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Giussani et al. make a major contribution to our understanding of the phylogeny of the Poaceae. Their new data on the panicoid grasses hold some surprises: the base chromosome number is remarkably stable and high-efficiency C4 photosynthesis has evolved multiple times. The 3300 species of the Panicoideae group into one x ;eq 10 and two x ;eq 9 clades, and the genus Panicum is shown to be clearly polyphyletic. Although no formal reclassification is presented, their study will no doubt lead to major taxonomic realignments. (see p. 1993)

New model for chimeric junipers

Korn presents an analysis of albino/green sectoring patterns in members of the Cupressaceae. He argues that a single apical cell must characterize the shoot apical organization in this group of gymnosperms. His single apical cell (SAC) model differs from previous interpretations. Korn emphasizes the role of an individual cell that can mediate a suite of subordinate subapical meristem functions. (see p.1945)

Bark beetles and larch: ancient association?

Labandeira, LePage, and Johnson describe a new fossil stem of an extinct larch (Larix altoborealis) found in the Canadian High Arctic and dating to the middle Eocene, 38 million years ago. The mummified log bears the engraving of a bark beetle, which the authors assign to the genus Dendroctonus. They hypothesize that the timing of the association between conifers and a lineage of cambium-consuming herbivores is much earlier than previously thought. (see p. 2026)

Finding wild potatoes

Hijmans and Spooner document the distribution of wild potatoes (Solanum sect. Petota). They employed GIS (Geographic Information System) to analyze a database of 6073 locations where wild potatoes have been observed and a grid of 50 ;ts 50 km cells to map species richness. They show that most of the 199 species are rare and narrowly endemic, and found species richness highest between 8;dg and 20;dg S and around 20;dg N and between 2000 and 4000 m altitude. (see p. 2101)

Robbed flowers may benefit

Maloof presents new evidence that the effect of nectar-robbing is not always detrimental to plants, as commonly believed since Darwin's discussion of bumble bee nectar-robbers. Through a nicely designed set of experiments, Maloof shows that nectar-robbing has no negative effect on seed set in one species. However, there is an effect on other bumble bees. Her results indicate that bumble bee pollinators fly longer distances after visiting robbed flowers, suggesting the possibility that robbed plants might enjoy higher success as males by increasing pollen flow distances. (see p. 1960)

This Article Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content