A new species of Sicyos L. (Cucurbitaceae) from Oaxaca, Mexico

Sicyos mcvaughii, a new species from Oaxaca, is described and illustrated. It is similar to Sicyos sertuliferus Cogn., and grows in secondary tropical deciduous forest, between 20 and 630 meters.     

Physalis (Solanaceae) and allied genera: Tzeltalia, a new genus from the highlands of southern Mexico and northwestern Guatemala

A morphological analysis ofPhysalis and several closely related genera, with emphasis on a group of species known as “atypicalPhysalis,” showed that two of the atypical species are better treated as a distinct genus.Tzeltalia is described and two new combinations are made:T. amphitricha andT. calidaria. Restricted to the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, and adjacent Guatemala,Tzeltalia is distinguished fromPhysalis by a combination of characters including shrubby habit; fasciculate flowers; lobed corolla; scabrate pollen; and non-invaginated, partially open, coriaceous, and reticulate-veined fruiting calyx.

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Resumen  El análisis de un grupo de especies atípicas dePhysalis y otros géneros relacionados demostró que dos especies deben considerarse como otro género. Se describeTzeltalia, un género restringido a los altos de Chiapas, México, y Guatemala y se hacen dos nuevas combinaciones,T. amphitricha yT. calidaria.Tzeltalia se distingue dePhysalis por una combinación de caracteres que incluyen un habito arbustivo, flores fasciculadas, corola lobulada, polen escabroso, cáliz del fruto no invaginado, parcialmente abierto, coriáceo y con venación reticulada.

     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acalypha</Emphasis> (Euphorbiaceae: Acalyphoideae: Acalypheae) from Belize and adjacent Mexico and Guatemala

Acalypha gentlei is described, illustrated and mapped. The species is endemic to Belize and adjacent areas of Mexico and Guatemala and restricted to semi-deciduous moist forests on limestone. The species is referred to Acalypha subgenus Linostachys.

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Resumen  Se describe, ilustra y grafica la distribución de Acalypha gentlei. Esta especie nueva es endémica a Belice y áreas adyacentes de México y Guatemala, y está restringida a bosques húmedos semi-deciduos sobre caliza. La especie es referida a Acalypha subgénero Linostachys.

     

Sequence and RFLP analysis of the ITS2 ribosomal DNA in two Neotropical social bees, <Emphasis>Melipona beecheii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis>Melipona yucatanica</Emphasis> (Apidae,Meliponini)

Two stingless bees species of the genus Melipona, M. beecheii and M. yucatanica, are the only ones reported for the Yucatan Peninsula. The natural distribution of M. beecheii ranges from southern Mexico to Costa Rica, that of M. yucatanica from south Mexico to Guatemala. Colonies of both species occur in a variety of habitats and show adaptations to local conditions denoting the occurrence of ecotypes. The ITS2 of ribosomal DNA has been characterized in both species and its utility to discriminate among colonies has been investigated through RFLP experiments. The ITS2 region is unusually long, 1788 bp in M. beecheii and 1845 bp in M. yucatanica (including the 3′ end of the 5.8S gene and partial 5′ of the 28S gene). Mean nucleotide divergence between both ITS2 sequences is 16% (excluding sites with insertions/deletions) and 20% when the insertions/deletions are taken into account. The G+C content in both sequences is close to 53%. The PCR-RFLP assay was performed with 12 restriction enzymes on colonies of M. beecheii from Mexico (Yucatan, Campeche and Chiapas) Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala, and of M. yucatanica from Mexico (Yucatan) and Guatemala. The restriction patterns obtained allow to discriminating colonies of both species with different origins. Both kinds of data are thus useful for assessing intra and interspecific genetic variability and for developing appropriate conservation strategies for these species. Received 20 June 2007; revised 31 August 2007; accepted 12 September 2007.     

A new species of Sechium sect. Frantzia (Cucurbitaceae, Sicyeae, Sicyinae) from Mexico

Sechium mexicanum is described as a new species ofSechium sect.Frantzia. It differs from the remaining species of the section by several features of the inflorescences and staminate flowers, the obovoid and completely unarmed fruits, and pollen grains with 9–10 narrow, poorly defined colpi. It is endemic to Mexico and the first member of sect.Frantzia to be recorded outside of Central America. It grows at 900–2300 m in mesophilous forests and in oak and pineoak forests in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and Veracruz.     

Zornia subsessilis (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Dalbergieae), a new species from Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Zornia subsessilis, a new species from Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is described and illustrated on the basis of field and herbarium studies. It belongs to Zornia section Zornia of subgenus Zornia and it appears to be restricted to “campo rupestre” (rocky fields) within the “cerrado” biome. This new species is characterized by its sessile to subsessile leaves, fruits with articles 4 to 5 mm long and with bristles up to 3.5 mm long.     

