[Botany • 2019] Petrocodon tongziensis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Areas in Guizhou, China based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

Petrocodon tongziensis R.B.Zhang & F.Wen

in Zhang, Deng, Fu, et al., 2019. 

  DOI: 10.1111/njb.01774  

facebook.com/NordicJBotany

Abstract

Petrocodon tongziensis R.B.Zhang & F.Wen, a new species from northern Guizhou province, China, is described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species was found growing in crevices and on tufa of moist surfaces of limestone hills in Tongzi County. A maximum parsimony (MP) analysis based on the combined ITS and trnL‐F DNA regions showed that the new species falls within a large polytomy within Petrocodon, but is resolved as most closely related to an unidentified species (WF2014) and these two taxa are in turn resolved as sister to Petrocodon hunanensis X.L.Yu & Ming Li. This is congruent with the fact that both P. hunanensis and P. tongziensis have four fertile stamens, a character state likely to be an ancestral state distinguishing this clade from the rest of Petrocodon. Petrocodon tongziensis differs from P. hunanensis by lacking a terrestrial stem, as well as by the number of bracts, presence of bracteoles, shape of the lobes of the upper lip, and reduced number and length of staminodes.

Petrocodon tongziensis R.B.Zhang & F.Wen sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Tongzi county, Guizhou province, China.

Ren‐Bo Zhang, Tan Deng, Long‐Fei Fu, Shu Li, Lin He, Quan‐Li Dou and Fang Wen. 2019. Petrocodon tongziensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Limestone Areas in Guizhou, China based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence. Nordic Journal of Botany. 37(2)  DOI: 10.1111/njb.01774  

facebook.com/NordicJBotany/photos/2112977292151174

[Botany • 2019] Nothodissotis (Melastomataceae) • A New Genus from Atlantic Central Africa, including the New Species N. alenensis from Equatorial Guinea

Nothodissotis barteri (Hook.f.) Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit

in Veranso-Libalah, Lachenaud, Stone & Kadereit, 2019.

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.118.31572

Abstract

Based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence, a new genus of Melastomataceae (Melastomateae), Nothodissotis Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, gen. nov., is described from Atlantic Central Africa. Nothodissotis is distinguished from other African Melastomateae genera by its calyx-lobes that are notched at apex and asymmetrical (vs. entire and symmetrical). Nothodissotis includes two species: the type species N. barteri (Hook.f.) Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, comb. nov. (syn. Dissotis barteri Hook.f.), and the new species N. alenensis Veranso-Libalah & O. Lachenaud, sp. nov., described and illustrated here. Both species are restricted to open vegetation on rock outcrops within the forested region of Atlantic Central Africa. Nothodissotis barteri has a scattered distribution in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Príncipe Island, while N. alenensis is endemic to the Monte Alén massif in Equatorial Guinea, an area where N. barteri does not occur. Nothodissotis alenensis differs from N. barteri by its hypanthium bearing sessile appendages with penicillate hairs (vs. stalked stellate appendages) and its staminal appendages that are much smaller in antepetalous than in antesepalous stamens (vs. subequal in all stamens). The conservation status of both N. barteri and N. alenensis is assessed as Vulnerable in accordance with IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Africa, morphology, Dissotis, Equatorial Guinea, Melastomataceae, new species, Nothodissotis, phylogeny, plant conservation, vulnerable species

Figure 2. Digital microscope photographs of the hypanthia of Nothodissotis spp. (A–D) and SEM photographs of the seeds of N. barteri (E–H).
A, B hypanthium of Nothodissotis alenensis (Parmentier & Esono 3453); cl = calyx-lobes and ia = intersepalar appendages C, D hypanthium of N. barteri (Ngok Banak 1196) E, F seeds of N. barteri in dorsal view G, H same in lateral view (Parmentier 3544). 

Figure 3. Nothodissotis barteri.
A habit B branches and inflorescence C leaf seen from above, and flower (petals fallen) D flower bud E blooming flower F stamens. From Droissart et al. 1668 (A, B) and Stévart & Oliveira 5136 (C–F).

Nothodissotis Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, gen. nov.

Type: Nothodissotis barteri (≡ Dissotis barteri Hook. f.)

Morphological diagnosis: Nothodissotis species resemble Dissotis by their 5-merous flowers, calyx with caducous lobes and tube not accrescent on the fruit, presence of intersepalar appendages, dimorphic stamens with the connective bearing bipartite ventral appendages and a well-developed pedoconnective, anthers opening by an introrse apical pore, and cochleate seeds. They differ by being deciduous shrubs (vs. evergreen shrubs and herbs) and having the calyx-lobes notched at apex and asymmetrical (vs. entire and symmetrical); the latter character is unique within African Melastomateae.

