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K. Lauber & G. Wagner: FLORA HELVETICA; PauIHapt, Bern, Stuttgart, Wien, 1996, 1613pp., Price DEM 143.-, ATS 1058.-, SFR 128.-, ISBN 3-258-05407-X This book provides a very useful guide to identify the wild plants of the enormously rich Swiss flora, including naturalized and frequently-occurring aliens. Following an introductory section, the general part of the guide comprises 3750 colour photos of 3000 species. The short introduction contains chapters devoted to the taxonomic, nomenclatoric and chorological background used in this work. A key is also provided as a separate part of the book (covering 260 pages). The systematic part of the guide starts with the Huperzia selago, belonging to the family of Lycopodiaceae and closes with the Liparis loeselii (Orchidaceae). Each species is given a scientific name and authorship, the common names in German, French and Italian, and a morphological description including the most important diagnostic characters. The description of the families and the genera is omitted. Special paragraphs are devoted to the record of the degree of threat to individual taxa in Switzerland, and to very brief data on phenology, vertical distribution, and ecology. Species distribution in Switzerland is assigned using a special formula (percentage of occurrence of a single species in a square grid of Switzerland, derived from "Verbreitungsatlas ..." by WELTEN & SUTTER 1982). Each taxon account also includes a distribution map (based on that in "Verbreitungsatlas ..."). The total distribution area is noted as well (most of the species are characterized according to their connection to the particular geoelements). Ecological characteristics are classified by means of a five-degree scale shaped by Landolt especially for this book. Particular numerals present type of soil, soil reaction, degree of moisture, and light and temperature characteristics of typical habitats. Abbreviation for life form closes this formula. In addition, chromosome numbers are recorded for single species derived partly from the "Flora der Schweiz" by HESS et al. (1972), partly from OBERDORFER (1983): Pflanzensociologische Exkursionsflora and GOLBLADT,"Index of chromosome numbers" 1975-1978 and 1984-1985. Unfortunately, several errors in chromosome numbers have been noticed. For instance it should be mentioned that Myosotis caespitosa is an octoploid having a chromosome number of 2n=88 (not at all 2n=22) and M. scorpioides is a hexaploid with 2n=66 (not 2n=22) in the territory of Switzerland. The most frequent synonyms are only cited at the end of text paragraphs. High quality photos for each taxon have been included on the page opposite to the relevant text. In most cases, the photos are very illustrative, and fully document not only the overall appearance of species, but also the important diacritic characters. Nevertheless one must agree with most of the critical comments on some photos given by HOLUB (Preslia 69: 383-384, 1997) in his exhaustive review. Some additional reservations concerning the photos should be expressed. For instance, it is not possible to exactly distinguish on the photos Galium sylvaticum and G. aristatum, Myosotis sylvatica, M. decumbens and M. alpestris, Ballota nigra subsp. nigra and B. nigra subsp, foetida or Solidago gigantea and S. canadensis. One can hardly also identify Myosotis scorpioides or G. parisiense. The very brief but workable key given as a separate paper is an important ingredient of this book. The introductory chapter on morphology precedes the identification part of the key. The strictly dichotomous key contains usually only 2-3 diacritic characters. Comparing the names of taxa used with those given in the main book, one can record several discrepancies (e.g. Diphasium vs. Diphasiastrum, Aconitum ahissimum agg. vs. A. vulparia agg., Potentilla tabernaemontani vs. P. neumanniana, Lotus tenuis vs. L. glaber, Campanula rotundifolia subsp, bertolae vs. C. bertolae and others, all noticed by HOLUB 1997). Despite the above critical notes, this book represents a truly excellent treatment of the Swiss flora. It is recommended to anyone in need to identify plants from Switzerland and adjacent areas, or wishing to learn more about this extremely rich flora.

