Philodendron carajasense sp. nov. (Araceae), a rheophyte from Carajás Mountain Range,northern Brasil

A new rheophytic species of Philodendron, viz. P. carajasense E. G. Gonç. & A. J. Arruda sp. nov., is described from the Carajás region, northern Brazil. This is the second rheophyte described in the genus, the first being P. flumineum E. G. Gonç. to which P. carajasense seems to be related. The new species is also compared with the closely related sympatric P. guttiferum, but the latter lacks the rheophytic habit. The new species is thought to be endemic to the Carajás region.     

Allium purpureoviride sp. nov. (Alliaceae) from east Anatolia,Turkey

Allium purpureoviride M. Koyuncu & ?. Genç (sect. Melanocrommyum) is described as a new species from east Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is closely related to A. rothii Zucc. from Israel and some characters of the new taxon show similarity with A. cyrilli Ten. and A. asclepiadeum Bornm. The morphological characters of the related taxa are discussed and the distribution of the taxa is mapped. The diploid chromosome number is 2n = 16.     

Philodendron bernardopazii and P. ricardoi spp. nov. (Araceae) from Espírito Santo State,Brazil

Two new species of Philodendron– Araceae (Philodendron bernardopazii E. G. Gonç. and Philodendron ricardoi E. G. Gonç.), so far known to be endemic to the Espirito Santo State, Brazil, are here described and illustrated for the first time. Philodendron bernardopazii has been traded as an ornamental plant for more than 30 years, as one of several species popularly called Philodendron“Santa Leopoldina”, because of the Brazilian county where it has been collected. This new species is so far known from two cultivated stocks, both supposedly collected at the same location (around the village of Santa Leopoldina) and if it still exists in nature, it is probably threatened. Philodendron ricardoi has only been observed on rocks around the village of Estrela do Norte where huge populations can be seen growing in rocky outcrops in open areas.     

Minuartia aksoyi sp. nov. and M. buschiana subsp. artvinica subsp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

Two new taxa of Minuartia L. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey, Minuartia aksoyi M. Koç & Hamzao?lu sp. nov. and Minuartia buschiana Schischk. subsp. artvinica M. Koç & Hamzao?lu subsp. nov. are described and illustrated. Their taxonomic positions are discussed and they are compared with allied taxa. The distributions of the new and closely related taxa are given. Seed structures were examined by SEM.     

Rhaponticoidesaytachii sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

A new species of Rhaponticoides Vaill., Rhaponticoidesaytachii Y. Ba?c?, Do?u & Dinç sp. nov. collected by the authors from south Anatolia, is described and illustrated. The new species is restricted to deprived Quercus forest openness around Dumlugöze‐Sar?veliler (C4 Karaman). Diagnostic morphological characters from R. amplifolia (Boiss. & Heldr.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species is also presented.     

Species delimitation in a range-restricted group of cascudinhos (Loricariidae: Epactionotus) supports morphological and genetic differentiation across coastal rivers of southern Brazil

Epactionotus species are known for inhabiting the rocky-bottom stretches of fast-flowing rivers in a limited geographic area along the Atlantic coast of southern Brazil. These species are endemic to single coastal river drainages (two neighbouring drainages for Epactionotus bilineatus) isolated from each other by the coastal lacustrine environments or the Atlantic Ocean. E. bilineatus is from the Maquiné and Três Forquilhas River basins, both tributaries of the Tramandaí River system, whereas E. itaimbezinho is endemic to the Mampituba River drainage and Epactionotus gracilis to the Araranguá River drainage. Recent fieldwork in the Atlantic coastal drainages of southern Brazil revealed new populations in the Urussanga, Tubarão, d'Una and Biguaçu River drainages. Iterative species delimitation using molecular data (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and morphology (morphometrics and meristics) was applied to evaluate species recognition of isolated populations. With regard to new data, the genus was re-diagnosed, the status of Epactionotus species/populations was re-evaluated, formerly described species were supported and population structure was recognized. As for the newly discovered populations, both morphological and molecular data strongly support the population from the Biguaçu River drainage, in Santa Catarina State, as a new species. Molecular data revealed strong per-basin population structure, which may be related to species habitat specificity and low or no dispersal among drainages.     

Encholirium pulchrum and E. diamantinum spp. nov. (Bromeliaceae) from the Espinhaço Range,Minas Gerais,Brazil

Two new species of Encholirium from the Espinhaço range, restricted to the Diamantina plateau of Minas Gerais state, Encholirium pulchrum Forzza, Leme & O. B. C. Ribeiro and Encholirium diamantinum Forzza, are described and illustrated, and their morphological characters are discussed and compared to those of close relatives.     

