Peruzzi & al. • Linnaean names in Silene nocturna complex
TAXON 63 (3) • June 2014: 651–652
On the application of the Linnaean names Cucubalus reflexus, Silene nocturna and Silene mutabilis (Caryophyllaceae) Lorenzo Peruzzi,1 Charles E. Jarvis2 & Angelino Carta1 1 Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy 2 Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. Author for correspondence: L. Peruzzi,
[email protected] ORCID: L.P., http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9008-273X DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/633.6 Abstract The application of the names Cucubalus reflexus and Silene nocturna is revised and discussed while, for the name S. mutabilis, a specimen in LINN (Herb. Linnaeus) is designated as lectotype. It is concluded that S. nocturna, which is based on cultivated material, correctly matches its current application. Silene reflexa is a heterotypic synonym of S. nocturna subsp. capraria. Finally, the name S. mutabilis is applicable to the taxon currently known as S. neglecta Ten., and the Linnaean name is therefore the earliest name for this species. Keywords nomenclature; typification
INTRODUCTION Recent work on the Silene nocturna complex in the Central Mediterranean area (Peruzzi & Carta, 2013) shows the existence of at least two species/three taxonomic units: S. neglecta Ten., S. nocturna L. subsp. nocturna and S. nocturna subsp. capraria (Sommier) Peruzzi & Carta. However, two other Linnaean names apart from S. nocturna L. are involved in this complex. Cucubalus reflexus L. (≡ Silene reflexa (L.) Ait.) has been considered a tentative synonym (cleistogamous form) of S. nocturna (Chater & al., 1993; Talavera in Cafferty & Jarvis, 2004). Silene mutabilis L., although not formally typified, has similarly been regarded as a synonym of S. nocturna (Jarvis, 2007). Notoriously, this group of plants is not easy to observe in flower (especially in herbarium specimens) and, as many vegetative character-states partially overlap, the most reliable diagnostic characters are seed features. We have recently had the opportunity to examine the Linnaean type/original material closely, including the seeds.
THE LINNAEAN NAMES AND THEIR TYPES Cucubalus reflexus
Linnaeus (1753) described this species from the surroundings of Montpellier, France (“Habitat Monspelii ”) and took the diagnosis from his previous work Hortus Upsaliensis (Linnaeus, 1748). He added a synonym from Morison (1680: 544) and Ray (1688: 996), and a second one from Magnol (1676: 171). Talavera in Cafferty & Jarvis (2004) selected the specimen Herb. Linn. No. 582.22 (LINN!) to serve as the lectotype for this name.
Study of the lectotype shows a plant with relatively long pedicels and small seeds with the cells of the dorsal part of the testa arranged in two complete rows (Table 1). As a result, if recognized at the species rank, S. reflexa is the earliest name for the taxon currently known as S. nocturna subsp. capraria. This taxon has been understood to be a narrow endemic restricted to the island of Capraia in the Tuscan Archipelago (Peruzzi & Carta, 2013), but it could have a wider geographical distribution. However, currently the subspecific rank is the most appropriate for this unit, and in this rank the correct name is still S. nocturna subsp. capraria (Art. 11.2 of ICN, McNeill & al., 2012). It should be noted that both Cucubalus reflexus and Silene nocturna date from 1753, but the latter retains priority when recognized in Silene at the species level (Art. 11.5), given the choice made by Chater & al. (1993). Cucubalus reflexus L., Sp. Pl.: 416. 1753 ≡ Silene reflexa (L.) Ait., Hortus Kew., ed. 2, 3: 86. 1811 – Lectotype (designated by Talavera in Cafferty & Jarvis, 2004: 1051): Herb. Linn. No. 582.22 (LINN!). [Image of lectotype available at http:// linnean-online.org/4167] = S. nocturna subsp. capraria (Sommier) Peruzzi & Carta in Phytotaxa 88: 46. 2013 ≡ Silene capraria Sommier in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital., ser. 2, 5: 113. 1898 – Lectotype (designated by Peruzzi & Carta, 2013: 46): [ITALY. Tuscany] Insula Capraria (Capraja), Punta del Trattoio, 6 Apr 1896, Sommier s.n. (FI!) Silene mutabilis
Linnaeus (1756) described this species from Italy (“Habitat in Italia”) and added a synonym from Ray (1688: 996).
Received: 21 Nov 2013 | returned for first revision: 13 Feb 2014 | last revision received: 13 Feb 2014 | accepted: 13 Apr 2014 | published online ahead of inclusion in print and online issues: 2 Jun 2014 || © International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) 2014
Version of Record (identical to print version).
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Peruzzi & al. • Linnaean names in Silene nocturna complex
TAXON 63 (3) • June 2014: 651–652
Table 1. General morphology and seed characteristics of the studied type specimens.
Cucubalus reflexus
Silene mutabilis
Silene nocturna
Lowest pedicel length [mm]
2.5–3.25
16.6
8.6
Calyx length [mm]
8.2–8.9
9.3
10.0–10.5
Seed size [mm]
0.8
