[Mammalogy • 2025] Hipposideros srilankaensis • Taxonomic Revision of the South Asian allies of Hipposideros galeritus Cantor, 1846 (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)

 

Hipposideros srilankaensis 

Kusuminda, B. Srinivasulu, Amarasinghe, A. Srinivasulu, C. Srinivasulu & Yapa, 

in B. Srinivasulu, Kusuminda, A. Srinivasulu, Ukuwela, Amarasinghe, Siriwardana, Kaur, Mannakkara, Soisook, Kamalakannan, Yapa et C. Srinivasulu, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5590.4.3 

facebook.com/Srinivasulu Chelmala

Abstract

Hipposideros galeritus was described in 1846, with subsequent studies suggesting four subspecies across South and Southeast Asia. Our study indicates that the Indian and Sri Lankan populations previously considered subspecies of H. galeritus are, in fact, distinct species in need of taxonomic revisions. Based on the morphometric analysis, structure of the baculum, molecular phylogenetics, and echolocation call analysis, the Indian, Sri Lankan, and Southeast Asian populations of Hipposideros galeritus are distinct. We provide a detailed description of H. brachyotus Dobson, 1874 and describe a new species—Hipposideros srilankaensis sp. nov.—from Sri Lanka. Key morphological differences were found in the noseleaf, ear shape, and cranial features between the Indian (H. brachyotus), Sri Lankan (H. srilankaensis sp. nov.), and Southeast Asian populations (H. galeritus s.l.). Substantial genetic distances were found between H. galeritus populations, suggesting cryptic diversity that is yet to be resolved.

Mammalia, Chiroptera, Hipposideros brachyotus, Hipposideros srilankaensis, new species, India, Sri Lanka

Hipposideros srilankaensis sp. nov.

Bhargavi SRINIVASULU, Tharaka KUSUMINDA, Aditya SRINIVASULU, Kanishka D. B. UKUWELA, Chamara AMARASINGHE, Sahan SIRIWARDANA, Harpreet KAUR, Amani MANNAKKARA, Pipat SOISOOK, Manokaran KAMALAKANNAN, Wipula Bandara YAPA and Chelmala SRINIVASULU. 2025. Taxonomic Revision of the South Asian allies of Hipposideros galeritus Cantor, 1846.  Zootaxa. 5590(4); 507-530. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5590.4.3 [2025-02-25]   ශ්‍රී ලංකා පත්නැහැ-වවුලා 

  facebook.com/hyd2masawa/posts/10162937536644407

[Entomology • 2024] Zimmiodes australis & Z. papuanus • An Integrative Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Approach reveals A New Genus of Australasian Cycas-pollinating Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cossoninae)

Zimmiodes australis

 Hsiao & Oberprieler, 2024 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad190

 

Abstract

Cycas is the second-largest genus of cycads in Australia and the sole cycad genus in Papua New Guinea. In contrast to the other Australian cycads, which are mainly pollinated by weevils of the Tranes group of Molytinae, the Australian Cycas species are pollinated by tiny weevils belonging to the subfamily Cossoninae but representing an unnamed genus. This study evaluates the taxonomic status of these weevils by combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses and species delineation based on mitochondrial DNA. The results reveal that the Cycas-pollinating weevils in Australia comprise only one species, here described as Zimmiodes australis gen. et sp. nov., with another species in Papua New Guinea, described as Zimmiodes papuanus sp. nov. The phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparison reveal that Zimmiodes belongs in the tribe Pentarthrini of Cossoninae and that the related Tychiodes group includes not only Tychiodes Wollaston, Tychiosoma Wollaston and Nanoplaxes Heller but also Tyrpetes Heller and is also assignable to Pentarthrini. The conspecificity of Zimmiodes weevils from all Australian Cycas species sampled suggests the likely taxonomic oversplitting of the Australian Cycas species and thus provides new insights into the taxonomy of the Australian cycads.

