Genus Erica: An identification aid version 4.00

Species identification is fundamental to all aspects of biology and conservation. The process can be challenging, particularly in groups including many closely related or similar species. The problem is confounded by the absence of an up-to-date taxonomic revision, but even with such a resource all but professional botanists may struggle to recognise key species, presenting a substantial barrier to vital work such as surveys, threat assessments, and seed collection for ex situ conservation. Genus Erica: An Identification Aid is a tool to help both amateurs and professionals identify (using a limited number of accessible characteristics) and find information about the 851 species and many subspecific taxa of the genus Erica. We present an updated version 4.00, with new features including integrating distribution data from GBIF and iNaturalist, links to taxonomic resources through World Flora Online, and a probability function for identifications, that is freely available for PCs. It remains a work in progress: We discuss routes forward for collaboratively improving this resource.

Erica L. (Ericaceae): homonyms amongst published names for African species and proposed replacement names

In support of ongoing taxonomic work on the large and complex flowering plant genus Erica (Ericaceae), we document nineteen pairs of homonyms representing currently used illegitimate names. We provide replacements for thirteen names and new typifications for five. We relegate five names to synonymy: Ericaaemula Guthrie & Bolus under Ericadistorta Bartl.; Ericaarmata Klotzsch ex Benth. under Ericaumbrosa H. A. Baker; Ericacapensis T.M. Salter under Ericaturbiniflora Salisb.; Ericalanata Andrews under Ericaflaccida Link; and Ericatomentosa Salisb. under Ericavelutina Bartl. Finally, we suggest conservation of Ericaaristata Andrews. The new names are: Ericaadelopetala E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericainsignis E.G.H. Oliv.; Ericabombycina E.C. Nelson & Pirie replacing Ericaniveniana E.G.H. Oliv.; Ericaconcordia E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericaconstantia Nois. ex Benth.; Ericadidymocarpa E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericarugata E.G.H. Oliv.; Ericagalantha E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericaperlata Benth.; Ericamallotocalyx E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericaflocciflora Benth.; Ericanotoporina E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing E.autumnalis L.Bolus; Ericaoliveranthus E.C. Nelson & Pirie replacing Ericatenuis Salisb.; Ericaoraria E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericaspectabilis Klotzsch ex Benth.; Ericaoresbia E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericademissa Klotzsch ex Benth.; Ericapoculiflora E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericastenantha Klotzsch ex Benth.; Ericarhodella E.C. Nelson & E.G.H. Oliv. replacing Ericarhodantha Guthrie & Bolus; Ericasupranubia E.C. Nelson & Pirie replacing Ericapraecox Klotzsch.

The biodiversity hotspot as evolutionary hot-bed: spectacular radiation of Erica in the Cape Floristic Region

BACKGROUND

The disproportionate species richness of the world's biodiversity hotspots could be explained by low extinction (the evolutionary "museum") and/or high speciation (the "hot-bed") models. We test these models using the largest of the species rich plant groups that characterise the botanically diverse Cape Floristic Region (CFR): the genus Erica L. We generate a novel phylogenetic hypothesis informed by nuclear and plastid DNA sequences of c. 60 % of the c. 800 Erica species (of which 690 are endemic to the CFR), and use this to estimate clade ages (using RELTIME; BEAST), net diversification rates (GEIGER), and shifts in rates of diversification in different areas (BAMM; MuSSE).

RESULTS

The diversity of Erica species in the CFR is the result of a single radiation within the last c. 15 million years. Compared to ancestral lineages in the Palearctic, the rate of speciation accelerated across Africa and Madagascar, with a further burst of speciation within the CFR that also exceeds the net diversification rates of other Cape clades.

CONCLUSIONS

Erica exemplifies the "hotbed" model of assemblage through recent speciation, implying that with the advent of the modern Cape a multitude of new niches opened and were successively occupied through local species diversification.

