scholarly journals Conservation systematics of the shield-backed trapdoor spiders of the nigrum-group (Mygalomorphae, Idiopidae, Idiosoma): integrative taxonomy reveals a diverse and threatened fauna from south-western Australia

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 756 ◽  
pp. 1-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Rix ◽  
Joel A. Huey ◽  
Steven J.B. Cooper ◽  
Andrew D. Austin ◽  
Mark S. Harvey

The aganippine shield-backed trapdoor spiders of the monophyleticnigrum-group ofIdiosomaAusserers. l.are revised, and 15 new species are described from Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia:I.arenaceumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.corrugatumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.clypeatumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.dandaraganRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.formosumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.gardneriRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.gutharukaRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.incomptumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.intermediumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.jarrahRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.kopejtkaorumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.kwonganRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.mcclementsorumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.mcnamaraiRix & Harvey,sp. n., andI.schoknechtorumRix & Harvey,sp. n.Two previously described species from south-western Western Australia,I.nigrumMain, 1952 andI.sigillatum(O. P.-Cambridge, 1870), are re-illustrated and re-diagnosed, and complementary molecular data for 14 species and seven genes are analysed with Bayesian methods. Members of thenigrum-group are of long-standing conservation significance, andI.nigrumis the only spider in Australia to be afforded threatened species status under both State and Commonwealth legislation. Two other species,I.formosumRix & Harvey,sp. n.andI.kopejtkaorumRix & Harvey,sp. n., are also formally listed as Endangered under Western Australian State legislation. Here we significantly relimitI.nigrumto include only those populations from the central and central-western Wheatbelt bioregion, and further document the known diversity and conservation status of all known species.

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet A. Wege

A morphological review of the diminutive annual species from the Stylidium despectum R.Br. group (Stylidiaceae) is presented. Twelve species are recognised, of which 10 are endemic in the south-west of Western Australia and two are widespread across southern temperate Australia. Following examination of type material, herbarium collections and field observations, a change of circumscription is presented for S. despectum and S. inundatum R.Br. The former name is applied to a widespread species that occurs in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, and is characterised by scattered or rosetted leaves, pink and/or white corolla lobes in a fan-shaped arrangement, and an immobile floral column. S. brachyphyllum Sond. is newly placed into synonymy under S. despectum and a lectotype selected. S. inundatum is redefined as a south-western Australian endemic with scattered leaves, vertically-paired or evenly spreading corolla lobes, and a mobile floral column. A lectotype is designated for S. inundatum, and S. sidjamesii Lowrie & Kenneally is treated as conspecific. S. beaugleholei J.H.Willis is confirmed for Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. S. asymmetricum Wege, a new and apparently rare species from the Northern Jarrah Forest in south-western Australia, is formally described and revised descriptions are provided for S. longitubum Benth., S. pygmaeum R.Br., S. rhipidium F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis, S. roseoalatum F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis, S. roseonanum Carlquist, S. tinkeri Lowrie & Kenneally, S. utricularioides Benth. and S. xanthopis F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis. A lectotype is designated for S. longitubum Benth. and S. utricularioides var. rosulatum Mildbr. is newly placed into synonymy under S. roseoalatum. A key to species is provided, along with photographs to aid identification. Further field-based studies are required to refine the taxonomy of this group and to better understand the distribution, rarity and conservation status of some of the taxa. In Western Australia, seven species are listed as being of conservation concern, of which S. asymmetricum, S. tinkeri and S. xanthopis require immediate further survey to ascertain whether they should be given Threatened Flora status.


Author(s):  
D. W. Minter

Abstract A description is provided for Podospora excentrica. Some information on its associated organisms and substrata, dispersal and transmission, habitats and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (South America (Venezuela), Atlantic Ocean (Portugal (Madeira)), Australasia (Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia)), New Zealand, Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, UK)).