Australasia, cycad pollinators, cycad weevils, new taxa, species delimitation, taxonomy

Superfamily Curculionoidea Latreille, 1802

Family Curculionidae Latreille, 1802

Subfamily Cossoninae Schoenherr, 1825

Zimmiodes gen. nov.

Derivation of name: The genus name is dedicated to the late Dr Elwood Curtin Zimmerman (1912–2004), former weevil taxonomist at the ANIC, who is renowned for his invaluable works on Australian weevils; the gender of the name is masculine.

 Habitus of Zimmiodes, dorsal view. 

A, Zimmiodes australis, male, holotype. B, Z. australis, female, paratype. 

C, Zimmiodes papuanus, male, holotype. D, Z. papuanus, female, paratype. 

Scale bars: 1.00 mm.

 Habitus of Zimmiodes, lateral view. 

A, Zimmiodes australis, male, holotype. B, Z. australis, female, paratype. 

C, Zimmiodes papuanus, male, holotype. D, Z. papuanus, female, paratype. 

Scale bars: 1.00 mm.

  

Zimmiodes australis and host plants in the field.
 A, Cycas media banksii in northern Queensland. B, weevils aggregating among sporophylls of male cone of Cycas media banksii. C, ditto, male cone of Cycas maconochiei. D, weevil, enlarged. E, weevil preparing to fly, showing well-developed hindwings. F, larva tunnelling and feeding in microsporophyll of Cycas maconochiei. G, pupa in pupation chamber in microsporophyll of Cycas maconochiei.

 Zimmiodes australis gen. et sp. nov. 

 Zimmiodes papuanus sp. nov.

 

Yun Hsiao and Rolf G. Oberprieler. 2024. An Integrative Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Approach reveals A New Genus of Australasian Cycas-pollinating Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cossoninae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(2); zlad190. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad190

[Botany • 2025] Lepanthes luicitae & L. salvaterrae (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • Two New Species, Nomenclatural Notes and An updated Checklist in Lepanthes from Mexico

Lepanthes luicitae Solano; 

L. salvaterrae Solano, J.R. Carral & Téllez, 

in Solano, Licona, Carral et Téllez-Baños, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.687.1.4 

 facebook.com/EthianLicona 

  facebook.com/RodrigoCarral

 

Abstract

Two new orchid species from Mexico are described and illustrated here: Lepanthes luicitae, from the mountains of northern Oaxaca, and Lepanthes salvaterrae, from central Veracruz. Lepanthes luicitae is similar to L. thurstoniorum from which differs by its flexuous rachis (vs. zigzag), dorsal sepal as wide as the lateral ones (vs. lateral sepals almost 2/3 the width of the dorsal one), lateral sepals obliquely ovate and diverging from each other towards their apices (vs. obliquely triangular-ovate and subparallel to each other towards their apices), and petals forming butterfly wing-like blades (vs. forming oblong and oblique blades). Meanwhile, L. salvaterrae is similar to L. gabriellae but differs in having a peduncle shorter than the leaf (vs. equal or longer than the leaf), orbicular to orbicular-elliptic leaves (vs. narrowly elliptic), marginally glabrous sepals (vs. with reddish cilia), and petals with upper and lower lobes different in shape and size (vs. similar to each other). Lepanthes acuminata subsp. ernestii, is elevated to specific status, and it is reported for the first time for the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, and for Guatemala. Meanwhile, L. machorroi and L. papilionacea are reported as new records for the flora of Veracruz. The richness of Lepanthes in Mexico has increased to 68 species, 39 of which have a distribution restricted to the country. Finally, an updated checklist, including accepted and synonym names for Lepanthes of Mexico, is present here.

checklist, Lepanthes ernestii, Lepanthes luicitae, Lepanthes salvaterrae, Mexican endemisms, Monocots

Lepanthes luicitae Solano

  

Lepanthes salvaterrae Solano, J.R. Carral & Téllez

  

