[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

[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

  facebook.com/Unicach/posts/938000318348445

[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

  facebook.com/100063776551257/posts/1005896418212901

 x.com/LiliMtzD/status/1820474694040215719

[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

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] Insect Pollination in Deep Time

Paleoecological reconstruction of insect pollination of gymnosperms and angiosperms during the Cretaceous.

in Peña-Kairath, Delclòs, Álvarez-Parra, ... et Peris, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.03.008

 twitter.com/David_Peris_

 twitter.com/cooonaa

 Art by J.A. Peñas.

 

Highlights: 

• The pollinating role of insects preceded the evolution of flowers.

• Insects pollinated gymnosperms before the appearance of angiosperms.

• The oldest record of pollinating insects is from the Upper Jurassic (~163 Ma), demonstrating the antiquity of animal pollination.

• We present a protocol for the definition and classification of pollinators and presumed pollinators in the fossil record of insects.

• Detailed study of bioinclusions in amber and fossil compressions can provide invaluable data for understanding insect-plants interactions in deep time.

Abstract

Inferring insect pollination from compression fossils and amber inclusions is difficult because of a lack of consensus on defining an insect pollinator and the challenge of recognizing this ecological relationship in deep time. We propose a conceptual definition for such insects and an operational classification into pollinator or presumed pollinator. Using this approach, we identified 15 insect families that include fossil pollinators and show that pollination relationships have existed since at least the Upper Jurassic (~163 Ma). Insects prior to this can only be classified as presumed pollinators. This gives a more nuanced insight into the origin and evolution of an ecological relationship that is vital to the establishment, composition and conservation of modern terrestrial ecosystems.

Keywords: pollination, fossil pollinator, gymnosperms, angiosperms, paleobiology, insect–plant interactions

Paleoecological reconstruction of insect pollination of gymnosperms and angiosperms during the Cretaceous.
To the left of the resiniferous trunk is represented the Albian (Lower Cretaceous), with a ginkgolean with Melanthripidae thrips, a cycad host with Oedemeridae beetles, and a bennettitalean with Zhangsolvidae fly, based on Spanish amber fossil records. At the right of the trunk is represented the Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous), with water lilies with Kateretidae beetles at the bottom, a cycad host with Kateretidae beetles, and a eudicot angiosperm with Mordellidae beetles at the front, based on Myanmar amber fossil records.

 Art by J.A. Peñas.

Constanza Peña-Kairath, Xavier Delclòs, Sergio Álvarez-Parra, Enrique Peñalver, Michael S. Engel, Jeff Ollerton and David Peris. 2023. Insect Pollination in Deep Time. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.03.008

 twitter.com/David_Peris_/status/1647839958374203393

 twitter.com/cooonaa/status/1647892284925521920

  twitter.com/AmberiaResearch/status/1647860304267694081

https://jeffollerton.co.uk/2023/04/17/insect-pollination-in-deep-time-a-new-review-just-published

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] The Earliest Pollen-loaded Insects from the Lower Permian of Russia

an Permian insect (Tillyardembia antennaeplana) feeding on a pollen cone of ruflorian cordaites

in Khramov, Foraponova et Węgierek, 2023.

DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0523

reconstruction by Andrey Atuchin. 

 

Abstract

Recent fossil discoveries suggest that the coevolution of insect pollinators and gymnosperms started long before the appearance of flowering plants. One of the keys to understanding the origins of pollination relationships is fossil insects with gymnosperm pollen attached to the body surface. Such fossils are exceedingly rare to find, especially from the Palaeozoic, a time when ambers with insect inclusions were absent. Here, we report compression fossils of Early Permian tillyardembiid insects (Polyneoptera) preserved with pollen on their heads, thoraces, legs and abdomens. This is the earliest finding of pollen-bearing insects, predating the previous oldest record from the Middle Jurassic by ca 120 Ma. Judging by the pollen composition, tillyardembiids visited a narrow range of host plants, including Rufloriaceae (Cordaitales). While it is impossible to say for certain whether tillyardembiids as pollen consumers contributed to pollination, a trophic specialization of this kind could be considered an evolutionary precursor of pollination mutualism.

