Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

On the fifth day of Christmas, Linnaeus gave to me...FIVE ANOLES! Well, more like anoles adapting to temperature change in the Andes, as taught to us in this lunchtime lecture! Kicking off the journal series, it contributed to the 1000+ lecture attendees this year! 🌍🧪👇

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Rapid divergence with gene flow creates intractable nodes in the tree of life: An empirical demonstration in the Buzzing Flowerpecker (Dicaeum hypoleucum) Abstract. The avian tree of life contains a series of famously intractable nodes and controversial relationships whose resolution varies between studies de

We all know ornithologists loved naming birds, but less so trying to understand their evolutionary history...

Using the (perfectly named) Buzzing Flowerpecker as a case study, phylogenetic studies revealed rapid evolution & shared genes, making it difficult to draw boundaries...

Multiple molecular data provide new insights into phylogeny and historical biogeography of East Asian Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) Abstract. Artemisia L. is one of the most diverse genera in the Asteraceae, widely used in agriculture and medicine, with a giant range of complicated taxa

With more twists than Stranger Things, the East Asian Artemisia isn't just a medicinal plant! New research shows its evolutionary history is full of genetic crossovers, hybridisations & ancient divergence! 🌍 🧪 👇
doi.org/10.1093/botl...
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#UpsideDown

Rafflesia arnoldii flower plate from Transactions of the Linnean Society, 1822.

Ahhh Rafflesia, the parasitic corpse flower...what's not to love? Known for their scent of rotting flesh, these Strange(r) Things can be found in the rainforests of South East Asia, and may remind you of a certain Demogorgon, henchmen of the upside down...

#StrangerThings #Demogorgon

I spy with my little eye, a brand new...butterfly?

Found hiding from Panama to Colombia, whole-genome sequencing uncovered this new species as part of the tribe Phocidini!

doi.org/10.1093/zool...
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What's that? You didn't know boxfish made sound? Me neither...

It turns out all species (Atlantic & Pacific) do, yet little is known about how this evolved. A novel structure found only in the Atlantic species offered the answer, but it isn't quite what you think...🌍 🧪

doi.org/10.1093/biol...

Weevil, weevil, rock you!

Not quite as catchy as the Queen hit, the phylogeny of broad-nosed weevils was explored using mitochondrial genomes of 130 species, helping to classify the subfamily & uncover their biogeography! 🌍👇🧪

doi.org/10.1093/zool...
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Phylogeny of Southeast Asian Mapania (Cyperaceae: Mapanioideae) using chloroplast sequence data Abstract. Mapania (Cyperaceae) is a pantropical genus associated with the forest understorey. Its evolutionary history and species delimitation are poorly

The pantropical genus Mapania is associated with forest understorey, yet its evolutionary history & species delimitation are poorly known. Here, DNA sequence data was used to change this, highlighting the need for further research to better protect this genus! 🌍 🧪 👇

This #FossilFriday marvel at the presence of Astropanax leaves & pollen in Ethiopia 21.73 million years ago, found in the Mush Valley, providing the earliest evidence for Araliaceae on the African continent! (around the time when ancient rhinos & horses began to evolve)🌍🧪
doi.org/10.1093/botl...

New Species Alert!

Two new species of the genus Cedrela from W Ecuador are described based on extensive comparative analysis, aiding in the classification of their conservation status! Both endangered by #Deforestation, this highlights the importance of continued research 👇
doi.org/10.1093/botl...

Effective conservation relies on accurate research, monitoring & understanding of species. Here, the first comprehensive IUCN Red List assessment of the High Atlas vascular flora has been done, helping to uncover extinction threats to endemic flora! 🧪 🌍 👇
doi.org/10.1093/botl...

As Alphaville famously sang...hummingbird-pollinated Costus flowers appear to stay forever young, keeping their juvenile traits through paedomorphosis, whilst bee-pollinated ones do not! 🧪 🌍 👇
doi.org/10.1093/botl...
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Origin and biogeographical history of Palaeotropical Piper (Piperaceae): multiple long-distance dispersals from South America initiated during the Middle Eocene climatic optimum Abstract. Piper is the largest genus of Piperaceae and second largest in the angiosperms, but the biogeography and timing of its global radiation has not y

Piper dispersed from South America first to Southern Africa, then on to South East Asia, where it spread across the Wallace & Lydekker's lines several times! Intrigued? The full paper can be found here: doi.org/10.1093/botl... (2/2) @linneansociety.bsky.social

Piper (no, not the magical man who tamed the rats) is the largest genus of Piperaceae & second largest angiosperm, yet its biogeography & global radiation still requires research. Here, phylogenetic analysis investigated divergence time, revealing it spread to mainland Africa twice! (1/2)🌍 🧪 👇

Are you as bromeli-MAD about bromeliads as us? Then you're in luck!
Following the success of our previous special issues, we're pleased to announce a new one on Bromeliaceae Evolution & Systematics! Keep an eye on our socials as we share papers over the next few weeks 🌍 🧪 👇
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A common wombat peeks out over green grass in Australia

It's #WombatDay! Famed for their cubed poop, these guys have surprisingly similar forelimb myology to koalas...helping to unravel their evolutionary past! Read about it below 👇🌍🧪
doi.org/10.1093/zool...
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Darwin's Darwin finches (the island is called Darwin, that's not a typo) have been variably described as either two species, or combined into just one. But what's right? As part of our #SpecialIssue on Evolution on Islands, Peter & Rosemary Grant took to answering this...(1/2) 🌍🧪

