I was curious about the apparent absence within ITIS of any treatment of European and Asian Pulsatilla species (other than the former P. vulgaris and P. patens). Entering one of these species in ITIS gives back the response: "No data found."
So I sent an e-mail to ask about it, and was sent some clarification on how to use ITIS, as follows.
I was informed that these species are "outside the area presently covered by ITIS". The response stated that there was controversy around the treatment of Pulsatilla versus Anemone, and that the treatment of N. American species favours Anemone (see eFloras of N. America) but that the ITIS treatment of North American species does not necessarily comment on "extralimital species".
So, a search result of "No data found" (assuming the species name has been entered correctly with no typos) appears to mean that the species has not been evaluated by ITIS. It's not that Pulsatilla campanella and Pulsatilla turczaninovii "don't exist" because they aren't in ITIS - instead, it appears that ITIS simply hasn't dealt with them (and I've gotten the same "No data found" response when searching on many other species in ITIS).
If ITIS does eventually deal with these species, perhaps they will be reassigned to Anemone, but for now, there doesn't seem to be any reason to exclude them from the species list here.
Just thought I'd pass this along in case it's helpful for deciphering the info at ITIS site, at least.
Lori