Lepanthes ernestii (Salazar & Soto Arenas) Solano & E. Licona

Rodolfo Solano, Ethian Licona, Rodrigo Carral and Bruno Téllez-Baños. 2025. Two New Species, Nomenclatural Notes and An updated Checklist in Lepanthes (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) from Mexico. Phytotaxa. 687(1); 21-64. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.687.1.4 [2025-02-13]

  facebook.com/EthianLicona/posts/9270397999692544

  facebook.com/RodrigoCarral/posts/10162315215247453

[Botany • 2025] Kaempferia chonburiensis (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence

 

Kaempferia chonburiensis Picheans., Sukrong & Wongsuwan,

in Wongsuwan, Phokham, Rattanakrajang, Picheansoonthon et Sukrong, 2025. 

เปราะเมืองชล  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18948

Background

Kaempferia is a genus belonging to the ginger family. Currently, this genus is comprised of about 63 species, mainly distributed from India to Southeast Asia. During our fieldwork, a new species of Kaempferia was found in Chon Buri Province, Thailand. The objective of this article was to provide morphological evidence and confirm its relationships in Kaempferia through molecular phylogenetic analysis.

Methods: Plant samples were collected from field sites and investigated by conventional taxonomy and molecular techniques. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using the maximum likelihood criterion and Bayesian inference. The morphological evolution was also examined to elaborate the relationships among representative Kaempferia taxa.

Results: Kaempferia chonburiensis from southeastern Thailand is described and illustrated based on morphological features and its taxonomic placement was confirmed by molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological evolution. An identification key is provided for the new Kaempferia species occurring in Thailand.

Conclusion: Kaempferia chonburiensis is a new enumerated species of Kaempferia from Thailand.

Drawing of Kaempferia chonburiensis.
 (A) Whole plant. (B) Ligule. (C, D) Bracts. (E, F) Bracteoles. (G) Flower with calyx tube and ovary. (H) Flower (top view). (I) Dorsal corolla lobe. (J, K) Lateral corolla lobes. (L) Labellum. (M, N) Lateral staminodes. (O) Corolla tube with anther and anther crest. (P, Q, R) Anther and anther crest (front, side, and rear views). (S) Ovary, stylodial glands, and lower part of the style. (T) Immature fruit with persistent calyx. (U) Mature fruit with persistent calyx and bracteoles. (V) Seeds.

 Illustration based on the holotype (PW 240621–1) (drawn by Pantamith Rattanakrajang).

Kaempferia chonburiensis
(A) Whole plant. (B) Bract. (C) Bracteoles. (D) Flower with calyx tube and ovary. (E) Calyx tube. (F) Flower (top view). (G) Dorsal corolla lobe. (H) Lateral corolla lobes. (I) Lateral staminodes. (J) Labellum. (K) Corolla tube with ovary and anther. (L) Anthers and anther crests (front, side and rear views). (M) Ovary, stylodial glands, and lower part of the style. (N) Fruit and persistent calyx. (O) Seeds.

 Photographs based on the holotype (PW 240621–1) (photos by Pornpimon Wongsuwan).

Kaempferia chonburiensis in situ.
 (A) Natural habit in flowering stage. (B, C, D) Variation of flowers (labellum patch with or without violet). Photographs based on the holotype (A, B: PW 240621–1) and paratypes (C: PW 120721–1 and D: PW 100622–1)

(photos by Pornpimon Wongsuwan).

Kaempferia chonburiensis Picheans., Sukrong & Wongsuwan, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: This new species is similar to Kaempferia koratensis, but differs in the following characters: (1) longer ligule (0.6–1 cm vs. ca. 3 mm), (2) longer peduncle (0.8–1.2 cm long vs. ca. 5 mm long), (3) glabrous bract, (4) white with yellow spot at the base, with or without violet patch on labellum, (5) pubescent at the uppermost part of ovary.

 

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘chonburiensis’ refers to the province of the type locality.

Vernacular name: Pro (เปราะ), Wan Pro (ว่านเปราะ), Pro Mueang Chon (เปราะเมืองชล).

