<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiostoma</Emphasis> species associated with bark beetles infesting three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species in Nikko,Japan

Ophiostoma species were isolated from bark beetles and Abies mariesii, A. veitchii and A. homolepis attacked by the beetles in Nikko, Tochigi, central Honshu, Japan. One to two Ophiostoma species were frequently isolated from each species of bark beetle. Ophiostoma subalpinum was the most common associate of Cryphalus montanus. Ophiostoma sp. B as well as O. subalpinum was a common fungus associated with Polygraphus proximus. Ophiostoma europhioides was isolated from Dryocoetes hectographus and D. autographus as one of the common associates. Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S were frequently isolated from D. autographus and D. striatus, respectively. These fungi seem to have specific relationships with particular bark beetles. Ophiostoma sp. B, Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S have unique morphological characteristics and appear to be new species. Five trees of A. veitchii, approximately 43 years old, were inoculated with five Ophiostoma species to assess the relative virulence of the fungi. Ophiostoma subalpinum, Ophiostoma sp. B, and O. europhioides had relatively higher virulence than the other species studied.     

Parasitic Ichneumonoidea on the horse chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Slovakia

Parasitic Hymenoptera from the suprafamily Ichneumonoidea attacking the horse chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) were studied in southwest Slovakia during 2000 and 2001. The search for such species resulted in the determination of eight ichneumonid species, Gelis agilis (Fabricius), Itoplectis alternans (Gravenhorst), I. clavicornis (Thompson), I. maculator (Fabricius), Scambus annulatus (Kiss), S. brevicornis (Gravenhorst), Zatypota percontatoria (Müller), Adelognathus sp. and a braconid Colastes braconius Haliday. The most abundant species was S. annulatus. All these species recorded are polyphagous and often facultative hyperparasitoids, except C. braconius, which departs from this norm in not being hyperparasitic. The presence of more diversified native parasitoids and hyperparasitoids from the Ichneumonoidea predicate a slow successive adaptation of the parasitoid fauna to the invasive host, Cameraria ohridella.     

The potential use of different predatory bug species in the biological control of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Frankliniella occidentalis</Emphasis> (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

In the present study, the suitability of different predatory bug species, such as Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner, Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), Orius albidipennis Reuter, Orius majusculus Reuter and Orius sauteri Poppius, for the biological control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were investigated. Development of the predatory bug species, their reproduction as well as their daily and total prey consumption over a 18-day period with F. occidentalis larvae or various stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) individuals as prey species were studied during the experiments in the laboratory. In further experiments, the efficiency of D. tamaninii, M. pygmaeus, O. albidipennis and O. majusculus in controlling F. occidentalis under glasshouse conditions was investigated. Results showed that all the predators could develop under the experimental conditions with either F. occidentalis larvae or different stages of T. urticae as prey. When F. occidentalis larvae were offered as prey, the shortest duration of development was observed for O. albidipennis with a mean of 17.7 days, while D. tamaninii took the longest to develop with a mean of 36.3 days. With different stages of T. urticae as prey, the duration of development ranged from 19.3 days in O. albidipennis to 42.9 days in M. pygmaeus. Mean daily fecundity ranged from 0.8 eggs/female for O. majusculus to 2.2 eggs/female for O. sauteri with F. occidentalis larvae as prey and from 0.6, O. majusculus, to 2.3 eggs/female/day, O. sauteri, when different stages of T. urticae were offered as prey. Over the 18-day reproduction period, O. sauteri was the most fecund predatory species, laying a mean total of 31.6 and 31.3 eggs/female with F. occidentalis and T. urticae as prey, respectively. Daily consumption from F. occidentalis larvae ranged between 5.5 individuals consumed per day by O. majusculus and 29.1, by O. sauteri. When different stages of T. urticae were offered as prey, maximal consumption was observed in D. tamaninii with a mean of 29.0 individuals/day, while O. albidipennis consumed the least with an average of 8.1 preys/day. Over the 18-day prey consumption period, D. tamaninii consumed the highest mean number of 422.8 F. occidentalis larvae, while O. majusculus only consumed 98.8 larvae. Also, D. tamaninii had the maximum consumption of different stages of T. urticae with a mean of 522.4, while M. pygmaeus and O. albidipennis consumed the least, with an average of 146.1 and 146.0, respectively. The predatory bugs D. tamaninii, M. pygmaeus, O. albidipennis and O. majusculus significantly reduced the density of F. occidentalis on hybrids of Euphorbia milii, Serissa foetida and Saintpaulia ionantha in the glasshouse, which confirms their efficiency against this pest on different hosts under controlled climatic conditions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bursaphelenchus mucronatus</Emphasis> (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) vectored by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monochamus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">urussovi</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Hokkaido,Japan

Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya et Enda has been recovered for the first time from adults of the cerambycid beetle, Monochamus urussovi (Fischer), in Hokkaido, Japan. The nematode was also recovered from the inner bark of Picea jezoensis (Siebold et Zuccarini) Carrière and Abies sachalinensis (Fr Schmidt) Masters infested with M. urussovi larvae. PCR–RFLP analysis indicated that B. mucronatus in Hokkaido is the European type.     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth and Mycorrhizal Dependency of Acacia mangium Willd. Inoculated with Three Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Lateritic Soil

Three VA-mycorrhizal fungi; Glomus occultum, Glomus aggregatum (local isolates) and G. mosseae (strain from Bangalore, India) were inoculated to assess their effect on growth of Acacia mangium in lateritic soil. All inoculations enhanced growth with respect to shoot height, root diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll content and biomass of A. mangium significantly compared to uninoculated control seedlings. G. occultum proved most efficient among the three. The mycorrhizal dependency factor indicated that the growth of A. mangium was 57% dependent on G. occultum, 47% on G. mosseae and 46% on Glomus aggregatum.     

Efficacy of modified diatomaceous earth on different cockroach species (Orthoptera, Blattellidae) and silverfish (Thysanura, Lepismatidae)

Defined populations of American (Periplaneta americana), German (Blattella germanica), and Oriental (Blatta orientalis) cockroaches, and silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) were observed after exposure to deposits (25 g/m²) of a new 1,1,1–trimethyl-N-trimethylsilane-modified, highly hydrophobic diatomaceous earth (DE) formulation by using a computer-aided device measuring motility, circadian rhythm, and mortality under defined environmental and climatic field-simulating and exposure-enforced conditions. In a humid climate (85% relative humidity) with water and food offered ad libitum, complete population eradication could be achieved on the sixth day against B. germanica, on the eighth day against P. americana, and on the ninth day against L. saccharina, respectively. No population eradication occurred within 10 days of exposure when testing B. orientalis, showing a mean survival rate of 29.4 ± 6.7 % of the populations. When comparing the species-specific mortality rates with the results obtained from corresponding reference control groups, significantly higher mortality rates could be observed in B. germanica (F = 66; df = 52; P < 0.00001), P. americana (F = 344; df =66; P < 0.00001), L. saccharina (F = 253; df = 24; P < 0.00001), and B. orientalis (F = 422; df = 11; P < 0.00001). Overall, the efficacy of the hydrophobised DE examined ranked as follows: B. germanica > P. americana (F = 51; df = 24; P < 0.00001) > L. saccharina (F = 43; df = 24; P < 0.00001) >> B. orientalis (F = 9; df = 15; P < 0.000001). DE exposure resulted in complete disruption of the circadian activity in B. germanica and P. americana, but not when tested against B. orientalis, where the species-specific circadian motility peak was still preserved at lower levels after 10 days of exposure. In contrast to the cockroach species examined, no specific circadian rhythm could be measured in the L. saccharina control and treatment groups. Results indicate that hydrophobised DE originating from freshwater diatoms modified with 1,1,1-trimethyl-N-trimethylsilane can be successfully used for the control of infestations with German and American cockroaches as well as silverfish, but not against Oriental cockroaches. It is concluded that species-specific morphological, physiological and behavioural characteristics of insects influencing DE efficacy as well as the toxicological risk of modified DE to humans deserve further investigation.     

