Tricky Morphology: A New Species of Chamaecrista (Leguminosae) Shows Strong Morphological Convergence Among Not Closely Related Species Found in Similar Habitat

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 962-972
Author(s):  
Matheus Martins Teixeira Cota ◽  
Juliana Gastaldello Rando ◽  
Cristiane Snak ◽  
Luciano Paganucci de Queiroz

Abstract— Plants from Brazilian campos rupestres usually present morphological strategies that allow them to survive in extreme environments. However, in Chamaecrista (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae), one of the most diverse genera in the campos rupestres, needle-like leaflets are rare. Reviewing the species that present such leaf morphology, we describe Chamaecrista acicularis, a new species from the Canastra Range, in the southwestern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that C. acicularis is not closely related to other quite similar needle-like leafleted species and that this trait evolved convergently. We also present comments on the phylogenetic relationships of needle-like leafleted species as well as the evolution of the leaflet amplitude, and a detailed description of C. acicularis alongside illustrations, photos, geographical distribution, a key to the needle-like leafleted species and taxonomic notes on similar species. Additionally, we expand the description of Chamaecrista strictifolia and present an informal conservation status for all needle-like leafleted species.

MycoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 53-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Pin Xiao ◽  
Sinang Hongsanan ◽  
Kevin D. Hyde ◽  
Siraprapa Brooks ◽  
Ning Xie ◽  
...  

Ophiocordyceps is entomopathogenic and the largest studied genus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. Many species in this genus have been reported from Thailand. The first new species introduced in this paper, Ophiocordycepsglobiceps, differs from other species based on its smaller perithecia, shorter asci and secondary ascospores and additionally, in parasitising fly species. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, TEF1α and RPB1 sequence data indicate that O.globiceps forms a distinct lineage within the genus Ophiocordyceps as a new species. The second new species, Ophiocordycepssporangifera, is distinguished from closely related species by infecting larvae of insects (Coleoptera, Elateridae) and by producing white to brown sporangia, longer secondary synnemata and shorter primary and secondary phialides. We introduce O.sporangifera based on its significant morphological differences from other similar species, even though phylogenetic distinction is not well-supported.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4221 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHIRLEY J. SERRANO-ROJAS ◽  
ANDREW WHITWORTH ◽  
JAIME VILLACAMPA ◽  
RUDOLF VON MAY ◽  
JOSÉ M. PADIAL ◽  
...  

We describe and name a new species of poison-dart frog from the Amazonian slopes of the Andes in Manu Province, Madre de Dios Department, Peru; specifically within the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve and the buffer zone of Manu National Park. Ameerega shihuemoy sp. nov. is supported by a unique combination of characters: black dorsum with cream to light orange dorsolateral lines, blue belly reticulated with black, and the lack of axillary, thigh and calf flash marks. Within Ameerega, it shares the general appearance of A. altamazonica, A. boliviana, A. hahneli, A. ignipedis, A. petersi, A. picta, A. pongoensis, A. pulchripecta, A. simulans, A. smaragdina, and A. yungicola; each possessing a granular black to brown dorsum, a light labial bar, a conspicuous dorsolateral line running from the snout to the groin, and a metallic blue belly and underside of arms and hind limbs. From most of these species it can be distinguished by lacking flash marks on the axillae, thighs, and calves (absent in only A. boliviana and A. smaragdina, most A. petersi, and some A. pongoensis), by having bright cream to orange dorsolateral stripes (white, intense yellow, or green in all other species, with the exception of A. picta), and by its blue belly reticulated with black (bluish white and black in A. boliviana, green and blue with black marbling in A. petersi, and green and blue lacking black marbling in A. smaragdina). Its mating call also shows clear differences to morphologically similar species, with a lower note repetition rate, longer space between calls, and higher fundamental and dominant frequencies. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S mitochondrial rRNA fragment also support the distinctiveness of the new species and suggest that A. shihuemoy is most closely related to Ameerega macero, A. altamazonica, A. rubriventris, and two undescribed species (Ameerega sp. from Porto Walter, Acre, Brazil, and Ameerega sp. from Ivochote, Cusco, Peru). Genetically, the new species is most similar to the sympatric A. macero, from which it clearly differs in characteristics of its advertisement call and coloration. The new species is found near rocky streams during the dry season and near temporary water bodies during the rainy season. Tadpoles are found in lentic water along streams, or in shallow, slow-moving streams. Given its small geographic range, we recommend that A. shihuemoy should be considered 'Near threatened' (NT) according to IUCN Red List criteria. 


Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 413 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
PEDRO HENRIQUE CARDOSO ◽  
LUIZ MENINI NETO ◽  
FÁTIMA REGINA GONÇALVES SALIMENA

Stachytarpheta grandiflora, an endemic species to campos rupestres of the Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, west of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by pubescent branches, leaves with acute apex, petiole 0.5–1 cm long, bracts 0.7–1 cm long, with caudate apex, calyx 1.5–1.6 cm long, pubescent, 2-toothed and corolla 2.3–3 cm long, dark blue. It belongs to the informal group “Sellowiana”. We provide a detailed diagnosis, a morphological comparison with the most similar species, a key for the informal group where the new species belongs, a distribution map, conservation status and illustrations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-543
Author(s):  
Karinne Sampaio Valdemarin ◽  
Jair Eustáquio Quintino Faria ◽  
Fiorella Fernanda Mazine ◽  
Vinicius Castro Souza

Abstract—A new species of Eugenia from the Atlantic forest of Brazil is described and illustrated. Eugenia flavicarpa is restricted to the Floresta de Tabuleiro (lowland forests) of Espírito Santo state and is nested in Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia. Considering all other species of the subgenus that occur in forest vegetation types of the Atlantic forest phytogeographic domain, Eugenia flavicarpa can be distinguished mainly by the combination of smooth leaves with indumentum on both surfaces, with two marginal veins, usually ramiflorous inflorescences, pedicels 4.5‐9.7 mm long, flower buds 3.5‐4 mm in diameter, and by the calyx lobes that are 2‐3 mm long with rounded to obtuse apices. Morphological analyses were performed to explore the significance of quantitative diagnostic features between the new species and the closely related species, Eugenia farneyi. Notes on the habitat, distribution, phenology, and conservation status of Eugenia flavicarpa are provided, as well as a key for all species of Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia from forest vegetation of the Atlantic forest phytogeographic domain.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 520 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-202
Author(s):  
GLEISON SOARES ◽  
BENOÎT LOEUILLE

Lepidaploa restingae, a new species from the restinga vegetation in Northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. This new species differs from morphologically related species by the branch indument, leaf morphology, number of phyllary series and corolla lobe indument. Taxonomic comments, a distribution map and a preliminary conservation status for the new species are provided.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 55-74
Author(s):  
Juan José Torres-Ramírez ◽  
Teddy Angarita-Sierra ◽  
Mario Vargas-Ramírez

In northern South America, amphisbaenians are rarely seen among the herpetofauna.Thus, general knowledge about them is very poor. During a herpetological survey in 2012 at Casanare, Colombia, we found two specimens of an unusual Amphisbaena. A third specimen sharing the same morphotype labeled Amphisbaena sp. from Vichada department was found deposided in an Colombian reptile collection. Based on morphological analyses together with phylogenetic analyses of 1029 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we describe a new species of Amphisbaena that inhabits in the Orinoquian region of Colombia. The new species is part of a phylogenetic clade together with A. mertensii and A. cunhai (central-southern Brazil), exhibiting a great genetic distance (26.1–28.9%) between the newly identified lineage versus those taxa, and versus the sympatric taxa A. alba and A. fuliginosa. Morphologically, this new Amphisbaena can be distinguished from their congeners by characters combination of number of preocloacal pores, absence of malar scale, postgenial scales and body and caudal annuli counts. Amphisbaena gracilis is on morphology grounds the most similar species. However, the new species can be distinguished from it by having higher body annuli counts, angulus ories aliegned with the edges of the ocular scales and center of frontal scales, less number of large middorsal segments of the first and second body annulus, and rostral scale visible from above. The description of this new Amphisbaena species points out the urgent need to increase the knowledge of worm lizards in Colombia


PhytoKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 187 ◽  
pp. 189-205
Author(s):  
Dai-Ke Tian ◽  
Wen-Guang Wang ◽  
Li-Na Dong ◽  
Yan Xiao ◽  
Min-Min Zheng ◽  
...  

