Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of African Anura: Polystoma dawiekoki n. sp. parasitic in Ptychadena anchietae (Bocage)

Polystoma dawiekoki n. sp. is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae parasitic in the urinary bladder of the plain grass frog Ptychadena anchietae. This parasite was collected at Mkuze town and Mkuze Game Reserve in northern Kwazulu-Natal Province, in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, and at Bulwa in Tanga Province, East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. It is distinguished from other African Polystoma species by a combination of characters, including the body size, size and shape of marginal hooklets and the haptor length to body length ratio. The presence of adult, as well as subadult, parasites in the same individuals, as is known for Eupolystoma, represents a significant evolutionary departure from the pattern of transmission typical of Polystoma in most of the other anuran hosts.     

Acanthocephaloides cyrusi n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from southeast African teleost fishes

A new species,Acanthocephaloides cyrusi, is described from the fishesSolea bleekeri andPomadasys commersoni from Lake St. Lucia, Natal, South Africa. It is distinguished from the other species in the genus by the more marked sexual dimorphism in length, the arrangement of hooks, the proboscis with the longest hooks at the anterior-most extremity and the greater size of the proboscis hooks and body spines. An acanthella, which may represent this species, was found in the tanaidApseudes digitalis.     

Redescription of Heliconema africanum (Linstow, 1899) n. comb. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae), a nematode parasite of freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.) in South Africa

The little-known nematode species Heliconema africanum (Linstow, 1899) n. comb. (Physalopteridae) is redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopical examinations of specimens collected from the stomach of the African longfin eel Anguilla mossambica (Peters) in the Nahoon River, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This species, previously misidentified as Heliconema longissimum (Ortlepp, 1922), is a common parasite of eels in South Africa. The systematic status of H. longissimum, a species originally described from unidentified Australian snakes, is unclear and probably several morphologically closely related species have been included under this name.     

Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of southern African Anura: Polystoma claudecombesi n. sp. parasitic in Rana angolensis Bocage

Polystoma claudecombesi is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae (Monogenea) parasitic in the urinary bladder of the anuran host Rana angolensis. This parasite was collected at three localities in South Africa, namely Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve in Natal province, Witsieshoek Mountain Resort in the north-eastern Orange Free State and Bovenste Oog in the province of Transvaal. It is the largest African polystome described to date. Prevalence at Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve was 4.0% and 2.7% in two successive years, with a mean intensity of 1.0 (n=25 and 36, respectively). One of the two R. angolensis from Witsieshoek was infected with 5 parasites. The diversity and distribution of southern African polystomes is also discussed.     

Distribution and biogeography of the Paradiaptominae (Copepoda: Calanoida: Diaptomidae)

The Paradiaptominae, a subfamily of the large Diaptomidae family, is a small group of freshwater calanoids of which 24 species in four genera have been described. They are endemic to Africa with the exception of four species, Metadiaptomus asiaticus (Asia and Mongolia), M. gauthieri (Africa and Madagascar), Paradiaptomus greeni (India and Sri Lanka) and Neolovenula alluaudi (Canary Islands, North Africa, Baltic and Mediterranean countries). The North African species Metadiaptomus chevreuxi extends its range into Iraq and Iran. The Paradiaptominae are widely distributed in semi-permanent water bodies in the drier areas of Africa although most individual species have a restricted distribution. Only a few species have the ability to colonise permanent waters and these species are usually located at higher altitudes. The Paradiaptominae have not been recorded from the wet equatorial lowland areas of Africa. It seems likely that they are Gondwanian in origin as evidenced by their distribution (Africa, Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka). Neolovenula alluaudi (Mediterranean) shares morphological characters tenuously linked to the other species in the group and may either have a different origin or have branched off at an early stage in evolution of the group.     

Djinga cheekii sp. nov. (Podostemaceae) from Cameroon

A new species is added to the monotypic African genus Djinga. Djinga cheekii Ghogue, Huber & Rutish. (Podostemaceae) is described as a new species from Cameroon (Littoral Province) and its morphological affinities and conservation status are assessed. The main distinguishing characters are: stamens 2 (not 1 as in D. felicis), flower buds inside spathella strongly inclined (not only slightly inclined as in D. felicis), and stems lacking or only up to 6 mm long (not up to > 6 cm as in D. felicis). A molecular analysis revealed that D. cheekii is sister to D. felicis, and both together are sister to Ledermanniella linearifolia and L. pusilla which show completely inverted flower buds inside the spathella, as typical for the large and still artificial genus Ledermanniella.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF MISTLETOE POLLEN. V. MADAGASCAN AND CONTINENTAL AFRICAN VISCUM L. (VISCACEAE)

