Nomenclatural novelties and notes in (Plantaginaceae).

Seven nomenclatural novelties in (Plantaginaceae) are proposed for taxa that will be included in the forthcoming treatment of the genus in the Flora of North America North of Mexico series. Three additional novelties are made for Mexican taxa outside the flora area. A.

Multiplexed shotgun genotyping resolves species relationships within the North American genus Penstemon.

Premise Of The Study: Evolutionary radiations provide opportunities to examine large-scale patterns in diversification and character evolution, yet are often recalcitrant to phylogenetic resolution due to rapid speciation events. The plant genus Penstemon has been difficult to resolve using Sanger sequence-based markers, leading to the hypothesis that it represents a recent North American radiation. The current study demonstrates the utility of multiplexed shotgun genotyping (MSG), a style of restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq), to infer phylogenetic relationships within a subset of species in this genus and provide insight into evolutionary patterns.

Effects of small mammal and invertebrate herbivory on plant species richness and abundance in tallgrass prairie.

A factorial field experiment was designed to test the effects of small mammals and above- and below-ground invertebrates on plant species richness and composition in native tallgrass prairie at Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, northeast Kansas. Over a 4-year period, Microtus ochrogaster densities were maintained by live-trapping in fenced plots, and invertebrate levels were reduced using the pesticides carbaryl for above-ground invertebrates and an organophosphate (isofenphos) for belowground invertebrates. ANOVA according to a split-plot design of plant species biomass data harvested in 1984 and 1986 revealed few significant effects of either small mammal densities or pesticide application.