A revision of Centella series Capenses (Apiaceae)

Centella capensis (L.) Domin and related species form a distinct but poorly known group within the genus. The most conspicuous diagnostic feature is the unique inflorescence structure. Each umbel comprises a central umbellule reduced to a single, sessile, functionally female flower and four lateral, functionally male, pedicellate umbellules each reduced to a single flower. The umbel is surrounded by four large, foliaceous bracts. Another unusual character is the habit. Most of the species are annuals or short-lived perennials, while all other species of the genus are perennial shrublets. A taxonomic revision of the four species and three varieties recognized, is presented.     

A taxonomic study of the Centella rupestris group

Schubert, M. T. R. & Van Wyk, B.-E. 1995. A taxonomic study of the Centella rupestris group. — Nord. J. Bot. 15: 263–268. Copenhagen. ISBN 0107-055X.
Centella rupestris, C. restioides and a new species, C. thesioides , are grouped together on the basis of a woody habit, acicular or linear leaves and large bracts which cover, or partially cover the flower and fruit. The taxonomy, geographical distribution and species delimitation of this complex have been clarified through herbarium studies and in situ studies of the habit, leaves, inflorescences, bracts and fruit.     

Three new species of Centella series Glabratae (Apiaceae)

Three new species of Centella series Glabratae are described in this paper: C. brachycarpa, C. dolichocarpa and C. pilosa. These species are similar to C. difformis , and in order to clarify species limits the latter is also described and illustrated. The fruit shape and the bulging commissure of the new species show that the sectional limits of the series Glabratae will have to be revised to include C. difformis and related species, previously associated with the series Montanae.     

Three new species of Centella series Montanae

Three new species of Centella are described: C. cryptocarpa, C. gymnocarpa and C. longifolia . These species are similar to C. montana and in order to clarify species limits, the latter is also described and illustrated. The concept of the series Montanae is broadened to include all species with transversely oblong fruit of which the commissure is narrower than the rest of the fruit.     

Chromosome variation in the genus Pinellia (Araceae) in China and Japan

The chromosome numbers of 23 populations belonging to seven species of Pinellia Tenore were counted. The basic chromosome number of all the species studied was x  = 13, and the previously reported basic numbers x  = 9 and x  = 14 in P. ternata and P. cordata were not confirmed. Chromosome numbers of 2 n  = 26 in P. polyphylla and 2 n  = 78 in P. integrifolia are reported for the first time. Heptaploid (7 x ) and nonuploid (9 x ) are new ploidy levels reported for P. ternata , and hexaploid for P. cordata. Taxonomic, phylogenetic and phytogeographical inferences are made for the genus. Particular attention was given to P. ternata , the most widely distributed species in the genus, and considerable variation of chromosome number was found in its different populations. Based on chromosome studies of 11 populations of P. ternata , together with 12 populations reported in previous studies, the lower reaches of the Yangze River are identified as its centre of origin. From there it dispersed, with generation of hexaploid, heptaploid, octoploid and nonuploid forms.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 449–455.     

Itysa and Lethia, two new genera of neotropical Iridaceae

The new genera Itysa and Lethia , of the Iridaceae, are proposed; the former with two species, I. gardneri (Bak.) Rav., from northeastern Brazil, and I. venezolensis Rav., from Venezuela, the former based on Calydorea gardneri Baker, the latter described as new. Lethia is based on Herbertia umbellata Klatt.     

Fuirena simpsonii (Cyperaceae)—a new species of sedge from Kerala, India

A new species of Fuirena, F. simpsonii is described from Kerala, India. The new species is allied to F. umbellata Rottb.     

葡萄属一新名和一新种

描述了自甘肃南部发现的葡萄属一新种,文县蘡薁Vitis wenxianensis W.T.Wang。此新种与特产浙江的三出蘡薁V.bryoniifolia Bunge var.ternata(W.T.Wang)C.L.Li有很近的亲缘关系,二者可能是由蘡薁V.bryoniifolia Bunge衍生而出的一对姊妹群。基于上述认识,将三出蘡薁由变种提升至种的等级,但由于存在一个于1871年发表的种名V.ternata Baker,因此,必须为三出蘡薁拟定一新名。     

Six new species of ferns (Polypodiopsida) from Ecuador

Moran, R.C. & Øllgaard, B. 1995. Six new species of ferns (Polypodiopsida) from Ecuador. - Nord. J. Bot. 15: 177–185. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
The following species of ferns from Ecuador are described as new: Blechnum mono-morphum. Bolbitis riparia, Hecistopteris pinnatifida, Hymenophyllum hemidimorphum, Polypodium latissimum , and Saccoloma laxum .     

