Species distributions: virtual or real – the case of Arbaciella elegans (Echinoidea: Arbaciidae)

The distribution of species is expressed by their occurrence in local faunal lists often compiled by non‐taxonomists. In the case of rare or cryptic species, this can pose a severe limitation on the validity and thus the application of the resulting biodiversity data. Here, we show an example of a shallow‐water echinoid to illustrate problematic distribution data based on misidentification. This species, Arbaciella elegans, was established on the basis of Central African material and later reported from various places in the Mediterranean and the Northern Atlantic. Morphological comparison with the type material casts considerable doubt on the validity of these records. Genetical characterization of material from the Azores clearly shows that the dark Arbaciella phenotype reported to the Mediterranean and north‐east Atlantic in fact represents juveniles of another species, namely Arbacia lixula.     

湖北植物研究(Ⅰ)

报道了湖北植物1新记录种祛风藤(Biondia microcentra(Tsiang)P.T.Li),并对《湖北植物志》记载的3个错误鉴定种予以订正,它们分别是Phoebe nanmu(Oliv.)Gamble(滇楠)、Deutzia scabra Thunb.(溲疏)和Aspidistralurida Ker-Gawl.(九龙盘),其相应的正确名称分别为P.zhennan S.K.Lee&F.N.Wei(楠木)、D.crenataSiebold&Zucc.(齿叶溲疏)和A.oblanceifolia F.T.Wang&K.Y.Lang(棕叶草)。     

江西景天属一新种——溪水景天

【目的】作者于2021年在中国江西东北部阳际峰国家级自然保护区进行林木种质资源调查时发现一种景天科（Crassulaceae）景天属（Sedum L.）植物,该种与已报道的同属植物均有区别,本文予以论述并确定其分类学地位。【方法】跟踪阳际峰上多个种群,在不同物候期进行详细观察和形态学比较,确定其相近种及区别特征;进而通过文献检索和标本查询确定其在全国分布情况。【结果】该种营养枝在幼苗阶段呈莲座状,最相似种为细小景天(Sedum subtile Miq.),区别特征包括;前者具有发达且3叶轮生的不育枝、花茎上每分枝5~16朵花,苞片匙状倒披针形,后者不育枝细弱且叶互生或对生、花茎每分枝3~5朵花、苞片线形。【结论】该种为景天科一新种,命名为“溪水景天”（Sedum fluviale B. Chen & Z. W. Zhu）。该种专一性地生于溪流环境,分布范围较广,包括江西、浙江、福建、安徽、湖南、贵州等省区,此前存在较多错误鉴定的情况。模式标本存放于上海辰山植物标本馆（CSH）。     

Implications of poor taxonomy in conservation

Red Lists are legal instruments that guide decisions within the context of conservation. Such lists can indicate the most appropriate conservation actions, leading to choices of priority areas for conservation, or create alternatives to ensure the preservation of threatened species. However, if Red Lists are effective tools in the conservation of threatened species, then it is important that we have guaranteed the quality of taxonomic delimitation of these taxa. Here we discuss a case of taxonomic confusion, emphasizing the implications of misidentification in Red Lists. To avoid mistakes in species conservation, we advocate that a minimum level of taxonomic knowledge is needed to ensure success in preserving target species. Therefore, complementarity of taxonomy and conservation guarantee stronger conservation actions.     

湖北植物研究（I）

报道了湖北植物1新记录种祛风藤（Biondia microcentra（Tsiang）P．T．Li）,并对《湖北植物志》记载的3个错误鉴定种予以订正,它们分别是Phoebe nanmu（Oliv．）Gamble（滇楠）、Deutzia scabra Thunb．（溲疏）和Aspidistra lurida Ker—Gawl．（九龙盘）,其相应的正确名称分别为P．zhennan S．K．Lee＆F．N．Wei（楠木）、D．crenata Siebold＆Zucc．（齿叶溲疏）和A．oblanceifolia F．T．Wang＆K．Y．Lang（棕叶草）。     

中国纤细蛇根草(茜草科)的订正

通过标本考证和野外研究,证实中国文献记载的纤细蛇根草（Ophiorrhiza gracilis Kurz）实为尾瓣蛇根草（O. caudipetala Deb & Monda）错误鉴定,而后者之前仅被报道分布于印度,因此为中国新记录。尾瓣蛇根草具有明显不等大的对生叶片, 花冠裂片背部具长0.6~1 mm的角状突起,易与中国蛇根草属其它种类区分。     

Distichophyllum chenii B.C.Ho sp. nov. (Daltoniaceae) from Southeast China

Abstract

Despite the genus Distichophyllum having been revised recently for the Moss Flora of China, upon examination of a wide range of both Chinese and non-Chinese material a distinct new species was found among existing specimens collected from China. The new species, Distichophyllum chenii, is described based on specimens previously misidentified and reported as Distichophyllum cirratum var. cirratum. Published illustrations of D. cirratum var. cirratum based on a misidentified collection of D. collenchymatosum are highlighted to avoid further future taxonomic confusion.