Etymology: Derived from the Greek word ‘nothos’ meaning false, and Dissotis, the genus which Nothodissotis most closely resembles.

Distribution and habitat: Nothodissotis includes two species in Atlantic Central Africa, both of which are restricted to rocky outcrops within the equatorial rainforest zone (Fig. 4).

Nothodissotis barteri (Hook.f.) Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, comb. nov. 

≡ Dissotis barteri Hook.f., Fl. Trop. Afr. [Oliver et al.] 2: 454 (1871).

....

Figure 5. Nothodissotis alenensis,
A habit B, B´ leaf adaxial surface C, C´ leaf abaxial surface D floral buds in different developmental stages; cl = calyx-lobes, ia = intersepalar appendages, p = petals E stamens of the outer (left) and inner (right) stamen whorls (drawn from Parmentier & Esono 1560, 2721, 2763 and 3453). Illustration by Doris Franke.

Nothodissotis alenensis Veranso-Libalah & O. Lachenaud, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This new species differs from N. barteri by its hypanthial appendages that are sessile with penicillate hairs (not stipitate with a crown of stellate hairs) and its more strongly dimorphic stamens, the staminal appendages being much longer in antesepalous stamens than in antepetalous ones (vs. staminal appendages ± equal in length in all stamens).

Etymology: The species is named alenensis after Monte Alén range and national park in Equatorial Guinea, where it is apparently endemic.

Distribution and habitat: Nothodissotis alenensis is endemic to Monte Alén National Park in Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni), where it occurs in low shrubby vegetation on rocky outcrops (“manteau arbustif”) at ± 1100 m a.s.l. (Fig. 4).

 Marie Claire Veranso-Libalah, Olivier Lachenaud, Robert Douglas Stone and Gudrun Kadereit. 2019. Nothodissotis (Melastomataceae), A New Genus from Atlantic Central Africa, including the New Species N. alenensis from Equatorial Guinea. PhytoKeys. 118: 89-103. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.118.31572

[Botany • 2019] Selaginella dianzhongensis (Selaginellaceae) • A New Spikemoss from Yunnan, China

Selaginella dianzhongensis X.C.Zhang

in Shalimov, Zhu, Zhang & Zhang, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.118.30375

Abstract

A new species of spikemoss from Yunnan Province of China, Selaginella dianzhongensis, is described and illustrated based on evidence from gross morphology, micromorphology and molecular phylogeny. S. dianzhongensis is most similar to S. amblyphylla in its habit of creeping stem, leaf size, and obviously dimorphic sporophylls, but is distinct by its ventral leaves ovate-oblong, subcordate at base, basiscopic base entire, axillary leaves ovate and decurrent at base. Molecular phylogeny analysis of three chloroplast gene regions (rbcL, atpI, psbA) shows that S. dianzhongensis forms an independent branch with strong support which is distantly related to S. amblyphlla and S. kurzii, but sister to S. bodinieri which is quite different in habitat of erect or ascending stem and rhizophores restricted to the lower part, and slightly dimorphic sporophyllus.

Keywords: Lycophytes, Selaginella amblyphylla, taxonomy, Yunnan, rbcL, atpI, psbA

Figure 1. Selaginella dianzhongensis X.C.Zhang, sp. nov. A habit B adaxial view of strobilus C ventral leaf D axillary leaf E dorsal leaf F adaxial view of lower sporophyll G adaxial view of upper sporophyll H abaxial view of strobilus (Illustration made by Huixia Dong). 

Figure 2. Selaginella dianzhongensis X.C.Zhang, sp. nov. A individual B portion of plant C habit D dorsal leaf E ventral leaf F strobili G axillary leaf H proximal surface of megaspore I distal surface of megaspores J portion of megaspore surface enlarged to show infrastructural detail K distal surface of microspore L proximal surface of microspore M portion of microspore surface enlarged to show infrastructural detail surface (Taken from Yan-Mei Zhu 8158 (PE)).

Selaginella dianzhongensis X.C.Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species resembles Selaginella amblyphylla in habit and gross morphology, but it is different in stems and branches reddish (vs. stramineous in S. amblyphylla), ventral leaves ovate-oblong, 1.1–2.2 × 0.4–0.8 mm (vs. oblong, 2–3 × 0.6–1.2 mm), base subcordate, basiscopic margin not ciliolate (vs. rounded and margin sparsely ciliolate); dorsal leaves oblique subcordate or cordate at base (vs. obliquely cordate), margin with rather long cilia (vs. denticulate or ciliolate); axillary leaves ovate and decurrent at base (vs. ovate or triangular and obtuse to decurrent at base); strobili 3.2–4.0 × 2.3–3.5 mm (vs. 3.5–10 × 3.2–4.4 mm), ventral sporophylls margin ciliolate, dorsal sporophylls margin denticulate (vs. both sporophylls margin ciliolate).

