Inonotus tenuicontextus sp. nov. (Hymenochaetaceae) from Guizhou, southwest China with a preliminary discussion on the phylogeny of its kin

Inonotus tenuicontextus collected from Guizhou, southwest China was described and illustrated as a new species based on a combination of phylogenetic and morphological evidence. It is characterized by perennial and effused-reflexed to pileate basidiocarps; duplex and very thin context; a monomitic hyphal system in context; a dimitic hyphal system in trama; and broadly ellipsoid, hyaline and thick-walled basidiospores. Phylogenetically I. tenuicontextus clustered within Inonotus s. s. clade; moreover, it formed a well supported monophyletic subclade with Inonotus baumii, I. linteus, I. lonicericola, I. vaninii and I. weirianus. In morphology I. tenuicontextus distinguishes from I. linteus, also a species with duplex context, by its smaller basidiospores, while its duplex context makes it different from the other four species with homogeneous context. We proposed this subclade as a medicinal group for most of its members with medicinal functions. The phylogeny of the six species in this medicinal group was briefly discussed based on our results. An identification key to them is also provided.     

Xylodon kunmingensis sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales,Basidiomycota) from southern China

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon kunmingensis, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. The species is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with cream to buff hymenial, odontioid surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and oblong-ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, inamyloid and indextrinoid, acyanophilous basidiospores, 5–5.8 × 2.8–3.5 μm. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS sequences showed that X. kunmingensis belongs to the genus Xylodon and formed a single group with a high support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and grouped with the related species X. astrocystidiatus, X. crystalliger and X. paradoxus. Both morphological and molecular evidences confirmed the placement of the new species in Xylodon.     

Chionographis shiwandashanensis sp. nov. (Melanthiaceae) from southern Guangxi,China

Chionographis shiwandashanensis a new species from southern Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to C. koidzumiana Ohwi and C. chinensis Krause in habit, but distinguished by oblong‐elliptic to oblong bractlike leaves and 6, filiform, regular tepals.     

Primulina lutescens sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from southern Guangxi,China

Primulina lutescens B. Pan & H. S. Ma, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China, is illustrated and described. The new species morphologically resembles Primulina carinata Y. G. Wei, F. Wen & H. Z. Lü, but it differs in leaf, floral characteristics and flowering time. The conservation status of P. lutescens is asessed as ‘Endangered’ (EN) according to the IUCN red list categories and criteria.     

中国木层孔菌属三个新记录种

报道了木层孔菌属Phellinus 3个中国新记录种。赤杨木层孔菌Phellinus alni典型特征为菌盖具有较宽的同心环带和清晰的密集环纹菌核;黑木层孔菌P. nigricans具有较大的担孢子;东方木层孔菌P. orienticus具有平伏的子实体,担孢子相对较小。对这3个种进行了详细的描述和显微结构绘图。     

Chamaebotrys prolifera sp. nov. (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) from Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea, based on morphology and small subunit rDNA sequences

A new rhodymeniacean species, Chamaebotrys prolifera , is described from a shallow water habitat in Puerto Rico, representing the first occurrence of the genus in the Atlantic Ocean. Plants, to 5 cm across, are decumbent and comprised of compressed vesicles that are originally proliferously branched at the perimeter. Older vesicles become branched from their dorsal surfaces as well. Branches are septate at their origin and become irregularly shaped with age. Anastomoses between adjacent vesicles is common. Individual vesicles measure to 15 mm in broadest dimension. Vesicle walls consist of two layers of medullary cells and two layers of cortical cells. Tetrasporangia, which occur in diffuse nemathecia, are spherical, to 30 µm in diameter and are cut off terminally from an inner cortical cell. Cystocarps are hemispherical measuring to 800 µm in diameter and 350 µm in height. Spermatangia are apparently cut off randomly from outer cortical cells across the thallus surface. Molecular evidence confirms placement of Chamaebotrys within the Rhodymeniaceae.     

