[Botany • 2026] Dioon nuusaviorum (Zamiaceae) • A striking New Species from pine and pine-oak forest of Guerrero, Mexico

Dioon nuusaviorum Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor. & D.W.Stev.,   

in Martínez-Domínguez, Nicolalde-Morejón, Stevenson, Lorea-Hernández et Vergara-Silva, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.274.173907 

Abstract

Taxonomic studies in cycad genera using multiple approaches have refined the delimitation of many species. In the case of Dioon Lindl., a Mesoamerican genus, a reliable classification has been achieved through taxonomic work carried out since the description of the genus and pioneering studies in Mexico during the 1980–90s. Here, we describe a new species from Guerrero based on evidence collected from populations encountered during fieldwork carried out in 2019. These populations had previously been considered morphologically similar to Dioon holmgrenii De Luca, Sabato & Vázq. Torres, which has a markedly disjunct distribution in Oaxaca. After studying herbarium specimens and making extensive observations on vegetative and reproductive structures from different populations in Oaxaca, we have concluded that the disjunct populations analysed in 2019 represent a distinct and new species of Dioon, separate from the two most phenotypically similar species—namely, D. stevensonii Nic.-Mor. & Vovides and D. holmgrenii. A key to geographically proximal and morphologically similar species as well as to the other species occurring in Guerrero and Oaxaca States is also presented. The proposed new species, Dioon nuusaviorum Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor. & D.W.Stev., is endemic to Guerrero and inhabits pine and pine-oak forest. Its conservation status, assessed on the based IUCN guidelines and criteria, qualifies as Endangered.

Key words: Cycadales, cycads, Mesoamerica, Neotropics, Sierra Madre del Sur

Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov.
A. Ovulate strobilus; B. Megasporophyll; C. Basal scale of megasporophyll; D. Microsporophyll; E. Leaflets variation; F. Cataphylls; G. Seeds variation; H. New leaves; I. Leaves at emergence; J. Leaf at maturity.

Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov., in habitat.
 A. Ovuliferous plant in habitat; B. Eumaeus sp; C. Population in La Trinidad; D. Vegetation view; E. Ovulate strobilus at maturity in habitat. 

Dioon nuusaviorum Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor. & D.W.Stev., sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov. differs from D. holmgrenii by having leaflets imbricate to strongly imbricate, each with three to six long marginal teeth (0.26–0.37 cm long), a margin of the leaflets curved acroscopically, microsporophylls with an acuminate apex and megasporophylls with an apiculate apex. In contrast, D. holmgrenii has non-imbricate leaflets (generally a 0.2–1.0 cm between leaflets) with two to five short teeth on the distal margin (0.15–0.29 cm long), a margin of the leaflets straight, microsporophylls with an acute apex and megasporophylls with an acuminate apex. In comparison to D. stevensonii, this new species differs by its light green leaflets at emergence (vs golden), leaflet imbricate to strongly imbricate (vs not imbricate), acuminate apex of microsporophylls (vs acute), tomentose indument and narrowly-triangular megasporophylls at maturity (vs pubescent at base or scarcely pubescent and triangular).

Comparison of leaflets of Dioon holmgrenii, D. stevensonii and Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov.
A. D. stevensonii; B. D. holmgrenii; C. Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov.;
D. D. stevensonii (F. Nicolalde-Morejón et al. 1554, CIB); E. D. holmgrenii (Brigada T. Walters s/n [3997], XAL); F. D. holmgrenii (F. Nicolalde-Morejón et al. 1468, XAL); G. Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov. (L. Martínez-Domínguez et al. 1745, CIB).