Pollen characters of Madagascan and continental African Viscum are described and compared to those in Asia and Australia. The subprolate, tricolporate, nonuniformly sculptured pollen of Madagascan taxa is most similar to that of Asian species. Ultrastructurally, however, the completely granular equatorial ektexine of Madagascan Viscum is most similar to that of continental African taxa. Continental African Viscum, in contrast to Madagascan and Asian species, display a wide variation in pollen shape and apertures. Pollen shape ranges from subprolate to oblate, the latter unique to Africa. The most striking feature of continental Viscum is their variability in aperture number and aperture type. Aperture number varies at both the intra- and interpopulational levels with such variation resolvable to the individual flower—a condition unique to the continent. The only simple (colpate) aperture type in the genus is restricted to Africa. The continental species can be divided into two species groups based on pollen characters: Group I (4 spp.) characterized by strictly tricolporate rounded convex pollen with a rodlet/granular equatorial ektexine structure and Group II (most continental species) possessing multiapertures, concave lobate shape, uniform sculpturing and granular equatorial ektexine. The African V. menyharthii, V. fischeri, V. rotundifolium and V. minimum exhibit no clear Group I or II affinities. An analysis of overall pollen characters in Viscum indicates a trend towards spheroidal shape, multiapertures and uniform sculpturing and ektexine organization. Though pollen characters suggest ties between Australia, Asia and Madagascar, they indicate an even stronger relationship between Madagascar and continental Africa, particularly eastern Africa. The relationship of the majority of African Viscum, excluding those with obvious Madagascan affinities, remains obscure. The unique palynological features of Group II species coupled with their inflorescence structure suggest an independently evolving group.     

Redescription of Ilyocryptus tuberculatus Brehm, 1913 (Anomopoda,Branchiopoda)

The morphology of Ilyocryptus tuberculatus Brehm, 1913 is redescribed, based on material from the Niger basin, Africa. The species name was given by Brehm erroneously, because under an optical microscope he mistook internal structures (the columns between the outer and inner walls of the valves) for the tubercules on the valve surface. But this species is undoubtedly valid, and `incorrect' species names must be conserved. Differences between I. tuberculatus and the most similar I. agilis (probably absent from the majority of African waters), I. spinifer (common in Africa), and some other species are discussed. Currently, I. tuberculatus is known for the Central African Republic, Mali and Niger.     

Novelty in Centaurea sect. Acrocentron (Asteraceae,Cardueae) from Iran

A new species, Centaurera bojnordensis Ranjbar, Negaresh & Joharchi (Asteraceae), endemic to Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran and belonging to Centaurea sect. Acrocentron, is described and illustrated. This species is mainly distinguished from C. sintenisiana of C. sect. Acrocentron by its indumentum of stem, shape and size of involucres, cilia and spine length. In addition, geographical distribution of the two species is presented and shown. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Evolutionary trends in southern African glossy starlings (Lamprotornis)

Craig, A.J.F.K. 2000. Evolutionary trends in southern African glossy starlings (Lamprotornis). Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 244–245.

In southern African six Lamprotornis species occur in savanna woodland. Locally up to five species may be sympatric, dependent on similar food sources and sharing roost sites. All are obligate tree-hole nesters. Morphological differences concern signal structures (tail length and shape, iris coloration, wing notches) rather than adaptations for feeding. There is very little sexual dimorphism, and when body size is accounted for, there are no significant inter- or intra-specific differences in bill dimensions. The long-tailed L. mevesii and L. australis are probably sister taxa, which evolved in southern Africa. L. nitens and L. acuticaudus are also likely to be southern African in origin, whereas L. chalybaeus and L. chloropterus may have evolved to the north, with their current distribution in southern Africa a consequence of later range expansion. Similar modifications of signal structures in sympatric species are evident in northern glossy starlings.     