Wentsaiboea tiandengensis sp. nov. and W. luochengensis sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from Karst caves in Guangxi,southern China

Two new species of Gesneriaceae, Wentsaiboea tiandengensis Yan Liu & B. Pan and Wentsaiboea luochengensis Yan Liu & W. B. Xu from Karst caves in Guangxi, China are described and illustrated. Wentsaiboea tiandengensis resembles W. renifolia, but differs in the leaf blade being cordate or broadly ovate, the margin crenate or repand, with conspicuous pinnate veins 3–5 on each side, corolla throat constricted, corolla lobes ovate with apex acute, staminodes 3, and ovary broadly ovoid. Wentsaiboea luochengensis is similar to W. renifolia, but can be distinguished from the latter by the coriaceous leaf blade with 2–3 inconspicuous pinnate veins on each side, elliptic or broadly ovate to sub‐rotund in shape, with sub‐entire margin and attenuate to cuneate or sub‐rotund base, broadly ovate or sub‐rotund corolla lobes, rotund or obtuse apex, and 3 staminodes.     

海南热带雨林腐木上两个无性型子囊菌酵母新种

用含木糖为唯一碳源和含葡萄糖及7.6%乙醇的两种富集培养基对采自海南热带雨林腐木样品中的酵母菌进行了分离培养。对分离出的酵母菌株进行的分子分类学研究表明,其中两株酵母菌X2WZ07-4和G2WZ06-1代表两个无性型子囊菌酵母新种。大亚基(26S)rRNA基因D1/D2域序列分析显示,与X2WZ07-4和G2WZ06-1亲缘关系最近的已知种分别为Candida cylindracea和C.llanquihuensis。在D1/D2域,X2WZ07-4与C.cylindracea模式菌株的碱基序列差异为2.5%;G2WZ06-1与C.llanquihuensis模式菌株的序列差异为3.9%,均远大于酵母菌种间在此区域的序列差异(～1%)。这两个新种分别被命名为拟柱形假丝酵母Candida pseudocylindracea sp.nov.(模式菌株:X2WZ07-4T=AS2.3788T=CBS10854T)和五指山假丝酵母Candida wuzhishanensis sp.nov.(模式菌株:G2WZ06-1T=AS2.3784T=CBS10850T)。     

Spiradiclis glandulosa sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from limestone areas in southern China

Spiradiclis glandulosa L. Wu & Q. R. Liu, a new species from limestone areas in southern China, is described and illustrated here. This new species is similar to S. umbelliformis, but can be distinguished from the latter mainly by its abaxial leaf blade with densely set yellow glandule‐like spots (vs abaxially pilosulous), calyx lobes oblong‐laceolate, ca 4–6 mm long (vs ovate‐triangular, ca 0.6 mm), corolla tube inside densely pubescent above the middle and onto lobes in both forms (vs inside with villous ring above base), and capsules villosulous (vs glabrescent).     

Minimelanolocus bicolorata sp. nov., Paradendryphiopsis elegans sp. nov. and Corynesporella bannaense sp. nov. from southern China

Minimelanolocus bicolorata sp. nov., Paradendryphiopsis elegans sp. nov. and Corynesporella bannaense sp. nov., are described and illustrated. Minimelanolocus bicolorata is unique in possessing the schizolytic conidial secession and solitary, acropleurogenous, holoblastic conidia that are ellipsoidal, 3-euseptate, 30–35 × 7.5–9.5 μm, verruculose, pale brown, with an appendage at each end. Paradendryphiopsis elegans is characterized by monoblastic conidiogenous cells producing short chains of conidia that are 13–30.5 × 4–6.5 μm, 2–3-euseptate and fusiform to obclavate. Corynesporella bannaense is distinguished by terminal and integrated or discrete, monotretic conidiogenous cells that arise as lateral branches from the tip of the conidiophore and solitary conidia that are 12–16-distoseptate, smooth, obclavate, thick-walled, pale brown, and 100–140 × 10–14 μm. Keys to species of Minimelanolocus, Paradendryphiopsis and Corynesporella are provided.     