Growth, nitrogen fixation and mineral acquisition of Alnus sieboldiana after inoculation of Frankia together with Gigaspora margarita and Pseudomonas putida

The role of tetrapartite associations among Frankia, Gigaspora margarita (an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus), Pseudomonas putida (rhizobacterium), and Alnus sieboldiana in growth, nitrogen fixation, and mineral acquisition of A. sieboldiana was investigated. Seedlings of A. sieboldiana were inoculated with Frankia isolated from root nodules of alder, followed by inoculation of G. margarita and P. putida, and were grown for 5 months in a greenhouse. The seedlings inoculated with Frankia and G. margarita together produced the highest biomass of shoots and root nodules. Nitrogen-fixation activity, measured by acetylene reduction assay, was observed when Frankia was inoculated. The activity, on a per-nodule gram basis, decreased after G. margarita inoculation, but on a per-plant basis there was no significant difference in the activity among inoculation treatments. The mineral content in the seedlings changed after inoculation with Frankia, but not after inoculation with P. putida and/or G. margarita. The results showed a synergistic interaction among Frankia, the mycorrhizal fungus, and the rhizobacterium on the growth of A. sieboldiana.     

In vitro ectomycorrhizal formation of Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. oocarpa and P. elliotii grown in southern India

In vitro syntheses of ectomycorrhizas of Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. oocarpa and P. elliotii with Amanita muscaria, Laccaria fraterna, L. laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon luteolus, Scleroderma citrinum and Thelephora terrestris were attempted. Most of the fungi initiated mycorrhizal formation within 2 weeks after inoculation. Laccaria fraterna and S. citrinum formed mycorrhizas after 6 weeks of inoculation. Amanita muscaria failed to form mycorrhizas during the 12 week period of observation. The degree of colonization of different mycorrhizal fungi varied with different species of Pinus.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Damage characteristics of three boring pests in Artemisia ordosica

The population density and distribution of the three major boring pests, Holcocerus artemisiae, Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. were studied in their host plant Artemisia ordosica. Results show that the larvae of H. artemisiae mainly bore the rhizome of A. ordosica, but also the larvae of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. bore the rhizome of A. tordosica. The adults of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. feed on the leaves of A. ordosica as a nutritional supplement. The distribution of the larvae of three pests in their host plant is completely different. H. artemisiae and Sphenoptera sp. are distributed in the whole A. ordosica plant. The newly hatched larvae first feed on the phloem and xylem of stem and then burrow to the roots before the winter of the same year. However, Adosopius sp. is distributed mainly in the roots. The newly hatched larvae move from the phloem to the xylem, and gradually damage the lower part of the trunk. The larvae of the three pests sometimes coexist in a single A. ordosica plant. However, the probability of the coexistence of the three pests is very small. The highest probability of coexistence of two pests was observed in Sphenoptera sp. and H. artemisiae, while the probability of coexistence of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. as well as H. artemisiae and Adosopius sp. was smaller. The reasons for coexistence or its avoidance are not only related to the amount of food provided nor the volume of larval living space in a single A. ordosica plant, but also related to the development characteristics of different kinds of larvae and interspecific competition.     

基于cpDNA rps16序列分析兰考泡桐与白花泡桐和毛泡桐的遗传关系

【目的】通过测序法分析兰考泡桐与白花泡桐和毛泡桐在叶绿体rps16序列上的遗传差异,旨在分析三者之间在叶绿体基因上的变化特点和规律,探讨其种间的遗传关系。【方法】选取兰考泡桐、白花泡桐和毛泡桐各15个样本,对其提取的DNA用PCR扩增获得特异片段,并将其纯化与测序。利用软件Clustal X 2.0对所得序列进行排序;运行MEGA 4软件,进行多序列比对,分析其序列特征,并计算出K2P遗传距离。【结果】(1)对获得的rps16序列进行测定分析,得兰考泡桐序列长度分别为932 933 bp;白花泡桐序列长度为932 bp;毛泡桐序列长度分别为916918 bp。对所得rps16序列进行排序后的长度为938 bp,平均GC含量为34.31%。3个种所代表的个体之间共有10个变异位点,占整个序列长度的1.07%。其中有9个变异位点属于碱基插入或缺失类型,占变异位点总数的90%,占整个序列长度的0.96%。有1个变异位点属于碱基替换类型,占整个变异位点总数的10%,占整个序列长度的0.11%。(2)整个rps16片段的序列共有10个变异位点,其中兰考泡桐与白花泡桐在总的变异位点上,具有一致的碱基位点9个,占总变异的90%。而兰考泡桐与毛泡桐相比,没有相同的碱基。【结论】根据三种泡桐的rps16序列的序列特征和变异位点的分析,表明在叶绿体遗传方面,兰考泡桐具有与白花泡桐更多相似的遗传物质,其亲缘关系较近。综上所述,推测兰考泡桐与白花泡桐可能来自同一母系遗传。     