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoyo Sato ◽  
Rebecca S. Buckman-Young ◽  
Mark S. Harvey ◽  
Gonzalo Giribet

There is a yet uncovered multitude of species to be found among Western Australian Onychophora. Kumbadjena, one of the two genera that reside in this region, has been previously suggested to house an extensive species complex. Morphology alone has not been able to elucidate the diversity in this genus and has instead muddled species delineations. Topologies and species delimitation analyses resulting from the sequences of two mitochondrial ribosomal markers (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), one nuclear ribosomal marker (18S rRNA), and one mitochondrial protein-coding gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) are indicative of several undescribed species. Fixed diagnostic nucleotide changes in the highly conserved sequences of 18S rRNA warrant distinction of three new species of Kumbadjena: K. toolbrunupensis, sp. nov., K. karricola, sp. nov., and K. extrema, sp. nov. The geographic distributions of the proposed species suggest that Kumbadjena is another example of short-range endemism, a common occurrence in the flora and fauna of the region. The extensive biodiversity and endemism in the region necessitates conservation to preserve the species and processes that promote speciation harboured by Western Australia.


Author(s):  
D. W. Minter

Abstract A description is provided for Geoglossum cookeanum. Some information on its associated organisms and substrata, habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (North America (Mexico and USA (Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire and Tenesse)), Asia (Georgia, India (Uttarakhand) and China (Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Yunnan)), Australasia (Australia (South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia) and New Zealand), Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK)). No reports of negative economic impacts of this fungus have been found.


1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Burgman

Numerical cladistic and phenetic analyses were undertaken on morphometric data from 22 Western Australian populations of the southern Australian shrub Boronia inornata and from the southern Western Australian tree Eucalyptus diptera and its unnamed allies. The E. diptera species complex includes four taxa, three of which are at present unnamed. These species are largely allopatric, although in one location the ranges of two species overlap. Two subspecies of Boronia inornata are described and one of them, subsp. leptophylla, contains three informal variants. Subsp. inornata and two of the variants of subsp. leptophylla are restricted to Western Australia. One variant of subsp. leptophylla is sympatric with subsp. inornata in Western Australia and also occurs in southern South Australia. The events which gave rise to the four species of the E. diptera complex and to the subspecies and variants of B. inornata occurred within the semiarid mallee zone of Western Australia, probably during the Quaternary. Speciation has occurred in a replacement pattern across the southern transitional rainfall zone, which is reflected in at least one other, unrelated taxon.


1958 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
HBS Womersly ◽  
SJ Edmonds

An account is given of the environmental features. the intertidal ecology. and the biogeographical relationships of the coast of the State of South Australia . The central and western coasts of South Australia are similar ecologically in comparable areas . In the supralittoral Melaraphe unifasciata (Gray) is dominant (except where conditions are very calm) and at high levels on very exposed coasts Calothrix fasciculata C. Agardh is found. The littoral zone where the coast is most exposed consists of barnacles-Chamaesipho in the upper littoral, Catophragmus in the mid littoral, and Balanus in the lower littoral-but where the coast is more sheltered it consists of molluscs in the upper and mid littoral and algae (Corallina, Gelidium, or Hormosira) in the lower littoral. In the upper sublittoral fucoid algae or in calm regions marine angiosperms are dominant. The south-east coast, however, differs in some respects from the central and west coasts. The number of barnacles found in the littoral zone is much reduced and the giant brown algae, Durvillea potatorum Areschoug and Macrocystis angustifolia Bory, are dominant in the upper sublittoral. This is associated with slightly lower sea temperatures. Sheltered coasts are more prominent in South Australia than in the eastern States of Australia. These include the shores of Spencer and St. Vincent Gulfs, the northern shores of Kangaroo I., and a number of scattered bays. The similarities between the coasts of South Australia and Victoria (Bennett and Pope 1953) are greater than the differences. Consequently the proposal of Bennett and Pope to recognize the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts as the Maugean Biogeographical Provinoe and the South Australian and the south-west Western Australian coasts as the Flindersian Province appears to be unjustified. It is suggested that the Naugean is best regarded as a subprovince with the Flindersian. The latter includes most of the coast of southern Australia. Considerable differences are noticeable between the organisms which inhabit the rocky coast of South Australia and the south coast of Western Australia. The available evidence indicates that a transition from the Flindersian to the tropical Dampierian Province occurs along the south and west coasts of Western Australia. The terms "Indo-Australian Province" and "Baudinian Province" have been proposed by previous authors to describe this transitional region. The Flindersian Province appears to be intermediate between cold-temperate and warm-temperate regions, becoming distinctly cool-temperate in Tasmania. It is relatively distinct from the warm-temperate Peronian Province of the coast of New South Wales.


