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Monopyle Moritz ex Benth. (Gloxiniinae: Gesneriaceae) is a group of terrestrial understory or facultative epiphytic herbs distributed from Guatemala southward through northern South America. Monopyle is traditionally characterized by differentially swollen internodes, anisophyllous opposite leaves, campanulate flowers, osmophore and the presence of uncinate trichomes (Keene, 2013; Roalson et al. 2005; Weber, 2004). Monopyle is currently represented by six species and one variety in Central America. The largest percentage of taxa have been confirmed to reside from the premontane to montane forest in Panama and Costa Rica from 300–1300 m. Monopyle puberula C.V. Morton and Monopyle maxonii C.V.Morton have the broadest distribution in the region with other species being narrow endemics. Revisionary work on the genus has led to the identification of several newly discovered species in the region previously lumped within Monopyle macrocarpa Benth. A morphological and molecular assessment of species from this region have shown that Monopyle macrocarpa does not occur in Central America and is actually restricted to an area of Northern Peru. The newly discovered species can be determined by a suite of characters which include density of pubescence, petiole length, calyx shape, and corolla shape coupled with color. My research focuses on separating both Monopyle dichotoma Keene ined.and Monopyle sessilis Keene ined. as new species from previously known taxa.

A newPrimulinaspecies from Guangdong, China with an unusual inflorescence is described here.Primulina anisocymosais vegetatively most similar toP. bobaiensis. It can be distinguished from all species withinPrimulinamorphologically by its unique zigzag monochasial cyme and infructescence. To confirm the phylogenetic relationships and generic placement of this species, not only morphological anatomical features but also chromosome and DNA sequence data were examined and analysed here. Two samples from different populations identified asPrimulina anisocymosaare monophyletic and were nested in a monophyletic clade withinPrimulinawith high branch support. The somatic chromosome number of the new species is also reported (2n = 36), supporting its placement in the genus.

Burrowing mammals can be ecosystem engineers by increasing soil aeration and erosion and altering the structure of plant communities. Studies that characterize the constraints on the distributions of fossorial mammal disturbances to soil can help predict changes in ecosystem engineering under future climates. We quantified the density of soil disturbances caused by Thomomys talpoides (northern pocket gopher) over replicate elevation gradients spanning 2,700���4,000 m a.s.l. in the Upper Gunnison Basin, Colorado, USA. As a conceptual framework for predicting biogeographic variation in soil disturbance, we used the abundant center hypothesis (ACH), which proposes that species abundance declines monotonically away from the most abundant location in its distribution, with the assumption that ecosystem engineering scales with gopher abundance. We also evaluated the relative importance of abiotic and biotic variables as correlates of soil disturbance. Gopher disturbance peaked at mid elevations (~3,150 m), supporting the ACH. The best model for predicting gopher-caused soil disturbance contained both abiotic and biotic variables, with increased soil disturbance where mean annual temperature, forb cover, and plant diversity were greatest. Results suggest that mountain ecosystems may experience increases in gopher-caused soil disturbance as climate warms, possibly accompanied by increases in plant diversity and forb cover.

Diastema is a genus of plants within the subtribe Gloxiniinae (Gesneriaceae). Some of the key characteristics of Diastema are a racemose flowering axis consisting of solitary flowers in the axils of bracts on the stems with condensed internodes, nectary consisting of 5 finger-like glands, and a distinctive bi-lobed stigma. I am currently collecting morphological and molecular data and will complete field studies of the genus Diastema. Morphological studies will focus on taxonomically useful vegetative and reproductive characters with special emphasis given to trichome structure and fruit shape. Field work will be carried out in northern Panama. I will be observing the ecology and population structure of the local species. Field studies will provide an opportunity to obtain data that is not easily observed on herbarium specimens. The outcomes of this research will provide a baseline for conservation and governmental agencies to work from to protect the habitat where these species exist. Evolutionary studies will be completed following the field study to ascertain the relationships between the species present. My research will be used toward a more comprehensive study of the subtribe and genus.

KYLEE RADABAUGH, Dept. of Science & Mathematics, Glenville State College, Glenville, WV 26351, and JEREMY KEENE, Dept. of Science & Mathematics, Glenville State College, Glenville, WV 26351. Comparison and delimitation of the Monopyle bilsaensis ined. complex within Ecuador. Monopyle is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is distributed from Central into northern South America. Recent studies for a revision of the genus have revealed many species complexes that require more in-depth study. Monopyle bilsaensis ined. a new species discovered in northern Ecuador near the Bilsa Biological Station is part of a species complex that has been difficult to delimit. It appears that the species is hybridizing with two other nearby species Monopyle ecuadorensis and Monopyle communis ined. The extensive hybridization between the species has made morphological separation very tedious. In order to separate these species, I am currently using a molecular phylogenetic approach that utilizes both nuclear and chloroplast gene regions to compare the species. The objectives of this research are to study the morphological and molecular characteristics of Monopyle found in Ecuador with special emphasis given to the species complex. A comparison of all the taxa will provide insight into the overall evolution of the group in the area. Future studies of this complex will include a phenetic analysis of taxonomically useful characters to confirm morphological differences in the group.

Morphological and molecular analyses within the subtribe Gloxiniinae have led to the discovery of several previously undescribed genera. One of these genera comes from studies of the species Diastema vexans H.E. Moore, which has been identified from central to south Colombia. The nomenclatural history of the species has been very confused due to multiple species being designated under the same name. Morphological studies of the species and other closely related plants to confirm the species identification has provided evidence of a differing evolutionary lineage leading to the group. These studies have also revealed three new species that are distributed from Colombia southward through Peru. These taxa are identified by a suite of characters including axillary inflorescences, orbicular calyx base, and cup-shaped fruits. The traits are not seen among the other species of Diastema and this grouping represents a new genus in the tribe. Recent molecular studies have provided support to show that the flower shape and color of Diastema vexans and congeners is due to convergence through pollinator selection. Ongoing molecular and morphological research will be used to confirm the placement of the new genus Regeliantha within the subtribe Gloxiniinae.