Jitka ~t~p=tnkov=t

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D.W. Taylor & L.J. Hickey (eds.): FLOWERING PLANT ORIGIN, EVOLUTION & PHYLOGENY; Chapman & Hall, New York, Albany, Bonn, etc., 1996, 403 pp. Price GPB 55.-, ISBN 0-412-05341-1 The presented book took shape at a symposium entitled '~I'he origin, early evolution, and phylogeny of Angiosperms" held at Ames, Iowa in 1993. Its aim was to continue in the tradition of symposia and their published volumes, such as "Origin and early evolution of Angiosperms" edited by C.B. BECK (1976), "Historical perspectives of Angiosperm evolution" edited by D.L. DILCHER & W.L. CREPET (Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 71 (2), 1984), and '¢I'he origins of Angiosperms and their biological consequences" edited by E.M. FRIIS et al. (1987). Like these volumes, the current one evaluates the recent research from fields of paleobotany, comparative morphology, development, and structural and molecular phylogeny. Two basic hypotheses were developed regarding the form of ancestral Angiosperms: (1) the "Magnolialean hypothesis", suggesting that the ancestral Angiosperm was a woody, arborescent plant with large, many-parted flowers; and the alternative (2) "Herbaceous origin hypothesis", which suggests that the ancestral Angiosperm was small in size and had many small few-parted flowers. As written in the introduction to this book, recent research has not only deepened our understanding of the Magnolialean hypothesis (several recent phylogenetic analyses support this hypothesis in some form), but has also considerably strengthened a competing view that pictures ancestral Angiosperm as a rhizomatous herb with small, simple flowers (in fact a number of phylogenetic analyses of the morphology and molecular sequences support this hypothesis). Alternative hypotheses for the origin of Angiosperms are compared in a paper by Loconte. Evidence for and implications of an herbaceous origin for Angiosperms are considered by Taylor and Hickey. A few chapters are devoted to the better understanding of the evolution of several distinctly angiospermous organs such as leaves (by Trivett and Pigg), carpels (by Taylor and Kirchner), and flowers (by Hickey and Taylor) by comparing data from the Angiosperms and outgroups such as gnetopsids, the closest living relatives of the Angiosperms. The new fossil genus Archaestrobilus and a new species Archaestrobilus cupulanthus described here by Comet possesses combination of characters shared with the extant Gnetales, the other characters seem to be more primitive. A study of such material might help in understanding the homologies among Angiosperms and their sister groups. Other chapters are devoted to the characters of the basal Angiosperms, namely the wood anatomy (by Carlquist) and pollen (by Brenner). The least specialized Angiosperms belong to four major groups: Magnolianae, Nympheanae, Rosanae (including Hamamelidanae), and Lilianae. They are discussed by Thorne. To elucidate relationships among representatives of "paleoherbs" (Aristolochiales, Piperales, Nymphaeales, and Liliopsida) floral development was used by Tucker and Douglas. Based on their results, authors suggest that paleoherbs are not monophyletic. Piperales (with dorsiventral/zygomorphic flowers lacking a perianth) and Monocotyledonae (with actinomorphic, trimerous flowers having a perianth) are each monophyletic and are sister groups. Molecular phylogenies are discussed by Systsma and Baum. They concluded that although the constitution of major angiosperm lineages is now becoming resolved, the basal branches and relationships among these lineages have inherently weak support. Their studies also suggest that taxon sampling issues may have large effects on the basal topology of Angiosperms as inferred from molecular data. The volume is completed by forty-six pages of references, a stratigraphic time scale of the important time periods for Angiosperm evolution, and by an index.

Karol Marhold A.M. Pridgeon, RJ. Cribb, M.W. Chase & F.N. Rasmussen (eds.): GENERA ORCHIDACEARUM 1. General introduction, Apostasioideae, Cypripedioideae; Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1999, 197 pp., 141 Figs. [8 distribution maps + 51 black-white photographs + 64 colourphotographs + 18 drawings], i l Tabs. Price GBP 45.-, ISBN 019-850513-2 Orchidaceae is the largest monocot family (with estimated 800 genera and 20,000 species distributed throughout all continents except Antarctica), but for a variety of reasons it remains one of the least understood. The early classifications and generic circumscriptions of the family which began to appear in the 19th century were based on floral morphology. In the 1960s authors began to introduce additional characters in this

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classification such as pollen or seed morphology, anatomy, and embryology. In the1980s, they also began to apply the principles of cladistics. Recently, many molecular studies (mainly DNA sequencing) of orchids have begun to appear bringing a new sight on orchid phylogeny. According to the authors the aim of "Genera Orchidaceamm" is to incorporate the wealth of this new molecular data in a "truly phylogenetic classification", "produce a more robust and natural account of the orchids at the generic level", "standardize and stabilize orchid generic taxonomy", and thus make this book "the authoritative orchid classification for years to come". "Genera Orchidacearum" is a result of a project based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in which tens of staff members, students, short- and long-term visitors, and also collaborators from around the world have participated (this volume contains 16 co-authors). The publication is anticipated in five volumes over a six-year period. The book is principally a systematic rather than broadly biological treatise, and therefore reviews of orchid physiology, tissue culture, and mycorrhiza are not included here. For the whole family, as well as for each subfamily and genus, the complete nomenclature and type citation, (morphological) description, distribution (with maps), treatments of anatomy, palynology, cytogenetics, phytochemistry, and phylogenetics are included. For each genus there are also data about the ecology and pollination as well as taxonomic notes, economic uses, cultivation, and a selected (taxonomic) bibliography. Each subfamily also contains an "artificial key" to the lower taxa. The book is arranged very clearly and the text is detailed, but easy and counterbalanced, enriched with a great number of excellent photographs and diagnostic drawings. I also value very high the concluding detailed glossary, the bibliography to the general part as well as the index to scientific names and the subject index. What might be controversial is the application of molecular methods and the tenets of cladistics into the orchid classification, as discussed in detail in the chapter "Molecular systematics, parsimony and orchid classification". Such application has sometimes led to the complete validation of the current system (e.g. in Cypripedioideae), but in some groups of orchids (e.g. Orchideae) has introduced numerous changes (e.g. subsuming Nigritella into Gymnadenia, Coeloglossum into Dactylorhiza or splitting Orchis s.l. and placing some groups of species into Anacamptis and Neotinea). However in other cases such application requires massive reorganization of generic limits (e.g. in Oncidiinae, Pleurothallidinae and Habenariinae). However, as concluded by the authors "Such approaches have long been needed.., to propel the family back into the forefront of modem evolutionary studies in all fields of scientific inquiry". I think, this book is the first successful step to meet this aim and I cordially recommend it to the attention of all lovers of orchids as well as plant systematists.

