Mollugo viscosa sp. nov. (Molluginaceae), a segregate of M. brasiliensis from Minas Gerais in eastern Brazil

The new species Mollugo viscosa Thulin & Harley is described from Minas Gerais in eastern Brazil. It was previously part of the recently published M. brasiliensis Thulin & Harley, a species that was found to be non‐monophyletic in molecular phylogenetic analyses. Mollugo brasiliensis is here divided into a northern species (M. brasiliensis s.str.) in Bahia and a southern species (M. viscosa sp. nov.) in Minas Gerais. The new species differs from M. brasiliensis in its denser and more viscous indumentum, and in its distinctly smaller seeds with smaller tubercles and a smaller hilar peg, and from its sister species M. ulei by being a perennial herb with bisexual flowers.     

Cylicocyclus asini n. sp. (Nematoda: Cyathostominae) from donkeys Equus asinus in South Africa

Cylicocyclus asini n. sp. is described from the ventral colons of seven domesticated donkeys Equus asinus in South Africa. The specimens are smaller than 11 members of the genus Cylicocyclus, which currently comprises 10 recognised species, one recognised subspecies and two species inquirendae, but is similar in size to the two smaller species, C. ashworthi and C. leptostomum. Additionally, the small size of its buccal capsule places it within the so-called small buccal capsule group, namely C. ashworthi, C. leptostomum, C. nassatus, C. radiatus and C. triramosus. The shape of the oesophagus at the oesophago-intestinal junction is elongate, similar to that of C. leptostomum. The female specimens have a tail length shorter than the vulva to anus distance, similar to three of the smaller Cylicocyclus species, namely C. leptostomum, C. radiatus and C. triramosus. The new species is distinguished from the smaller members of the genus by the presence of a `club-foot' posterior in the female specimens, 40–46 elements in the external leaf-crown and a deep division of the dorsal ray which extends beyond the origin of the externodorsal ray. Similarly, the new species can be separated from the two other members in the genus with a `club-foot' posterior in the females (C. auriculatus and C. gyalocephaloides) by its body length (6.6–8.47 mm) and the presence of a nipple-like dorsal gutter.     

广西楼梯草属五新种

描述了在中国广西发现的楼梯草属五新种:小果楼梯草(Elatostema microcarpum W. T. Wang & Y. G. Wei)在体态方面与荔波楼梯草(E. liboense W. T. Wang)极为相似,但茎较低矮,不具软鳞片,叶上面无毛,钟乳体较小而可区别。圆序楼梯草(E. gyrocephalum W. T. Wang & Y. G. Wei)在体态上与浅齿楼梯草(E. crenatum W. T. Wang)相似,但叶两面均有糙伏毛,侧脉较少,4～6对,钟乳体较小,长约0.1 mm而不同。对序楼梯草(E. binatum W. T. Wang & Y. G. Wei)在亲缘关系方面与深绿楼梯草(E. atroviride W. T. Wang)相近,但茎和叶无毛,雄花序托较小,近方形,长度及宽度约6.5 mm,小苞片较小,长约1.5 mm,无毛,可以区别。河池楼梯草(E. hechiense W. T. Wang & Y. G. Wei)似华南楼梯草(E. balansae Gagnep.)但叶的渐尖头全缘,钟乳体较小,长0.1～0.15 mm,雌花序苞片顶端无角状突起,可以区别。环江楼梯草(E. huanjiangense W. T. Wang & Y. G. Wei)可能与樟叶楼梯草(E. petelotii Gagnep.)有亲缘关系,但后者的叶全缘,钟乳体较大,长0.3～0.7 mm,侧脉在狭侧3条,在宽侧4条,雌花序常有长花序梗,而与本种相区别。     

Solanum knappiae sp. nov. (Solanaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

While preparing a taxonomic survey of the species of Solanum in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, a new species, here described as Solanum knappiae Agra & Sampaio, was recognized based on its distinctive morphology. It is a member of Solanum sect. Geminata and is most similar to S. bahianum, from which it differs by its geographic distribution and by having glabrous young stems and leaves, smaller corollas and stamens, cuspidate calyx lobes, and pedicels with a constriction at the distal end that becomes swollen in the fruit. The new species is described and illustrated here, and comments on its distribution and conservation status are included.     

