Important Literature

In this chapter attention is mainly paid to the second volume with proceedings of the International Conference on the Systematics of the Euphorbiaceae in 1989. Part one was discussed in the last newsletter. The proceedings were published in the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 81.

Armbruster, W.S. 1994. Early evolution of Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae): insights from phylogeny, biogeography, and comparative ecology. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 302--316.

A phylogenetic analysis of the large genus Dalechampia is used to describe the possible origin of this genus [presumably W Gondwana (or S America) in the mid Cretaceous (or early Tertiary)], and the origin of the ecological trait of resin collecting by euglossine bees. The resin perhaps originated as a defence against predation of the flowers, but is now used by the pollinating bees to build nests.

Carter, S. 1994. A preliminary classification of Euphorbia subgenus Euphorbia. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 368--379.

The subgenus Euphorbia is subdivided into 2 sections, Euphorbia and Tetracanthe with 6 and 2 subsections respectively. The new section classification is based seed characters, the classification of the subsections is mainly based on supposed polarized transformation series towards succulence and change in habit (tree to shrub). In general an adaptation to arid conditions

Chakrabarty, T. & M. Gangopadhyay. 1994. A revision of Excoecaria L. (Euphorbiaceae) for Indian subcontinent. J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 18: 193--210.

A revision of the Indian Excoecaria species. 8 Species are recognized, 2 species are synonymized with a third and this complex is reduced to the variety level.

Dehgan, B. & B. Schutzman. 1994. Contribution towards a monograph of neotropical Jatropha: Phenetic and phylogenetic analyses. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 349--367.

A phenetic and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Jatropha is presented. The phylogenetic analysis resulted in numerous cladograms, which were summarized with a 'Nelsen' (not Nelson, it is Farris's interpretation of Nelson consensus; Farris is the maker of Hennig86, the program used) consensus tree. The taxonomic decisions regarding a subgeneric and sectional classification are based on the consensus tree. The cladogram shows Jatropha to be of Gondwanan origin.

is regarded to be apomorphous.

Forster, P.I. 1994. A taxonomic revision of Tragia (Euphorbiaceae) in Australia. Austral. Syst. Bot. 7: 377--383.

Two Australian species, of which one new, are recognized in Tragia.

Forster, P.I. 1994. Wetria australiensis sp. nov. (Euphorbiaceae), a new generic record for Australia. Austrobaileya 4: 139--143.

A new species is described in the genus Wetria, a genus unknown to Australia.

Forster, P.I. 1994. A taxonomic revision of Acalypha L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Australia. Austrobaileya 4: 209--226.

Eight species of Acalypha are recognized for Australia, of which one is newly described.

Forster, P.I. 1994. Revision of Euphorbia plumerioides Teijsm. ex Hassk. (Euphorbiaceae) and allies. Austrobaileya 4:227--246.

The delimitation in the genus Euphorbia is notoriously difficult. This revision recognizes 8 species in the complex E. plumerioides. Two species are newly described and one new combination is made. 7 Species are present in Malesia.

Gilbert, M.G. 1994. The relationships of the Euphorbieae (Euphorbiaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 283--288.

The tribes Euphorbieae and Hippomaneae, both in the subfamily Euphorbioideae, are quite different in many characters, but share the presence of rod-shaped starch grains in their latex. The author discusses the origin of the typical Euphorbieae inflorescence, the cyathium. The origin of the complex inflorescence must be quite old and cannot be recognized in the other known Euphorbiaceae except perhaps Jatropha.

Gillespie, L.J. 1994. Pollen morphology and phylogeny of the tribe Plukenetieae (Euphorbiaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 317--348.

The pollen of one subtribe in the Plukenetieae, Plukenetiinae, is homogeneous. This subtribe can be split into a tree-like group and a group with a scandent habit. The other subtribe, Tragiinae is very heterogeneous, but shows distinct pollen morphological groupings, which correspond with macromorphological classifications.

Haïcour, R., L. Rossignol, M. Rossignol, & C. Gaisne. 1994. Patterns of diversification and evolution in Phyllanthus odontanius (Euphorbiaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 289--301.

Crossing experiments combined with cytological and morphological data are used to delimit the species in the African subsection Odontadenii (x = 10, 7, 6; aneuploid reduction) and the Asian complex species Ph. urinaria (x = 25).

Hayden, W.J. 1994. Systematic anatomy of Euphorbiaceae subfamily Oldfieldioideae. I. Overview. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 180--202.

Especially the anatomical peculiarities of the Oldfieldioideae are described. The author considers the subfamily to be monophyletic (based on pollen, see Levin & Simpson), and discusses the classification within the Oldfieldioideae. The theoid teeth and palmate leaves within the subfamily may indicate an origin of the Euphorbiaceae in or with the Dilleniaceae (see also Seigler).

Jensen, U, I. Vogel-Bauer & M. Nitschke. 1994. Leguminlike proteins and the systematics of the Euphorbiaceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 160--179.

Leguminlike proteins in Euphorbiaceae species (all different genera) were used to demonstrate that instead of 5 only 2 subfamilies can be recognized. The authors also discuss the relationship of the Euphorbiaceae within the Angiosperms and they consider the Malviflorae (see also Seigler), Violifloreae, and Rutiflorae (see also Hayden) to be most similar to the Euphorbiaceae.

Kapil, R.N. & A.K. Bhatnagar. 1994. The contribution of embryology to the systematics of the Euphorbiaceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 145--159.