Pornpimon Wongsuwan, Boonmee Phokham, Pantamith Rattanakrajang, Chayan Picheansoonthon and Suchada Sukrong. 2025. Kaempferia chonburiensis (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence. PeerJ. 13:e18948. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18948

[PaleoIchthyology • 2021] Jiangxialepis retrospina • The Oldest eugaleaspiform (Galeaspida) from the Silurian Fentou Formation (Telychian, Llandovery) of Wuhan, South China

Jiangxialepis retrospina Liu, Huang, Zong & Gong, 2021; 

 interpretative drawings of A, Shuyu zhejiangensis Pan, 1986; B, Jiangxialepis retrospina gen. et sp. nov.; C, Meishanaspis lehmani Wang, 1991.

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2021.1883755 

  Researchgate.net/publication/349934424

 Abstract

A new genus of Eugaleaspidiformes (Galeaspida, Agnatha), Jiangxialepis gen. nov., is described from the Llandovery (Silurian) Fentou Formation from Wuhan, Hubei, South China. The new genus belongs to the family Shuyuidae, as evidenced by the splayed posterior supraorbital canals, absence of ‘U’-shaped median dorsal canals, and three lateral transverse canals issuing from the infraorbital canals. The new genus possesses a middle dorsal spine, which is found in eugaleaspidiforms for the first time. Jiangxialepis differs from other genera of Shuyuidae based on the following characteristics: presence of a middle dorsal spine, the anterior end of the median dorsal opening slightly disrupting the rostral margin of the head shield, large oval orbital openings, pineal opening level with the centre of the orbital opening, and seven lateral transverse canals on each side. The new genus is the first discovery of a eugaleaspidiform in the Fentou Formation, which extends the age of eugaleaspiforms to the middle Telychian and illuminates the early morphological conditions of the Eugaleaspidiformes. Cladistic analysis shows that the new genus is the most primitive group of Eugaleaspidiformes (Shuyuidae) and forms a trichotomy with Shuyu and Meishanaspis. We interpret Jiangxialepis as a sub-demersal fish that lived in the brackish waters of an estuarine-deltaic environment.

 

Keywords: Jiangxialepis, Shuyuidae, Eugaleaspiformes, Fentou Formation, Silurian, Wuhan, South China

Photographs and interpretative drawing of Jiangxialepis retrospina gen. et sp. nov.
A, internal mould of a complete head shield, BGEG-JXD-07; B, external mould of a complete head shield, BGEG-JXD-06; C, external mould of an incomplete head shield, BGEG-JXD-01; D-F, interpretative drawings of A-C, respectively; G, external mould of an incomplete head shield, BGEG-JXD-04; H, interpretative drawing of G; I, synthetic restoration.

Abbreviations: c, corneal processes; dcm, dorsal commissure; ic, inner corneal processes; ldc, lateral dorsal canal; ifc, infraorbital canal; ltc a-c , a to c lateral transverse canal; ltc 1-4 , first to fourth lateral transverse canal; md.o, median dorsal opening; md.s, median dorsal spine; orb, orbital opening; pi, pineal opening; soc 2 , posterior supraorbital canal.

 Comparison of shuyuids. A, Shuyu zhejiangensis (Liu et al. 2015); B, Jiangxialepis retrospina gen. et sp. nov.; C, Meishanaspis lehmani (modified after Gai et al. 2005).

Jiangxialepis retrospina 

 

Reconstruction of the ecological environment for the middle Telychian galeaspids from Wuhan in South China.
1, Jiangxialepis; 2, Hanyangaspis; 3, algae; 4, lingulids; 5, eurypteri.