 Keywords: Palaeozoic, plant-insect interactions, pollination 

An artistic reconstruction of an Early Permian insect (Tillyardembia antennaeplana) feeding on a pollen cone of ruflorian cordaites. 

Artwork: Andrey Atuchin. 

Alexander V. Khramov, Tatiana Foraponova and Piotr Węgierek. 2023. The Earliest Pollen-loaded Insects from the Lower Permian of Russia. Biol. Lett. 1920220523. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0523

[Fungi • 2023] Microstrobilinia castrans (Ascomycota: Leotiomycetes) • A New Genus and Species of the Sclerotiniaceae parasitizing Pollen Cones of Picea spp.

Microstrobilinia castrans Beenken & Andr. Gross,

in Beenken, Stroheker, Dubach, ... et Gross, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1007/s11557-023-01865-w

Abstract

The fungal pathogens of spruce are well known in Europe and elsewhere. Therefore, it was surprising to discover a new fungal species and genus in Central Europe that attacks the pollen cones of three spruce species. The new ascomycete forms apothecia on stromatized pollen cones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) in mountain areas and on West Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana) planted in urban lowland regions of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It was also detected in France, based on metabarcode sequences deposited in the GlobalFungi database. Its sudden appearance and the different origins of the host trees in Europe and Asia leave the origin of the fungus unclear. The new fungus might be a neomycete for Europe. A phylogenetic analysis using SSU, LSU, ITS, RPB2, and TEF1 sequences classified the fungus as a member of Sclerotiniaceae (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes). However, it differs morphologically from the other genera of this family in having an ascus without apical apparatus containing four mainly citriform spores with 16 nuclei each. Furthermore, it is the only known cup fungus that parasitizes pollen cones of conifers by stromatizing their tissue and infecting pollen grains. The fungus does not seem to cause major damage to the spruce populations, as only a few pollen cones per tree are affected. All this leads us to describe the newly discovered fungus as the new species and new genus Microstrobilinia castrans, the fungus that castrates pollen cones of spruce.

 

Keywords: GlobalFungi database, Helotiales, Multinucleate ascospores, Neomycete, New genus, New species, Phenology, Pollen parasite

Microstrobilinia castrans:
a–e On Picea smithiana: a P. smithiana tree at type location, two P. omorika trees in the background; b fresh infected pollen cone showing first symptoms like deformation and brown discoloration; c infected pollen cone with apothecia in the first year after infection; d, e several years old pollen cones overgrown with mosses and lichens with fresh apothecia and remnants of last year’s apothecia.
 f–i On Picea abies: f P. abies at a typical habitat in the Swiss Alps; g infested pollen cones on twigs; h pollen cone with small immature apothecia; i pollen cone with mature apothecia. j Pollen cones of P. omorika with dry, mature apothecia

Microstrobilinia castrans, ontogeny of apothecia:
a Black primordium in center of a cone scale in early summer; b immature apothecium in summer; c mature apothecia in autumn with gray velvet outer surface; d dehydrated mature apothecia with black smooth outer surface in next spring; e, f hydrated mature apothecia in next spring; g apothecium in side-view showing the stipe; h dissected pollen cone scales with apothecium.

 a–d from P. abies; e, f, h from P. smithiana; g from P. omorika.

Scale bars: a, b = 0.25 mm; c, d, g = 0.5 mm; e, f, h = 1 mm

Microstrobilinia Beenken & Andr. Gross, gen. nov.

 

Etymology: The genus name refers to the substrate: “microstrobilus” means “small cone” in Greek and is the botanical term for the male pollen cone of conifers.

Diagnosis: Member of Sclerotiniaceae Whetzel (1945) emend. Holst-Jensen et al. (1997) (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes), different from all other members of the Sclerotiniaceae in 4-spored, cylindrical asci with a short stipe and an iodine negative apex without apical apparatus, mature ascospores containing 16 nuclei, parasitizing pollen cones of Picea spp.