 Lilí Martínez-Domínguez, Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón, Dennis Wm. Stevenson, Francisco G. Lorea-Hernández and Francisco Vergara-Silva. 2026. A striking New Species of Dioon (Zamiaceae) from pine and pine-oak forest of Guerrero, Mexico. PhytoKeys. 274: 229-245. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.274.173907 [11 May 2026]

[Botany • 2022] Ceratozamia schiblii (Zamiaceae) • A New Cycad Species from the Eastern Mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico

Ceratozamia schiblii Pérez-Farr. & Gut.Ortega, 

in Pérez-Farrera, Gutiérrez-Ortega, Gregory, Chemnick, Salas-Morales, Calonje et Díaz-Jiménez, 2022.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy2030025 

 twitter.com/SocBotMex

 

Abstract

Ceratozamia schiblii (Zamiaceae), a new species endemic to the highlands of eastern Oaxaca, Mexico, is described. The new species is part of the C. robusta species complex, which is a group of closely related species with very similar morphology. Among them, the new species can be distinguished by its brown leaflets in emerging leaves, a very long peduncle in seed cones, and the green color of mature pollen cones. Compared with the other species in the C. robusta species complex, C. schiblii has one of the longest rachides, and the highest number of leaflet pairs. The recognition of C. schiblii apparently resolves the total number of species within the C. robusta species complex. The region where C. schiblii populations occur coincides with the Neogene refugia areas of the Neotropical flora, which adds evidence to the importance of the mountain systems from Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico, in the diversification history of cycads.

Keywords: cycads; floristic refugia; Mesoamerica; morphological analyses; species complex

Ceratozamia schiblii sp. nov. in habitat.
(A) Adult plants. (B) Erect leaves and details of leaflets. (C) Seedlings. 

 Some of the distinctive features of Ceratozamia schiblii sp. nov.
 (A) Leaves are one of the longest and with the highest number of leaflet pairs among the species of the C. robusta species complex (left: M. Calonje; right, M.A. Pérez Farrera).
(B) Megastrobili (seed cones) are pendulous and peduncles long.
(C) Emerging leaves are of brown color.

Photo A by Cesar Daniel Coutiño Ovando. Photos B and C by Miguel Angel Pérez Farrera.

Ceratozamia schiblii sp. nov.

Megastrobilus (seed cone) of Ceratozamia schiblii. 

(A) Lateral view (scale = 10 cm); (B) view from above (scale = 5 cm), (C) view from below (scale = 5 cm). 

Microstrobilus of Ceratozamia schiblii at near pollen dehiscence phase.

 (A) Lateral view (scale = 10 cm); (B) view from above (scale = 2 cm), (C) view from below (scale = 2 cm). 

Photos by José García González.

Ceratozamia schiblii Pérez-Farr. & Gut.Ortega sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet was chosen to honor Leo Schibli (1958–2004), a founding member of Sociedad para el Estudio de los Recursos Bióticos de Oaxaca, Asociación Civil (SERBO, A.C.). His field explorations and specimen collections in Oaxaca resulted in the discovery of several new cycad species.

 

 Miguel Angel Pérez-Farrera, José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega, Timothy J. Gregory, Jeffrey Chemnick, Silvia Salas-Morales, Michael Calonje and Pedro Díaz-Jiménez. 2022. Ceratozamia schiblii (Zamiaceae): A New Cycad Species from the Eastern Mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. Taxonomy. 2(3), 324-338. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy2030025 [27 July 2022]

twitter.com/SocBotMex/status/1553022316224937988

[Entomology • 2022] Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae), the Bowenia-Pollinating Cycad Weevils in Australia, with Description of a New Species and Implications for the Systematics of Bowenia

Miltotranes wilsoni 

Hsiao & Oberprieler, 2022

DOIL doi.org/10.3390/insects13050456  

 facebook.com: Yun Hsiao

 

Simple Summary: 

Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 is a genus of weevils pollinating Bowenia cycads belonging to two small endemic Australian species included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and CITES Appendix II. We provide the first taxonomic revision of Miltotranes resulting in the identification of two previously described species and a newly recognised species, M. wilsoni sp. n. from the McIlwraith Range of the Cape York Peninsula. Morphological comparison reveals its affinity to Tranes, whose species are the pollinators of Macrozamia and Lepidozamia cycads. It appears that the association of Miltotranes with Bowenia may represent a secondary host switch in the Tranes group due to a closer relationship between Macrozamia, Lepidozamia and African Encephalartos than with Bowenia. The coincidence of the geographic ranges of Miltotranes weevils with distribution of their cycad hosts indicates that the isolated Bowenia population in the McIlwraith Range may represent a distinct, third species of Bowenia. Likely, the conspecificity of the Miltotranes weevils occurring in the Wet Tropics also suggests that several morphologically enigmatic localised populations represent B. spectabilis, confirming earlier botanical conclusions. The present study highlights the significance of systematic study of tightly plant-associated insects and its relevance for the taxonomy of their host plants.

Abstract

The Australian endemic weevils of the genus Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 (Curculionidae: Molytinae: Tranes group), comprising two species, M. prosternalis (Lea, 1929) and M. subopacus (Lea, 1929), are highly host-specific and the only known pollinators of Bowenia cycads, which comprise two CITES-protected species restricted to Tropical Queensland in Australia. In the present study, the taxonomy of Miltotranes is reviewed, a lectotype for the name Tranes prosternalis Lea, 1929 is designated and a new species associated with the Bowenia population in the McIlwraith Range is described as M. wilsoni sp. n. The descriptions and diagnoses of all species are supplemented with illustrations of their habitus and salient structures, and an identification key to all species and a distribution map are provided. Potential implications of the new species and of the taxonomy and biogeography of Miltotranes overall on the systematics and conservation of Bowenia are discussed. 

Keywords: Australia; cycad systematics; cycad pollinators; new taxa; taxonomy; conservation

Yun Hsiao and Rolf G. Oberprieler. 2022. Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae), the Bowenia-Pollinating Cycad Weevils in Australia, with Description of a New Species and Implications for the Systematics of Bowenia. Insects. 13(5); 456. DOIL doi.org/10.3390/insects13050456 [12 May 2022]

 facebook.com/YunHsiao332867/posts/5482845991746894

twitter.com/YHsiaoBeetle/status/1524924081526964224

(This article belongs to the Section Insect Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

[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 • 2022] Ceratozamia oliversacksii (Zamiaceae) • A New Species of Gymnosperm from western Oaxaca, Mexico

 

 Ceratozamia oliversacksii D.W.Stev., Mart.-Domínguez & Nic.-Mor., 

in Martínez-Domínguez, Nicolalde-Morejón, Vergara-Silva et Stevenson, 2022. 

 ( ), A   Species of    western  , .  . 77, 211–219. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09992-x  

twitter.com/LiliMtzD 

Summary

Ceratozamia is a neotropical genus in the Cycadales that is particularly diverse in Mexico. In this genus, most species are endemic to Mexico and most of these species have a restricted distribution pattern. We propose and describe a new species from western Oaxaca State, Mexico, which was previously subsumed under the concept of C. robusta. The circumscription of this new species derived from a review of two associated taxa: C. robusta Miq. and C. leptoceras Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor., D.W.Stev. & Lorea-Hern. We conducted an extensive review of herbarium specimens, complemented with ex profeso fieldwork, during which we monitored populations in Oaxaca for phenological characterisation. The new species is described and illustrated. This species occurs in a wide distribution range of cloud forest in western Oaxaca. We provide a taxonomic key for all species with morphological and geographical affinity to C. oliversacksii and all species distributed in Oaxaca. The description of C. oliversacksii increases diversity in this cycad genus to six species in Oaxaca. This research highlights the study and monitoring of reproductive structures for robust taxonomic work.

Key Words: Cycadales, cloud forest, endemism, phenology, Sierra Madre del Sur

Vegetative morphology of Ceratozamia oliversacksii.
A adult plant; B leaf at maturity; C juvenile plant; D cataphylls; E petiole; F new leaves; G habitat; H variation of leaflets.

photos: L. Martínez-Domínguez.