Pavol Mered'a

C. Stace: FIELD FLORA OF THE BRITISH ISLES; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,

1999, xiii + 736 pp. Price GBP 17.95, USD 39.95, ISBN 0-521-65315-0 Field floras are always very helpful tools for hobbists and professional botanists. Even those who do not need them in the field any more often tend to collect and peruse them. Since the Stace's "New flora of the British Isles" (2nd edition in 1997; cf. KAPLAN 1998), a standard reference book on the flora of the British Isles, was abridged, revised and presented in the form of a portable field guide, these people have an opportunity to enrich their libraries with another valuable piece. The introductory chapter contains all the necessary information essential for users. The scope of the taxa included in the book is defined as follows: all native taxa, naturalized or frequently recurrent aliens, field-crops or forestry crops, or, for trees only, ornamentals planted on a large scale. The author's intent was "to include all taxa that the plant hunter might reasonably be able to find 'in the wild' in any one year" (p. ix). The nomenclature was taken from the 2nd edition of "New flora of the British Isles" with some minor changes only. Further, information on the structure of the keys, on possible sources of mistaken identification, and on the choice of illustrations can be found in the introductory part of the book. The most important part of a field flora is the keys. In the Stace's book, the keys are divided into three sections: Pteridophytes (including Lycopodiopsida, Equisetopsida, and Pteridopsida), Pinopsida, and Magnoliopsida. In Pteridophytes and Pinopsida, identification goes directly via genera, but in the latter, a key to families was also added. In Pinopsida and Magnoliopsida, each family is then provided with a key to genera and so on. In order to avoid long and daunting keys in genera/species-rich groups, the author produced a general

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key to two or even more main groups, and then separated keys for each of the groups. All the species keys are dichotomous except for the multi-access one built for Cotoneaster. No separate morphological descriptions are provided for species and subspecies, and only information on growth habit, habitat, and distribution is provided at the end of the species entry. Apomictic microspecies are included in most genera except for Rubus, Hieracium, and Taraxacum in which identification to sections is provided instead. Compared to "New Flora...", the number of illustrations was substantially reduced. Only those illustrations essential for identification, photographs and drawings, were kept such as fruiting tepals of Rumex, leaves of Salix, fruits of Apiaceae, leaf-apices in Potamogeton and utricles of Carex. Some special terms with restricted use in one or few families are explained directly when describing the corresponding family, those more general in the Glossary. Index of the book contains both scientific and common generic names. Just one remark concerning the taxonomic treatment of a particular group: Koeleria glauca (SCHRADER) DC., reported by SELL & MURREL (1996) as occurring "throughout the British Isles" does not appear in the book under review. Is this because of a different taxonomic opinion of Prof. Stace or is it just an omission? The book under review has a clear typeset in a compact format, is printed on superior-quality paper and, in general, has a practical design including the cover, and, what is most important, seems to contain concise and reliable information. All of these are prerequisites for a flora to become a favourite field guide.