A new species and molecular phylogeny of Brazilian succulent Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses

A new species of Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses V.W. Steinm. & Dorsey is described. Euphorbia tetrangularis Hurbath & Cordeiro is endemic to the Serra de Montevidéu, a part of the Espinhaço Range located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It differs from other species within the section based on the following characters: 4-ribbed branches, green cyathia, and green cyathial glands with erect appendages. This new species would qualify as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. An inferred phylogeny based on a combined dataset of nuclear (ITS1) and plastid regions (psbA-trnH, trnC-ycf6, matK, atpI-atpH, psbJ-petA, trnQ-rps16?×?1) confirms the monophyly of Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses and supports the recognition of E. tetrangularis. The phylogeny also suggests that this group probably underwent a recent radiation.     

The genus Potamolithus Pilsbry, 1896 (Gastropoda: Tateidae) on the Somuncurá Plateau,Patagonia, Argentina

The genus Potamolithus (Gastropoda: Tateidae) is endemic to South America where it is distributed mainly in the Ribeira, Itajaí-açú and Jacuhy Rivers in southern Brazil and the Uruguay River, part of the Paraná and Río de la Plata drainage systems. An exception to the pattern of distribution is Potamolithus valchetensis Miquel, 1998, which is endemic to the Valcheta Stream, Somuncurá Plateau, Patagonia, Argentina. Here we provide a review of Potamolithus from this plateau based on new samples and review of material deposited in collections. A new species, Potamolithus elenae, is named. The shell, head-foot, penis, pallial organs and radula are described. Differences between the new species and P. valchetensis include details in the shell, radula, body pigmentation and penis. A phylogeny using mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I is provided which shows that Potamolithus is related to species in New Caledonia (Australasia), suggesting that the Tateidae has a Gondwanan distribution.     

Trophic morphology features allow Astyanax endemic species coexistence in a Neotropical river system

Resource partitioning has an essential role in interspecific relations, especially in congener species, which share many morphological traits. In some places, small characids coexist through resource partitioning, which may reduce their interspecific competition. Astyanax species (e.g., Astyanax minor, Astyanax gymnodontus and Astyanax bifasciatus), for example, coexist in different water bodies from the Iguaçu River basin. These species have high phenotypic plasticity and many morphologic specializations that allow them to live in different habitats. Based on evidences that these species modified their feeding habits because of changes in resource availability in Iguaçu River, this study tested two hypotheses: (a) there are differences in head morphology, number of teeth and number of gill rakers among the species of Astyanax; and (b) there are differences in gill arch and gill raker morphology among the species of Astyanax, which may favour their trophic resource partitioning in Iguaçu River. The head morphological traits and quantitative morphological characters were summarized in a principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and the analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) showed significant differences among species. Gill morphological measurements were analysed through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and it also showed significant differences in gill arch and gill raker morphology among species. Therefore, the analysis of ecomorphological traits related to trophic habits revealed some differences that may suggest a tendency of reducing competition for trophic resources in the Iguaçu River basin.     

A new species of Cinclodes from the Espinhaço Range,southeastern Brazil: insights into the biogeographical history of the South American highlands

We describe Cinclodes espinhacensis (Furnariidae), a new species discovered at high elevation in the southern portion of the Espinhaço Range, in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. This new taxon is closely related to the Long‐tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti, endemic to Serra Geral, southern Brazil. We present diagnostic morphological, genetic and vocal characters that support the rank of species for this allopatric taxon. It is readily distinguishable from C. pabsti by its much darker back, chest and flanks, lower body mass, shorter tarsus‐length, lower frequency of vocalizations, and longer duration of calls. DNA sequence data estimate that the divergence time between this new species and Cinclodes pabsti occurred c. 220 000 years ago, during the late Pleistocene. This discovery illustrates remarkable biogeographical connections among the cold regions of South America. The new species has a restricted range and we suggest it meets the criteria of the IUCN Red List category of Endangered.     

Bilacunaria anatolica sp. nov. (Apiaceae) from southwest Anatolia,Turkey

A new species, Bilacunaria anatolica A. Duran (Apiaceae) is described and illustrated from southwest Turkey. The species grows on eroded marly stony slopes and in openings of Pinus brutia forest in Fethiye district (C2 Mu?la province). Bilacunaria anatolica, an endemic confined to southwest Anatolia, is related to B. microcarpa and B. scabra. It is also similar to the Mediterranean species Cachrys crassiloba and C. cristata in terms of habit, but differs in fruit characteristics. Diagnostic morphological and carpo‐anatomical characters are discussed. Notes are also presented on ecology and conservation status. In addition, pollen characteristics and mericarp surface features are examined by SEM. The geographical distribution of the new species and related species is mapped.     

Onobrychis dushanbensis sp. nov. endemic to Tajikistan

Onobrychis dushanbensis Ranjbar, Vitek & Karamian, a new Fabaceae species endemic to Tajikistan, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Onobrychis Miller subgen. Sisyrosema (Bunge) Grossheim sect. Hymenobrychis DC. It is closely related to O. chorassanica Bunge and O. seravschanica B. Fedtsch., but is easily distinguished by its purple flowers with darker venation (vs yellowish with purple venation), with wings 9–10 mm long (vs wings 4–5 mm long) and bracts 14–15 mm long (vs bracts 4–5 mm long). The relationships between the new and closely related species are discussed.