Ceratozamia oliversacksii D.W.Stev., Mart.-Domínguez & Nic.-Mor. sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet is in memory of the distinguished neurologist and historian of science Oliver Sacks (1933 – 2015), who loved cycads and publicised them through a popular book, Island of the Color Blind and Cycad Island (Sacks 1997) and his love of Oaxaca as exemplified in his book, Oaxaca Journal, a book on the natural and cultural history of Southern Mexico with an emphasis on ferns (Sacks 2002).

Lilí Martínez-Domínguez, Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón, Francisco Vergara-Silva and Dennis Wm. Stevenson. 2022. Ceratozamia oliversacksii (Zamiaceae), A New Species of Gymnosperm from western Oaxaca, Mexico. Kew Bulletin. 77, 211–219. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09992-x 

 twitter.com/LiliMtzD/status/1493592652884893696

[Botany • 2024] Ceratozamia guatemalensis (Zamiaceae) • A New cycad Species from Mesoamerica

Ceratozamia guatemalensis  

in Pérez-Farrera, Díaz-Jiménez, Quezada, Marroquín-Tintí, Delgado Montejo, Mendoza-Montejo et Gutiérrez-Ortega, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.668.1.4 

 facebook.com/MigueAngelPerezFarrera

 

Abstract

Ceratozamia guatemalensis, a new cycad species from the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, is described and compared with the geographically proximal congeners C. vovidesii and C. matudae, with which C. guatemalensis has been historically confused based on their pendulous seed cones, a rare trait in the genus. Nonetheless, a recent phylogenetic study suggests that C. guatemalensis and C. vovidesii are sister species, while C. matudae belongs to distant clade. The new taxon is easily distinguishable from both C. vovidesii and C. matudae by qualitative and quantitative traits based on vegetative and reproductive structures. Remarkably, C. guatemalensis is characterized by having significant morphometric differences from the other two species, such as the wider median leaflets and wider leaflet articulations, and qualitative traits such as the seed cones of green color. The description of C. guatemalensis represents the recognition of the first endemic Ceratozamia species from Guatemala. It should be considered Critically Endangered (CR) due to limited populations and the ongoing destruction of its habitat.

endangered species, Guatemalan Flora, Quercus-Pinus forest, morphological variation, species complex, Gymnosperms

Ceratozamia guatemalensis

Miguel Angel Pérez-Farrera, Pedro Díaz-Jiménez, Maura L. Quezada, Andrea Marroquín-Tintí, Héctor M. Delgado Montejo, Sandy A. Mendoza-Montejo and José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega. 2024. Ceratozamia guatemalensis (Zamiaceae): A New cycad Species from Mesoamerica. Phytotaxa. 668(1); 63-80. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.668.1.4

 Researchgate.net/publication/384806807_Ceratozamia_guatemalensis_A_new_species_from_Mesoamerica

  facebook.com/MigueAngelPerezFarrera/posts/10161910474497463

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[Botany • 2024] Ceratozamia gigantea (Zamiaceae) • A New Species of Cycad, endemic to the mountain Karst Forests of Tabasco, Mexico: what the reproductive structures revealed

Ceratozamia gigantea Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor., D.W.Stev. & Gónzalez-Aguilar, sp. nov. 

in Martínez-Domínguez, Nicolalde-Morejón, González-Aguilar, Vergara-Silva et Stevenson, 2024.