...

Etymology: Dianzhong means central Yunnan in Chinese: the type locality (Yimen) is in the central Yunnan area which is centered on the Provincial capital city Kunming.

Distribution and habitat: Selaginella dianzhongensis is known only from Yimen county, Yunnan, growing on mossy soils in a mixed evergreen forest, at ca. 1576 m a.s.l. (Fig. 3).

 Aleksandr Petrovich Shalimov, Yan-Mei Zhu, Meng-Hua Zhang and Xian-Chun Zhang. 2019. Selaginella dianzhongensis (Selaginellaceae), A New Spikemoss from China. PhytoKeys. 118: 75-87. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.118.30375

[Botany • 2019] Erythrococca kaokoensis (Euphorbiaceae) • A New Species from Namibia and Angola

Erythrococca kaokoensis Swanepoel

in Swanepoel, 2019.
 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.392.1.5

Abstract

Erythrococca kaokoensis, here described as a new species, is only known from the mountains along the Kunene River in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia. These shrubs or small trees grow among rocks of anorthosite, gneiss or limestone. Diagnostic characters for E. kaokoensis include the leaves that are subcordate or lanceolate to ovate, rarely elliptic, drying dark green, yellow-green, blue-green or violet to black, and the interruptedly racemose or subpaniculate inflorescences with flowers in clusters along the axis. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between E. kaokoensis and its possible nearest relative, E. trichogyne, is provided.

Keywords: endemism, flora, taxonomy, Zebra Mountains, Eudicots

FIGURE 2. Erythrococca kaokoensis.
 A. Plant in natural habitat (Zebra Mountains, Namibia) among greyish black boulders of anorthosite, growing as a shrub about 2 m tall. Associated shrub with smaller leaves and yellow flowers in background is a species of Grewia. B. Male flowers. C. Female flowers and immature fruit.

 Photographs: W. Swanepoel.

Erythrococca kaokoensis Swanepoel, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis:— A woody shrub to small tree 1.5–2.5 m tall, related to E. trichogyne, from which it differs in having the leaf lamina subcordate, lanceolate to ovate or rarely elliptic (vs. ovate, ovate-lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate or elliptic to elliptic-ovate), drying dark green, yellow-green, blue-green or violet to black (vs. not drying markedly different); inflorescences racemose or subpaniculate with flowers in clusters along axis (vs. inflorescences racemose), female peduncle not accrescent in fruit (vs. accrescent); male flower ovoid in bud (vs. subglobose), number of stamens 20–33 (vs. 9–25); glands compressed reniform-crescentic or boomerang-shaped (vs. compressed ovoid or broadly ovate), glabrous (vs. evenly to densely adpressed sericious-pubescent), stigmas papillose, papilloselobulate or proximally smooth, distally papillose or papillose-lobulate (vs. fimbriate to fimbriate-lobulate); glabrous (vs. subglabrous or sparingly to evenly adpressed-pubescent), not pendulous (vs. pendulous); seed reticulate (vs. foveolate- or scrobiculate-reticulate), aril dull orange to bright orange-red at first, drying dull orange, lemon or ashen (vs. bright orange-red), testa dark brown (vs. black).
...

Distribution and habitat:—At present E. kaokoensis is only known from the Otjihipa, Okakora and Zebra Mountains (Fig. 3) where it is localized and rare. Erythrococca kaokoensis grows on soil derived from weathered gneiss of the Epupa Complex (Otjihipa Mountains), limestone of the Otavi Group (Okakora Mountains) and anorthosite of the Kunene Complex (Zebra Mountains) (Miller & Schalk 1980, Mendelsohn et al. 2002). It occurs on hillsides and at the base of rocky outcrops amongst boulders in Colophospermum-Commiphora woodland at elevations of 800–1640 m, 82–226 km from the Atlantic Ocean. Average annual rainfall in the area is 150–300 mm (Mendelsohn et al. 2002).

 Conservation status:— Erythrococca kaokoensis is rare and localised with only a few plants at each locality. It was unknown to a local Ovahimba herdsman who was raised in the area and who accompanied the author on one of his visits to the type locality. Erythrococca kaokoensis is not in danger since it occurs at several localities and does not seem to be utilised by humans or animals. It should be considered as Vulnerable (VU D) due to the small population size (IUCN 2012). 