Testing reticulate versus coalescent origins of Erica lusitanica using a species phylogeny of the northern heathers (Ericeae, Ericaceae)

Whilst most of the immense species richness of heathers (Calluna, Daboecia and Erica: Ericeae; Ericaceae) is endemic to Africa, particularly the Cape Floristic Region, the oldest lineages are found in the Northern Hemisphere. We present phylogenetic hypotheses for the major clades of Ericeae represented by multiple accessions of all northern Erica species and placeholder taxa for the large nested African/Madagascan clade. We identified consistent, strongly supported conflict between gene trees inferred from ITS and chloroplast DNA sequences with regard to the position of Erica lusitanica. We used coalescent simulations to test whether this conflict could be explained by coalescent stochasticity, as opposed to reticulation (e.g. hybridisation), given estimates of clade ages, generation time and effective population sizes (Ne). A standard approach, comparing overall differences between real and simulated trees, could not clearly reject coalescence. However, additional simulations showed that at the (higher) Ne necessary to explain conflict in E. lusitanica, further topological conflict would also be expected. Ancient hybridisation between ancestors of northern species is therefore a plausible scenario to explain the origin of E. lusitanica, and its morphological similarities to E. arborea. Assuming either process influences the results of species tree and further evolutionary inference. The coalescence scenario is equivocal with regard the standing hypothesis of stepping stone dispersal of Erica from Europe into Africa; whereas reticulate evolution in E. lusitanica would imply that the colonisation of Tropical East Africa by E. arborea instead occurred independently of dispersals within the rest of the African/Madagascan clade.

A densely sampled ITS phylogeny of the Cape flagship genus Erica L. suggests numerous shifts in floral macro-morphology

Erica L. is the largest of the 'Cape' clades that together comprise around half of the disproportionately high species richness of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Around 840 species of Erica are currently recognised, C.680 of which are found in the CFR, the rest distributed across the rest of Southern Africa, the highlands of Tropical Africa and Madagascar, and Europe. Erica is taxonomically well documented, but very little is known about species-level relationships. We present the first densely sampled phylogenetic analysis of Erica, using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (internal transcribed spacers; ITS) of c. 45% of the species from across the full geographic range of the genus, both Calluna and Daboecia (Ericeae; monotypic genera and putative sister groups of Erica), and further Ericoideae outgroups. Our results show both morphological and geographic coherence of some clades, but numerous shifts in floral macro-morphology as represented by variation in individual morphological characters and pollination syndromes. European Ericeae is a paraphyletic grade subtending a monophyletic African/Malagasy Erica. Given the limited resolution of this single gene tree, more data are needed for further conclusions. Clades are identified that will serve as an effective guide for targeted sampling from multiple linkage groups.

The genus Erica (Ericaceae) in southern Africa: taxonomic notes 2

This is a continuation in the series of notes from Bothalia 32 (2002) reflecting the status of species of Erica L. recognized in the Compton Herbarium. These notes cover the 43 species currently included in the section  Evanthe of Flora capensis. Five new species, E. ceraria. E. croceovirens. E. gerhardii. E. prolata and E. viridimontana and six new sub­species are described.

The genus Erica (Ericaceae) in southern Africa: taxonomic notes 1

This is the first in a series of notes on the southern African species of Erica L. which are currently recognized. Brief synonymy citing only the important revisions and synonyms is given, as w ell as comments on the status and diagnostic char­acters of each species. One new species, E. petrusiana E.G.H.Oliv. I.M.Oliv. and 14 new subspecies are described, and11 species are reduced to subspecific status. Where necessary drawings of important features and variations are given. Part 1  covers the first 35 species (Sections 1-3).

Studies in the Ericoideae (Ericaceae). XV. The generic relationship between Erica and Ericinella

The small African genus Ericinella Klotzsch, with one species in Malawi and SW Tanzania and three in the Eastern Cape is shown to exhibit variability in its delimiting characters that overlap with those of Blaeria L. and Philippia Klotzsch, both of which have recently been included under Erica. It is postulated that the genus, like the two above, is unnatural and polyphyletic. The genus is therefore included under Erica and the relevant nomenclatural changes are provided: Erica amatolensis E.G.H. Oliv., nom. nov. (= Ericinella multiflora Klotzsch), E. passerinoides (Bolus) E.G.H. Oliv., comb, nov., E. hillburttii (E.G.H. Oliv.) E.G.H. Oliv., comb, nov., and E. microdonta (C.H. Wright) E.G.H. Oliv., comb. nov.