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10209-0  

 facebook.com: Herbario CIB

 x.com/LiliMtzD

Summary

Ceratozamia is a diverse genus of cycads distributed from Mexico to Honduras. Here, a new species of Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from the southeast of Mexico is described and illustrated. It was previously misidentified as C. subroseophylla because of the lack of reproductive structures in the specimens from Tabasco. This work is based on phenological monitoring carried out in a karst limestone locality in Tabasco. The lifespan of pollen and ovulate strobili and their morphological changes throughout development are described. The collections of this new species were compared with specimens of all Ceratozamia species; however, the morphological comparison was focused on the most geographically proximate and morphologically similar species to this new taxon. To evaluate the circumscription of this species, we used geographic, morphological and DNA barcoding criteria. On this basis, we propose a new species of Ceratozamia for Mexico and provide notes on its reproductive phenology. The reproductive structures are the primary resource for its recognition and identification. A taxonomic key for the similar morphological species and all species that occur in Tabasco is presented along with habitat characterisation and a conservation status for C. gigantea. This species, whose distribution is restricted to a small geographic area, increases the diversity of Ceratozamia in Tabasco to three species and affirms the importance of limestone karst as areas for speciation and endemism. During the phenological monitoring, pollinator insects were captured on ovulate strobili at receptivity, observations that have been scarcely documented during this phenophase in Ceratozamia, highlighting the relevance of monitoring reproductive phenological patterns.

Key Words: Cycads, Cycadales, gymnosperms, Mesoamerica, strobili, taxonomy 

Habitat of Ceratozamia gigantea. A adult plant; B seedling; C juvenile plant; D C. gigantea with Zamia katzeriana; E adult plants in habitat.

Ceratozamia gigantea. A habit; B seed; C leaf at maturity; D leaflet; E pollen strobilus; F microsporophyll abaxial side (left) and adaxial side (right); G megasporophyll at fertilisation; H distal end of megasporophyll at fertilisation; J megasporophylls at maturity; K ovulate strobilus.

Drawn by Mariana Muñoz Velásquez.

Ceratozamia gigantea Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor., D.W.Stev. & Gónzalez-Aguilar, sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective ‘gigantea’ (i.e., giant, large) and refers to the large size of the stem, leaves, and strobili.

Lilí Martínez-Domínguez, Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón, Marlon Aramis González-Aguilar, Francisco Vergara-Silva and Dennis Wm. Stevenson. 2024. Ceratozamia gigantea (Zamiaceae), A New Species of Cycad, endemic to the mountain Karst Forests of Tabasco, Mexico: what the reproductive structures revealed. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10209-0

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[Botany • 2023] Zamia multidentata (Cycadales: Zamiaceae) • A New Arborescent Species of Zamia from Acre, Brazil

Zamia multidentata

Segalla, Pimenta & Calonje. 2023. 

  

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.598.1.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/370896373

Abstract

Zamia multidentata is described and illustrated here as a new species from the Amazon basin, state of Acre, Brazil. The new species shares morphological similarities with the Amazonian species Z. hymenophyllidia, and Z. urep, to which it is compared. The combination of slender (to 6.2 cm) caulescent stems, strongly serrulate elliptic leaflets with long acuminate tips and a pronounced adaxially raised longitudinal crease, as well as seed strobili with long peduncles (15 cm +) and flat megasporophylls distinguish the new species Zamia multidentata from all other known species in the genus.

Keywords: Amazon basin, Amazon rainforest, Serra do Divisor, Sierra del Divisor, Gymnosperms

 Reproductive characteristics of Zamia multidentata.
 A. Near mature ovulate strobilus, B. Mature ovulate strobilus with ripe seeds, C. Immature ovulate strobilus. D. Megasporophyll shield, E. Megasporophyll with two mature seeds with sarcotesta intact, F. Seed sclerotesta, G. Pollen strobilus at pollen dehiscence stage, H. Microsporophyll abaxial view, I. Microsporophyll adaxial view, J. Pollen strobilus cross section showing microsporophyll arrangement, abaxial side, K. Close up of distal half of pollen strobilus. All photographs used for the preparation of the illustration were taken at the type locality.

 Zamia multidentata in habitat.
A. Adult plant in habitat with post-receptive ovulate strobilus, B. Abaxial side of leaf, with Márcio Sombra, C. Adult plant with Rosane Segalla for scale, D. Adult plant growing near river. The nutrient poor sandy soils of the region evident on the opposing riverbank.

All photographs taken at type locality.

 Vegetative characteristics of Zamia multidentata.
A. Median leaflet attached to rachis, B. Top view of eophyll, C. Habit of adult individual with ovulate strobilus. D. Newly emerging leaf showing slightly reflexed ptyxis and indumentum covering rachis, E. Middle section of petiole showing some patches of indumentum and prickles, F. Leaf.