Begonia giganticaulis, a huge new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum of Begoniaceae from southern Xizang (Tibet) of China, is described. Morphologically, it is mostly similar to B. longifolia and B. acetosella, but clearly differs from the former mainly by its dioecious and taller plants, sparse hairs on abaxial veins, longer inflorescence, unique shape of fruits, and differs from the latter mainly by its late and longer flowering time, 6-tepals of female flower and 3-loculed ovary. The phylogenetic analyses also support the separation of the new species from other taxa. Based on the current data, its conservation status is assigned to Endangered (B2a) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.


Author(s):  
José Esteban Jiménez ◽  
Marco Cedeño-Fonseca ◽  
Mario A. Blanco

Background and Aims: Aristolochia is the largest genus in Aristolochiaceae and is widely distributed in the world. A recent synopsis of Aristolochia in Costa Rica recognized 19 species; nevertheless, recent botanical exploration in southwestern Costa Rica has revealed yet another new species of this genus. Methods: The new species resulted from fieldwork in Buenos Aires, Puntarenas Province. Specimens from several herbaria were examined, as well as the type material of the most morphologically similar species. Comments about its distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status and morphological distinction from related species are provided.Key results: Aristolochia quiricoana, a member of Aristolochia series Thyrsicae, is described and illustrated from the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, where it is apparently endemic. It is similar to A. ornithorhyncha, from which it is distinguished by its shorter pedicels, wider, oblong perigone limbs with a shorter appendix, and a different floral color pattern.Conclusions: The new taxon described here represents the 22nd species documented in Aristolochia series Thyrsicae, as well as the 20th species of the genus from Costa Rica.


2021 ◽  
Vol 154 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-306
Author(s):  
Olivier Lachenaud ◽  
Fabiana Firetti ◽  
Lúcia G. Lohmann

Background and aims – The genus Anemopaegma (Bignoniaceae) includes around 47 species and has its centre of diversity in Brazil. Here, we describe and illustrate a new species from French Guiana, Anemopaegma kawense, and compare it to the two most similar species, A. foetidum and A. granvillei. We further assess the conservation status of all three species.Material and methods – Morphological descriptions are based on herbarium specimens deposited at BM, BR, CAY, INPA, K, MO, P, SPF, and U, and, in the case of the newly described species, also on field observations. The conservation status assessments follow the IUCN Red List criteria.Key results – Anemopaegma kawense differs from both A. foetidum and A. granvillei by its densely villose twigs, longitudinally plicate leaflets with secondary veins not or hardly prominent below, and tertiary veins impressed below. It is further separated from A. foetidum by the leaflets that are villose below and the calyx that is entirely pubescent outside. On the other hand, A. kawense differs from A. granvillei by the densely lepidote outer surface of the corolla, shorter petiolules, leaflets with midrib impressed above, shorter bracts and bracteoles, inflorescence peduncle exceeding the rachis, and pedicels densely puberulous, not lepidote or only sparsely so at the apex. This species is endemic to the Kaw Mountain in north-eastern French Guiana, where it grows in low stunted forest on laterite; it is assessed as Endangered according to the IUCN criteria. New descriptions are provided for A. granvillei, which is newly reported from Suriname, and for A. foetidum, which is newly reported from French Guiana; these two species are assessed as Endangered and Least Concern, respectively. Lectotypes are designated for A. maguirei, which is here synonymised with A. foetidum, and for A. umbellatum, another synonym of that species. A key to the 12 species of Anemopaegma occurring in the Guianas is presented.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 500 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
MENG-LE XIE ◽  
TIE-ZHENG WEI ◽  
BÁLINT DIMA ◽  
YONG-PING FU ◽  
RUI-QING JI ◽  
...  

This study presents one telamonioid species new to science based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Cortinarius khinganensis was collected from the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China and it is characterized by hygrophanous, vivid brownish red and striate pileus, white universal veil, and subglobose spores. According to phylogenetic analyses results, C. khinganensis belongs to the section Illumini, which is a lineage distantly related from subgenus Telamonia sensu stricto. Detailed descriptions of the new species and the comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided. The phylogenetic relationships within the section Illumini are also discussed.


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