PhD Arthur Decae 2010 - Ghent Ecology - Universiteit Gent

Raven & Schwendinger 1995, Iberesia Decae & Cardoso 2005) and 23 new species (Hu & Li
1987; Zonstein 1987, 2000, 2007, 2009; Dunin 1988; Decae 1995, 2005; Raven &
Schwendinger 1995; Zhu, Zhang & Zhang 1999; Shimojana & Haupt 2000; Song, Zhu &
Chen 2001; Xu & Yin 2002; Decae & Cardoso 2005; Lazarov 2005; Decae, Cardoso &
Selden 2007; Kovblyuk & Ponomarev 2008). All this taxonomic activity has produced
important new information on the patterns of diversity and distribution of the Nemesiinae.
The picture emerging is that, at the genus level, the subfamily is primarily distributed in a
longitudinal geographic diversity pattern with the genus Sinopesa in the Far East 25 , Raveniola
in eastern and Central Asia, Brachythele in Asia Minor and Eastern Europe, Nemesia in the
Mediterranean and Iberesia in the Iberian and Atlantic zones of the distribution range
(Fig.17). Future discoveries and descriptions have to reveal how accurate and complete this
longitudinal diversity pattern is, and if it is also visible at higher sub-generic and supraspecific
taxonomic levels. Recently Zonstein (1987, 2009) and Decae & Di Franco (2005),
following Simon (1892, 1914), have reported the existence of distinct species groups in
Raveniola and Nemesia. Here the existence of a longitudinally organized diversity pattern at
the sub-generic and supra-specific in Nemesia is confirmed.
Fig. 17 The known distribution of Nemesiinae genera based on published distribution
records. Lilac circles = Brachythele, blue squares = Iberesia, orange triangles = Nemesia,
green squares = Raveniola, red circles = Sinopesa.
Acknowledgements
25 The one Nemesia record in Eastern China (Fig. 17) is Nemesia sinensis Pocock 1901. The genetic identity of
this species needs verification.