Quantifying the Trade in Cycads (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Encephalartos</Emphasis> Species) in the Traditional Medicine Markets of Johannesburg and Durban,South Africa<Superscript>1</Superscript>

Quantifying the Trade in Cycads ( Encephalartos Species) in the Traditional Medicine Markets of Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. Cycads have been used for traditional purposes for centuries, mainly as a source of starch during droughts and famines. In South Africa, Encephalartos species are traded for traditional medicine (TM) in local TM markets. The 2009 IUCN Red Data assessment for South African flora lists 78% of the 37 indigenous Encephalartos species as “Threatened”, with three species already “Extinct in the Wild” (EW). South African cycads face an extinction crisis, primarily due to collecting for the horticultural trade. The trade in Encephalartos for TM also has a significant impact on several species, and is largely understudied. In this paper, the trade in Encephalartos for TM was quantified in South Africa’s two largest TM markets, Faraday in Johannesburg and Warwick in Durban. Harvesting of South African Encephalartos for TM involves the removal of bark strips and/or whole stem sections. Encephalartos species were sold at 26% and 13% of the stalls at Faraday and Warwick, respectively, with an estimated 9.0 metric tons traded at Warwick in 2009. Stem samples purchased in the markets were assigned to stem diameter size classes using a size class chart, and regression analysis was used to validate the allocations. Most harvesting was from sub-adult and adult cycads, and it appears that bark strips are removed from large arborescent plants, whereas smaller individuals and subterranean-stemmed species are harvested by removing the entire plant. There is generally a positive relationship between stem diameter and leaf base length as well as stem diameter and pith radius. The former can be used as a predictor of stem diameter size class for market samples that prove difficult to assign to diameter classes using the chart. Overall, this is the first study to quantify the trade in Encephalartos for TM in South Africa with reference to the size classes of the plants traded.     

Contributions towards the taxonomy of the African Naididae (Oligochaeta). IV. Zoogeographical and taxonomical considerations on African Naididae

A systematic revision of African Naididae confirmed the presence of 16 genera and 48 species. Allonais ranauana Boldt, 1932 is confirmed as a distinct species, Nais raviensis Stephenson, 1914 has very short gills and is a species of Dero, and Rhopalonais has equally obscure gills and is attributable to Dero. Pristina proboscidea Beddard, 1896 is synonymous with P. longiseta Ehrenberg, 1828.African naidids are primarily tropical, the most widespread genus is Pristina, followed by Aulophorus, Nais and Dero. Nais is dominant in South Africa, whereas the other genera predominate in the tropics along with Rhopalonais. The most widespread species are A. furcatus, N. variabilis, P. longiseta and P. menoni.Serrations on hair setae and intermediate teeth in bifid needles are universally present as seen under SEM, their reported absence under light microscopes is attributable to lack of resolution power. SEM is also useful in determining gills in Dero. Size of setae within and between individuals is more constant than the literature would suggest as the standard deviation is usually less than 10% of the mean. There is a constant relationship between setal length and size of worm, and between median ventral setae and needles in this material.Setal size is a diagnostic character in taxonomy. The standard deviation of the mean number of segments in front of the budding zone averages 9.9%, the highest value (25.7%) was for Stylaria fossularis. Differences of more than 10% may usually be considered diagnostic. The total number of segments is exceedingly variable and cannot be used as a taxonomical characteristic. The same applies to segment length or diameter.     

New Streptocarpus species (Gesneriaceae) from South Africa

Two new rosulate species of Streptocarpus are described from the eastern seaboard of South Africa. The first is endemic to Mpumalanga Province. This species has almost actinomorphic corollas with small cylindrical tubes and was previously included within Streptocarpus parviflorus. However, molecular and morphological data and habitat preference do not support this classification. The second species is from the Msikaba River Gorge in the Eastern Cape Province. It adds to the already impressive list of endemic plant species from this region and is allied to other rosulate species of the Eastern Cape. It approaches Streptocarpus rexii in flower size but differs in its much shorter corolla tubes, which lack purple nectar guides. In addition, the corolla floors are marked with yellow bars reminiscent of Streptocarpus cyaneus and also seen in sympatric populations of the small‐flowered Streptocarpus modestus. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 743–748.     

Distribution patterns of the Diaptomidae (Calanoida: Copepoda) in southern Africa

All freshwater calanoids in southern Africa belong to the family Diaptomidae of which there are two subfamilies, the Paradiaptominae (Lovenula, Paradiaptomus and Metadiaptomus) and Diaptominae (Tropodiaptomus and Thermodiaptomus). The Paradiaptominae are endemic to Africa, while the Diaptominae have one endemic African genus Thermodiaptomus, and the other genus Tropodiaptomus, occurs in other parts of the world as well as Africa. Knowledge of distribution of the Diaptomidae has been hampered by incomplete taxonomic knowledge and lack of co-ordination of available information. Distribution patterns of 19 described species and 11 new species confirm that the majority of species have a limited distribution, and that the Paradiaptominae are arid-adapted and belong to temporary pool communities. Six species are endemic to coastal pans and vleis of the western and southern Cape Province. Only those species with a wider distribution have been recorded as colonising man-made lakes. The four Lovenula species are predators and often co-exist with a Metadiaptomus species as prey. Synapomorphies of widely separated species of the Paradiaptominae, provide interesting insights into how their evolution may have been governed by vicariance, dispersal and palaeoenvironments of the African continent.     