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the Kaokoveld in northwestern Namibia, a region forming part of the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism (Van Wyk & Smith 2001). This biogeographically well-defined region extends into southwestern Angola.

Wessel Swanepoel. 2019. Erythrococca kaokoensis (Euphorbiaceae), A New Species from Namibia and Angola. Phytotaxa. 392(1); 54–60. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.392.1.5

[Botany • 2019] Spiradiclis karstana (Rubiaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Spiradiclis karstana L.Wu, X.Li & Q.R.Liu

in Wu, Li, Liu & Liu, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.28281

Abstract

Spiradiclis karstana, a new species of Spiradiclis (Rubiaceae) collected from Yunnan, China, is described for the first time. It is morphologically close to S. jingxiensis, but differs from the latter mainly by its inflorescences with 5–9 flowers, its 1.5–2.4 mm long peduncles, its stipules shorter than 1 mm and the 5–12 pairs of secondary veins. The conservation status is assessed as “Vulnerable” (VU) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Spiradiclis, Rubiaceae, taxonomy, karst, China

Figure 1. Spiradiclis karstana sp. nov. 

A habit B stipule C inflorescence, side view D long-styled flower E short-styled flower F calyx, frontal view, showing disc G remnant of dehiscent capsule, frontal view. 

Drawn by Xin-Yi Zeng. 

Figure 2. Spiradiclis karstana sp. nov. 

A habitat (The arrows show the places of growth) B habit C variation range of leaves D stipule E inflorescence, side view F long-styled flower, frontal view G disc and calyx H remnant of dehiscent capsule, frontal view I long-styled flower J short-styled flower.

 Spiradiclis jingxiensis K habit L stipule M variation range of leaves. 

Photos by Lei Wu, Ming-Feng Long and Xin-Xin Zhu.

Spiradiclis karstana L.Wu, X.Li & Q.R.Liu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to S. jingxiensis, but differing from this species by the ovate-triangular stipules less than 1 mm long (vs. stipules linear, 1.5–3.0 mm long), the elliptic to oblong leaf blades (vs. ovate to broadly ovate), the 5–12 pairs of secondary veins (vs. 4–5 pairs) and the inflorescences with 5–9 flowers (vs. inflorescences with 1–2 flowers).

....

Distribution and habitat: Spiradiclis karstana is known only from the crevices of forested cliffs at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1600 m in the karst area of SE Yunnan. This part of Yunnan is covered by evergreen rain forests that are highly similar to those in Indo-Malaysia (Zhu 2013) and are dominated by species from Magnoliaceae, Lauraceae, Dipterocarpaceae and Annonaceae.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the habitat of the new species.

 Lei Wu, Xiong Li, Wen-Jian Liu and Quan-Ru Liu. 2019. Spiradiclis karstana (Rubiaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China.  PhytoKeys. 117: 1-8. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.28281

    

[Botany • 2019] Gravesia serratifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from Marojejy National Park, Madagascar

Gravesia serratifolia Almeda & H. Ranariv.

in Almeda & Ranarivelo, 2019. 

 DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.391.2.4

Photo: Éric Mathieu

Abstract 

Gravesia serratifolia, a new species from upper elevations of Marojejy National Park in northeastern Madagascar, is herein described, illustrated, mapped, and compared with similar species. It is readily characterized by its sparingly branched habit, leaf blades coarsely serrate with a moderate to sparse lepidote indumentum on both surfaces, inflorescence of few-flowered dichasia, calyx obsolete or evident as depressed truncate undulations with prominent calyx teeth that are laterally compressed when fresh, filaments with rusty-brown glandlike indumentum, and dorso-basal staminal appendages linear-oblong and widely spreading to coiled. A conservation assessment of Vulnerable is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. 

 Keywords: Sonerileae, conservation, new species, paleotropics, Madagascar

Gravesia serratifolia Almeda & H. Ranariv., sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all Gravesia species by a combination of small (1−3.3 × 0.7−2.7 cm) coarsely serrate leaf blades that are moderately lepidote on both surfaces like young vegetative buds, calyx tube well-developed and flangelike, 1.5 mm long; calyx lobes obsolete or evident as depressed truncate undulations, calyx teeth 5, 0.75−1 × 0.5−0.75 mm, prominent and prolonged beyond calyx tube, laterally compressed when fresh but appearing knobby and callose-thickened when dry; filaments sparsely to moderately beset with rufescent simple (rarely branched) glandlike trichomes mostly less than 0.25 mm long that are commonly clustered or fascicled, and anther connective conspicuously prolonged dorso-basally ca. 0.5 mm above the junction with the filament into a linear-oblong widely spreading or coiled appendage 0.5−0.75 mm long.

