Alastair Robinson

Alastair S. Robinson (born 1980) is a taxonomist and field botanist specialising in the carnivorous plant genus Nepenthes, for which he is regarded as a world authority.[1][2] He is currently a manager at the National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, where he oversees identification botany services, the Library and Artwork components of the State Botanical Collection, and the botanical journal Muelleria,[3] a peer-reviewed scientific journal on botany published by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria,[4] for which he is Editor in Chief.

For the New Zealand rugby union player, see Alastair Robinson (rugby union).

In 2007, Robinson co-discovered the giant Palawan pitcher plant, Nepenthes attenboroughii, for which he published the formal description and diagnosis in 2009, speculating on the paleogeographical evidence for the radiative speciation of an enigmatic group of ultramafic Philippine and Malaysian Nepenthes from a common ancestor on the island of Borneo.[5][6] Nepenthes attenboroughii was the largest-pitchered Nepenthes discovered since the identification of Nepenthes rajah on Borneo in 1858.[5][2][7][8] Other discoveries resulting from his work in Palawan include a first record of the orchid genus Stigmatodactylus in the Philippines, with two new species, Stigmatodactylus aquamarinus A.S.Rob. & E.Gironella and Stigmatodactylus dalagangpalawanicum A.S.Rob., described from Palawan in 2016.[9][10]

A slipper orchid endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, was commemoratively named Paphiopedilum robinsonianum after this authority following its discovery in 2013.[11][12]

Robinson received his BSc from University College London and his PhD from the University of Cambridge for research into the molecular control mechanisms of spatio-temporal cell-development in plants. Specialisms also include stapeliads (Apocynaceae), terrestrial orchids, ecology and conservation biology.[1][2]

Works of interest include a 3-volume flora of the genus Drosera (2017), a 2-volume flora of the genus Pinguicula (2016), a 2-volume flora of Nepenthes, titled Pitcher Plants of the Old World (2009), for which he co-authored the species descriptions, and a range of Nepenthes field guides.[2][13]

Robinson is brother to screen actress Zuleikha Robinson.[7]