Yi-Long Liu, Lie-Bin Huang, Rui-Wen Zong and Yi-Ming Gong. 2021. The Oldest eugaleaspiform (Galeaspida) from the Silurian Fentou Formation (Telychian, Llandovery) of Wuhan, South China. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 19(4); 253-264. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2021.1883755 

  Researchgate.net/publication/349934424_The_oldest_eugaleaspiform_Galeaspida_from_the_Silurian_Fentou_Formation_of_Wuhan_South_China

[Entomology • 2025] Dichodontus fluctus • A remarkable New Species of the Genus Dichodontus Burmeister, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) from Thailand and Myanmar, with Discussions on Some Sundaic Species

Dichodontus fluctus 

Geshev, Pathomwattananurak & Jiaranaisakul, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102381 

facebook.com: Wuttipon Pathomwattananurak

Highlights

• A new species of Dichodontus is described from Thailand and Myanmar.

• D. punctipennis is newly recorded from Thailand, and D. grandis is newly recorded from Thailand and Myanmar.

• Rediscovery of paralectotypes of two species are provided, and type material of some species are illustration for the first time.

• Misidentification of a species is identified and discussed.

Abstract

Dichodontus fluctus Geshev, Pathomwattananurak & Jiaranaisakul, new species from Thailand and Myanmar is described and illustrated. Lectotypes and newly identified paralectotypes of Dichodontus punctipennis Arrow, 1937 and Dichodontus grandis Ritsema, 1882, as well as the holotype and a female paratype of Dichodontus crassus Silvestre, 2001 are illustrated. D. punctipennis is newly recorded from Thailand, and D. grandis is recorded from Thailand and Myanmar for the first time. Additionally, previous record of D. crassus from Thailand is discussed and omitted from the distribution.

 

Keywords: Taxonomy, New Taxa, Oryctini, Indochina, Sundaland, Oriental Region

 Habitus comparisons between Dichodontus fluctus Geshev, Pathomwattananurak & Jiaranaisakul, new species and Dichodontus punctipennis Arrow, 1937 in oblique view.
A–D, D. fluctus (A, holotype; B–D, paratypes); E–H, D. punctipennis;
A–C, E–G, male; D, H, female; Similarly-developed, same-sex individuals compared in the same row.

 Habitus of Dichodontus fluctus Geshev, Pathomwattananurak & Jiaranaisakul, new species.
A–B, holotype; C, male paratype (Myanmar);
D–E, female paratype (Thailand); F, male paratype (Thailand);
A, C, D, F, dorsal view; B, E, ventral view.

Dichodontus fluctus Geshev, Pathomwattananurak & Jiaranaisakul, new species

Etymology. This new species is named for its interesting pronotal morphology, with the thoracic hump widely and anteriorly produced and the shiny anterior depression with rather constant curvature in well-developed males forming a shape similar to a large wave together. The name “fluctus” means “wave”.

 

Georgi A. Geshev, Wuttipon Pathomwattananurak and Kawin Jiaranaisakul. 2025. A remarkable New Species of the Genus Dichodontus Burmeister, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) from Thailand and Myanmar, with Discussions on Some Sundaic Species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology.  28, 102381. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102381 

  facebook.com/iguangbeetle/posts/9185496891519295

[Botany • 2025] Strobilanthes gigantea (Acanthaceae) • A New Species from eastern Himalaya, India

 Strobilanthes gigantea 

 

in Chowlu, Maity, Ray, Kabeer et Dash. 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04621 

 

Abstract

A new species, Strobilanthes gigantea, is described here from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The new species is immediately recognised by being very large – sometimes a tree, exhibiting densely imbricate bracts on uninterrupted inflorescence, slightly curved corolla tube with revolute lobes with emarginate apex, and presence of wings on the staminal curtain. A detailed description and photographs are provided to assist in its identification.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), giant Strobilanthes.