Microstrobilinia castrans Beenken & Andr. Gross, spec. nov.

Etymology: The species name refers to the fact that the fungus prevents the male reproduction of its host: “castrans” is Latin for castrating/emasculating.

Short diagnosis: Apothecia brown, short stipitate, desiccation-tolerant, 1–5 mm in diameter, growing on stromatized pollen cones of Picea spp.; ectal excipulum of brown textura globulosa-angularis; asci cylindric, av. 108 × 14.6 µm when alive, iodine negative without visible apical apparatus, 4-spored, ascospores citriform, and almond-shaped, av. 25 × 13 µm when alive, containing 16 nuclei when mature.

 

 

Ludwig Beenken, Sophie Stroheker, Vivanne Dubach, Markus Schlegel, Valentin Queloz and Andrin Gross. 2023. Microstrobilinia castrans, A New Genus and Species of the Sclerotiniaceae parasitizing Pollen Cones of Picea spp. Mycological Progress. 22, 14. DOI: 10.1007/s11557-023-01865-w

[Botany • 2022] Hymenophyllum chamaecypericola (Hymenophyllaceae) • A New Filmy Fern Species from Taiwan

Hymenophyllum chamaecypericola T.C.Hsu & Z.X.Chang,

in Chang, Hsu & Kuo, 2022.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.204.86045

Abstract

Hymenophyllum chamaecyparicola T.C.Hsu & Z.X.Chang, a new filmy fern species (Hymenophyllaceae) has been described from Taiwan and illustrated based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Although the new species resembles members in the subgenus Mecodium, namely H. wrightii, our plastid phylogeny has revealed that it is genetically distant from H. wrightii and forms a clade nested within subg. Hymenophyllum. The most notable characteristic to differentiate H. chamaecyparicola from related species is the presence of minute spathulate hairs on the surface of the rachis and veins. Hymenophyllum chamaecyparicola is currently only known from a small area in northern Taiwan, and endemic to that country.

Keywords: Filmy fern, Hymenophyllum, new species, Taiwan

Line drawing of Hymenophyllum chamaecypericola T.C.Hsu & Z.X.Chang, sp. nov.,
based on the holotype Z.X. Chang ZXC01438 (TAIF)
 A rhizome and fronds B sterile frond C fertile frond D sori E a clavate hair.

Habitat and morphology of Hymenophyllum chamaecypericola, from Hsu 11888 (TAIF)
A, B wild population growing on moss-covered basal trunk of a giant Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana
C rhizome and young frond, showing the wingless and scarcely hairy stipe D–G fronds, adaxial views (D, E) and abaxial views (F–G) H, I laminae, adaxial view (F) and abaxial view (G), showing the minute yellow-brown clavate hairs on rachis and veins. J. Sori.

 Scale bars: 2 cm (B); 5 mm (C, J); 1 cm (D–G); 2 mm (H, I).

 Hymenophyllum chamaecyparicola T.C.Hsu & Z.X.Chang, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Morphologically, Hymenophyllum chamaecyparicola is most similar to H. wrightii in sharing pinnate to bipinnatifid fronds, entire segment margins, and bivalvate, entire or subentire involucres. However, the new species could be clearly distinguished from H. wrightii by the presence of minute spathulate hairs on both surfaces of laminae (vs. glabrous laminae in H. wrightii) (Fig. 1H, I), the lack of two veinlets at the base of sori (vs. two veinlets at the base of sori in H. wrightii), and sori confined to apex or upper margins of laminae (vs. on short acroscopic segments close to rachis in H. wrightii) (Fig. 1J). This new species is phylogenetically related to H. barbatum, H. devolii, H. exsertum, H. okadae and H. oligosorum, while it could readily be distinguished from H. barbatum, H. devolii and H. okadae in having entire (vs. serrate) segment margins (Fig. 1D–G) and from H. exsertum and H. oligosorum in having pinnatifid to bipinnatifid (vs. bipinnatifid to tripinnatifid) laminae (Fig. 1D–G) sparsely covered with short (< 0.2 mm) clavate hairs (vs. densely covered with > 1 mm long acicular hairs) on abaxial surface of rachis and costae (Figs 1H, I, 2E).

