla lobes that remain almost completely closed, and anthers that are fused and cohere around the style and stigma, forming a synandrium. Illustrations and distribution maps are provided for both species. A key to species of Lissanthe is included.\ud \u

A molecular estimate of the phylogeny of Styphelieae (Ericaceae)

Parsimony analyses of sequence data derived from two regions of the chloroplast genome, matK and the atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer, separately and together, are reported for Styphelieae. Taxonomic sampling includes representatives of all currently accepted genera apart from the two non-Australian monotypics, Cyathopsis Brongn. & Gris and Decatoca F.Muell., and of all subgenera or informal infrageneric groups except for Trochocarpa subgenus Pseudocyathodes Sleumer. A well resolved estimate of the phylogeny of the tribe is obtained, with high levels of jackknife support for terminal groupings. The results provide support for the current concepts of Acrotriche R.Br., Androstoma Hook.f., Croninia J.M.Powell, Cyathodes Labill. sensu Weiller, Leptecophylla C.M.Weiller, Leucopogon R.Br. sensu Taaffe et al., Pentachondra R.Br., Planocarpa C.M.Weiller and Trochocarpa R.Br., but the following genera appear paraphyletic: Astroloma R.Br., Brachyloma Sond., Cyathodes sensu Labill., Leucopogon R.Br. sensu lato, Lissanthe R.Br., Monotoca R.Br. and Styphelia Sm. (sensu Bentham). Several robust clades are identified as potential new genera but formalisation of nomenclatural changes is left, pending morphological analyses of the various clades to identify synapomorphies with which to characterise generic groupings. The general approach to be adopted in this endeavour is discussed, with narrower generic concepts being favoured as more informative and less disruptive of the existing nomenclature

Generic concepts in Styphelieae (Ericaceae): the Cyathodes group

Non-molecular and atpB-rbcL spacer sequence datasets for 38 taxa representing Cyathodes Labill. sensu lato and its relatives, together with several outgroups from Styphelieae, Oligarrheneae, Epacreae and Archerieae, were subjected to cladistic analyses. The monophyly of Cyathodes sensu Weiller, Leptecophylla Weiller, Lissanthe R.Br. sensu Crayn et al. and Planocarpa Weiller is supported. Cyathopsis Brongn. & Gris is expanded to include two other New Caledonian species, Styphelia violaceospicata (Guillaumin) McPherson and S. albicans (Brongn. & Gris) Sleumer. Androstoma Hook.f. is redefined to include Leucopogon milliganii (F.Muell.) Rodway. Leucopogon durus Benth. is transferred to Acrotriche R.Br. Two new genera are described: Acrothamnus C.J.Quinn, comprising at least five species in eastern Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and the Pacific; Agiortia C.J.Quinn, comprising three species in north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. Keys to the species of Acrothamnus, Agiortia, Androstoma and Cyathopsis are provided