Publications
  • Robinson, A.S., Zamudio, S.G. and Caballero, R.B. (2019). Nepenthes erucoides (Nepenthaceae), an ultramaficolous micro-endemic from Dinagat Islands Province, northern Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa 423 (1), 21–32. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.423.1.3
  • Robinson, A.S., Golos, M.R., Barer, M., Sano, Y., Forgie, J.J., Garrido, D., Gorman, C.N., Luick, A.O., McIntosh, N.W., McPherson, S.R., Palena, G.J., Panco, I., Quinn, B.R., and Shea, J. (2019). Revisions in Nepenthes following explorations of the Kemul Massif and the surrounding region in north-central Kalimantan, Borneo. Phytotaxa, 392(2), 97–126. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.392.2.1
  • Robinson A.S., Cross A.T., Meisterl M.E. & Fleischmann A., 2018. A new pygmy sundew, Drosera albonotata (Droseraceae), from the western Wheatbelt and an updated diagnostic key to the orange-flowered pygmy Drosera of Western Australia. Phytotaxa, 346(3), pp.221-236. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.346.3.2
  • Clarke, C., Schlauer, J., Moran, J. & Robinson, A.S., 2018. Systematics and evolution of Nepenthes. In: Ellison, A.M. & Adamec, L., eds.: Carnivorous plants: physiology, ecology, and evolution. Oxford University Press, 58–69. doi:10.1093/oso/9780198779841.003.0005
  • Robinson A.S. (2017). Drosera banksii R.Br. ex DC. Philippines Distribution Extension. In: Robinson A.S., Gibson R., Gonella P., McPherson S.R., Nunn R. & Fleischmann A.: Drosera of the World. Vol. 3 - Latin America & Africa. Redfern Natural History, UK, pp 1540–1541.
  • Lowrie A., Nunn R., Robinson A.S., Bourke G., McPherson S. & Fleischmann A. (2017). Drosera of the World. Vol. 1, Oceania. Redfern Natural History, Dorset. 536 pp.
  • Lowrie A., Robinson A.S., Nunn R., Rice B., Bourke G., Gibson R., McPherson S. & Fleischmann A. (2017). Drosera of the World. Vol. 2, Oceania, Asia, Europe, North America. Redfern Natural History, Dorset. 554 pp.
  • Robinson A.S., Gibson R., Gonella P., McPherson S., Nunn R. & Fleischmann A. (2017). Drosera of the World. Vol. 3, Latin America & Africa. Redfern Natural History, Dorset. 476 pp.
  • Robinson A.S., Gironella E., & Cervancia J. (2016). New orchid species of Stigmatodactylus (Orchidoideae; Diurideae) and a new record of Cryptostylis carinata from central Palawan, Philippines. Phytotaxa, 252(2), 99–113. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.252.2.2
  • Roccia A., Gluch O., Lampard S., Robinson A.S., Fleischmann A., McPherson S., Legendre L., Partrat E., Temple P. (2016). Pinguicula of the Temperate North. Redfern Natural History, UK, 349 pp.
  • Lampard S., Gluch O., Robinson A.S., Fleischmann A., Temple P., McPherson S., Roccia A., Partrat E., Legendre L. (2016). Pinguicula of Latin America. Redfern Natural History, UK, 362 pp.
  • Lowrie, A. 2014. (editor, contributor) Carnivorous Plants of Australia Magnum Opus Volume 1. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK.
  • McPherson, S., A.S. Robinson, 2012. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Australia and New Guinea. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK.
  • McPherson, S., A.S. Robinson, 2012. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Peninsular Malaysia and Indochina. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK.
  • McPherson, S., A.S. Robinson, 2012. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Sumatra and Java. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK.
  • McPherson, S., A.S. Robinson, 2012. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Borneo. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK.
  • McPherson, S., A.S. Robinson, 2012. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Sulawesi. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK.
  • Robinson, A.S., J. Nerz, A. Wistuba, M. Mansur & S. McPherson, 2011. Nepenthes lamii Jebb & Cheek, an emended description resulting from the separation of a two-species complex, and the introduction of Nepenthes monticola, a new species of highland Nepenthes from New Guinea. In: S.R. McPherson New Nepenthes: Volume One. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. pp. 477–512.
  • Robinson, A.S., J. Nerz, & A. Wistuba, 2011. Nepenthes epiphytica, a new Pitcher Plant from East Kalimantan. In: S.R. McPherson New Nepenthes: Volume One. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. pp. 316–331.
  • Mey, F.S., L.H. Truong, D.V. Dai & A.S. Robinson, 2011. Nepenthes thorelii, an emended description and novel ecological data resulting from its rediscovery in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. In: S.R. McPherson New Nepenthes: Volume One. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. pp. 437–465.
  • McPherson, S., G. Bourke, J. Cervancia, M. Jaunzems, E. Gironella, A. Robinson & A. Fleischmann 2011. Nepenthes leonardoi (Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant species from Palawan, Philippines. Carniflora Australis 8(1): 4–19.
  • Fleischmann, A., A.S. Robinson, S. McPherson, V. Heinrich, E. Gironella & D.A. Madulid 2011. "Drosera ultramafica (Droseraceae), a new sundew species of the ultramafic flora of the Malesian highlands" (PDF). Blumea 56(1): 10–15.
  • McPherson, S.R., Fleischmann, A.S., Robinson, A.S., 2010. Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats Volume 1. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK, 723 pages.
  • McPherson, S.R., Fleischmann, A.S., Robinson, A.S., 2010. Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats Volume 2. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK, 719 pages.
  • Mey, F.S., M. Catalano, C. Clarke, A. Robinson, A. Fleischmann & S. McPherson 2010. "Nepenthes holdenii (Nepenthaceae), a new species of pyrophytic pitcher plant from the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia" (PDF). In: S.R. McPherson Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats. Volume 2. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. pp. 1306–1331.
  • McPherson, S., J. Cervancia, C. Lee, M. Jaunzems, A. Fleischmann, F. Mey, E. Gironella & A. Robinson, 2010. Nepenthes palawanensis (Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant species from Sultan Peak, Palawan Island, Philippines. In: S.R. McPherson Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats. Redfern Natural History Productions Ltd., Poole. pp. 1332–1339.
  • McPherson, S., J. Cervancia, C. Lee, M. Jaunzems, A. Fleischmann, F. Mey, E. Gironella & A. Robinson, 2010. Nepenthes gantungensis (Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant species from Mount Gantung, Palawan, Philippines. In: S.R. McPherson Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats. Redfern Natural History Productions Ltd., Poole. pp. 1286–1295.
  • Robinson, AS, et al., 2009. A spectacular new species of Nepenthes L. (Nepenthaceae) pitcher plant from central Palawan, Philippines. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 159(2): 195–202.
  • McPherson, SR, Robinson, AS, Fleischmann, AS, 2009. Pitcher Plants of the Old World Volume 1. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK, 630 pages.
  • McPherson, SR, Robinson, AS, Fleischmann, AS, 2009. Pitcher Plants of the Old World Volume 2. Redfern Natural History Productions, UK, 766 pages.
  • de Jager, SM, Scofield, S, Huntley, RP, Robinson, AS, et al., 2009. Dissecting regulatory pathways of G1/S control in Arabidopsis: common and distinct targets of CYCD3;1, E2Fa and E2Fc. Plant Molecular Biology. 71(4–5): 345–365.
  • Robinson, A. 1997. Malaysia Trip 1996. The Carnivorous Plant Society Journal 20: 6–17.
  • Robinson, A. 1995 ['1994/95']. Plant findings in Malaysia. The Carnivorous Plant Society Journal 18: 44–47.