Systematics of the spider genus Metabus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 (Araneoidea: Tetragnathidae) with additions to the tetragnathid fauna of Chile and comments on the phylogeny of Tetragnathidae

The spider genus Metabus (Tetragnathidae) previously included nine species: the type M. gravidus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 – junior synonym of Leucauge ocellata (Keyserling) – from Central America and eight species from Chile. In this paper, the classification of the Metabus species-complex is revised, and two new genera, with three new species and five new combinations, are described. Allende gen. nov. is created for four Chilean species not congeneric with the type of Metabus : the type A. puyehuensis sp. nov. , A. patagiatus (Simon) comb. nov. , A. nigrohumeralis (F. O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. and A. longipes (Nicolet) comb. nov. Further additions to the Chilean fauna are under the new genus Mollemeta gen. nov. – created for M. edwardsi (Simon) comb. nov. – and three new species of Chrysometa : C. acinosa sp. nov. , C. levii sp. nov. and C. maitae sp. nov. Metabus now includes four species: M. ocellatus (Keyserling) comb. nov. , M. debilis (O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. , M. ebanoverde sp. nov. and M. conacyt sp. nov. All of these species were included in a phylogenetic analysis of 38 tetragnathid and 12 orbicularian outgroup terminals scored for 105 morphological and behavioural characters. The results suggest that Metabus as previously circumscribed is polyphyletic. The phylogenetic relationships within tetragnathids are briefly discussed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 285–335.     

A new species of the deep-sea fish genus Coryphaenoides Gunnerus (Macrouridae) from the tropical eastern North Atlantic and its relationship with C. (Coryphaenoides) marshalli Iwamoto, 1970

A new species of macrourid, Coryphaenoides paramarshalli is described from mid to lower slope waters (l 13–160 m) off West Africa, in the area 04°S-21°N and 10°E-18°W. The species is very closely related to C. marshalli . Indeed, two of the paratypes of that species are incorporated among the paratypes of C. paramarshalli , as they are referrable to the new species. The features distinguishing the two species are discussed in conjuction with those separating C. paramarshalli from other related species.     

A revision of the augochlorine bee genus Chlerogas Vachal (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

The augochlorine bee genus Chlerogas Vachal is revised and the female is described for the first time. The genus is newly diagnosed and new characters discussed for its separation from other augochlorine genera. Seven new species are recognized– Chlerogas araguaensis, C. boliviensis, C. colombiensis, C. cyaneus, C. ttephos, C. tiara, and C. tozvnesi –in addition to two previously described species: C. chlerogas (Vachal) and C. hirsutipennis Cockerell. The group was previously only recorded from Peru, but is now known in Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. A key is provided for the identification of all species.     

Description of a new Lake Tanganyikan cichlid fish of the genus Cyprichromis(Perciformes: Cichlidae) with a note on sexual dimorphism

Cyprichromis coloratus , a new cichlid species, is described based on 41 type specimens from the Zambian coast of Lake Tanganyika. It differs from Cyprichromis microlepidotus by having fewer scales in the longitudinal line (41–44 v . 59–70 in C. microlepidotus ) and upper lateral line (31–36 v . 47–59), from Cyprichromis leptosoma by more dorsal‐fin spines (14–15 v . 11–13 in C. leptosoma ) and longitudinal line scales (41–44 v . 38–40), from Cyprichromis pavo by fewer dorsal‐fin spines and soft rays (29–31, usually 30, in total v . 30–32, usually 31, in C. pavo ), and from Cyprichromis zonatus by shallower body depth [24·0–28·5 (26·4 ± 1·1)% of standard length v . 24·5–30·5 (28·4 ± 1·3)% in C. zonatus ] and smaller eye [eye length 25·2–30·9 (27·2 ± 1·1)% of head length v . 27·9–33·3 (30·2 ± 1·2)%]. The new species is also separable from C. microlepidotus , C. pavo and C. zonatus by absence of distinct small spots on the body ( v . pearl grey and yellowish small spots along scale rows on body at least in males of C. microlepidotus and C. pavo ), its distinct dichromatism (particularly on the caudal fin) between males of the same population ( v . dichromatism absent in C. zonatus ) and absence of vertical bands ( v . three or four distinct vertical bands beneath dorsal fin base in live males of C. zonatus ). Cyprichromis coloratus n. sp. also exhibits sexual dimorphism, females having a larger head and males having longer pelvic fin, differences which are discussed in relation to reproductive behaviour. A key to the five species of Cyprichromis is included. A lectotype is designated for Cyprichromis leptosoma .     

Isospora viridanae N. Sp., an Intranuclear Coccidian Parasite from the Canarian Skink, Chalcides viridanus (Lacertilia: Scincidae)

A caryotropic species of coccidium, Isospora viridanae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). has been found as a parasite in the Canarian skink, Chalcides viridanus Gravenhorst, 1851, from Tenerife, Spain, and is described here as a new species. Fully sporulaled oocysts of Isospora viridanae are spherical and measure 21.6 (1 7.6–23.4) nm in diameter. Mtcropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are ali absent. Oocysts of this coccidian, with a smooth bilayered wall, contain 2 ovoid sporocysts 13.2 (11.7–14.0) by 9.5 8.2–10 5) μm. A sporocyst residuum is present as well as a Stieda body and a substieda body. Most oocysts are found to be at the beginning of sporulanon when excreted and show 2 spherical sporoblasts. Sporulation is completed within 24 to 48 h at 23 × 2°C Sporozoites are 13–14 μm long and are about 2.5–3 μ m wide. Endogenous stages of schizogony and gamogony develop in the nuclei of epithelial cells from the small intestine of the skink. Comparisons with other species of the genus found in lacertilian hosts indicate that it is a new species.     

