Notes on (Convolvulaceae) from Ecuador.

Fieldwork, examination of herbarium specimens and photographic images, supported by molecular sequencing have resulted in the re-interpretation of a number of species of L. found in Ecuador and the recognition of four new species. Standl.

The research behind a taxonomic monograph: a case study from (Convolvulaceae).

Systematic monographs are an important tool for understanding biodiversity. However, while papers that outline systematic methods for biogeography, phylogenetics and diversification are commonplace, papers that cover methods for monographic and taxonomic research are rare. In this paper, we describe how we conducted a monographic study of , drawing attention to the resources we made use of and the practical steps we took, with a particular focus on how we integrated results from molecular and morphological analyses.

Discovery and characterization of sweetpotato's closest tetraploid relative.

The origin of sweetpotato, a hexaploid species, is poorly understood, partly because the identity of its tetraploid progenitor remains unknown. In this study, we identify, describe and characterize a new species of Ipomoea that is sweetpotato's closest tetraploid relative known to date and probably a direct descendant of its tetraploid progenitor. We integrate morphological, phylogenetic, and genomic analyses of herbarium and germplasm accessions of the hexaploid sweetpotato, its closest known diploid relative Ipomoea trifida, and various tetraploid plants closely related to them from across the American continent.

Species as a Heuristic: Reconciling Theory and Practice.

Species are crucial to most branches of biological research, yet remain controversial in terms of definition, delimitation, and reality. The difficulty of resolving the "species problem" stems from the tension between their theoretical concept as groups of evolving and highly variable organisms and the practical need for a stable and comparable unit of biology. Here, we suggest that treating species as a heuristic can be consistent with a theoretical definition of what species are and with the practical means by which they are identified and delimited.

A foundation monograph of (Convolvulaceae) in the New World.

A monograph of the 425 New World species of is presented. All 425 species are described and information is provided on their ecology and distribution, with citations from all countries from which they are reported. Notes are provided on salient characteristics and taxonomic issues related to individual species.

The temporal dynamics of evolutionary diversification in Ipomoea.

Molecular phylogenies are used as a basis for making inferences about macroevolutionary history. However, a robust phylogeny does not contain the information that is necessary to make many of these inferences. Complex methodologies that incorporate important assumptions about the nature of evolutionary history are therefore required.

A taxonomic monograph of Ipomoea integrated across phylogenetic scales.

Taxonomic monographs have the potential to make a unique contribution to the understanding of global biodiversity. However, such studies, now rare, are often considered too daunting to undertake within a realistic time frame, especially as the world's collections have doubled in size in recent times. Here, we report a global-scale monographic study of morning glories (Ipomoea) that integrated DNA barcodes and high-throughput sequencing with the morphological study of herbarium specimens.

Reconciling Conflicting Phylogenies in the Origin of Sweet Potato and Dispersal to Polynesia.

The sweet potato is one of the world's most widely consumed crops, yet its evolutionary history is poorly understood. In this paper, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic study of all species closely related to the sweet potato and address several questions pertaining to the sweet potato that remained unanswered. Our research combined genome skimming and target DNA capture to sequence whole chloroplasts and 605 single-copy nuclear regions from 199 specimens representing the sweet potato and all of its crop wild relatives (CWRs).

Additional notes on (Convolvulaceae) in Bolivia.

109 species of L. are recorded from Bolivia. This total includes six new country records and two species, J.

New species of (Convolvulaceae) from South America.

The importance of discovering, describing and cataloguing poorly known species in herbarium collections is discussed. It is a spur to efforts at rediscovery and consequent conservation efforts. The problems faced in describing species from limited material are discussed and our methods and criteria in making a decision are described.

Synopsis of Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) of continental Ecuador.

A critical review of the Ecuadorian species of Acalypha L. (Euphorbiaceae) is presented; 20 of the 38 previously recognized species are accepted, 9 are considered synonyms and 9 are based on misidentifications. Comprehensive nomenclatural information is supplied and 13 lectotypes are designated.