Taxonomic notes on the genus Otoptera (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae) in southern Africa

A taxonomic study of the genus Otoptera (tribe Phaseoleae) is presented. This distinct genus consists of two species, O. burchellii in southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe) and O. madagascariensis endemic to Madagascar. The two species differ in the shape and size of leaflets, size and orientation of the spur located at the base of the wing petal, and also by size of the pod. A key to the two species is provided. This study focuses mainly on the southern African O. burchellii DC., which is described and illustrated. The species name is lectotypified and the known geographical distribution is recorded for the first time.     

Taxonomic notes on the genus Strongylopsalis Burr (Dermaptera: Labiidae)

The male and female of a new species of Strongylopsalis are described from Bolivia. Carcinophora boliviana Bormans is redescribed, and its position in the genus Strongylopsalis is confirmed; a new name is proposed for S.boliviana Brindle. A key is given to the ten species now contained in Strongylopsalis, and notes on the distribution of the genus and its possible relationship to Marava are included.     

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus (Alismataceae)

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus are given. A new species E. maculatus is described. The name Alisma intermedium (basionym of the name E. intermedius) is lectotypified. Echinodorus major and E. martii should be treated as two distinct taxa. The name E. xinguensis was invalidly published. It is also confirmed that E. africanus, E. veronikae and E. viridis (all belonging to the E. uruguayensis group) do not originate from Africa. The name E. bleherae should be written with a female suffix (-ae); this name is considered here as a synonym of the earlier name E. grisebachii.     

Taxonomic notes on Hymenolepis (Asteraceae-Anthemideae)

The South African genus Hymenolepis Cass. was recently distinguished from Athanasia L. by Källersjö. It differs by its slender capitula and a pappus of scales. A key to the 7 species is presented and the new species H. cynopus Bremer & Källersjö is described.     

Taxonomic studies of the genus Hypoxis in East Africa

East African material of the genus Hypoxis L. has preliminarily been divided into the heterogenous, probably apomictic H. obtusa Burch- complex (2n = 40–50, ca. 75, 76, ca. 85, >86, ca. 92, ca. 98, ca. 108, 130–135, 160–200) and 5 rather homogenous species: H. angustifolia Lam. (2n = 14, 28), H. goetzei Harms (2n = ca. 62), H. kilimanjarica Bak., H. malosana Bak. (2n = 14) and H. macrocarpa Holt & Staubo sp. nov. H. kilimanjarica is divided into ssp. kilimanjarica and ssp. prostrata Holt & Staubo ssp. nov.     

Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Taraxacum (Compositae)

Sections Naevosa M. P. Chr., Crocea M. P. Chr. and Macrodonta M. P. Chr. are reduced to subsectional rank in section Spectabilia Dahlst. of the genus Taraxacum. Section Arctica Dahlst. (section Laevia (Hand.-Mazz.) Schischk.) is enlarged by including sections Glabra Dahlst., Antarctica Hand.-Mazz. and Pachera v. Soest.
Taraxacum gurglense A. J. Richards and T. unicoloratum A. J. Richards (section Alpestria v. Soest), T. concucullatum A. J. Richards (section Cucullata v. Soest) and T. venticola A. J. Richards (section Vulgaria Dahlst.) are described as new agamospecies from the Alps; and T. calcifhilum A. J. Richards & J. L. van Soest (section Orientalia Hand.-Mazz.), T. nigricornis A. J. Richards (section Macrocomuta v. Soest) and T. breviscapum A. J. Richards (section Erythrocarpa Hand.-Mazz.) are described as new agamospecies from Afghanistan.     

Taxonomic notes on the paper wasps of the genus Ropalidia in the Indian subcontinent (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The taxonomy of Ropalidia wasps in the Indian subcontinent is revised, recognizing 26 species in the subcontinent. Their diagnostic characteristics are summarized in a key to species. New synonymies proposed in the present study are: R. bicolorata shiva Das and Gupta, 1989 under R. bicolorata van der Vecht, 1962; R. colorata sordida van der Vecht, 1941 under R. colorata van der Vecht, 1941; R. rodialipa Lambert and Narendran, 2005 and R. anupama Lambert and Narendran, 2005, both under R. cyathiformis Fabricius, 1804; R. jacobsoni flavoscutellata Das and Gupta, 1989, and R. bangalorica Lambert and Narendran, 2005, both under R. jacobsoni du Buysson, 1908; R. travancorica Lambert and Narendran, 2005, under R. marginata Lepeletier, 1836; R. sridharani Lambert and Narendran, 2005, under R. rufocollaris Cameron, 1900; Ropalidia rufoplagiata nursei van der Vecht, 1941 under R. rufoplagiata Cameron, 1905; Icaria lugubris Smith, 1858, under R. sumatrae Weber, 1801; and a revised synonymy is Icaria pendula Smith, 1857, under R. variegata Smith, 1852. The new replacement name Ropalidia kasaragodensis Lambert and Narendran is proposed for R. indica Lambert and Narendran, 2005, non van der Vecht, 1941.     

Taxonomic notes on Mexican Ruellia (Acanthaceae)

The new nameRuellia comonduensis is provided for the species previously known asR. cordata Brandegee.Ruellia chilpancingana, a new species known only from Guerrero in southwestern Mexico, is described and compared to morphologically similar species. It is unique among Mexican species ofRuellia based on the following combination of characters: caducous bracteoles and secondary bracteoles, multiflowered dichasia from leaf axils, yellowish and cylindric-funnelform corollas, exserted stamens, and few (four or fewer) seeds per capsule. Macromorphological features and pollen ofR. chilpancingana are illustrated.     

Taxonomic revision of the genus Chiloporter Lestage (Ameletopsidae: Ephemeroptera) with notes on its biology and distribution

A taxonomic revision of the genus Chiloporter is presented confronting new material collected in Chile and Argentina, with the literature of the genus. Unknown developmental stages are described; association of larvae and winged stages is confirmed here by rearing. The synonymy of the extant species is proposed. Notes on the biology and distribution are also included.     

Three new species of Chascanum (Verbenaceae) and notes on the genus in the Horn of Africa region

The new species Chascanum mixtum, from evergreen bushland and rocky slopes in north-western Somalia, C. elburense. from deciduous bushland mainly on sand in central Somalia, and C. glandulosum, from Acacia-Commiphora bushland on sandy soil in north-western Somalia, are described and illustrated. C. sessilifolium (Vatke) Moldenke is recircumscribed and neotypified with a specimen from the original type locality, and C. obovatum Sebsebe ssp. glaucum Sebsebe is placed in the synonymy of C. gillettli Moldenke.     

Taxonomic notes on halacarids (Acari) from the Skagerrak area

A total of 27 halacarid species were found in sediments taken at 5–25 m depth off the western coast of Sweden. The four speciesCopidognathus magnipalpus, Actacarus obductus, Coloboceras longiusculus, andLohmannella multisetosa are new to the fauna of the northeastern North Atlantic; taxonomic diagnoses of these species are given.Anomalohalacarus septentrionalis andCamactognathus borealis, both new species, are described. Member of the Taxonomy Group at the Biologische Anstalt Helgoland     

Taxonomic notes on Senecio tomentosus and its allies (Asteraceae)

Distribution maps, specimen citations and taxonomic commentary are provided for 14 species ofSenecio in temperate North America allied withS. tomentosus (the “Tomentosi”). These data support the author’s treatment of the group inNorth American Flora.