Natural selection, rather than sexual selection, plays a dominant role in the formation of body coloration in Drosophila suzukii Abstract. Drosophila suzukii is a globally distributed pest, and its body colour exhibits notable plasticity. Given the important roles of natural and sexu

Ahh, Drosophila suzukii, a global pest...and best dressed? Whilst fashion week is over, these guys really put the fly in fruit fly! Known for their body colour plasticity, the role of sexual vs natural selection on their colour diversity was investigated...check it out 👇🧪🌍🦟

Fruit structure and development in representatives of Iriarteeae (Arecaceae–Arecoideae) Abstract. With the aim of determining the plesiomorphic fruit type of Arecaceae–Arecoideae, we conducted a developmental carpological study of all five gen

Ever wondered in hard and woody fruits (like a cherry pit) or soft, unspecialised, berry-like fruits are the ancestral fruit-type in Arecoidea tropical palms? Well, you're in luck! Check out this paper to unravel this mystery...🌍🧪
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Ants, Acacias, and Breaking the Mould of Niche Conservatism Discover the latest news from The Linnean Society of London.

New Blog Day! 🐜📣

The acacia fruit doesn't fall far from the evolutionary tree in this new blog, written by guest blogger Josie Cooper! Ever wondered how plants defend themselves from plant-eating predators? In the case of swollen-thorn acacias, the answer is ants...a 🧵 (1/6) 🌍🧪

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Are you a PhD student ready to publish a paper? Submit your research to our journal today & enter one of our new journal prizes, celebrating PhD student work in #Botany! 🧪🌍👇
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Phylogenomics and intergenomic conflict in a challenging orchid clade (Calypsoinae): monophyly of Corallorhiza, paraphyly of Oreorchis, and resurrection of Kitigorchis Abstract. Heterotrophic plants are among the most recalcitrant from a systematics perspective because of reduced morphological and genomic features, and of

IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!

Not quite Frankenstein's monster, nuclear sequence capture was used on the orchid subtribe Calypsoinae, making a strong case for the resurrection of Kitigorchis as a sister to Corallorhiza! Read about it below 🌍🧪👇

Who you gonna call? EVOLUTIONARY SCIENTISTS!

Ghost species (no, not species of ghost) are extinct, unknown & unsampled taxa...and they vastly outnumber those included in phylogenetics. This hidden diversity can complicate phylogenetic signals of horizontal gene flow, impacting their study...(1/2)🧪

As a Learned Society, our journals provide vital income that funds our charitable endeavours and community engagement. By reviewing for us, you give back to our community and contribute to our mission of creating a world where nature is understood, valued, and protected. (2/2)

It's #PeerReviewWeek and what better opportunity exists to say a huge thank you to our excellent reviewers from across the globe. It is your hard work & commitment that enables us to continue publishing ground-breaking research in Biology, Botany, Evolution and Zoology. (1/2)

How widespread is pollination by sexual deception of fungus gnats in Pterostylis (Orchidaceae)? Abstract. Pollination by sexual deception has evolved multiple times in the Orchidaceae, with most known cases involving male Hymenoptera as pollinators. T

Did you know male wasps can get tricked by orchids into thinking they're females?

Pterostylis orchids use sexual deception as a pollination strategy, with fungus gnats (Diptera) falling victim, acting as the main pollinators of these deceptive plants! 🌍🧪👇
academic.oup.com/botlinnean/a...

Hybrid Day Meeting | Organismal Resilience in a Rapidly Changing World Join us at the Linnean Society for a one-day symposium focused on the mechanisms and consequences of variation in organismal resilience

Speaker Spotlight!

Today we're sharing molecular biologist Glenn Yannic, whose research focuses on the consequences of environmental & anthropogenic changes on the genetic diversity of alpine & arctic species.

Book to see Glenn Nov 20 🌍🧪👇
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Hybrid Day Meeting | Organismal Resilience in a Rapidly Changing World Join us at the Linnean Society for a one-day symposium focused on the mechanisms and consequences of variation in organismal resilience

Speaker Spotlight! 📣

Today we're highlighting Chloe Haberkorn, a biologist who specialises in evolutionary genomics, currently in yeast! Her PhD focused on resistance mechanisms in bed bugs (scream).

Come see Chloe on Nov 20 🧪🌍👇
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Diversity and leaflet anatomical characters evolution of Machaerium Pers. (Fabaceae – Faboideae) Abstract. Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Machaerium species have demonstrated overlapping morphological characters that delimit sections and/or clad

Machaerium species morphological characters can help delimit sections or clades, such as the width or shape of their leaflets! Here, their morphoanatomical characters were studied to understand their usefulness for taxonomy & classification! Read more below 🌍🧪👇

Fathers Out Of The Blue: Leatherback Turtles Take a DNA Test Discover the latest news from The Linnean Society of London.

New Blog Day! 📣

Who's your daddy? This is the question asked by guest blogger @katyakolesnykova.bsky.social, breaking down Gabriela Bispo & co's paper on leatherback turtle mating systems! A long-time mystery, DNA analysis revealed a surprising truth 🌍🧪👇 A 🧵 (1/6)

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