References KAPLAN Z. (1998): [Review] Clive Stace, New Flora of the British Isles. Second Edition, Cambridge 1997. Folia Geobot. 33: 371-372. SELL P. & MURREL G. (1996): Flora of Great Britain and Ireland 5. Butomaceae-Orchideaceae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Ji~i Danihelka P.M. Jorgensen & S. Le6n-Ydnez (eds.): CATALOGUE OF THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF ECUADOR. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden, voI. 7 5 ; Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, 1999, viii + 1181 pp. Price USD 85.-, ISBN 0-915297-60-6 Results of three centuries of botanical exploration in mainland Ecuador and in the Galhpagos Islands are summarized in the "Catalogue of the vascular plants of Ecuador". Preparation of the book was based at the Missouri Botanical Garden, a leader in botanical research in the Neotropics, and it was elaborated as a cooperative effort between four botanical institutions. The Catalogue is a result of six-years work during which the authors and their collaborators compiled data from various herbaria, electronic databases, literature, and other sources. The very first steps towards the Catalogue, however, were made already by the senior author in his dissertation thesis elaborated several years before; this work later resulted in the checklist of seed plants of the Ecuadorian high Andes (AAU Reports 34). This Catalogue complements the series of previously published catalogues and checklists which have been prepared for several other countries of the Neotropical region. The book consists of two parts. The first part contains introductory chapters which start with a summary of environmental settings, i.e. geography, geology, and (paleo)climate. Additional chapters in this part provide brief descriptions of the fourteen vegetation types which have been recognized in Ecuador, and an excellent review of the history of botanical collecting in the country. Finally, the enormous amount of gathered data about the Ecuadorian flora is analyzed by a comparison of the floristic composition and diversity between various regions of Ecuador, and between altitudinal zones. The second part of the book is the species checklist which, together with the index of synonyms and the index of families and genera, covers about one thousand pages. The checklist starts with Pteridophytes and continues with Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, within these categories the families, genera and species are treated in alphabetical order. It should be noted that more than 230 specialists participated in the preparation and/or revision of species lists of the families. Altogether 15,901 species of vascular plants have been recorded, and an additional 186 species can be expected to occur within the territory of Ecuador, one of the smallest countries on the South American continent. Of the total number, 15,306 species are native to this country and 595 species are considered introduced. It has been found that about one in four species is endemic to Ecuador.

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Each species treated in the checklist is provided with its synonym(s), literature reference(s) used by the authors to evaluate the taxon, a list of infraspecific taxa known to occur in Ecuador, the species' habit inferred from the voucher labels, information about the taxon's status in the country (i.e. native, endemic, introduced, and cultivated), and geographical and altitudinal distributions in Ecuador. One representative voucher is cited for each species, and if the taxon was described from material collected in Ecuador, the type specimen is provided. The book is the first comprehensive list of species for one of the most diverse countries in the Neotropics. By summarizing available data, the Catalogue represents an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of the (Neo)tropical flora, and will be an important source of information not only for scientists, but also for conservationists and natural resource administrators. A careful reader of this book, however, will be surprised to find some editorial errors which are not expected in a book by such a prestigious publisher as the Missouri Botanical Garden Press; e.g. lines are missing in the English text on pages 41-42. Captions of some figures are too brief and the figures are thus fully understandable only with reference to the main text. The graphical quality of the figures is not very high. Moreover, with the symbols used some figures are in fact unreadable (Fig. 9B). A closer examination of some results suggests that the data were treated by specialists in plant taxonomy rather than by ecologists. Though data analyses certainly were not the main goal of the book, some of the results could have been presented in a more straightforward way, e.g. the species-area curve seems to be better interpreted as a log-normal rather than log-log relationship (Fig. 5). The highest value of this book is, however, the immense amount of information contained in the species list. Despite the fact that the checklist could be updated almost every single day since its publication as the botanical research in Ecuador proceeds, the book will certainly be a starting point for all plant taxonomists and ecologists who would do research in this country. A very strong point of the book is also the bilingual version, i.e. English and Spanish, of the introductory chapters which will make the book available to much broader spectrum of readers, especially those from Latin America.

Petr Sklendf K. Jong: LABORATORY MANUAL OF PLANT CYTOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 1997, 87 pp. Price not given, ISBN 1-872291-42-2 The main aim of this manual is to guide in making chromosome preparations and observations in practice, although the inevitable theoretical information is also provided. Originally, the manual has accompanied a practical training Course held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. In 1997, the draft version was used at the Jodrell Laboratory, where the Kew Garden Basic Cytology Course was organized. The high quality of the manual under review is supported by this fact, because the Jodrell Laboratory in Kew is one of the top karyological laboratories in the world. However, many original techniques for making squash preparations of plant chromosomes were published more than 50 years ago. In spite of this, they are still used successfully with specific modifications developed in particular laboratories. The schedules, sometimes modified for particular taxonomic groups, are usually described briefly in published biosystematic studies. As good modem publications focused on karyology in practice are still rare, the manual under review is undoubtedly welcome. The manual contains selected schedules for preparating and staining chromosomes (including marginally the chromosome banding) suitable for a range of plant groups. The schedules are accompanied with preparative recipes. Moreover, several modernized methods, which help in the process of chromosome preparation, are given here (e.g. for making slides permanent or for enzymatic softening of meristematic tissues). The separate chapters are devoted to karyotype analysis (including computer-assisted analysis) and to meiotic studies. The importance both of appropriate records of microscopic observations, and of keeping voucher herbarium specimens is pointed out. Users of the manual will also find here a strategy recommended for "problem" plant groups, which are known to be technically more difficult than others. The strategy for karyological examination of new material (where the previous technical experience with some related species is lacking) is also proposed. The basic literature recommended includes about forty references, involving cytological techniques, general references on cytology and cytotaxonomy, and references on published chromosome numbers. Users also have adequate space (approximately one-third of page) for making their own notes. The manual can be profoundly recommended to students as well as to specialists beginning with karyological studies on vascular plants. Even an experienced karyologist can find useful technical tricks here and new