Eimeria tarentolae n. sp. from the Moorish Gecko, Tarentola mauritanica

ABSTRACT. A new species of Eimeria from the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica , of Minorca, Spain, is described. Oocysts of Eimeria tarentolae are ellipsoidal and measure 17.8 (17.6–18.7) μm by 13.5 (12.9–14.0) μm. Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule are absent. Each oocyst contains four spherical to slightly subspherical sporocysts 6.8 (6.4–7.0) μm in diameter. A sporocyst residuum is present, while a Stieda body is lacking. Sporulation is completed within 24–32 h at 21 ± 2°C.     

A novel method for floristic quality assessment using the vegetation of the Jiuding Mountain, Sichuan, China as an example

Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) is proposed as a new method to assess floristic integrity. In the present study, we use both the conventional method broadly adopted in the USA and a new one proposed herein to assess the floristic quality of the Jiuding Mountain. For the application of the FQA, each plant species was assigned an integer from 0 to 10 termed coefficient of conservatism (C) based on its global distribution area. The coefficient shows the degree of fidelity of each plant species to the flora of the west slope of the Jiuding Mountain and represents a rank based on its distribution area. Those species receiving a C value of 0–1 are distributed all over the world, those receiving a C value of 2–3 mostly in tropical areas, and those receiving a C value of 4–6 broadly in temperate areas. Species with C values of 7–8 are endemic to China and those with coefficients 9–10 are restricted to the Hengduan Mountains or even endemic to the Jiuding Mountain. Based on the fact that different plant species show different relative importance values (IV), the new method estimates the weighted averages for the coefficient of conservatism called the weighted mean coefficient of conservatism (     _w). The floristic quality index (FQI) was then derived from     or     _w, native species richness (N) and non-native species (A). As expected when using the new method, the dominant species of the communities obtained different Cs, which resulted in different     _ws and FQI_ws as compared to the conventional method.     

Bupleurum shanianum sp. nov. (Apiaceae) from China

Bupleurum shanianum X. G. Ma & X. J. He, previously recognized in China as B. gracillimum, is proposed here as a new species. This new species and B. gracillimum differ in many morphological characters (flowering stem position, bract size, number of flowers per umbellule) and have non‐overlapping distribution ranges. Bupleurum shanianum is most similar to B. yunnanense Franch., but the new species has shorter cauline leaves, and umbellules usually with 4 bracteoles and 3–6(–9) flowers. Bupleurum shanianum is known from eastern Himalayas to western Sichuan.     

Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Nerodia spp. (Serpentes: Colubridae), with a Description of a New Species of Eimeria

Eimeria conanli n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from intestinal contents and feces of Nerodia erythrogaster transversa and N harteri harteri from northcentral Texas. Oocysts of the new species are ellipsoid in shape. 17.9 × 13.0(15–21 × 12–15) μm, with a smooth, thin, single-layered wall; shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.5). One to several (usually 2) polar granule(s) and an oocyst residuum are present, but a micropyie is absent. Sporocysts are elongate, 12.9 × 5.2 (13–15 × 5–6) -m, apparently without a true Stieda body structure. Each sporoeyst contains an ellipsoid residuum, 3.9 × 3.2 (3–6 × 2–4) μm, and elongate sporozoites, 11.4 × 2.5 (10–14 × 2–3) μm in situ, each with a spherical or subspherical anterior refractile body and spherical to ellipsoid posterior refractile body. In addition to the new species, oocysts of 4 previously described eimerians from colubrid snakes were found in these hosts.     

A new species of the deep-sea fish genus Cyclothone Goode & Bean (Stomiatoidei, Gonostomatidae) from the tropical Atlantic

A new gonostomatid species, Cyclothone parapallida , is described from the tropical Atlantic. Its affinities with C. pallida are shown by the shared characters especially the presence of an enlarged caniniform tooth in the premaxilla and a posterior, irregular series of minute teeth on the pterygoid, but it is distinguished from this species by its lower gill raker count [21-22 (23) v . 23–24 (22–25) first arch], its more restricted meningeal pigment, its lack of internasal pigment and its transparent dorsal and anal fin rays. Furthermore, it attains a larger maximum size, has a different geographic distribution pattern and, when sympatric, lives deeper than C. pallida . A synopsis of characters useful in distinguishing Cyclothone spp. in the Atlantic is presented.     

中国野豌豆属的分类研究

本文报道了国产野豌豆属43种,4变种及6变型,其中包括4个新种(多叶野豌豆,三尖野豌豆,武山野豌豆,长齿野豌豆);一个新变种(三叶歪头菜)及一个新等级(千山野豌豆)。