Serological Distinctness of Bromus pseudosecalinus P. SMITH sp. nov.

Immunoelectrophoretic studies of the seed proteins of material provisionally referred to B. secalinus var. or f. hirsutus have revealed that it is serologically distinct from B. secalinus. The plant has many of the characters of B. secalinus fitting that species to life as a contaminant of cereal fields, but the floret and seed sizes are much smaller, and the sheaths are normally hairy. In Britain the plant appears to contaminate small-seeded pasture grasses which are sown on roadsides. The chromosome number of this plant is 2n = 14, unlike typical B. secalinus which has 2n = 28. The plant seems to be introduced in Britain, but its native distribution is not known. In view of its distinctive morphology and its serological difference from B. secalinus and other bromes, it is proposed to name it as a new species: Bromus pseudosecalinus P. SMITH sp. nov.     

Ligularia dalaolingensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae–Senecioneae) from central China

Ligularia dalaolingensis, a new species from Hubei and Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. It belongs to L. sect. Ligularia ser. Speciosae on the basis of its palmate leaf venation, racemose synflorescence and pappus which is slightly shorter than the tube of the tubular corolla. In the series, its closest relatives are assumed to be L. fischeri and L. stenocephala. From L. fischeri, L. dalaolingensis is readily distinguished by smaller basal leaves, shorter synflorescence, narrower involucres and fewer phyllaries and florets; from L. stenocephala, L. dalaolingensis differs by smaller basal leaves, shorter synflorescence as well as broader bracts. A diagnostic key to Chinese species of L. ser. Speciosae with broadly ovate, ovate or ovate‐lanceolate bracts is provided.     

Gaultheria gonggashanensis sp. nov. (Ericaceae) from Sichuan,China

Gaultheria gonggashanensis P. W. Fritsch & Lu Lu, a new species from western Sichuan Province, China, is described and illustrated. This species belongs to Gaultheria ser. Trichophyllae Airy Shaw and is most similar to G. sinensis J. Anthony, but differs by its longer stem setae, glabrous petioles and leaf blade midveins adaxially, thick‐chartaceous to subcoriaceous leaf blades, larger calyx lobes, and smaller anther thecae. The species is known with certainty only from the Hailuo Valley on the east slope of Mount Gongga in the Daxue Range.     

Limnebius alibeii sp. n. (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) from Morocco

Limnebius alibeii sp. n. is described from the Moroccan Atlas. The new species is closely related to L. fretalis Peyerimhoff, from which can be separated for its slightly smaller size and the structure of the aedeagus.     

Platycarpum vriesendorpiae sp. nov., a second new species of Tribe Henriquezieae (Rubiaceae) from nutrient‐poor soils in the Peruvian Amazon

The new species Platycarpum vriesendorpiae N. Dávila (Rubiaceae, Henriquezieae) is described from Peru, where it is restricted to white‐sand forests and peatlands in the Tapiche and Blanco River watersheds in southeastern Loreto Region. The new species is generally similar to P. acreanum Rogers of western Brazil in its phyllotaxy, leaf pubescence, and fruit shape and size. However, P. vriesendorpiae differs in its triangular stipules that are 2‐ or 3‐angled at the base and in its smaller corolla.     

Megalophallus deblocki n. sp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) from Rostrhamus sociabilis (Vieillot) (Aves: Accipitridae) in Paraguay

A new species in the little-known digenean fauna of Paraguayan birds is described in detail, especially in relation to its terminal genitalia. The new form, Megalophallus deblocki n. sp., is a microphallid from the intestine of the snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis (Vieillot). It is differentiated in detail from its congeners, but differs mainly in having a substantially larger phallus (e.g. in relation to the ventral sucker), a smaller ventral sucker and smaller eggs. Comments are included on the functional morphology of the terminal genitalia.     

