The taxonomic status of Ruschia stricta var. turgida and R. promontorii and a new name for R. vaginata (Ruschieae, Aizoaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 433 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54
Author(s):  
CORNELIA KLAK ◽  
UTE SCHMIEDEL ◽  
PETER V. BRUYNS
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Taxonomic Position ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Ecological Preferences ◽  
New Name

The taxonomic position of two succulent members of the Ruschieae (Aizoaceae), Ruschia stricta var. turgida and R. promontorii, that are currently placed in Amphibolia, is revised on account of new morphological information. Ruschia stricta var. turgida, endemic to the Knersvlakte (Western Cape, South Africa), is characterized by 6-locular fruits, the lack of closing bodies and the lack of filamentous staminodes. Amphibolia has 5-locular fruits with closing bodies and flowers with filamentous staminodes. Consequently, R. stricta var. turgida cannot belong to Amphibolia. On account of differences in the fruits and inflorescences, we recognize R. stricta var. turgida as a distinct species. We show that R. promontorii is different from Amphibolia laevis, of which it has been considered to be a synonym. In particular, these two differ by their ecological preferences and by certain morphological features. In addition, a new name, Ruschia vaginella, is published for the illegitimate Ruschia vaginata.

Cissus lombardiana a new name for Cissus ulmifolia (Vitaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 477 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-98
Author(s):  
RAMALINGAM KOTTAIMUTHU ◽  
MUTHURAMALINGAM JOTHI BASU ◽  
KULLAIYAN SATHIYADASH ◽  
VELUSWAMY KARTHIKEYAN
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Fossil Taxon ◽  
New Name ◽  
Recent Estimate ◽  
The Family

Cissus Linnaeus (1753: 117) is the most speciose genus in the family Vitaceae and notable for its pantropical intercontinental disjunct pattern (Liu et al. 2013). According to the recent estimate, the genus is known to have 291 accepted species (POWO 2020) and it is widely distributed in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and South America and Mexico (Wen 2007). The main characters delimiting Cissus from other Vitaceae genera are the well-developed, thick and undivided floral disks, tetramerous flowers, one-seeded berries, and seeds with a long and linear chalaza (Wen 2007). In South America, Cissus is represented by 64 species (Lombardi 2000, 2007, Rodrigues et al. 2014). Amongst C. ulmifolia (Baker 1871: 213) Planchon (1887: 552) that is a later homonym of an Italian fossil taxon Cissus ulmifolia Massalongo (1858: 80). While checking the literature and relevant websites for the availability of any synonyms, we found that C. allenii Croat (1977: 358) and C. serrulatifolia Williams (1962: 375) are listed as heterotypic synonyms of C. ulmifolia in Tropicos (2020) following Nelson (2010). However, C. allenii was synonymized under C. serrulatifolia by most of the workers (Govaerts 1999, Lombardi 2007, Morales 2015, POWO 2020, Raz & Zamora 2020) but C. ulmifolia was treated as a distinct species. So in order to ascertain the taxonomic status, we critically studied the protologues and digital specimens including types of these three species, we found that the characters of C. allenii are well within the range of C. serrulatifolia but C. ulmifolia differs from them by its 4-sided, distinctly winged stem (vs. stem terete, not winged or wingless in C. serrulatifolia) and the fruits ovoid or ovoid–subglobose, smooth (vs. obovoid or subpyriform, lenticellate in C. serrulatifolia). Since no other validly published legitimate name is available for this species (Lombardi 2007, Mota de Oliveira & Jansen-Jacobs 2016, POWO 2020), therefore, the authors propose Cissus lombardiana as a replacement name.

scholarly journals A re-evaluation of Penicillium section Canescentia, including the description of five new species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Visagie ◽  
J.C. Frisvad ◽  
J. Houbraken ◽  
A. Visagie ◽  
R.A. Samson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Species List ◽  
New Name

A survey of Penicillium in the fynbos biome from South Africa resulted in the isolation of 61 species of which 29 were found to be new. In this study we focus on Penicillium section Canescentia, providing a phylogenetic re-evaluation based on the analysis of partial beta-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) sequence data. Based on phylogenies we show that five fynbos species are new and several previously assigned synonyms of P. canescens and P. janczewskii should be considered as distinct species. As such, we provide descriptions for the five new species and introduce the new name P. elizabethiae for the illegitimate P. echinatum. We also update the accepted species list and synonymies of section Canescentia species and provide a review of extrolites produced by these species.

scholarly journals In quest of contact: phylogeography of helmeted terrapins (Pelomedusa galeata, P. subrufa sensu stricto)