Studies in the Ericoideae (Ericaceae). XII. The placing of the genus Blaeria into synonymy under Erica’, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes for the southern African region

The reduction of the genus Blaeria to synonymy under Erica requires the publication of six new combinations and three new names for the nine taxa occurring in southern Africa. Four species are reduced to synonymy. Diagnostic features and distribution maps are provided.

Studies in the Ericoideae (Ericaceae). VI. The generic relationship between Erica and in southern Africa,. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1988. [DOI: 10.4102/abc.v18i1.975]

Problems in placing certain species satisfactorily in  Philippia or  Erica have led to an investigation of characters delimiting the genera mainly in southern African species. The only character used in placing problem species was partial versus total recaulescence of the bract. This separation breaks down completely in a few species in which ericoid and philippioid flowers occur within the same inflorescence. Not all species of Philippia are closely related, some being more closely related to various sections within  Erica. It is evident that  Philippia is an unnatural polyphyletic group. It is concluded that Philippia should be placed in synonymy under Erica.

Studies in the Ericoideae (Ericaceae). Y. The genus Coilostigma

A revision of the genus  Coilostigma Klotzsch is presented which recognizes only two species,  C. zeyherianurn Klotzsch and C.  glabrum Benth. The genus belongs to the Ericaceae — Ericoideae and is endemic in the southern and eastern Cape Province. Fundamental differences in the ovary complement have necessitated the recognition of two subgenera,  Coilostigma and Anomalosepala E. G. H. Oliver. Aspects covered include history, morphology, phytogeography, pollination biology and taxonomy.

Geographical distribution of present-day Cape taxa and their phytogeographical significance

The Cape Flora, one of the six floral kingdoms recognized by phytogeographers, is remarkable for its species richness and high degree of endemism, but no overall statistics are as yet available. Several long-term projects have recently been started to enumerate all the species and to record their distribution patterns. The latter aspect has been completed for 1 936 species from the three most characteristic families, i.e. Restionaceae. Ericaceae and Proteaceae, the endemic families and some of the largest genera, i. e. Aspalathus and Muraltia. Computer analysis of the distribution patterns is being undertaken and the species concentrations and centres of endemism are being calculated. The concentration of species in the mountains of the south-western Cape is confirmed and the grid square 3418 BB is found to be the richest. For the groups dealt with, the degree of endemism was found to be as high as 98%. The phytogeographical centres so far outlined agree with those of Weimarck.

Studies in the Ericoideae. III. The genus Grisebachia

A revision of the genus Grisebachia Klotzsch in which eight species are recognized is presented. The genus belongs to the Ericaceae-Ericoideae and is endemic in the south-western part of the Cape Province. The work revealed a high degree of variability among the species, necessitating the reduction of seven species to infraspecific rank, seven species to synonomy and the rejection of one species as imperfectly known. One new species G. secundiflora E. G. H. Oliver is described.

Studies in the Ericoideae. I. The genera Eremia and Eremiella

A revision of the genus  Eremia, in which seven species are recognized, and of the monotypic genus Eremiella is presented. Both genera belong to the Ericaceae-Ericoideae and are endemic in the south-western part of the Cape Province. The revision necessitated the inclusion of the monotypic genus  Eremiopsis N.E. Br. under Eremia. This is the first in a series on the minor genera of the Ericoideae in Southern Africa.

Studies in the Ericoideae. II. The new genus Stokoeanthus

The new monotypic genus Stokoeanthus is described, its type and only species being the new species S. chionophilus E. G. H. Oliver. The position of the genus in the subfamily, its relationships and the reasons for its establishment are given.