[Botany • 2025] Memecylon longipedunculatum (Melastomataceae: Olisbeoideae) • A New Species from Coastal Areas of south central Vietnam

Memecylon longipedunculatum  

in Tagane, Dang, Truong, Q. B. Nguyen, Pham, T. V. Nguyen, Yamamoto, Kongxaisavath, Yamazaki, Nuraliev, Fomichev et Souladeth, 2025. 

Sầm cuống dài  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.683.1.1  

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Abstract

Memecylon longipedunculatum, a new species of Melastomataceae, is described and illustrated. The species is known to occur in Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces in South Central Coast Vietnam, where it is restricted to low dry coastal forests and scrubby vegetation. The description is based on the authors’ original gatherings as well as on the historical collections made a century ago. The new species is distinguishable from most of its congeners by small leaves (1.2–5.7 × 0.7–2.4 cm) with obtuse or sometimes emarginate apices, long peduncles (1–2.7 cm long), and crescent-shaped anther connective with distinct centrally placed gland.

Indochina, Myrtales, taxonomy, Olisbeoideae, Eudicots

Memecylon longipedunculatum.
A, B. Flowering branches. C, D. Leaf, adaxial and abaxial side. E. Inflorescence. F. Flower, top view. G. Stamen, side view. H. Anther, side view. I. Post-anthetic flower (after abscission of petals and stamens). J. Mature flower bud.

Nuraliev & Fomichev NUR 4192 (A, E–J) and Nuraliev NUR 3340 (B–D). 

Photos by M.S. Nuraliev.

Memecylon longipedunculatum.
 A. Flowering branch. B. Abaxial leaf surface. C. Bark. D. Inflorescence. E. Top view of flower bud (up-left), anthetic flower (bottom), and post-anthetic flower (up-right). F. Inflorescence branch with anthetic and post-anthetic flowers. G. Fruiting stage of inflorescence.

Tagane et al. N465 (A, D–F) and Tagane et al. N216 (B, C, G). 

Photos by S. Tagane.

Memecylon longipedunculatum Tagane, V.S.Dang & Nuraliev, sp. nov.  

 Diagnosis:—Memecylon longipedunculatum is similar to M. chevalieri Guillaumin (1921a: 7, see also Guillaumin 1921b: 936) distributed in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam by having axillary and terminal inflorescences with relatively long peduncles 1–2.7 cm long (vs. almost 1.5 cm long in M. chevalieri), but distinguished from the latter species by its smaller leaf blades (1.2–5.7 × 0.7–2.4 cm vs. 4–7 × 2–4 cm), longer pedicels (3.3–5.5 mm vs. 2–3 mm long), longer petals (ca. 4 mm vs. 2–3 mm long) with acute (vs. acuminate) apex, and subglobose (vs. ovoid-globose) fruits

Etymology:—The species epithet refers to its long peduncles (up to 2.7 cm long in flower and to 5.1 cm long in fruit), one of the remarkable features distinguishing it from most of its congeners in the Indochinese Peninsula.  

 Vernacular name:—Sầm cuống dài (Vietnamese).

Shuichiro TAGANE, Van-Son DANG, Ba Vuong TRUONG, Quoc Bao NGUYEN, Quoc Trong PHAM, Tran Vy NGUYEN, Takenori YAMAMOTO, Deuanta KONGXAISAVATH, Kaito YAMAZAKI, Maxim S. NURALIEV, Constantin I. FOMICHEV and Phetlasy SOULADETH. 2025. Memecylon longipedunculatum (Melastomataceae), A New Species from Coastal Areas of south central Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 683(1); 1-8. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.683.1.1 [2025-01-29]

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[Botany • 2025] Typhonium morangense (Araceae) • A New Species from the tropical forest of Eastern Nepal

Typhonium morangense   R.Ojha & S.Rai,

in Ojha, Rai et Schneider, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.134081 

Abstract

A new species of the aroid genus Typhonium Schott has been discovered in Eastern Nepal. This species, named Typhonium morangense R.Ojha & S.Rai, is described based on comparative morphological examinations with closely related species from the Indian subcontinent. The new species is currently known only from Pathari Shanishchare Municipality in the Morang district of Eastern Nepal. It is the second species of Typhonium observed in Nepal, and the only one endemic to the country. A detailed description, color plate, geographic distribution, phenology, and morphological comparison of the new species with morphologically close species are provided. Given its restricted range and the low number of individuals observed in the wild, this species requires special attention from conservation biologists working in Eastern Nepal.

Key words: Bulbils, Koshi Province, Morang, Typhonium inopinatum

Typhonium morangense sp. nov.
A whole plant B different forms of leaf blade C bulbils D inflorescence E male zone F female zone and staminodes G longitudinal section of appendix H fruits.

 Typhonium morangense R.Ojha & S.Rai, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Typhonium morangense is morphologically closely related to T. inopinatum but it differs significantly from the latter species in having (1) smaller habit, 10–24 cm height (vs. 10–45 cm in T. inopinatum); (2) globose bulbils on top of petiole and leaves (vs. bulbils absent); (3) a sessile appendix (vs. subsessile); (4) thick, sickle-shaped staminodes (vs. filiform); (5) staminodes half curved downwards (vs. horizontally spread or, slightly curved); (6) ovary white (vs. yellowish) and (7) stigma pink (vs. yellow).

Etymology: The specific epithet is based on the locality of its discovery, the Morang district of Eastern Nepal.

 Rijan Ojha, Sudeep Rai and Harald Schneider. 2025. Typhonium morangense (Araceae), A New Species from the tropical forest of Eastern Nepal. PhytoKeys. 252: 1-7. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.134081 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] The Lost Jackals from the Brazilian Caves: Insights on the Taxonomy and Paleoecology of Pleistocene Bush Dog Speothos pacivorus (Carnivora: Canidae)

Pleistocene bush dog Speothos pacivorus  

in Ruiz, Ferreira, Machado, Kyriakouli, Godoy, Gundlach, Castro et Montefeltro. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2438827 

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ABSTRACT

Speothos pacivorus from the Pleistocene of Brazilian Intertropical Region (BIR) is distinguished from the extant bush dog S. venaticus by its larger size and key characters of the skeleton and teeth. Nonetheless, its taxonomic status is volatile, with some authors still considering both species as synonymous. Here, we aimed to summarize morphofunctional differences between S. pacivorus and S. venaticus through a comparative description of their skull and dentition, geometric morphometric analysis (GMM), and finite element analysis (FEA). Our GMM revealed S. pacivorus significantly separated from the sampled specimens of S. venaticus, and a regression analysis showed that the morphological differences of its cranium are not size-related, reinforcing its status as a separate species. Both exhibited very akin von Mises’ stress average and distribution on FEA’s results, suggesting similar prey-capturing strategies. Our results bolster the hypothesis that the coexistence of these hypercarnivorous canids in the BIR could be explained by a diverse megaherbivore community, allowing resource partitioning between different canid species. Following the demise of these megaherbivores in the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary, other large hypercarnivorous canids also became extinct, leaving the small S. venaticus, able to subsist on smaller prey, as the sole surviving species of this specialized lineage.

 

Juan V. Ruiz, Gabriel S. Ferreira, Fabio A. Machado, Christina Kyriakouli, Pedro L. Godoy, Carsten Gundlach, Mariela C. Castro and Felipe C. Montefeltro. 2025. The Lost Jackals from the Brazilian Caves: Insights on the Taxonomy and Paleoecology of Pleistocene Bush Dog Speothos pacivorus (Carnivora, Canidae). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2438827. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2438827 

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