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melita Vamberger ◽  
Margaretha D. Hofmeyr ◽  
Flora Ihlow ◽  
Uwe Fritz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
Wilderness Area ◽  
General Rules ◽  
Genetic Clusters ◽  
Great Escarpment

Based on rangewide sampling and three mitochondrial and two nuclear markers (together up to 1,850 bp and 1,840 bp, respectively), we examine the phylogeography of two helmeted terrapin species (Pelomedusa galeata and P. subrufa sensu stricto) and infer shifts of climatically suitable spaces since the Last Glacial Maximum using a modeling approach. Whilst P. galeata displays significant phylogeographic structuring across its range and consists of two deeply divergent lineages that could represent distinct species, P. subrufa shows no obvious phylogeographic differentiation. This seems to be related to historically stable or fluctuating ranges. One of the lineages within P. galeata appears to be confined to the westernmost, winter-rainfall region of South Africa and deserves special conservational attention due to the scarcity of surface water. The other lineage is distributed further east and is differentiated in three weakly supported subclades with parapatric distribution; one occurring inland, and two along the south and east coasts, respectively. As far as is known, P. subrufa occurs in South Africa only in the northeast of the country (Limpopo, Mpumalanga) and we report the species for the first time from the Lapalala Wilderness Area in the Waterberg region (Limpopo), approximately 350 km further west than previously recorded. We confirmed the occurrence of P. galeata only 80 km south of Lapalala. Thus, a sympatric occurrence of P. galeata and P. subrufa is possible. Another putative contact zone, for the two lineages within P. galeata, must be located in the Western Cape region, and further contact zones are likely for the eastern subclades within P. galeata. The nuclear loci provided no evidence for gene flow across taxa or genetic clusters within taxa. Future investigations should use denser sampling from putative contact zones and more nuclear markers to re-examine this situation. Despite few phylogeographic studies published for southern African biota, it seems likely that differentiation follows general rules, and that climate and physiographic barriers (e.g., the Great Escarpment) have shaped phylogeographic patterns.

scholarly journals A survey of feline babesiosis in South Africa

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.S. Jacobson ◽  
T. Schoeman ◽  
R.G. Lobetti
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Drug Of Choice ◽  
Concurrent Infections ◽  
Primaquine Phosphate

South Africa appears to be the only country where feline babesiosis is a significant clinical entity in domestic cats. Little is known about its epidemiology or the clinical challenges facing practitioners. A questionnaire posted to 1760 South African veterinarians was returned by 16 %, representing approximately 40 % of practices. Just over half reported seeing feline babesiosis, with most cases occurring in the coastal areas of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. Overall incidence is highest in summer, but seasonality is less pronounced in non-seasonal and winter rainfall areas. No age, breed or sex predisposition was identified. Weight loss, weakness, anaemia, fever and icterus are common clinical findings. Complications include hepatopathy, renal failure, pulmonary oedema, cerebral signs, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and concurrent infections. The antibabesial drug of choice is primaquine phosphate. Response to therapy is generally good, but recurrence and chronic infections were identified as problems. The average mortality rate was 15 %. Approximately 3000 cases are seen annually by the respondents, at an estimated cost of R750 000 to the owners. Feline babesiosis is a significant problem in South Africa, and further investigations of taxonomic status, concurrent infections, chemotherapy, complications and management of refractory cases are warranted.

Revision of the elegans-group of Alona s. lato and its status as a subgenus of Coronatella Dybowski & Grochowski, 1894 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4732 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-526
Author(s):  
ARTEM Y. SINEV
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
The West ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Basal Segment ◽  
Old World ◽  
Basal Group ◽  
Species Groups

The taxonomic status of the elegans-group of Alona s. lato (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) is herein examined. The West Palearctic Alona elegans Kurz, 1875 and poorly known African taxon Coronatella cf. bukobensis (Weltner, 1897) are redescribed, and new data on morphology of Coronatella circumfimbriata (Megard, 1967) and Coronatella rectangula (Sars, 1861) is added. Based on analysis of original and literature data, the elegans-group is herein suggested as a separate subgenus within the genus Coronatella, namely Coronatella (Ephemeralona) subgen. nov. Main diagnostic features of the latter include: (1) seta arising from the basal segment of antenna endopodite much longer than endopodite; (2) acessory seta of limb I long, almost as long as ODL seta; (3) setae 2-3 of IDL armed with uniform thin setulae; (4) exopodite of limb II with a very short, rudimentary seta. Coronatella (Ephemeralona) subgen. nov. is a morphologically uniform basal group of the genus. It is distributed mostly in the arid belt of the Old World, with a single species known from South Africa. C. (Coronatella) is distributed worldwide; it is composed of several distinct species-groups with overlapping areas of distribution. A checklist of Coronatella species is provided. 