Teucrium teresianum sp. nov. (Lamiaceae) from southern Spain

Teucrium teresianum, from southern Spain, is here newly described, illustrated, and compared with the most closely related species of the genus. The species is characterized by leaves that are 3(?4)‐whorled, oblong to oblong‐spathulate, and narrowly and progressively cuneate, and a calyx that is tubular‐campanulate, not flattened in the proximal part and with mucronate lobes, and creamy corolla.     

Primulina jianghuaensis sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone cave in southern Hunan,China

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina jianghuaensis K. M. Liu & X. Z. Cai, from a limestone cave in Hunan Province, China, is identified and described. Its seed and pollen grain morphology are described. The new species is morphologically closely related to P. lingchuanensis ( =Chiritopsis lingchuanensis) and P. danxiaensis ( =Chiritopsis danxiaensis), but it can be distinguished by its 12–25 (–30) leaves, ovate or broad ovate leaf blade, subcordate, truncate or slightly decurrent leaf base, undulate leaf margin, 5–20 cymes, and 2–3 staminodes.     

Rivasmartinezia cazorlana sp. nov. (Apiaceae) from southern Spain

Rivasmartinezia cazorlana, from southern Spain, is newly described, illustrated, and compared with other species of the genus. The new species is characterized by a stock with abundant coarse fibres, basal leaves 4–5(–6)‐ternate with the petiole shorter than the limb and acicular ultimate segments, few‐rayed umbels, and mericarps with numerous vallecular and commissural vittae.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Pooideae (Poaceae) based on nuclear rDNA (ITS) sequences

Phylogenetic relationships of the Poaceae subfamily, Pooideae, were estimated from the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The entire ITS region of 25 species belonging to 19 genera representing seven tribes was directly sequenced from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified DNA fragments. The published sequence of rice, Oryza saliva, was used as the outgroup. Sequences of these taxa were analyzed with maximum parsimony (PAUP) and the neighbor-joining distance method (NJ). Among the tribes, the Stipeae, Meliceae and Brachypodieae, all with small chromosomes and a basic number more than x=7, diverged in succession. The Poeae, Aveneae, Bromeae and Triticeae, with large chromosomes and a basic number of x=7, form a monophyletic clade. The Poeae and Aveneae are the sister group of the Bromeae and Triticeae. On the ITS tree, the Brachypodieae is distantly related to the Triticeae and Bromeae, which differs from the phylogenies based on restriction-site variation of cpDNA and morphological characters. The phylogenetic relationships of the seven pooid tribes inferred from the ITS sequences are highly concordant with the cytogenetic evidence that the reduction in chromosome number and the increase in chromosome size evolved only once in the pooids and pre-dated the divergence of the Poeae, Aveneae, Bromeae and Triticeae.This paper reports factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitableThis paper is a cooperative investigation of USDA-ARS and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. Logan, Utah 84322. Journal Paper No. 4581     

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.     

Primula jiugongshanensis sp. nov. (Primulaceae) from China,based on morphological and molecular evidence

Primula jiugongshanensis J. W. Shao, a new species from Mt Jiugongshan in Hubei Province, China, is described and illustrated. This species is a biennial glabrous herb with pinnately compound leaves, and affiliated to P. sect. Ranunculoides C. M. Hu. It is distinguished from other species of the section by outer simple leaves ovate, flowers distylous, corolla lobe apex conspicuously emarginate, and lack of bulblets. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS) was conducted and the results also supported the recognition of P. jiugongshanensis as a new species. The species is known from only three separated unprotected populations and is categorized as ‘Endangered’ (EN).     

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.     

Impatiens shimianensis sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae) from Sichuan,China

Impatiens shimianensis Q. Luo (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Shimian county in southwestern Sichuan province, China, is reported and its morphological characteristics are described and illustrated. Pollen grain morphology and seeds under SEM are also described. The new species is somewhat similar to I. bahanensis, I. brachycentra, I. laxiflora, I. parviflora and I. racemosa, but differs mainly by having leaf blades with white short stiff adpressed hairs; basal lobes of lateral united petals triangular, distal lobes lanceolate; and lower sepal salver‐shaped. The distinguishing characters for these six Impatiens species are given in a table.