The dominant paradigm for the disproportionate number of flowering plants is the unique coevolution that they underwent with pollinating insects. The theory underlying this biotic pollination hypothesis contradicts more generally accepted evolutionary theory. Furthermore, various lines of empirical evidence falsify the biotic pollination hypothesis: (a) several lineages of plants were insect po...

Chilades pandava (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) larval food quality was studied to determine its influence on adult life history traits. A wild population from Cycas nongnoochiae (Cycadales: Cycadaceae) endemic habitat behaved similarly to the population collected from a garden setting. Cycas micronesica, Cycas revoluta, and Cycas seemannii leaves were used as high-quality food, whereas C nongnoochi...

A single 1.41-m-long trunk of Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill was found growing horizontally in natural habitat on the island of Guam. Transverse sections of the trunk showed enhancement of secondary vascular tissues on the lower side by the production of more arcs of accessory vascular cambia and more parenchyma as compared to the upper side. Xylem tracheids were similar in upper and lower sides. ...

Zamia magnifica (Zamiaceae), a new species endemic to Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico, is described. characterized by having rupicolous habit, pendent leaves bearing leaflets that are densely tomentose and pink caramel in color when emerging, broad oblong coriaceous texture with few non-prominent denticulations ovulate strobili short (<4 cm) peduncles. It compared Z. furfuracea meermanii, the M...