All photographs used for the preparation of the illustration were taken at the type locality.

  Comparison of microsporophylls and leaflets of Zamia multidentata, Z. hymenophyllidia, and Z. urep.
A. Microsporophyll of Z. multidentata, abaxial side, B. Median leaflet of Z. multidentata, adaxial side,
C. Microsporophyll of Z. hymenophyllidia, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (NNTBG) accession 16022A, originally collected from Loreto, Perú. D. Median leaflet of Z. hymenophyllidia, adaxial side, photographed in Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia,
E. Microsporophyll of Z. urep, abaxial side, F. Median leaflet of Z. urep, adaxial side.

Photographs of Z. multidentata from material collected at type locality, photographs of Z. urep from NNTBG accession 15233A.

Rosane Segalla, Ricardo Soares Pimenta and Michael Calonje. 2023. Zamia multidentata (Cycadales, Zamiaceae), A New arborescent Species of Zamia from Acre, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 598(1); 21-31. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.598.1.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/370896373_Zamia_multidentata_a_new_arborescent_species_of_Zamia_from_Acre_Brazil

[Entomology • 2021] New Australian Erotylinae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Erotylidae) with Notes on Dacnini

Echinothallis banderbearella

Skelley, Leschen & Liu, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4948.3.4

Abstract

In preparation for upcoming studies, several new taxa of Australian Erotylinae (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) need to be described to make names available. New genera and species in Dacnini and Megalodacnini are described. Echinothallis banderbearella, new genus and species (Dacnini); Microdacne, new genus, with four new species (Dacnini), M. gloriousa, M. lamingtonia, M. nardia, M. styxia; and Episcaphula (Tropidoscaphula) megalodacnoides, new species (Megalodacnini). Variation of female terminalia and other characters in several genera are discussed regarding the monophyly and generic diversity of Dacnini.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Taxonomy, pleasing fungus beetles, ovipositor, terminalia

 

Echinothallis banderbearella, new genus and species

Paul E. Skelley, Richard A. B. Leschen and Zhenhua Liu. 2021. New Australian Erotylinae with Notes on Dacnini (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Erotylidae). Zootaxa. 4948(3); 363–380. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4948.3.4

[Entomology • 2020] Demyrsus digmon • A Review of the Trunk‐boring Cycad Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Australia, with Description of A Second Species of Demyrsus Pascoe, 1872

  

Demyrsus digmon 

Hsiao & Oberprieler, 2020

  DOI: 10.1111/aen.12498

  twitter.com/YHsiaoBeetle 

Abstract

The Australian trunk‐boring cycad weevils of the genera Demyrsus Pascoe, 1872 and Siraton Hustache, 1934 (Molytinae) are sometimes considered as cycad pests when they infest planted cycads and can be transported to other countries. In the present study, the taxonomy of Demyrsus and Siraton is reviewed, and four species are recognised: D. meleoides Pascoe, 1872, D. digmon sp. nov., S. internatus (Pascoe, 1870) and S. roei (Boheman, 1843). The discovery of a second species of Demyrsus illustrates a larger diversity of cycad‐associated weevils in Australia than currently known and identifies a further species with the potential to damage and kill cultivated cycads. The species descriptions and diagnoses are supplemented with illustrations of the habitus and salient structures, a distribution map and an identification key to all species of trunk‐boring cycad weevils in Australia. Their potential hosts are identified from a spatial analysis of their distributions and the distributions of the cycad taxa occurring in this range.

Keywords: Australia, cycad pests, distributions, key to species, new taxon, redescription, taxonomy

Demyrsus digmon sp. nov.