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variants of recipes for chromosome preparation. This manual clearly shows what should comprise a course of basic plant karyology, held at any laboratory in the world.

Anna Krahulcova J.R.I. Wood: A HANDBOOK OF THE YEMEN FLORA; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1997, vi + 474 pp. Price GBP 75.-, ISBN 1-900347-31-8 John Wood lived and worked in North Yemen for six years. He explored all parts of that area searching for and collecting plants. His wide knowledge of the rich Yemen flora is reflected in the reviewed work. The book is the first full account of the higher plants of North Yemen, the former Yemen Arab Republic. It aims to describe the state of knowledge in this country with the highest rainfall and most varied scenery in the Arabian Peninsula. It includes descriptions of all 1,750 species of ferns and flowering plants known to occur naturally in the region, including trees, shrubs and grasses. In addition, descriptions of all commonly-cultivated species are provided and particular attention is given to species of economic importance. The distribution and ecology of each species within Yemen is given. Identification of the plants is enabled by the dichotomous keys. More than 40 plants are illustrated in colour by Hugo Haig-Thomas and many others line drawings were prepared by three other artists. The pictures are drawn from plants growing in Yemen and most of them have never been illustrated before. Separate chapters are devoted to the history of botanical exploration of the Yemen Flora, delimitation of topographical regions recognized in the book, descriptions of climate, geological conditions, influence of man and his domestic animals, and, finally, the vegetation of Yemen and the phytogeographical composition of the Yemen flora. Appendices include lists of Arabic plant names and poisonous plants together with a gazetteer of localities and selected bibliography providing references to sources of further information on various aspects of the Yemen flora. It is hoped that the publication of the Flora will encourage further botanical research in the Yemen. As the author himself states, many gaps remain to be filled and huge areas of Yemen are poorly-known botanically. Many groups of plants are incompletely known and further collecting and taxonomic research of these plants are needed. The author preferred to describe insufficiently known plants under a provisional informal designation (e.g. Grewia sp. A) rather than introduce new names in taxonomically extremely complex groups or report names based on material inadequate for safe determination. This caution must be greatly appreciated because it makes the book a reliable source of information.

Zden~)kKaplan M.G. Barbour & W.D. Billings (eds.): NORTH AMERICAN TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION, ed. 2; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000, 708 pp., Price GBP 29.95, USD 49.95, ISBN 0-521-55986-3 paperback The terrestrial vegetation of the Noah American subcontinent and of the Hawaiian Islands is outlined by 28 co-authors (incl. the editors) in 18 chapters of this book. Vegetation is divided into major vegetation types (formations or dominance types). The description of individual vegetation types, starting with the arctic tundra and finishing with the tropical and subtropical vegetation, has a similar arrangement. In the introduction the distribution of the biome type is presented on a map and the climatic and soil conditions are characterized. The subdivision of the biome to main vegetation types based usually on dominant species and environmental conditions follows. However, information on more local vegetation types is often included. The floristic composition is described in the text or in tables containing the most important (usually dominant) species. Information on stand dynamics, autecological features of dominant species, paleoecological events, on disturbance and human use of plant communities as well as on conservation is often included. Areas for future research are indicated at the end of each chapter and a list of relevent references is added. The text of each chapter is illustrated by many tables, figures and black-and-white photos. The book is closed by a subject and a species index.

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This book is a good source of general information on terrestrial vegetation of North America especially for advanced American students, but also for specialists in practical ecology, nature conservation and land management. However, as the vegetation analysis by the Ziirich-Montpellier methods is not applied by the American authors no analytical vegetation data, which can be used by botanists of other continents for further synthesis and comparison, are presented or cited in this book.

