A new species of Polystichum (Pteridophyta: Dryopteridaceae) from South Africa

A new Polystichum (Pteridophyta: Dryopteridaceae) species, P. incongruum J.P.Roux sp. nov. from the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces from Soudi Africa is described. This variable species is related to P. pungens (Kaulf.) C.Presl but differs from it in pinnule morphology, the frequent occurrence of glandular cells along the sporangium stalk, the (more rare) occurrence of clavate unicellular glands along the indusium margin and a chromosome number of 2 n = 164.     

A new species of Penicillium isolated from soil at the Kruger National Park in South Africa

A new species of Penicillium Link ex Fries is described and illustrated. It is represented by twenty six isolates recovered from soil at twenty six different locations at the southern part of the Paul Kruger National Park in South Africa. It clearly differs from all species of the genus described so far among the Biverticillata-Symmetrica Section, and it is therefore described and proposed as a new taxon: Penicillium krugerii sp. nov.     

A new species of Brachysiphon (Penaeaceae) from the Southern Cape, South Africa

A new chasmophitic species of Brachysiphon, B. microphyllum from the dry interior mountain ranges of the Southern Cape is described.     

Two new species of Askidiosperma (Restionaceae) from South Africa

Askidiosperma delicatulum , sp. nov., from the arid margins of the Cold Bokkeveld mountains in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, is described and illustrated. A. chartaceum ssp. alticolum is raised to specific level. A new key to the species in the genus Askidiosperma is provided.     

A new species of Pearsonia (Fabaceae) from dolomites in Northern Province, South Africa

The Wolkberg Centre of endemism (northeastern Drakensberg escarpment) has a high proportion of species endemic to dolomite- and quartzite-derived soils. The Legalameetse Nature Reserve falls largely within the Chuniespoort Formation, which constitutes the dolomite component of the Wolkberg Centre. A number of species that occur within Legalameetse do not match existing material. Among the new taxa discovered is a species of Pearsonia Dümmer, which also occurs on the Wolkberg and in the Ribbokkop area. Pearsonia callistoma is most closely related to P. uniflora. In this paper, the new species is described and its geographical distribution, habitat, flowering time and conservation status are discussed. We also present a revised key for the genus Pearsonia.     

A new species of Argyrosomus (Pisces, Sciaenidae) from Natal, South Africa

Argyrosomus thorpei sp. n. is described from 11 specimens and compared with its closest relatives A. hololepidotus and A. amoyensis.     

Factors contributing to dwarfing in the mangrove Avicennia marina

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In Richards Bay, South Africa, Avicennia marina frequently exhibits a distinct productivity gradient, with tree height decreasing markedly from 6-10 m in the fringe zone to <1.5 m in the dwarf zone which is 120 m inland at a slightly higher elevation. In this investigation, soil physico-chemical conditions between fringe and dwarf A. marina were compared and the constraints imposed by any differences on mangrove ecophysiology and productivity determined. METHODS: Soil and plant samples were analysed for inorganic ions using spectrophotometry. Gas exchange measurements were taken with an infrared gas analyser and chlorophyll fluorescence with a fluorometer. Xylem psi was determined with a pressure chamber and chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll absorbance meter. RESULTS: In the dwarf site, soil salinity, total cations, electrical conductivity and soil concentrations of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) were significantly higher than those in the fringe zone. Soil water potential and the concentration of soil P, however, were significantly lower in the dwarf site. In the leaves, Na(+) was the predominant ion and its concentration was 24 % higher in dwarf than fringe mangroves. Leaf concentrations of K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+) and P, however, were significantly lower in dwarf mangroves. Photosynthetic performance, measured by gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, was significantly reduced in the dwarf plants. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that hydro-edaphic factors contribute to high soil salinities, low water potentials, water stress and ion imbalance within tissues including P deficiency, which in interaction, contribute to dwarfing in Avicennia marina.     

Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Daphnephila gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) inducing complex leaf galls on Lauraceae, with descriptions of five new species associated with Machilus thunbergii in Taiwan

Five new species of the genus Daphnephila (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Asphondyliini), D. ornithocephala, D. stenocalia, D. sueyenae, D. taiwanensis, and D. truncicola, all associated with Machilus thunbergii (Lauraceae), are described from Taiwan, and one previously known species, D. machilicola, is redescribed from Japan. Among the five new species, D. truncicola induces stem galls and the other four species induce leaf galls. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene suggests that in this genus the stem-galling habit is a more ancestral state compared to the leaf-galling habit. Daphnephila seems to be of tropical origin and to have dispersed to Japan through Taiwan.     

A new species of the holothurian genus Pkyllophorus from South Africa with a key to subgenus Phyllophorella

Fourteen specimens of a shallow-water, sand-inhabiting, polytentaculate holothuroid, dredged from Durban, South Africa, are new and described as Phyllophorus (Phyllophorella) rosetta sp. nov. The new species is distinct in possessing an abundance of rosettes in all parts of the body wall, often in combination with tables typical of those of the Phyllophorus subgenus Phyllophorella Heding & Panning, 1954. In the form of its tables and rosettes the new species appears to be closely related to P. (P) contractura Cherbonnier, 1988 from Madagascar but differs from it in the form of its calcareous ring, the number of polian vesicles and the presence of rosettes throughout the body wall, instead of their restriction to the anal region. The presence of rosettes makes the new species, together with P. (P) contractura , a good intermediate between Phyllophorus and Lipotrapeza. The new species increases to nine the number of species now classified in the subgenus Phyllophorella. All nine species are keyed.     

Possible Modes of Salt Secretion in Avicennia marina in the Sinai

Avicennia marina salt glands were studied by scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM), in order to relate their ultrastructure tothe extracellular salt secretion process. It was found thata multiphase asynchronous process regulates the salt secretion.In the light of the present study and previous evidence we describetwo mechanisms of salt secretion. The first mechanism is a merocrineone, consisting of the formation of a vesicle that expands untilit reaches a maximal size, when it bursts, releasing the saltsolution. Later the burst vesicle disintegrates and a new onebegins to form. The second suggested mechanism is an holocrineone and begins with the accumulation of the secreted solutionin the subcuticular space. This results in the tearing of thecuticle and the release of the salt solution as droplets. Thefirst suggested mode of secretion operates regularly, whilethe second one takes place only occasionally. (Received February 28, 1989; Accepted October 17, 1989)     

A possible new piroplasm in lions from the Republic of South Africa

A small piroplasm was detected in blood smears from lions (Panthera leo) in the Kruger National Park (KNP; Republic of South Africa) during 1991/1992. The parasite was identified provisionally as Babesia felis, but sera from these lions tested negative to B. felis antigen in the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Blood from an infected lion was subsequently subinoculated into a domestic cat and two leopards in an attempt to identify the parasite. A lion also was infected with B. felis (from a cat). Serum samples collected from these animals were tested against B. felis, the KNP small piroplasm, and Cytauxzoon felis antigen in the IFAT. The serological results indicate that the KNP small piroplasm isolated from the lion is probably a distinct species from B. felis and C. felis.     

Three new species and two new combinations in the Aizoaceae from the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa

Three new species of Aizoaceae from the Western Cape are described. Octopoma tanquanum Klak and Vlokia montana Klak are dwarf shrubby or mat-forming succulents which belong to the Ruschieae in the Ruschioideae. Mesembryanthemum knolfonteinense Klak of the Mesembryanthemoideae is a geophyte. Octopoma tanquanum inhabits relatively low lying arid areas within the Tanqua Karoo and the Little Karoo and is thought to be closely allied to the two species of Octopoma found in the Little Karoo. Both V. montana and M. knolfonteinense grow at relatively high altitudes within the fynbos biome. In addition, Ruschia littlewoodii L.Bolus is transferred to Phiambolia, and two new combinations are made in Antimima for Ruschia hexamera L.Bolus and Ruschia radicans L.Bolus.