Yun Hsiao and Rolf G. Oberprieler. 2020. A Review of the Trunk‐boring Cycad Weevils in Australia, with Description of A Second Species of Demyrsus Pascoe, 1872 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Austral Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/aen.12498

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[Botany • 2020] Dioon oaxacensis (Zamiaceae) • A New Cycad Species from the Arid central Valleys of Oaxaca (Mexico)

Dioon oaxacensis

in Gutiérrez-Ortega, Farrera, Vovides, et al., 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.474.1.5 

 twitter.com/SocBotMex 

Abstract

Dioon oaxacensis sp. nov. (Zamiaceae), a new cycad species from Oaxaca, Mexico, is described. The morphological traits of the new taxon are compared with its sister species, D. merolae. The species delimitation between the two species is consistent with previously published genetic evidence. Dioon oaxacensis can be easily identified by its flat, stiff, straight leaflets obliquely inserted to rachis, and by its large reproductive structures. Populations of D. oaxacensis usually occur in dry habitats, growing on rocky hillsides, and co-habiting with plants well recognized to be adapted to aridity.

Keywords: arid zones, cycads, Mexico, Neotropical, Oaxaca, Gymnosperms

  José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega, Miguel Angel Pérez Farrera, Andrew P. Vovides, Silvia H. Salas-Morales and Jeffrey Chemnick. 2020. Dioon oaxacensis (Zamiaceae): A New Cycad Species from the Arid central Valleys of Oaxaca (Mexico). Phytotaxa. 474(1); 51–61. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.474.1.5

  twitter.com/SocBotMex/status/1332520036725088258

[Botany • 2019] Zamia stenophyllidia (Zamiaceae) • Disentangling the Identity of Zamia from Mexican Pacific Seaboard, with A Description of A New Species

Zamia stenophyllidia Nic.-Mor., Mart.-Domínguez & D.W. Stev.

in Nicolalde‐Morejón, Martínez‐Domínguez, Stevenson & Vergara‐Silva, 2019. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.02430 

 twitter.com/LiliMtzD 

Abstract

We present a revision based on qualitative and quantitative morphological comparisons including all populations of Zamia from the coastal plain of Pacific Mexico. We recognize four species in this area: Z. paucijuga, Z. herrerae, Z. spartea and the new species Zamia stenophyllidia which is described from Michoacán, Mexico. Zamia stenophyllidia has is distinct with respect to both vegetative and reproductive structures; namely, linear, lanceolate, papyraceous and narrow leaflets (up to 0.8 cm wide), robust and short prickles (up to 2 mm), and ovoid, yellowish, ovulate strobili. The description of this species implies a recircumscription of Z. paucijuga; on this basis, an epitype for Z. paucijuga is designated here. We also introduce a key for all species of Zamia from Mexico. Biogeographically, the new species is interesting for its sympatry with Dioon stevensonii, a species that has been a model for the study of the formation of modern Neotropical forests.

Keywords: Balsas depression, circumscription typification, Zamia paucijuga

Zamia stenophyllidia, adult plant showing leaves. 

Zamia stenophyllidia Nic.-Mor., Mart.-Domínguez & D.W. Stev., sp. nov.

Etymology The specific epithet is derived from the Greek (stenós “arrow”) a d all des to the restricted width of the leaflets.

Zamia paucijuga Wieland, American Fossil Cycads 2: 212. 1916.

Etymology: The specific epithet alludes to few leaflet pairs per leaf.

Zamia herrerae Calderón & Standl., Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci. 14(4): 93. 1924. 

Etymology: The specific epithet honors Hector Herrera, a scientist from El Salvador, in recognition of his scientific contributions. 

Zamia spartea A. DC., Prodr. 16 (2): 539. 1868.

Etymology: The epithet is from the broom genus Spartium L. (Fabaceae), in reference to the narrow and tapered leaflets of this species.

Fernando Nicolalde‐Morejón, Lilí Martínez‐Domínguez, Dennis Wm. Stevenson and Francisco Vergara‐Silva. 2019. Disentangling the Identity of Zamia from Mexican Pacific Seaboard, with A Description of A New Species. Nordic Journal of Botany. 37(9) DOI: 10.1111/njb.02430  

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