Jaroslav Moravec W.L. Wagner & V.A. Funk (eds.): HAWAIIAN BIOGEOGRAPHY. Evolution on a hot spot a r c h i p e l a g o ; Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 1995, 467 pp. Price GBP 18.75, ISBN 1-56098-463- ~ There are only a few places in the world as attractive for evolutionary biologists as the Hawaiian Islands. Over the past decades, an extensive biological research has concentrated on the five larger and several smaller islands with a total area just under 17,000 km 2. The reviewed book is an important step in the effort to explain the evolutionary history of plants and animals in Hawaii. For the first time a collection of papers is presented showing the evolutionary history of numerous lineages, based on cladistic and molecular approaches, and chromosome data. A synthesis based on the knowledge of about 15 unrelated taxonomical groups, combined with the modem views of geological history of the archipelago, makes the evolutionary scenario convincing, in spite of particular inconsistencies between the results based on individual groups. What is special with the Hawaiian Islands? First, the islands belonging to this chain first appeared about 80 million years ago. Individual islands were consequently formed as volcanoes situated above a fixed "hot spot". They grew fast at the beginning but later eroded, subsidenced, and finally disappeared during their slow movement towards the NW, following the Pacific tectonic plate, at a speed of about 90 m per millennium. The oldest islands were completely eroded a long time ago, others exist at present as small reefs. These islands cannot support typical terrestrial biota any more. Much of the current diversity of the Hawaiian Islands is concentrated on 5 large islands. The oldest one is in the NW and is about 5 million years-old. The youngest and largest one is also the highest, with a maximum altitude of about 4200 m. However, another volcano, called Lo'ihi, is still 950 m below sea level. K-Ar ages of individual islands are known, and island size and maximum altitude development in time have been estimated. Due to the exceptional isolation of the archipelago from all directions (the nearest continent being more than 3500 km away) plants and animals rarely arrived here (mostly from N America), and much of the current diversity is based on in situ species radiations. However, due to the transient nature of the islands within the archipelago only those organisms have survived until recent time, which either colonized the archipelago relatively recently (not many, except for the recent invaders introduced by humans) or were able to spread to other islands after the site of their establishment disappeared due to the island subsidence and erosion. This scenario is particularly interesting because by using cladistics and molecular markers the step-by-step colonization of taxa belonging to particular clades can be reconstructed. Finally, as the same approach can be used in several taxonomic groups the overall pattern can be shown and more general conclusions about the evolutionary history of biotas in the archipelago can be delineated. The reviewed book consists of 17 chapters written by 24 authors, in total, exclusively from the USA. After the introduction by Sherwin Carlquist, one of the leaders in island biology research over the past four decades, geology and biogeography of the Hawaiian Islands is described. Ciadistic methods are introduced in the next chapter. A similar chapter devoted to DNA markers is unfortunately missing. The following 13 chapters deal with individual taxonomic groups, particularly with crickets, fruit flies, Sarona bugs, spiders of the genus Tetragnatha, honeycreepers, selected ancient plant lineages (Hibiscadelphus, Remya, Hesperomannia, Argyroxiphium and Wilkesia, Kokia, Platydesma and Geranium), plants belonging to genera Tetramolophium, Schiedea and Alsinidendron, giant rosette composites of the genus A rgyroxiphium, two genera of Campanulaceae (Cyanea and Clermontia) and Scaevola species. In nine cases cladistics was used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees, in one study polytene chromosomes were used (Drosophila), and in five studies mitochondrial, chloroplast or nuclear (ITS) DNA was utilized. Cladistics and mtDNA analyses were combined in two studies. The last chapter by the editors compares the patterns discovered for individual groups, and the results are synthesized. As one could expect the most frequent dispersal followed the decreasing age of the islands with a few back-dispersal events and some radiations within a single island (usually accompanied with habitat shifts). In

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most cases it is impossible to identify any current island as that to which predecessors of current species arrived, because those islands have already been eroded or have sunk below sea level. This fact, rarely discussed in individual chapters (but see the chapter by Givnish et al. on Cyanea, for example) could complicate the pattern if back-dispersal played some role. Another complication is caused by the fact that many of the species originating on the Hawaiian Islands became extinct due to their inability to disperse over the sea from the eroded and sunken island or due to human disturbance, which was severe as of the 12th century (for example 50% of land snail species appear to be extinct now). How does this fact affect the outcome of the analyses? There are a few examples in the book showing that our current view would be flattened and simplified without the knowledge of the extinct species. However, in arthropods, for example, we know very little about the extinct species. The book brings selected examples of evolutionary history of the Hawaiian biota together, and clearly shows what are the avenues for future research. The combination of cladistic and DNA analyses seems to be a promising and fruitful approach. It is convincingly shown how the overall pattern can be detected using a comparison of independent species lineages. Let's hope that similar effort will spread from the Hawaiian Islands to other areas where a combination of the above approaches may help to solve some of the old and still unresolved puzzles.