Figure 2. Gravesia serratifolia showing habit, leaves, inflorescence, and flower.

(Photo: Éric Mathieu)

Figure 1. Gravesia serratifolia. A. Habit. B. Representative leaf (abaxial surface) C. Representative leaf (adaxial surface). D. Enlargement of a portion of abaxial leaf surface showing serrate margin and scattered lepidote indumentum. E. Enlargement of abaxial leaf base showing acarodomatia where secondary veins diverge from primary vein. F. Petal (adaxial surface) G. Stamen (profile view). H. Enlargement of filament showing fascicled glandlike trichomes. I. Enlargement of filament showing solitary and branched glandlike trichomes. J. Hypanthium and style (at anthesis) with petals and stamens removed. K. Simple dichasium showing bracts and bracteoles.

Drawn from Ranarivelo & Ravelonarivo RHS 857.

Etymology:— The epithet for this species, serratifolia, highlights the conspicuous serrate foliar margins that extend for most of the length of each mature leaf blade.

 Frank Almeda and Heritiana Ranarivelo. 2019. Gravesia serratifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), A New Species from Marojejy National Park, Madagascar. Phytotaxa. 391(2); 115–121. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.391.2.4

Résumé: Gravesia serratifolia, une nouvelle espèce originaire des hautes altitudes du Parc National de Marojejy, au Nord-Est de Madagascar, est décrite, illustrée, cartographiée, et comparée à des espèces qui lui ressemblent. Elle est caractérisée par son port peu ramifié; ses feuilles très serrulatées dont le recouvrement de l’indument en lépidote des deux côtés de leur surface varie de moderé à éparse; son inflorescence pauciflore et dichasiale; son calice floral essentiellement non-lobé mais fortement denté, les dents étant comprimées à l’état frais; l’indument de ses filaments pourvu de sorte de glandes roux-sombres; ses appendices staminaux au niveau de la base dorsale, oblongues, et qui varient de largement diffus à enroulés. Le statut de conservation «Vulnerable» est recommandé pour cette espèce, suivant les Catégories et les Critères de la Liste Rouge de l’UICN.

[Botany • 2018] Kaempferia graminifolia (Subgen. Protanthium: Zingiberaceae) • A New Endemic Species from Thailand

Kaempferia graminifolia Noppornch. & Jenjitt.

in Nopporncharoenkul & Jenjittikul, 2018. 
ดอกดินใบข้าว || DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.379.3.4 
facebook.com/iSIRBOOM

Abstract

Kaempferia graminifolia, a new species belonging to subgen. Protanthium with unique grass-like foliage is described and illustrated. A preliminary IUCN conservation assessment finds that the status of this endemic species is Vulnerable.

Keywords: grass-like leaves, Kaempferia rotunda, new taxa, precocious flowering Kaempferia, vulnerable, Monocots

 Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul and Thaya Jenjittikul. 2018. Kaempferia graminifolia (Subgen. Protanthium: Zingiberaceae), A New Endemic Species from Thailand. Phytotaxa.  379(3); 261-266. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.379.3.4

Kaempferia graminifolia Noppornch. & Jenjitt.

ดอกดินใบข้าว (dok din bai khao)

พืชชนิดใหม่นี้ (รายงานการพบครั้งเเรกของโลก) ถูกพบโดยพี่นิด-วัชราพร เมื่อประมาณสิบปีที่แล้ว ต่อมาพี่จิ๋ว-สุนิสา เก็บตัวอย่างพืชชนิดนี้ในปี 2554 เป็น living specimen ไว้ที่โรงเรือน ณ สวนพฤกษศาสตร์สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ แม่ริม จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ พวกเรา (ดร.ทยา เจนจิตติกุล ภาควิชาพฤกษศาสตร์ คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล และผม) เห็นพืชชนิดนี้ในตอนเเรกก็ตัดสินใจว่าเป็นเพียงฟอร์มหนึ่งของดอกดิน/ทิพยเนตร (K. rotunda) ที่มีใบแคบเรียวยาวคล้ายใบข้าวเท่านั้น เพราะดอกของพืชทั้ง 2 ชนิดแทบจะไม่ต่างอะไรกันเลย