Biology and ecology of Thallomys nigricauda (Rodentia, Muridae) in the Thornveld savannah of South Africa

The black-tailed tree rat, Thallomys nigricauda, is one of the few arboreal rodents inhabiting the southern African savannahs. During three field campaigns in 2001 and 2002 we collected data on the biology and ecology of T. nigricauda in the Thornveld savannah of the Molopo Nature Reserve (NW Province, South Africa). T. nigricauda lives a solitarily lifestyle in the Molopo Nature Reserve. Diet analyses shows that they are folivorous, specializing on leaves of Acacia mellifera and Acacia luederitzii. Male and female animals have a similar body size (≈80 g). Mean age at weaning was 30 days and mean litter size at this age was 1.8. Monthly survival rates varied between 0.25 and 0.86. Density was estimated to be 0.5–1 individual ha⁻¹. Overall, our results show that the basic ecological characteristics of this arboreal rodent are fairly similar to other rodent species.     

Heptamegacanthus niekerki n. g., n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the south-east African insectivore Chrysospalax trevelyani (Günther, 1875)

Heptamegacanthus niekerki n. g., n. sp. is described from the giant golden mole Chrysospalax trevelyani (Günther, 1875) from south-east Africa. It differs from other genera and species in the family mainly by its smaller size, and the number and greater size of hooks in the anterior ring. The family Oligacanthorhynchidae is briefly discussed and a host-parasite list is given for the family Chrysochloridae.     

Cattiena fansipanis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhigonematida: Carnoyidae) from a millipede (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Spirobolida) in North Vietnam

A new species of Cattiena Hunt & Spiridonov, 2001 from a diplopod (Spirobolida: Pseudospirobolellidae Brolemann) collected near Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, is described. Females of Cattiena fansipanis n. sp. are closely related to females of two other known species of the genus, C. trachelomegali Hunt & Spiridonov, 2001 and C. trigoniuli Hunt & Spiridonov, 2001, but can be distinguished by the distinctly more anterior position of the vulva, abrupt constriction of the body at the vulval level, presence of two swollen portions of the oviducts, and longer body and tail. Males of new species differ by having a rounded cephalic region followed by 13–14 annules which are larger than those which follow them, a different size and shape of the spicules and gubernaculum, and body and tail length. Three size groups of juveniles were found in the host gut lumen, presumably representing second, third and fourth juvenile stages. The morphology of the juvenile stages is described.     

Angelica muliensis sp. nov. (Apiaceae) from Sichuan,southwest China

Angelica muliensis (Apiaceae), a new species from Sichuan Province, southwest China, is described and illustrated. The new species resembles A. biserrata, but differs in the shapes of the leaflets and sheaths, umbel number and size and especially mericarp features. The diagnostic characters of these two species are presented and compared.     

A rosette by any other name: species diversity in the Bangiales (Rhodophyta) along the South African coast

The Bangiales is an order of Rhodophyta, widely distributed around the globe and best known for its economic value in the nori industry. The morphological simplicity of the group offers limited distinguishing characters for species identification. We therefore delimited species of the Bangiales along the South African coast based on two unlinked loci, the mitochondrial cox1 gene and the plastid rbcL gene, supplemented with additional sequence data from a third gene, the nuclear nSSU. Application of DNA-based species delimitation methods including the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GYMC) and Poisson Tree Processes (PTP), resulted in the recognition of 10 Porphyra and three Pyropia species in South Africa, only three of which had been previously described. Additional species of Bangiales previously recorded along the South African coast were added to our final species list despite not being found in the present study, resulting in an estimate of 14–16 Bangiales species occurring along this shoreline. Most of this extensive genetic diversity has been misidentified as the commonly rosette-forming species P. capensis. The name P. capensis currently refers to a species complex and cannot be attached to any one species with certainty. All species in this complex, confirmed using genetic data, are endemic to South Africa. Our results compare well with other Southern Hemisphere countries, such as Chile and New Zealand, where high genetic diversity, species richness and endemicity have also been found.