scholarly journals Reassessing the taxonomic diversity of Plagiothecium section Orthophyllum in the North American bryoflora

Brittonia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz J. Wolski
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
North America ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
North Africa ◽  
North American ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Ecological Preferences ◽  
The North

AbstractAt the beginning of the twentieth century, Plagiothecium nemorale s.l. and P. succulentum, both belonging to P. sect. Orthophyllum, were considered to be distributed across almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. However, in the mid-twentieth century these taxa were recircumscribed resulting in their exclusion from the North American bryoflora and restricting their distributions to Asia and Europe, and in the case of Plagiothecium nemorale s.l., also North Africa. More recently, it was found that P. nemorale s.l. is a taxonomic complex comprising three distinct species: P. nemorale s.s., P. longisetum, and P. angusticellum. I revised the North American material of P. section Orthophyllum deposited in three herbaria (NY, FH, F) and found that five examined taxa of the section are present in the North America. Two of the species P. angusticellum and P. longisetum, have not been recorded from North America previously, while two others, P. nemorale and P. succulentum, had not been listed in the North American bryoflora for 50 years. One taxon is new for the U.S.A. – P. succulentum f. propaguliferum. Here I provide detailed descriptions of the anatomical and morphological features of the recorded taxa along with photographic documentation of their most important characteristics. I also summarize their known distributions in North America and ecological preferences and provide a key for their identification.

Description and taxonomic position of a new genus and species of southern African pollen beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2927 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. AUDISIO ◽  
J. JELÍNEK ◽  
A. R. CLINE ◽  
E. MANCINI ◽  
M. TRIZZINO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Taxonomic Position ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Pollen Beetle ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Larval Host Plants

The pollen beetle Restiopria biondii gen. nov., sp. nov., from Western Cape, South Africa, is described. The taxonomic position of Restiopria is discussed. The new genus is not noticeably related to any other known Meligethine, although it exhibits a few shared characters with Pria Stephens 1830. Larval host plants of the single known species are male flowers of two species of the monocot family Restionaceae.

New species of Sparaxis and Ixia (Iridaceae: Ixioideae) from Western Cape, South Africa, and taxonomic notes on Ixia and Gladiolus

Bothalia ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Goldblatt
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Infrageneric Classification ◽  
New Name ◽  
Deep Yellow ◽  
A New Species

Sparaxis auriculata is a new species of this western Cape and western Karoo genus It resembles  S. villosa (Burm.f.)Goldblatt in its (lowers but is probably allied to  S.  galeata (Jacq.) Ker Gawl.  Sparaxis metelerkampiae, currently a sub­species of S. variegata Sweet is raised to species rank. We propose changes to the infrageneric classification of the southern African winter rainfall genus  Ixia. and describe a new species, I. aurea It is related to I odorata Ker Gawl. but differs in the larger deep yellow or orange flowers which are unscented In  Gladiolus, we propose the new name.  G saxatilis. for the Mpumalanga endemic, originally described as G litliicola Goldblatt J.C.Manning, a homonym for an Ethiopian species.

Two new species of the genus Atractoscion, and resurrection of the species Atractoscion atelodus (Günther 1867) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4306 (2) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
YOUNG SUN SONG ◽  
JIN-KOO KIM ◽  
JUNG-HA KANG ◽  
SEONG YONG KIM
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
New Species ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Morphological Comparison ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Two New Species

A taxonomic re-evaluation of the cosmopolitan fish species Atractoscion aequidens (Cuvier 1830) revealed that it comprises several distinct species occurring in different oceans. Here we describe two new species, Atractoscion macrolepis sp. nov. and Atractoscion microlepis sp. nov., based on specimens collected from Angola and Oman, respectively, and we resurrect the species Atractoscion atelodus (Günther 1867), from Australia. Morphological comparison of A. aequidens from South Africa (type locality) with species from geographically distant localities showed that they differed in the mode number of lateral line pored scales (76 for A. aequidens; 73 for A. macrolepis sp. nov.; 78 for A. microlepis sp. nov.) and the number of dorsal-fin soft rays (26–29 for A. aequidens; 31–33 or 34 for A. atelodus; 24–28 for A. macrolepis sp. nov.; 25–26 for A. microlepis sp. nov.). Comparison of 506 bp sequences in mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I showed that the Kimura 2-parameter distance for A. aequidens differs substantially from that for the other species (5.1–5.3% different from A. atelodus; 3.7–4.4 from A. macrolepis sp. nov.; 4.8–5.0 from A. microlepis sp. nov.). The study highlights that DNA barcoding can contribute to confirming the taxonomic status of geographic variations. 

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