หลังจากลงพื้นที่เก็บข้อมูลภาคสนามหลายครั้งตั้งแต่ปี 2559 จนถึงปัจจุบัน เราได้ข้อมูลเชิงลึกของพืชชนิดนี้มากขึ้น ทั้งนิสัยการออกดอก สภาพแหล่งที่อยู่ ตลอดจนชนิดดินที่พืชชนิดนี้ขึ้น พบว่าเเตกต่างจากพืชชนิดอื่นที่รู้จักมาก่อน

จนกระทั่งปีนี้ (2561) ผมได้หลักฐานทางพันธุกรรมที่หนักเเน่นและสามารถเเยกพืชชนิดนี้ออกจากดอกดินสกุลเปราะชนิดก่อนหน้าได้อย่างสิ้นเชิง ผมหยิบ manuscript ที่ร่างไว้เมื่อนานมาเเล้วขึ้นมาปัดฝุ่น แก้ไขคำบรรยายลักษณะ วาดภาพลายเส้นประกอบคำบรรยายเพิ่มเติม และส่งรายงานพืชนี้เป็นพืชชนิดใหม่ของโลกตามหลักพฤกษศาสตร์โดยให้ชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์ “Kaempferia graminifolia Noppornch. & Jenjitt.” ที่ระบุถึงลักษณะของใบคล้ายกับพืชในกลุ่มหญ้า และกำหนดชื่อไทยว่า “ดอกดินใบข้าว” ส่วนสถานะการอนุรักษ์ตาม IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) ของพืชชนิดนี้ พวกเราประเมินเบื้องต้นให้เป็น สิ่งมีชีวิตที่เกือบอยู่ในข่ายใกล้การสูญพันธุ์ (vulnerable) เนื่องจากจำนวนประชากรค่อนข้างน้อยและพื้นที่การกระจายพันธุ์จำกัด

ปัจจุบันพืชชนิดนี้ได้ตีพิมพ์ในวารสาร Phytotaxa ฉบับปีที่ 379(3) วันที่ 29 พฤศจิกายน 2561 (2018) หน้า 261-266 biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/issue/view/phytotaxa.379.3

ขอบคุณทุกท่านที่มีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องกับงานชิ้นนี้ พี่จินาย-ดร.วัฒนา พี่ชอบ-ฉัตรทอง กวาง-ธัญชนก ที่ให้บัตรผ่านประตูศึกษาตัวอย่าง อสพ พี่นิด-วัชราพร พี่จิ๋ว-สุนิสา พี่อาร์ต-พสธร พี่แวนดี้-วันดี สำหรับข้อมูลพืช การช่วยเหลือระหว่างลงพื้นที่ภาคสนาม และนอนสถานีตำรวจเป็นเพื่อน ขอบคุณพิพิธภัณฑ์พืชทุกแห่ง และผู้สนับสนุนทุนวิจัยทุกท่านครับ

#NewSpecies #EndemicThailand #PlantScience #MahidolUniversity

   

facebook.com/iSIRBOOM/posts/2339985856031193

[Mammalogy • 2018] The Roosevelt–Rondon Expedition Marmoset Mico marcai: Unveiling the Conservation Status of A Data Deficient Species

Mico marcai (Alperin, 1993) 

in Silva, Bizri, Gonçalves, et al,. 2018.  

  DOI:  10.1017/S0030605318000303

photo: Marcelo Santana. 

blog.journals.cambridge.org twitter.com/BoubliJean

The Roosevelt–Rondon Expedition marmoset Mico marcai was first collected in 1914 and all information on this primate previously came from three skins brought back by this expedition. As a result, M. marcai is categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. As the presumed range of M. marcai lies on the path of the advancing arc of deforestation in Brazil, the collection of relevant data to assess the conservation status of this Amazonian species is of some urgency. Here we present the first field data on the distribution and population size of, and threats to, M. marcai, to reassess the species’ conservation status. During 2012–2015 we surveyed the species in the Marmelos–Aripuanã interfluve, and estimated its density using distance sampling. We also used spatial predictive modelling to estimate forest loss within the species range under two deforestation scenarios. We found the marmoset in 13 localities and estimated its extent of occurrence to be 31,073 km2. We estimated the species’ density to be 8.31 individuals/km2 and extrapolated this to estimate a total population of 258,218 individuals (CI 150,705–441,860). Under a business-as-usual deforestation scenario, c. 10,000 km2 of forest, comprising 33% of the species’ range, would be lost in three marmoset generations (c. 18 years), and we, therefore, recommend that M. marcai be categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List based on criterion A3c. Other Amazonian marmosets require similar reassessment as their ranges also fall in the path of the arc of deforestation.

