All enquiries and manuscripts should be directed to:An international journal devoted t o t h e t a x o n o my, b i o g e o g r a p hy and evolution of all plant groups a u s t r a l i a n s y s t e m a t i c b o t a n yAbstract. Analysis of sequence data from the matK gene and the atpβ-rbcL intergenic spacer for 70 representatives of the Chamelaucium alliance sensu Briggs and Johnson (1979) provides strong support for the monophyly of the alliance, but there is no support for their concept of suballiances on the basis of fruit type: indehiscent fruit have arisen in multiple lineages. There is, however, strong support for Calytrix, Homalocalyx and Ochrosperma being the first lineages to diverge within the alliance. A number of genera within the alliance are not monophyletic in this analysis, namely Astartea, Babingtonia, Baeckea sensu lato, Darwinia and Hypocalymma.

No abstract

The red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis, Guichenot, 1848) is an iconic species in Chilean gastronomy, with a cultural significance that extends beyond its economic value, worthy of conservation. Despite the decline in fishery productivity across most of the distribution range for this species, little effort has been devoted to assessing stock management. In the present study, seven heterologous microsatellite loci (cmrGb3.8.1, cmrGb5.2B, cmrGb4.2A, cmrGb4.2B, cmrGb5.9, cmrGb4.11, and cmrGb2.6.1) were genotyped in a total of 153 individuals from four locations in central and southern Chile (30.5-37.6 • S), comprising ∼1,000 km of coastline. Five microsatellite loci were consistently amplified with a low frequency of null alleles (<2.5%). These markers showed high average heterozygosity (H O = 0.886 and H E = 0.884) and PIC (0.869). Significant genetic differentiation among locations (global F ST = 0.043, global D Jost = 0.252) suggested the presence of at least two genetic groups along the Chilean coast, with moderate levels of admixture between the two central populations (0.168 < Q mean < 0.822). The southern population showed no admixture with the central populations (Q mean = 0.985), less allelic richness and a small effective population size, indicating that urgent management measures must be developed for this fishery. The present study provides baseline information to assist fishery and aquaculture management and contribute to the recovery of declining populations.

No abstract

A new genus and species, Pseudorestias lirimensis, is described from the southern part of the Chilean Altiplano. While sharing several characters that clearly align the new species with Orestias, this new fish is characterized by numerous autapomorphies: the Meckel cartilage is a continuous cartilage that broadly expands posteriorly (in large specimens, it keeps its anterior part and is resorbed posteriorly), the basibranchials are fused into one long element, the second pharyngobranchial is not displaced dorsally over pharyngobranchial tooth plate 3+4, but they are aligned, the anterior and posterior ceratohyals are closely articulated keeping a scarce amount of cartilage between both bones and ventral to them, ossified middle and distal dorsal radials are present in females as well as ossified middle and distal anal radials. Pseudorestias lirimensis presents strong sexual dimorphism associated to size. Females are almost twice as large and long than males, neuromast lines are absent in males, a mesethmoid is present in males, squamation on head is reduced in males, and ossified middle and distal radial of dorsal fin are cartilaginous in males. Pseudorestias and Orestias are suggested as the sole members of the tribe Orestiini. A list of characters diagnosing the tribe is provided. The presence of the new genus is interpreted as a possible result of the ecosystem isolation where the fish is living from surrounding basins—as early as possibly from the Miocene-Pliocene times—and its physical and chemical characteristics. Small populations, living conditions, small habitat, and reduced distribution make this species a strong candidate to be considered critically endangered, a situation already established for all other Chilean species living in the Altiplano. There is high probability it will become extinct due to water demands and climate change in the region.