Distribution and habitat: Hymenophyllum chamaecyparicola is endemic to Taiwan and currently known from scattered populations on a single ca. 2000 m2 mountain slope in Chamaecyparis montane mixed cloud forest (Li et al. 2013) around Mingchih (24.65361°N, 121.46950°E). It is epiphytic on bases of tree trunks and exposed roots of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana (Hayata) Hayata.

Etymology: The specific epithet, a noun in apposition, is derived from Chamaecyparis, a Gymnosperm genus, and –cola, dweller, alluding to unusual habitat of the new species occurring on the lower trunk of the giant C. obtusa var. formosana.

 Zhi-Xiang Chang, Tian-Chuan Hsu and Li-Yaung Kuo. 2022. Hymenophyllum chamaecyparicola (Hymenophyllaceae), A New Filmy Fern Species from Taiwan. PhytoKeys. 204: 23-34. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.204.86045

[Botany • 2022] Torreya dapanshanica (Taxaceae) • A New Species of Gymnosperm from Zhejiang, East China

 Torreya dapanshanica X.F.Jin, Y.F.Lu & Zi L.Chen, 

in Lu, Chen, He, Liu, Wang, Chen et Jin, 2022. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.192.79506

Abstract

Torreya dapanshanica X.F.Jin, Y.F.Lu & Zi L.Chen, a new species endemic to central Zhejiang, East China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to T. jiulongshanensis (Z.Y.Li, Z.C.Tang & N.Kang) C.C.Pan, J.L.Liu & X.F.Jin, but differs in having leaves with an acuminate apex (vs. leaves with an acute apex), broadly ovoid-globose or globose seeds (vs. obovoid to narrowly obovoid seeds), slightly emarginate at the apex and obtuse-rounded at the base (vs. both acute at the apex and base), testa with irregular shallow grooves (vs. testa smooth or sometimes slightly concave). The diagnostic characters are critically compared and an IUCN assessment for the risk to the new species is estimated.

Keywords: Gymnosperm, new species, Torreya dapanshanica, Zhejiang

Torreya dapanshanica sp. nov.
A branch with seeds B leaf (abaxial surface) C branch with pollen cones D microsporophyll/stamen (abaxial surface with four pollen sacs) E microsporophyll/stamen (adaxial surface) F branch with ovules G ovule (showing macrosporophyll and bracts) H seeds without aril I cross section of seed (showing deeply ruminate megagametophyte)

 (drawn by Xiao-Feng Jin; based on Xiao-Feng Jin 4036B, ZM).

Photographs of Torreya dapanshanica sp. nov.
A branch with seeds B branch with pollen cones C branch with pollen cones D pollen cone showing pollen sacs E ovule (fertilized) F fertilized ovule with bracts G seeds with arils H cross section of seed (showing aril) I seeds without aril J cross section of seed (showing deeply ruminate megagametophyte).

 Torreya dapanshanica X.F.Jin, Y.F.Lu & Zi L.Chen, sp. nov.

 

Latin diagnosis: Species nova haec T. jiulongshanensi (Z.Y.Li et al.) C.C.Pan et al. affinis est, sed a qua foliis apice acuminatis, basi cuneatis, seminibus late ovoideo-globosis vel globosis, basi obtusis, testis irregulariter et vadose canaliculatis differt.

 

Distribution and habitat: This new species is known only from Mount Dapanshan of Pan’an County, central Zhejiang. It grows at a single location on a forested slope by a stream margin at an elevation of 420‒485 m.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘dapanshanica’ refers to the type locality of the new species.

 Yi-Fei Lu, Zi-Lin Chen, An-Guo He, Ju-Lian Liu, Pan Wang, Wei-Jie Chen and Xiao-Feng Jin. 2022. Torreya dapanshanica (Taxaceae), A New Species of Gymnosperm from Zhejiang, East China. PhytoKeys. 192: 29-36. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.192.79506