Leo.~ Klime.~

U. Kirschbaum & V. Wirth: F L E C H T E N E R K E N N E N - L U F T G U T E BESTIMMEN;

Eugen

Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1995, 128 pp., 73 colour photographs, 15 Figs., 4 Tabs. Price DEM 19.80, ATS 155.-, ISBN 3-8001-3477-2 The use of lichens to indicate air pollution is well-known, and a large amount of papers have been published on this topic until now. The development of methods broadly used by non-specialists was one of the ideas of bioindication. However, a majority of studies was performed by iichenologists, because the knowledge of lichens and their identification is often necessary, and rather difficult for non-specialists. The best way how to reveal the uncommon and unsuspected beauty of the lichen world is through colour photography. The high quality of colour photographs of lichens in the recently-published books is no longer rare, and the starting point for this standard was the publication of"Die Flechten Baden-Wiirttembergs" by V. WIRTH in 1987. Some of the photographs used in the presented book by Kirschbaum & Wirth are the same as in the first or second editions (1995) of the Wirth's book. The introductory texts deal with lichen biology and ecology, mapping methods, and important information for the practical treatment of lichens: collection and namely identification. The main diagnostical characters (thallus colour, morphology, anatomy) and methods (spot tests) are discussed. A special part contains a key for determining lichens in 4 groups according to thallus morphology. The determination key includes 120 lichen species, i.e. two times more than the indicator species included in the book. A glossary, a table of colour reactions of lichens, references, and an index of lichen names are appended. The most important part of the book presents 60 indicator lichen species: their colour photographs and namely comments. Synoptical texts include separate paragraphs on description of morphological characters, chemical reactions, differential characters from other similar species, and ecology. The paragraph dealing with ecology is often rather short, but it brings a lot of information on substrate, sensitivity to light, humidity (precipitation), bark pH, eutrophication and air pollution. Sensitivity to the last five factors is given as an indicator value (Zeigerwerte) on a 9-degree scale. Information on frequency of each species is also appended. This relatively small and thin book is rich in well-arranged information. Any student of biology as well as people interested in bioindication, applied ecology, and nature conservation will find here important data which are usually dispersed in a huge amount of special literature. Brilliant photographs are not only illustrative for identifying species, but also impressive for potential friends of lichens.

Ji~i Uika

Bookreviews

223

J.-G. Knoph, K. Schr0fer & H.J.M. Sipman (eds.): STUDIES IN LICHENOLOGY WITH EMPHASIS ON CHEMOTAXONOMY, GEOGRAPHY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY. Festschrift Christian Leuckert - Bibliotheca Lichenologica Bd. 57; J. Gramer, Berlin, Stuttgart, 1995, 476 pp., 204 Figs., 20 Tabs. Price DEM 180.-, 1SBN 3-443-58036-X Lichenology has changed considerably over the last decades. The juvenilization of this rather sedate discipline began with the activities of a strong generation of lichenologists born between both World Wars. A tradition of "Festschrift" as an honour to great personalities of lichenology is convenient way how to recognize their contribution to the field and represents useful and important part of the lichenological literature. Professor Leuckert (born in 1930) is a specialist in lichen chemistry and chemotaxonomy. The "Festschrift" was prepared by his students from the Free University of Berlin. The volume includes 28 contributions on various aspects of lichenology. Some papers are devoted, of course, to lichen chemistry. N. Arnold and J. Poelt analyzed the antraquinones of several species of the lichen genus Xanthoria, J. Elix and R. Naidu identified two new dibenzofurans, and S. Huneck, J. Schmidt and V. Alstrup studied lichen substances from subfossil and recent specimens of Umbilicaria cylindrica. J.-G. Knoph examined the secondary lichen substances of 9 Lecidella species using the HPLC method. R. Tabacchi, G. Tsoupras and P. Allemand used a special powerful method of tandem mass spectrometry to identify triterpenes in Evernia prunastri. The importance of chemical pattem in Pseudocyphelaria (17 patterns in total) for tendency to host high numbers of lichenicolous fungi and a potential utility in the study of evolutionary relationships is discussed by S. Kondratyuk and D. Galloway. Contributions to lichen taxonomy are also presented in this volume, e.g. studies in Trichotheliales, ordo novus by J. Hafellner and K. Kalb, and studies on the generaAdelolecia (H. Hertel and G. Rambold), Physcidia (K. Kalb and J. Elix), Rinodina (M. Giralt and H. Mayrhofer). An important critical revision of Antarctic lichens described by C.W. Dodge is presented by M. Castello and P. Nimis. Many new taxa are described by various authors, and some of them are dedicated to Prof. Leuckert. Papers on lichen ecology are also included in the volume, especially on lichen-substratum interactions. M. Pintaric, R. Tiirk and T. Peer investigated the total amount of Ca, Mg and K in different lichen thalli and their substrata collected on calcareous and siliceous sites. M. Seaward et al. used the FT-Raman spectra to study the thallus-substratum ecrustations of the lichen Haematomma ochroleucum var. porphyrium. V. Wirth and M. Heklau investigated altitudinal distribution and the substrate choice of different Lepraria species. A statistical analysis was based on more than 1000 samples investigated by the TLC method. Significant differences in the altitudinal distribution were evident. Also different preferences/elimination of some types of phorophytes were typical for various Lepraria species. These results are excellent examples of how ecological data contribute to lichen taxonomy: they can support arguments for the recognition of taxa separated mainly on basis of differences in lichen chemistry, especially in the case of insufficient morphological differentiating characters.