Salvia siirtica sp. nov. (Lamiaceae) from Turkey

Salvia siirtica Kahraman, Celep & Do?an sp. nov.(Lamiaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the northern part of Siirt province in southeast Anatolia, Turkey, where it was found growing in open forests of Quercus. It is morphologically similar to S. indica L., but differs by having densely glandular pilose to villous stems and petioles, close verticillasters, smaller flowers, clearly concave calyx apices, entirely white corollas and smaller nutlets. Salvia siirtica and S. indica are also distinguished by their nutlet and pollen micromorphologies, illustrated by SEM images. The nutlet surface of S. siirtica is very finely wrinkled and its pollen has 3–4 primary lumina per 25 μm², compared to 5–8 in S. indica. Conservation status assessment, distribution map, and notes on biogeography and ecology of the new species are provided.     

ALLOCATION,GROWTH RATES AND GAS EXCHANGE IN SEEDLINGS OF STEPHANOMERIA EXIGUA SSP. CORONARIA AND ITS RECENT DERIVATIVE S. MALHEURENSIS

The annual diploid plant species Stephanomeria malheurensis is known only from a single locality where it grows interspersed with its progenitor S. exigua ssp. coronaria. S. malheurensis is thought to have originated recently at its present site and, consequently, serves as a model to study how the phenotype of a species is assembled following its origin. The following were examined in the present study: dry matter allocation, growth parameters, net photosynthesis, and dark respiration of seedlings under three temperatures in order to identify specific features of the new species that might relate to its ecological properties. Under each test condition, S. malheurensis had leaves with a significantly smaller surface area, greater dry weight per unit area, heavier roots, and a higher root/shoot ratio. Both species had similar relative growth rates during the measured period of rosette growth, but in S. malheurensis this resulted from the combination of a lower leaf area ratio and a higher net assimilation rate, whereas in ssp. coronaria it resulted from the opposite combination. The mean rates of apparent net photosynthesis and dark respiration were similar in both species. The differences between the species may reflect the establishment of genes in S. malheurensis which still are present in ssp. coronaria. The implications of this and the possible ecological significance are discussed.     

MANTONIELLA IN ANTARCTIC WATERS INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTION OF M. ANTARCTICA SP. NOV. (PRASINOPHYCEAE)1

We report the finding of two species of Mantoniella from the Weddell Sen and Prydz Bay, Antarctica. As well as M. squamata, a cosmopolitan species, we describe M. antarctica sp. nov., the second species in this genus. M. antarctica is covered with two distinctive types of discoid scales. The flagella bear only the smaller of the scale types whereas the cell body has both types, the larger overlying the smaller.     

Kuepferia kanchii sp. nov. (Gentianaceae) from Sikkim Himalaya

Kuepferia kanchii D. Maity, Sentu K. Dey & Adr. Favre, a new species from Sikkim Himalaya, is described and illustrated. It differs from its close relative K. infelix (C. B. Clarke) Adr. Favre ( = Gentiana infelix C. B. Clarke) by having sessile and smaller flowers, and smaller floral parts. Kuepferia kanchii is further characterized by a white corolla with bluish green patches on the outside at the base of each corolla lobe, and a corolla tube flushed with light green inside towards the base, blue filaments, sessile stigma, smaller capsule, and trigonous–elongated, ca 0.8 mm long and curved seeds.     

Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. H. Walker: A new record from Pakistan

Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. H. Walker (Astereae: Asteraceae) has been recorded in Pakistan for the first time. The species is closely associated with C. bonariensis and C. canadensis. It differs from C. bonariensis in its smaller capitula with a small series of marginal and disc florets that lack a purplish-pink apex, but resembles it in disciform capitula. C. sumatrensis differs from C. canadensis in having five-lobed disc florets and lacking well-developed ray florets. The species is widely distributed in the Potohar region, particularly in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.     

Paracuaria hispanica n. sp. (Nematoda: Acuariidae), a stomach parasite of the pyrenean desman Galemys pyrenaicus Geoffr. (Insectivora: Talpidae), with a redefinition of the genus Paracuaria Rao, 1951

Adult and fourth-stage larvae of Paracuaria hispanica n. sp., from the stomach of the Pyrenean desman Galemys pyrenaicus Geoffroy (Insectivora: Talpidae) in northern and central Spain, are described. The new species differs from the other members of the genus Paracuaria (P. adunca and P. soricis), among other morphological details, in its smaller body and spicule sizes, the presence of a cuticular ring around the tip of the female tail, and the existence of lateral alae running longitudinally along its body from the cervical region to the tail. In view of the latter feature, the genus Paracuaria is redefined. The fourth stage larva of the new species is distinguished from that of P. adunca by its monocuspid deirids. P. hispanica occurred in 45% of the 20 host specimens examined.     