Strobilanthes gigantea

Krishna Chowlu, Rohan Maity, Ajit Ray, Kadher Althaf Ahamed Kabeer and Sudhansu Sekhar Dash. 2025. A New Species, Strobilanthes gigantea (Acanthaceae), from India. Nordic Journal of Botany. e04621. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04621 

[Botany • 2022] Cymbidium ×shangrilaense (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New natural hybrid from Yunnan, China: evidence from morphology and molecular analyses

 

[A-F] Cymbidium ×shangrilaense S.Ke, Q.H.Zhang & S.R.Lan, 
[G] C. tracyanum. [H] C. gaoligongense 

in Ke, Zhu, Zhao, Liu, Li, Huang, Zhang, Liu et Lan, 2022.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.561.2.6 

Researchgate.net/publication/363364007

Abstract

A new natural hybrid of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae), C. ×shangrilaense, from Yunnan Province, China, is illustrated and described. This entity may be a natural hybrid between C. tracyanum and C. gaoligongense. Morphologically, it differs from former by epidermal stripes and column and lip midlobe morphology and from the latter by its flower veins and lip morphology. Molecular analysis based on nuclear (ITS) DNA clearly indicated a relationship of the natural hybrid to group of Cymbidium species, whereas the plastid DNA (matK and rbcL) tree confirmed the natural hybrid as sister to C. tracyanum, C. subgenus Cyperorchis.

Cymbidium, Cyperorchis, Cymbidium subgenus Cyperorchis, Chinese orchids, natural hybrids, Monocots

Cymbidium ×shangrilaense S.Ke, Q.H.Zhang & S.R.Lan. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Lip and column, sideview. D. inflorescence. E. Structure of the flower. F. Lip, upper view.
G. C. tracyanum flower. H. C. gaoligongense flower. 

Cymbidium ×shangrilaense S.Ke, Q.H.Zhang & S.R.Lan, hybr. nat. nov. 

(香格里拉兰) 

Shijie KE, Meng-Jia ZHU, Xuewei ZHAO, Ding-Kun LIU, Yuanyuan LI, Jie HUANG, Qing-Hai ZHANG, Zhong-Jian LIU and Siren LAN. 2022. Cymbidium ×shangrilaense (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae), A New natural hybrid from China: evidence from morphology and molecular analyses.  Phytotaxa. 561(2); 183-190. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.561.2.6 [2022-09-08]

 Researchgate.net/publication/363364007_Cymbidium_shangrilaense_a_new_natural_hybrid_from_China

[Entomology • 2023] Philhammus dilaramae • A New Species of the Genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan

Philhammus (s. str.) spp. of Middle Asia:

[1, 3, 5] Philhammus dilaramae sp. n. Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, 
[2, 4, 6] Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979;
 

in Nabozhenko, N. Kh. Bekchanov et Kh. U. Bekchanov, 2023.

DOI: doi.org/10.25221/fee.481.1 

Scale bare for figs 3–6 = 0.5 mm.

A new species of darkling beetles of the genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 is described from Amudarya bank, Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan: Philhammus dilaramae Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, sp. n. This first representative of the genus in the country belongs to the nominotypical subgenus and most similar to Pre-Caspian Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979. The new species differs from the latter in the structure of genae, eyes and pronotum.

Key words: taxonomy, new species, Cnemeplatiini, Philhammus, Middle Asia. 

Philhammus (s. str.) spp. of Middle Asia:
1, 3, 5 – Ph. dilaramae sp. n.; 2, 4, 6 – Ph. zaitsevi;
1, 2 – habitus; 2, 3 – head and pronotum dorsally; 5, 6 – head and pronotum dorso-laterally.

Scale bare for figs 3–6 = 0.5 mm.

 Philhammus dilaramae Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, sp. n.

Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979

M. V. Nabozhenko, N. Kh. Bekchanov and Kh. U. Bekchanov. 2023. A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS PHILHAMMUS FAIRMAIRE, 1871 (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) FROM UZBEKISTAN. Far Eastern Entomologist. 481; 1-6. DOI: doi.org/10.25221/fee.481.1 

https://www.biosoil.ru/FEE/Publication/2581

М. В. Набоженко, Н. Х. Бекчанов, Х. У. Бекчанов. Новый вид рода Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) из Узбекистана // Дальневосточный энтомолог. 2023. N 481. С. 1-6.