The divers Euphorbiaceae are more conservative in their embryology. Stamen, ovary, embryo, and seed development show that the Euphorbiales should only contain the Euphorbiaceae. The delimitation of the Euphorbiaceae into 5 subfamilies is supported embryologically. The Acalyphoideae originated first, followed by the Phyllanthoideae/Oldfieldioideae and later, independently, the Crotonioideae and Euphorbioideae.

Levin, G.A. & M.G. Simpson. 1994. Phylogenetic implications of pollen ultrastructure in the Oldfieldioideae (Euphorbiaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 203--238.

A phylogenetic analysis of the Oldfieldioideae and Phyllanthoideae based on pollen morphology, anatomy, and morphology with various Euphorbs as outgroups, showed the Oldfieldioideae to be monophyletic. The monophyly is based on several pollen characters. The infra-subfamily classification is discussed (see also Hayden).

Levin, G.A. & M.G. Simpson. 1994. Phylogenetic relationships of Didymocistus and Hymenocardia (Euphorbiaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 239--244.

Hymenocardia, based on pollen morphology, should be retained in the Euphorbiaceae-Phyllanthoideae and should not form a monotypic family nor should it be included in the Urticaceae. The genus Didymocistus is very similar in pollen morphology to Hymnocardia and both should be classified together.

Nowicke, J.W. 1994. A palynological study of Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 245--269.

The pollen morphology of the Crotonoideae mainly has inaperturate pollen, while the exines are very typical with triangular supratectal elements, a network of muri, and short or irregular columellae. The Crotonoideae resemble the family Thymelaeaceae in pollen morphology (see also Seigler).

Rudall, P. 1994. Laticifers in Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae): Homology and evolution. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 270--282.

The laticifers of the Crotonoideae are described. Nonarticulated laticifers are common, articulated ones are found in 3 genera only. The author casts doubt on the monophyletic origin of the Crotonoideae together with the Euphorbioideae, which is based on the presence of nonarticulate laticifers, because the laticifers originate in different parts of the leaf. The laticifers may be homologous with branched sclereids.

Seigler, D.S. 1994. Phytochemistry and systematics of the Euphorbiaceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81: 380--401.

ETI - Expert center for Taxonomic Identification

The goal of the Expert Center for Taxonomic Identification (ETI) is to create a World Biodiversity Database. The database should contain multimedia information about all species on the earth. Use of the database should also be very user friendly. The database itself is housed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and parts of it are made available on CD-ROM. The project started with Macintosh systems, and for these computers most software has been developed up to now. However, software and especially the CD-ROMS are becoming or are also available for Windows and NeXT operating systems.

The user friendliness of the system is based on the Hypercard idea of Macintosh. All information is stored on 'index cards' and these cards are linked with one another. The cards can contain text information, for instance a description of a species, or they may contain images, sound, and even movies. Of course searches through the cards are easily made.

For demonstration purposes a CD-ROM on European birds has been produced. One can identify the birds by silhouette and then move to the description 'card'. This card is linked to a picture of the bird, and, if available, pictures of the chick, the egg, and the distribution. Also, the sound of the bird can be heard, while one views a 'phonogram' (voice diagram). Of some birds a short movie is available, for instance the copulation of spoonbills (always a catchy subject). The CD-ROM is very easy to operate.

Identification is still primitive on the European Bird CD-ROM, but now a special multi-entry key system has been developed, which allows for very user-friendly identification. The character questions may be elaborated with pictures of the characters and even instruction movies which show how to prepare the plant or animal to see the character.

Presently, at least for the Macintosh, a data entry program has been made, called Linnaeus II, software for Biodiversity Documentation. ETI is still working on the Windows version, which is partly ready, only the identification part is not yet available. Linnaeus II operates on a Macintosh with system 7.x as operating system. ETI freely distributes the program to people who like to deliver data to the database. Linnaeus II comes on 4 disks together with a handy manual.

Before I continue, I should say something about author rights. In principle, contracts are made between any collaborator and ETI (and perhaps third parties) about ownership. When you receive Linnaeus II, ETI expects you to provide your data for their database. As soon as ETI likes to publish your data on CD-ROM the contract will be made, stating ownership and distribution of profits. ETI is a non-profit organisation which, at least, likes to earn its investment. Of every CD-ROM (at least) 200 copies will be made per platform (Macintosh, Windows, NeXT).

Fig. 2 shows the main menu of Linnaeus II. The same menu appears on the CD-ROMs with processed data, like the European birds. There are special headings for References, a list of species, the classification (Higher taxa) of your group, etc. The Species Cards contain all descriptions and these can easily be linked to pictures, sounds, movies, etc. (fig. 3 and 4). For entering your species descriptions it is not really necessary to use Linnaeus II, you can provide ETI with your wordprocessor files, drawings, slides, etc. and they will help you to process them into the ETI format. Especially slides can easily be transferred to CD-ROM (Kodak is doing this). All terms used in your descriptions, especially the ones which are difficult to understand, may be tagged for the glossary in which they may be explained in text, sound, or picture/movie. Linnaeus II is especially necessary for creation of the identification table. The tables may be hierarchical, referring to each other. In this table the characters and their states are filled in for all taxa. In the key characters can be referred to the Glossary where they can be explained.

I hope you are curious to know more about ETI. You can always contact them, especially if you want to contribute data: ETI (University of Amsterdam)

Mauritskade 61, 1092 AD Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Fax: .. 31 20 525.7238; e-mail: support@ETI.bio.uva.NL