Geranium kikianum sp. nov. (Geraniaceae) from the southern Peloponnese,Greece

Geranium kikianum Kit Tan & G. Vold sp. nov. (Geraniaceae) is illustrated and described as a new species endemic to Greece. It occurs beside streams and other wet places in open Pinus nigra forest at the foothills of Mt Taigetos in the southern Peloponnese. It is closely related to G. macrorrhizum, a species more widely distributed in southern and central Europe, ranging from the southern Alps to the Balkan Peninsula. It differs from the latter by its smaller and narrower deflexed petal limb, slender claw and occurrence in wet habitats. The genome sizes of G. kikianum and of Greek populations of G. macrorrhizum are presented here for the first time. The nuclear DNA content (2C values) of 2.84 pg for G. kikianum and 2.83 and 2.87 pg for two G. macrorrhizum populations from Greece probably corresponds to a 2n=92 cytotype while the smaller genome size of 1.45 pg in a population of G. macrorrhizum from Mt Smolikas, Greece may correspond to a 2n=46 cytotype.     

Memecylon trunciflorum sp. nov. (Melastomataceae–Olisbeoideae) from the Udzungwa Mountains,southern Tanzania

Described and illustrated is Memecylon trunciflorum R. D. Stone, an evidently localized endemic of the Udzungwa Mountains in southern Tanzania. The new species was previously confused with the vegetatively similar but distantly related M. erythranthum Gilg and M. semseii A. Fern. & R. Fern., from which it is distinguished by its anther connectives bearing a dorsal oil‐gland and by its ellipsoid to obovoid fruits (vs anther connective gland absent and fruits globose in M. erythranthum and M. semseii). The new species is placed in M. sect. Magnifoliata R. D. Stone together with M. magnifoliatum A. Fern. & R. Fern., from which it differs by its smaller leaves mostly 9.5–15.0 × 3.5–6.0 cm (vs 18–35 × 8–13 cm), transverse veins 8–18 pairs (vs 25–28 pairs), short‐pedunculate inflorescences with secondary axes well developed (vs peduncles and secondary axes absent), white flowers (vs bluish purple), and smaller fruits mostly 11.5–14.5 × 9–11 mm on longer fruiting pedicels 8.0–13.5 mm (vs fruits 17–20 × 12–14 mm on pedicels 5.0–7.5 mm). Despite its local endemism, Memecylon trunciflorum has been assessed as ‘Least Concern’ according to IUCN criteria, although this assessment is dependent on the continued safeguarding of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park.     

Tropaeolum sparrei sp. nov. (Tropaeolaceae) from western Ecuador

A new species, Tropaeolum sparrei Ståhl (Tropaeolaceae), is described from submontane cloud forest habitat in western Ecuador. It differs from T. papillosum Hughes (the species it resembles most) by having thinner, tomentose stems, smaller, glabrous or subglabrous leaves with the petiole inserted relatively closer to the lower leaf margin, and flowers with uniformly coloured and straight calyx spurs. In leaf shape it is also similar to T. repandum Heilborn, from which it differs in its larger flowers with entirely black petals and blue anthers.     

African Hepatics: VIII. Diplasiolejeunea albifolia (Taylor) E. W. Jones comb.nov.

Abstract

The new combination Tetralophozia filiformis (Steph.) E. Urmi is proposed for Chandonanthus filiformis Steph. So far this species has been known only from Asia and N. America. Recent collections show it to occur also in Europe, in the Cantabrian Mts., Spain. Here it grows in sheltered places on siliceous rocks in oceanic conditions. From Tetralophozia setiformis (Ehrh.) Schljak. (=Chandonanthus setiformis) it is distinguished by its smaller size, the leaf lobes are always more than twice as long as wide and their margins are not inflexed towards the stem.