A new norlignan from Taxodium ascendens

A new norlignan, (2R,3R,4S,5S)-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-tetrahydropyran (1), together with 9 known compounds were isolated from the branches and leaves of Taxodium ascendens. Their structures were mainly determined on the basis of MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectral evidences. Methanol extract showed inhibitory activity on carbonic anhydrase II with an IC₅₀ value of 4.27 µg/ml, acetone extract and methanol extract inhibited activity of cathepsin B with IC₅₀ values of 2.12 and 3.71 µg/ml, respectively.     

Root diseases in bareroot and container nurseries of the Pacific Northwest: epidemiology, management, and effects on outplanting performance

In forest and conservation nurseries in the Pacific Northwest USA, seedling production can be limited by root diseases caused by fungi in the genera Fusarium Link:Fr., Cylindrocarpon Wollenw., Phytophthora de Barry, and Pythium Pringsh. Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon, and Pythium are the most ubiquitous, whereas incidence of Phytophthora is mostly associated with coastal bareroot nurseries. All of these root pathogens are encouraged by water saturated soils or media. Seedlings infected with Fusarium, Phytophthora, or Pythium often appear chlorotic or necrotic with extensive root decay. Cylindrocarpon often causes serious root decay without shoot symptoms. The best approach to mitigate losses from these diseases is to use a holistic integrated pest management program. This program should combine chemical controls with cultural practices, particularly those that increase soil permeability and drainage and reduce potential sources of inoculum, especially by disinfesting seeds and containers reused for crops. In general, we found that seedlings meeting nursery specifications for outplanting on forest soil (proper height, root collar diameter, healthy shoot color, lack of disease symptoms) but having these disease organisms on their root systems perform as well as non-infected seedlings.     

Nitrogen contribution of five leguminous trees and shrubs to alley cropped maize in Ibadan, Nigeria

There are abundant local legume trees and shrubs potentially suitable for alley cropping systems in the sub-Saharan Africa, which are yet to be studied. The nitrogen contribution of two years old Albizia lebbeck and S. corymbosato yield of maize grown in alley cropping was compared to that of Senna siamea, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala in four seasons at Ibadan. Maize shoot biomass and maize grain yield in A. lebbeck alley compared favourably with that in G. sepium and L. leucocephala. Maize biomass and grain yield in S. corymbosa alleys were the lowest. Within A. lebbeck, L. leucocpehala, and G. sepium alleys there were no significant differences in the maize yield in the alleys that received 0, 40 or 80 kg N/ha. Application of more than 40 kg N/ha in S. corymbosa alleys was not necessary as there was no significant increase in maize yield at the higher level of nitrogen. Maize yield and N uptake in A. lebbeck alleys were not significantly different from yield and N uptake in G. sepium, and L. leucocephala at the same fertilizer level. There was a significant correlation between hedgerow tree biomass and maize grain yield. At the end of twelve weeks after pruning application, the organic residues of the pruning applied in the alleys ranged from 5% in G. sepium and 44% in A. lebbeck in the first year compared with the original pruning applied which showed that the slow rate of A. lebbeck decomposition could have a beneficial effect on the soil. The maize N recovery from applied N fertilizer was low (10–22%). Percentage N recovery from the prunings was low in the non-N fixing trees (12–22%), while the recovery was high (49–59%) in A. lebbeck as well as in the other nitrogen fixing tree prunings. Thus A. lebbeck, apart from enhancing maize growth and grain yield like in L. leucocephala and G. sepium, had an added advantage because it remained longer as mulching material on the soil because of its slow rate of decomposition. It was able to survive pruning frequencies with no die-back. This indicates that A. lebbeck is a good potential candidate for alley cropping system in West Africa. S. corymbosa performed poorly compared with the other legume trees. Though it responded to N fertilizer showing a positive interaction between the hedgerow and fertilizer application, it had a high die back rate following pruning periods and termite attack.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dry matter production and allocation in Eucalyptus cloeziana and Eucalyptus argophloia seedlings in response to soil water deficits