[Botany • 2025] Phylogenetic Relationships and Character Evolution in Yucca (Asparagaceae: Agavoideae)

 

1) Yucca lacandonica, 2) Y. queretaroensis, 3) Y. reverchonii, 

7) Y. baccata, 8) Y. valida, 

12) Y. aloifolia, 13) Y. madrensis, 14) Y. arizonica, 

4) Y. brevifolia, 5) Y. linearifolia, 6) Y. gloriosa, 9) Y. faxoniana, 10) Y. rostrata,   

17–18) Y. jaliscensis, 19–20) Y. rigida, 21–22) Y. grandiflora, 

25–26) Y. gigantea, 27–28) Y. torreyi, 

23) Y. elata, 29–30) Y. filifera, 31–32) Y. carnerosana, 

37–38) Y. coahuilensis, 39–40) Y. schottii 

in Ayala-Hernández, Fehlberg, García-Mendoza,  Solano, García-Sandoval et Samain, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.687.2.2

Abstract

The current classification of Yucca (Asparagaceae, Agavoideae) is based on morphological characters, mainly on fruit type, caulescence, leaf margin and inflorescence type. To investigate the evolution of these characters, and their potential taxonomic significance as synapomorphies for some groups within Yucca, a phylogenetic analysis was performed with 44 Yucca and eight outgroup species. Divergence times were estimated to produce a suitable phylogenetic framework for the investigation of morphological character evolution. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses showed closer phylogenetic relationship between Hesperoyucca and Hesperaloe than either of these two genera with Yucca. The series previously proposed within the genus were not recovered as monophyletic, but based on fruit type we recovered two main clades which we name here clade Aloifolia and clade Rupicola. The ages of the Yucca stem and crown groups were estimated at 14.34 (95% HPD: 14.64–14.2) and 7.45 (95% HPD: 11.31–3.48) million years, respectively. More recent diversification events occurred in both the species with fleshy and dry fruits. Yucca is monophyletic with two main clades, corresponding to the species with dry fruit (clade Rupicola) and fleshy fruit (clade Aloifolia). Partial geographical concordances were observed in both clades. The dispersal type could be a key character in the diversification of the genus. Leaf margin, caulescence, and inflorescence type are not consistent with phylogenetic relationships.

ABK clade, ancestral-characters, classification, fruit-type, Hesperoyucca, morphological evolution, phylogeny, yuccas, Monocots

1) Yucca lacandonica, 2) Y. queretaroensis, 3) Y. reverchonii, 4) Y. brevifolia, 5) Y. linearifolia, 6) Y. gloriosa, 
7) Y. baccata, 8) Y. valida, 9) Y. faxoniana, 10) Y. rostrata, 11) Y. sp. Chihuahua,
12) Y. aloifolia, 13) Y. madrensis, 14) Y. arizonica, 15) Y. thompsoniana, 16) Y. capensis,

(Photographs by E. Solano & R. Ríos-Gómez; 

Figure 1 was prepared by B. Ayala-García).

 17–18) Y. jaliscensis, 19–20) Y. rigida, 21–22) Y. grandiflora,
23–24) Y. elata, 25–26) Y. gigantea, 27–28) Y. torreyi,
29–30) Y. filifera, 31–32) Y. carnerosana, 33–34) Hesperoyucca whipplei,
35–36) Y. schidigera, 37–38) Y. coahuilensis, 39–40) Y. schottii

(Photographs by E. Solano & R. Ríos-Gómez; 

Figure 1 was prepared by B. Ayala-García).

María M. AYALA-HERNÁNDEZ, Shannon D. FEHLBERG, Abisai J. GARCÍA-MENDOZA, Eloy SOLANO, Ricardo GARCÍA-SANDOVAL and Marie-Stéphanie SAMAIN. 2025. Phylogenetic Relationships and Character Evolution in Yucca (Agavoideae, Asparagaceae). Phytotaxa. 687(2); 176-200. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.687.2.2 [2025-02-18]