Keywords: Brazil, conservation status, Data Deficient, forest loss, marmoset, Mico marcai, Roosevelt–Rondon Expedition, southern Amazonia

photos: Marcelo Santana.
 conservationleadershipprogramme.org

Felipe Ennes Silva, Hani Rocha El Bizri, Jonas da Rosa Gonçalves, Lísley P. Lemos, Rodrigo Costa-Araújo, Ivan J. Lima, Aline Tavares Santos, Marcelo Ismar Santana, Caetano L. B. Franco and Jean P. Boubli. 2018.   The Roosevelt–Rondon Expedition Marmoset Mico marcai: Unveiling the Conservation Status of A Data Deficient Species. Oryx—The International Journal of Conservation. DOI:  10.1017/S0030605318000303

 twitter.com/BoubliJean/status/1068021941896970240

 facebook.com/OryxTheJournal/photos/10156313884479102

Lack of information as a threat for Amazonian marmosets « Life Sciences « Cambridge Core Blog blog.journals.cambridge.org/2018/11/23/lack-of-information-as-a-threat-for-amazonian-marmosets

Guilherme Siniciato Terra Garbino. 2014. The Taxonomic Status of Mico marcai (Alperin 1993) and Mico manicorensis (van Roosmalen et al. 2000) (Cebidae, Callitrichinae) from Southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. International Journal of Primatology. 35 (2): 529–546. DOI: 10.1007/s10764-014-9766-4

Felipe Ennes Silva, Rodrigo Costa Araújo and Hermano Gomes Lopes Nunes. 2014. Population Trends and Conservation Status of Mico marcai in Aripuanã River Basin, Amazon, Brazil.   FINAL REPORT. conservationleadershipprogramme.org/media/2014/12/Micos-Marcai_Brazil_Final-Report.pdf

[Ornithology • 2018] Phylloscopus rotiensis • A Striking New Species of Leaf Warbler from the Lesser Sundas as Uncovered Through Morphology and Genomics

Phylloscopus rotiensis  

Ng, Prawiradilaga, Ng, Suparno, Ashari, Trainor, Verbelen & Rheindt, 2018

 DOI:  10.1038/s41598-018-34101-7 

photo: Philippe Verbelen

Abstract 

Leaf warblers (Aves; Phylloscopidae) are a diverse clade of insectivorous, canopy-dwelling songbirds widespread across the Old World. The taxonomy of Australasian leaf warblers is particularly complex, with multiple species-level divergences between island taxa in the region requiring further scrutiny. We use a combination of morphology, bioacoustics, and analysis of thousands of genome-wide markers to investigate and describe a new species of Phylloscopus leaf warbler from the island of Rote in the Lesser Sundas, Indonesia. We show that this new Rote Leaf Warbler is morphologically and genomically highly distinct from its congenerics, but do not find vocal differentiation between different island taxa. We discuss the behaviour and ecology of this highly distinctive new species, and make recommendations about its conservation status. We believe this constitutes the first description of a novel bird species that is partly based on insights from massive amounts of genome-wide DNA markers.

 facebook.com/JournalofIndonesianOrnithologyKUKILA

Phylloscopus rotiensis, species nova

English name: Rote Leaf Warbler

Etymology: We name this species after Rote Island, the only locality at which this leaf warbler can be found.

Diagnosis: The new taxon is distinguished from all other Phylloscopus leaf warblers by a proportionately much longer bill.

The Rote Leaf Warbler specimen had a bill length of 16.3 mm, as compared to 13.4 ± 0.1 mm in the Timor Leaf Warbler (n = 2). A comparison of bill length as a proportion of wing length between the Rote and Timor Leaf Warblers indicates that the Rote Leaf Warbler shows a bill to wing length ratio of 0.286, whereas the Timor Leaf Warbler has a bill to wing length ratio of merely 0.248 ± 0.01. The bill of the Rote Leaf Warbler is thus proportionately 15% longer than that of the Timor Leaf Warbler (Fig. 3).

....

  

Nathaniel. S. R. Ng, Dewi. M. Prawiradilaga, Elize. Y. X. Ng, Suparno, Hidayat Ashari, Colin Trainor, Philippe Verbelen and Frank. E. Rheindt. 2018. A Striking New Species of Leaf Warbler from the Lesser Sundas as Uncovered Through Morphology and Genomics. Scientific Reports. 8 (1). DOI:  10.1038/s41598-018-34101-7

 facebook.com/JournalofIndonesianOrnithologyKUKILA/posts/1900216820026538

     

Rote Island, Indonesia sees new songbird  news.nus.edu.sg/highlights/rote-island-indonesia-sees-new-songbird

 news.nus.edu.sg/press-releases/genomic-analysis-unusual-bird-species

[Botany • 2018] Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) • A New Species from Vanuatu, Re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and New Combinations in Phlegmariurus