References
  1. Ellison, A. & Adamec, L. eds., 2017. Contributing Author Information. Carnivorous Plants: Physiology, ecology, and evolution. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198779841. doi:10.1093/oso/9780198779841.001.0001
  2. McPherson, S.R. 2009. Pitcher Plants of the Old World. Redfern Natural History Productions Ltd., Poole.
  3. "Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Staff". Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  4. "Muelleria; an Australian Journal of Botany. Melbourne". The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  5. Robinson, A.S., A.S. Fleischmann, S.R. McPherson, V.B. Heinrich, E.P. Gironella & C.Q. Peña 2009. A spectacular new species of Nepenthes L. (Nepenthaceae) pitcher plant from central Palawan, Philippines. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 159(2): 195–202. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2008.00942.x
  6. Cheek, M.R. & M.H.P. Jebb 1999. Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) in Palawan, Philippines. Kew Bulletin 54(4): 887–895. doi:10.2307/4111166
  7. Evening Standard Magazine (11 Dec 2009), Daily Mail Group.
  8. Walker, M. 2009. Giant 'meat-eating' plant found. BBC Earth News, 11 August 2009.
  9. New orchid species of Stigmatodactylus (Orchidoideae; Diurideae) and a new record of Cryptostylis carinata from central Palawan, Philippines
  10. https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alastair_S._Robinson_taxa>Wikispecies: List of Taxon names authored by Alastair S. Robinson taxa
  11. Cavestro 2014 publ. 2013. Paphiopedilum robinsonianum Cavestro Rhône-Alpes Orchid. 52(14).
  12. Govaerts, R. 2013. Paphiopedilum robinsonianum World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Kew. Retrieved on 1 October 2013.
  13. McPherson, S.R. New Nepenthes: Volume One. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.
  14. IPNI.  A.S.Rob.
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