Effects of soil water availability on seedling growth, dry matter production and allocation were determined for Gympie (humid coastal) and Hungry Hills (dry inland) provenances of Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell. and for E. argophloia Blakely (dry inland) species. Seven-month-old seedlings were subjected to well-watered (100% field capacity, FC), moderate (70% FC) and severe (50% FC) soil water regimes in a glasshouse environment for 14 wk. There were significant differences in seedling growth, biomass production and allocation patterns between species. E. argophloia produced twice as much biomass at 100% FC, and more than three times as much at 70% and 50% FC than did either E. cloeziana provenance. Although the humid provenance of E. cloeziana had a greater leaf area at 100% FC conditions than did the dry provenance, total biomass production did not differ significantly. Both E. cloeziana provenances were highly sensitive to water deficits. E. argophloia allocated 10% more biomass to roots than did E. cloeziana. Allometric analyses indicated that relative biomass allocation patterns were significantly affected by genotype but not by soil water availability. These results have implications for taxon selection for cultivation in humid and subhumid regions.     

崖柏属植物的核型分析

[目的]为了从细胞学角度探讨崖柏属植物分类与进化问题,[方法]采用根尖压片法对崖柏属5种植物进行核型研究。[结果]表明:崖柏和日本香柏的核型公式为2n=2x=22=18m(2SAT)+4sm,朝鲜崖柏、北美乔柏和北美香柏的核型公式为2n=2x=22=20m(2SAT)+2sm,5种植物的核型均属于1A类型。[结论]该属在柏科中可能处于比较进步的进化地位;通过进化趋势图分析发现,崖柏在该属中分化最晚,而朝鲜崖柏则较原始。     

Fusarium spp. and Pinus strobus seedlings: root disease pathogens and taxa associated with seed

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) seeds weresown in soil infested with Fusarium proliferatum, rootnecrosis developed on seedling roots, and F. proliferatumwas reisolated from symptomatic roots; thus, demonstrating thatF. proliferatum is pathogenic toeastern white pine seedlings. Soils infested with F.acuminatum or F. sporotrichioides resulted infew diseased seedlings. Seedlings with root rot generally showed reductions inseedling height. All Fusarium species tested wererecoveredfrom rhizosphere soil samples. Three seedlots of Pinusstrobus were examined for Fusarium infestation.Fusarium species were recovered from most seeds in twoseedlots. Fusarium proliferatum and F.sporotrichioides were the predominant species isolated. Additionalspecies not previously reported from P. strobus included:F. acuminatum, F. chlamydosporum,F. equiseti, F. graminearum,F. moniliforme, F. poae, F.polyphialidicum, F. heterosporum, F.sambucinum, and F. semitectum.     

Suppression of phytopathogenic fungi by hexane extract of Nepenthes ventricosa x maxima leaf

The hexane extract of Nepenthes ventricosa x maxima leaf exhibited antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Bipolaris oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus stolonifer var. stolonifer and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.     

The taxonomic status of closely related closed cone pines in Mexico and Central America

A taxonomic study on 14 cone and needle traits of 281 trees from 33 provenances of Pinus oocarpa, P. oocarpa var. ochoterenae, P. patula var. longipedunculata, P. patula var. patula and P. tecunumanii in Central America and Mexico was conducted to quantify the affinity between closely related species. A second objective was to determine the geographic range of P. tecunumanii in Mexico. Cluster analysis placed 52% of all provenances in taxa different from those assigned by field foresters. Trees from 15 provenances of what was locally known as Pinus oocarpa var. ochoterenae from Chiapas were statistically indistinguishable from high elevation Central American sources of P. tecuncumanii when assessed for cone and needle characteristics. However, trees from two provenances known locally as P. oocarpa var. ochoterenae from southwestern Oaxaca, Juquila and Tlacuache, were found to be distinct from P. tecunumanii and may be a variant of P. patula. Canonical discriminant analysis was used to determine the taxonomic affinity among newly formed clusters. The spatial (Mahalanobis) distance between P. tecunumanii and P. patula var. patula, P. patula var. longipedunculata, and P. oocarpa was 42.0, 44.4, and 109.4 respectively, and highly significant. The geographic range of Pinus tecunumanii in Mexico appears to be confined to the state of Chiapas.