Sacred Giants: Depiction of Bombacoideae on Maya Ceramics in Mexico,Guatemala, and Belize

Sacred Giants: Depiction of the Malvaceae Subfamily Bombacoideae on Maya Ceramics in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize This study categorized and identified plants depicted on Maya ceramics from the Classic Period (250 a.d.–900 a.d.). We chose art objects with a predominance of iconographic images of Malvaceae subfamily Bombacoideae, which are easily identified morphologically and have culinary, medicinal, ceremonial, economic, and cosmological significance to the Maya. Among ten species of Bombacoideae native to the Southern Lowlands region of Central America (Belize, parts of Guatemala, and Mexico), the Maya utilized at least six, which also have Maya names. We observed four or five bombacoid species depicted on Maya ceramics; most images were identifiable to genus. Burial urns and incensarios (incense burners) commonly had images of trunk spines of Ceiba pentandra, the Maya “World Tree.” Flowers of Pseudobombax ellipticum, a plant used to make ceremonial beverages, were most similar to floral images portrayed on vessels, bowls, and plates, although the morphologically similar flowers of Pachira aquatica may also be depicted. Plants representing Quararibea funebris or Q. guatemalteca, which were used during preparation of cacao beverages, were discernable on drinking vessels.     

Pictolejeunea reginac, a new species of Lejeuneaceae (Hepaticae) from Venezuela

Pictolejeunea reginae, a new species from Venezuela is described and illustrated. It is the type of the new subgenusNeopitolejeunea Ilkiu-Borges, which is characterized by entire underleaves. A key to the two subgenera and four known species ofPictolejeunea is provided.

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Ilkiu-Borges, A. L. (Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, C. P. 399, Belém, Pará, CEP 66040-170. Brasil: email: ilkiuborges@hotmail.com).Pictolejeunea reginae, a new species of Lejeuneaceae (Hepaticae) from Venezuela. Brittonia 54: 318–321. 2002.—Pictolejeunea reginae, uma nova espécie encontrada na Venezuela, é descrita e ilustrada. A espécie é tratada como tipo do novo subgêneroNeopictolejeunea Ilkiu-Borges, caracterizada pelos anfigastros inteiros. é apresentada uma chave para os dois subgêneros e as quatro espécies dePictolejeunea.

     

Agave rzedowskiana, a new species in subgenus Littaea (Agavaceae) from western Mexico

Agave rzedowskiana is described and illustrated from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco, Mexico. This species is a member of subgenusLittaea (Tagliabue) Baker “groupStriatae” of Baker. It is compared withA. petrophila García-Mend. & E. Martínez andA. dasylirioides Jacobi & Bouché.

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Resumen  Se describe e ilustraAgave rzedowskiana de los estados de Sinaloa y Jalisco, México. La especie pertenece al subgéneroLittaea (Tagliabue) Baker “Grupo Striatae” de Baker. Se le compara conA. petrophila García-Mend. & E. Martínez yA. dasylirioides Jacobi & Bouché.

     

Agouticarpa, a new neotropical genus of Tribe Gardenieae (Rubiaceae)

Agouticarpa, a new genus of the informalAlibertia group (Rubiaceae), is described and illustrated. It comprises six species, and occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Three species are here described as new:Agouticarpa grandistipula, A. hirsuta, andA. velutina. Additionally, three new combinations are made:A. curvifolia andA. williamsii (previously inGenipa) andA. isernii (previously inAlibertia). Agouticarpa is characterized by being dioecious, having elliptic to abovate, membranaceous stipules, male flowers in a branched dichasial or thyrse-like inflorescence, a poorly developed cup-shaped calyx, pollen grains with 3–7 apertures, and large globose fruits.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lonchocarpus</Emphasis> (Leguminosae,Papilionoideae) from Mato Grosso do Sul,Brazil

Lonchocarpus variabilis, from Mato Grosso do Sul State in Midwestern Brazil, is newly described and illustrated on the basis of field and herbarium studies. It occurs in seasonally deciduous forests and gallery forests at 150–681 m elevation. This species grows in sandy, calcareous, and iron rocky soils. It is similar to L. fendleri, but differs in number of leaflets and shape of the calyx. Moreover, L. variabilis has a staminal tube dilated at the base and anthers with a glabrous base.     

Comparative androecium morphogenesis ofSicyos angulatus andSechium edule (Cucurbitaceae)

“Androecium” ofSicyos angulatus andSechium edule is unique in having a solid central column below a head portion with thecae. Its morphogenesis was examined for the two species. The developmental course is composed of two distinct successive phases; (1) establishment of stamen primordia and (2) uplift of the stamen primordia caused by development of a central column below them. In the first phase, there is a difference between the two species; inSicyos angulatus, two bithecal and one monothecal stamen primordia are formed by congenital fusion among preformed five protrsions, whilst inSechium edule, three or four monothecal stamen primordia are formed without fusion. The central column is later produced by intercalary growth in a region below the stamen primordia in both species. Concomitant with central column development, the center of the floral primordium, which was surrounded by the early formed stamen primordia, is raised up to the top of the central column. The central column could be interpreted as a receptacular column, and not as congenitally fused stamen filaments, as currently believed. The “androecium” of the both species is considered an androecium complex, which consists of the stamens and a receptacular column.     