Jirf Li~ka K.J. Gaston & T.M. Blackburn: PATTERN AND PROCESS IN MACROECOLOGY; Blackwell Science, Oxford, 2000, xii + 377pp. Price 39.50, ISBN 0-632-05653-3 Macroecology is concerned with understanding the abundance and distribution of species on large spatial and temporal scales. This newly-established discipline of ecological biology represents an intersection of several fields, including ecology, biogeography and macroevolution. Many of the analytical tools required for macroecological analyses are only crudely developed, and our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the macroecological patterns is still poor. Manipulation experiments cannot be used in macroecological studies, and macroecologists principally employ comparative methodology. This book is concerned with the structure of regional (i.e. large-scale) assemblages or communities, and with the influence this structure must have on local (i.e. small-scale) assemblages (or communities). It centres on the birds of Britain, as an exemplary assemblage with which to explore macroecological patterns and processes. The avifauna of Eastern Wood, a small oak woodland in the southern English county of Surrey, is taken as a starting point and exemplar local assemblage. Then, patterns at regional scales are investigated in

224

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order to reveal how they influence the structure of local assemblages. The macroecological perspective is thus related to the everyday experience of local sites. The introductory chapter attempts to explain the macroecological approach and perspective. Each of the four subsequent chapters concern one of the principal macroecological variable, i.e. species richness, range size, abundance, and body size. The final chapter is a synthesis drawing out some of the implications. Throughout the book the authors aims are threefold: (l) To draw attention to macroecological patterns in assemblage structure. (2) To identify how these macroecological patterns relate to local assemblage structure. (3) To demonstrate links between different macroecological patterns. The book is written in a clear style, and is an excellent comprehensive synopsis of research done in the respective field in the last years. The origin and rise of macroecology have been conditioned by successive accumulation of numerous distributional and ecological data collected within large groups of organisms that are distributed over large areas. Such detailed knowledge is obviously available in only certain, well-studied taxa, and birds have logically become the most-suitable animal model group for macroecological studies. Further research and data comparisons are needed to demonstrate that the macroecological patterns revealed in birds are universal, and not just the macroecological patterns in birds. This book provides much inspiration for such promising investigations. Jan Zima

E. Dahh THE PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN EUROPE; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1998, 297 pp. Price GBP 60.-, USD 95.-, ISBN 0-521-38358-7 hardback Eilif Dahl (1916-1993) belonged to the most prominent geobotanists of Scandinavia. His scientific interests were unusually broad: flowering plants, lichens, mosses, geobotany, plant physiology, ecology, bioclimatology, soil science, mathematics, etc. "The phytogeography of Northern Europe" is his last work, summarizing his deep knowledge of the Scandinavian vegetation, its history and ecology. The book is divided into 10 chapters: Introduction, Climate, Edaphic factors, The geological history of the present European flora, The atlantic and oceanic element, The thermophilic element, The boreal element, The arctic, alpine and montane elements, Endemic, disjunct and centric distribution patterns, Anthropochorous plants. Among the five appendices the first one is important: Calculation of climatic parameters for comparison with plant distributional data. Most authors studying phytogeography use comparative methods. They prepare maps of distribution of individual plant species or their groups and compare them e.g. with isotherms or other isolines. But the correlation is not a causal relation. Dahl on the other hand studied the physiology of plants in question to find their reaction to environmental conditions under extreme situations in the summer or winter season. A good example of such studies is his approach to the problem of the alpine timberline. During photosynthesis plants accumulate plenty of raw material like carbohydrates, amino-acids, fats, etc. which must be transformed into new tissues, in trees especially in wood meristem, and for this, new energy is needed. The energy supply from respiration is the rate limiting factor for growth at low temperatures. A temperature of at least l0 °C for three months is needed for the normal growth of spruce to occur. A similar situation occurs in other trees on their upper limit of distribution. So the timberline of spruce in mountains, as well of the Scotch pine, birch or even Eucalyptus or Nothofagus is caused by similar ecophysiological conditions everywhere. Eilif Dahl opened this book with an original and very promising chapter in phytogeography: The ecophysiological plant geography.

Emil Hada~