(D, E, F) Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field

(C) Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching

 in Field, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.29359 

Abstract

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field is described as a new species for plants endemic to the islands of Vanuatu that were previously identified with P. nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching. The Vanuatuan species differs from the widespread Asian-Oceanian species in several characteristics, most notably its acutely divergent leaf arrangement and thicker less branched fertile spikes. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius is here re-circumscribed as plants occurring in Asia and into Oceania as far east as the Solomon Islands, being replaced eastwards by P. vanuatuensis. In addition, new nomenclatural combinations are made for Phlegmariurus australis, a species from Polynesia and for Phlegmariurus copelandianus, a species from Malesia.

Keywords: Phlegmariurus, Lycopodiaceae, Vanuatu, Oceania

Figure 1. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis  ARF1140: A habit, leaf arrangement and fertile spikes B close up of sterile leaf arrangement showing subopposite decussate leaf arrangement and ovate-oval leaves C close up of fertile spike showing scale like sporophylls and a sporangium.

Scale bar: 10 cm (A); 1 cm (B, C). Illustration by A.R.Field. 

Figure 2. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius ARF0002: A basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement B medial region of shoot showing adpressed leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view C distal region of shoot showing abrupt transition to sporophylls and filiform fertile spikes.

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis ARF1140
D basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement E medial region of shoot showing divergent leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view F distal region of shoot showing gradual transition to sporophylls and funiform-filiform fertile spikes. 

Photos by A.R.Field

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis is similar to Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius but differs in having acutely spreading non-flattened sterile leaves (compared with adpressed and imbricate leaves flattened in on plane in P. nummulariifolius), thicker pale green-brown stem bases 3.5–5.5 mm diameter in P. vanuatuensis (compared to thinner dark black-brown stem bases 1.5–3.5 mm diameter in P. nummulariifolius) and a gradual transition to thicker less ramified fertile spikes 2–5.5 mm diameter in P. vanuatuensis (compared to an abrupt transition to slender ramified fertile spikes 1–2.5 mm in P. nummulariifolius).

Distribution, habitat and ecology: Endemic to Vanuatu where it occurs as an uncommon epiphyte on the bark of tree trunks and branches in the canopy to subcanopy of mature trees in lowland to montane primary tropical rainforest.

Etymology: Named for the origin of this species in Vanuatu. Vanuatu is a composition of the Austronesian words ‘Vanua’ meaning home or land and ‘Tu’ meaning stand.

 Ashley Raymond Field. 2018. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) A New Species from Vanuatu, Re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and New Combinations in Phlegmariurus. PhytoKeys. 109: 53-66. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.29359

[Ornithology • 2018] Coturnicops exquisitus • Discovery of A New Breeding Population of the Vulnerable Swinhoe’s Rail confirmed by Genetic Analysis

 Swinhoe’s Rail Coturnicops exquisitus  (Swinhoe, 1873)

in Heim, Trense, Heim, et al., 2018. 

  DOI: 10.1017/S0959270918000138

  twitter.com/KampJohannes 

Summary

The ‘Vulnerable’ Swinhoe’s Rail Coturnicops exquisitus is believed to occur in only two regions in Russia’s Far East and China’s Heilongjiang province, separated by more than 1,000 km. Recent observations suggest that the Amur region, situated between the two known populations, might be inhabited by this secretive species as well. As the species is rather similar in appearance and field characteristics to its Nearctic sister taxon, the Yellow Rail C. noveboracensis, and almost all field records relate to flushed individuals in flight, we aimed to complement the field observations by genetic evidence. Samples were obtained from four individuals and one eggshell and their mitochondrial cytochrome b genes were amplified and sequenced. The genetic analyses unequivocally confirmed that swab samples and eggshell were attributable to Swinhoe’s Rail, thus constituting the first known breeding record of this species for 110 years. It is therefore likely that the individuals observed in the field also belonged to this species. It seems possible that Swinhoe’s Rail is more widely distributed in the Amur region and was overlooked in the past, possibly due to a misleading description of its calls in the literature.

Wieland Heim, Daronja Trense, Arend Heim, Johannes Kamp, Sergei M. Smirenski, Michael Wink and Tom Wulf. 2018. Discovery of A New Breeding Population of the Vulnerable Swinhoe’s Rail Coturnicops exquisitus confirmed by Genetic Analysis. Bird Conservation International. DOI: 10.1017/S0959270918000138  

twitter.com/KampJohannes/status/1045320052550111232