A new species of Henriettea (Melastomataceae) from the Sierra de Baoruco, the Dominican Republic

Henriettea uniflora, which is known only from a diverse moist montane forest in the vicinity of Loma Trocha de Pey (or “Monteada Nueva”), Loma Pie de Palo, and Loma Remigio, the easternmost peaks of the Sierra de Baoruco, is described and illustrated. It is compared to species of the Henriettea squamulosa complex, especially H. squamulosa and H. ciliata. The species of this complex are characterized by an indumentum of ferruginous, stellate-lepidote hairs.     

A new species of Caesalpinia from the Río Balsas Depression, Mexico, and an updated taxonomic circumscription of the Caesalpinia hintonii complex (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae: Caesalpinieae: Poincianella Group)

Caesalpinia oyamae, a new species from the Río Balsas Depression, Mexico, is described and illustrated based on morphological evidence. It is similar toCaesalpinia hintonii, and grows in seasonally dry forests, between 500–1490 m.     

Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VII. Miconia howardiana,a new speices from Hispaniola

Miconia howardiana, which is known only from a diverse moist montane forest in the vicinity of Loma Trocha de Pey (or “Monteada Nueva”), the easternmost peak of the Sierra de Baoruco, is described and illustrated. It is compared to phenetically similar (and probably phylogenetically related) species of theMiconia favosa complex, i.e.,M. favosa, M. xenotricha, M. campanensis M. Sintenisii, M. foveolata, andM. pycnoneura. The species of this complex are characterized by bullate leaves with frequently cordate bases and often six secondary veins. Most species also have large berries and flowers, 5-locular ovaries, large inflorescence bracts and bracteoles, and more or less dendritic multicellular hairs.     

Two new taxa of Bauhinia sect. Caulotretus from Bahia,Brazil

One new species and one new variety ofBauhinia subg.Phanera sect.Caulotretus are described. Both taxa are tendrilled lianas with woody fruit and both are apparently endemic to Southern Bahian moist forest.Bauhinia carvalhoi has the smallest entire leaves known in the section.Bauhinia angulosa var.bahiana apparently replaces, in “Mata higrófila sul Bahiana”, the typical variety from southeastern Brazil. A key to the three taxa of this section known from Bahia is provided.     

Traditional Knowledge and Management of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Feijoa (Acca sellowiana)</Emphasis> in Southern Brazil

Traditional Knowledge and Management of Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) in Southern Brazil. This paper investigates traditional knowledge of the use and management of Acca sellowiana in southern Brazil. Fifty-six informants from three rural communities were assigned to one of four subgroups (“maintainers,” “managers,” “cultivators,” or “users”) based on their responses regarding management and use of A. sellowiana. Traditional knowledge related to use of this species is widespread among rural residents, but traditional knowledge related to management is fragmented depending on whether one uses, manages, or cultivates the species. Knowledge held in rural communities suggests that A. sellowiana could play an expanded role in local economies as well as biodiversity conservation. We suggest that participatory research could stimulate greater local use as well as on-farm conservation of A. sellowiana.     

New Host and Locality Records for the Ixodes Auritulus (Acari: Ixodidae) Species Group, with a Review of Host Relationships and Distribution in the Neotropical Zoogeographic Region

New Neotropical records are presented for ticks belonging to the Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904, species group, together with a review of hosts and localities from which members of this complex have previously been collected. The range of the I. auritulus species group is now understood to include Colombia, and 15 bird species are listed as new hosts. From Guatemala to southern Argentina and Chile, specimens of the I. auritulus group have been found on birds belonging to the orders Ciconiiformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Passeriformes, Piciformes, Procellariiformes and Tinamiformes. Passeriform birds are probably the principal hosts, sustaining tick populations throughout the Neotropics. Collection data have yielded four areas – southern South America (from 56° S to 51° S), southern Brazil (25° S–22° S), south-central Peru (14° S–10° S) and Central America (10° N–15° N) – where the I. auritulus group appears to commonly parasitize birds, but additional collections may show that the range of this complex is less discontinuous than currently perceived. Several morphological differences are described for ticks within and among these areas, but it is still unclear whether the I. auritulus group comprises more than one species.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elaphoglossum</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidoglossa</Emphasis> subsect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Muscosa</Emphasis> (Dryopteridacae) with cristate spores

A new species from the Bolivian highlands is described as Elaphoglossum cristatum. It is very similar to E. engelii but is characterized by a (for subsect. Muscosa unique) cristate perispore structure with irregular deposits (versus papillate spores), more densely ciliate petiole scales (50–80 versus 10–30 cilia per scale), somewhat thicker blade texture, denser scale cover, and paler, more reddish rhizome scales.