1956 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Calaby ◽  
FJ Gay

Knowledge of the distribution and biology in Western Australia of species of Coptotermes has been very incomplete and in some respects erroneous, due partly to a lack of collecting and partly to the fact that the genus is notoriously difficult taxonomically. This genus, which includes the most destructive Australian termites, is represented in the State by four species and one subspecies. The form raffrayi previously thought to be a good species occurring sympatrically with acinaciformis is shown to be a subspecies of the latter form intergrading with it through a wide zone of intermediate forms and replacing it geographically in the wetter south-western corner of the State. C. michaelseni is restricted to south-western Australia and previous records from South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland are shown or considered to be misidentifications of C. frenchi. C. frenchi is definitely recorded from Western Australia for the first time. The separation of these two species by microscopical measurements is discussed. The fourth species is the recently discovered and described C. brunneus. The known Western Australian distributions of all species except C. brunneus are given. New biological data for all species are recorded, particularly on tree species attacked, dispersal of alates, and construction of mounds. C. acinaciformis builds symmetrical domed mounds in parts of southern Western Australia. Mound nests had not previously been recorded in 'the State and they differ considerably in construction from those recorded from the Northern Territory and north Queensland. C. frenchi is here definitely recorded as a mound builder. The mound-building habit erroneously attributed in the literature to C. michaelseni is shown to be due to the confusion of this species with frenchi. Photographs of mounds of C. acinaciformis raffrayi, C. frenchi, and C. brunneus are published for the first time.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Leigh W. Sage

LIKE all genera in the Goodeniaceae, the south-west of Western Australia is the centre of diversity for Lechenaultia R.Br. with 20 of 26 species in the genus endemic to the region (Keighery and Sage 1999; Morrison 1992). Many species of Lechenaultia (and Goodeniaceae) have habitat preferences for ephemerally wet sites (watercourses and lake edges), especially in the Eremaean Botanical Province (unpubl. data). Species such as L. striata (nomenclature follows Western Australian Herbarium 1998 and Orchard and Wilson 2001) and L. galactites are disturbance opportunists, showing prolific population growth after fire events (S. van Leeuwen, pers. comm.; unpubl. data). Of the remaining species scattered across central and eastern Australia, L. aphylla is the least known with only two non-flowering collections from the extreme eastern Great Victoria Desert bioregion of South Australia (including the holotype). A recent collection of the species made over 1 100 km to the west highlights the lack knowledge of the species and bioregion in general.


1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Dunlop

Crested terns breeding in the Fremantle area of south-western Australia nest over an 8-month period, from early April to early November. However, laying is markedly bimodal, with subseasons in autumn and spring. Observations of individually marked breeding crested terns indicated a sedentary population utilizing a number of alternative, traditional colony sites all of which were within the study area. Individual crested terns tended to lay in the same part of the season as in the previous year. Colonies made up of terns with similarly phased reproductive cycles formed at different times within the protracted laying period. Individuals completed only one nesting cycle within a season, remaining in breeding condition for approximately 11-13 weeks. Breeding cycles were broadly circannual but potentially sub-annual. Despite superficial similarities at the populational level, this laying pattern differs markedly from that recorded for the silver gull in the same area. The pattern of breeding shown by crested terns therefore provides a second model to explain the double-nesting phenomenon observed in a number of seabird species on the western Australian coastline.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R. H. Telford ◽  
Kanchana Pruesapan ◽  
Peter C. van Welzen ◽  
Jeremy J. Bruhl

Synostemon trachyspermus (F.Muell.) I.Telford & Pruesapan (Phyllanthaceae, Phyllantheae) is shown, by morphological studies and phylogenetic analysis using nrITS DNA sequence data, to be a heterogeneous species assemblage of four species. Phyllanthus rhytidospermus F.Muell. ex Müll.Arg., with a new combination provided as Synostemon rhytidospermus (F.Muell. ex Müll.Arg.) I.Telford & Pruesapan, and Sauropus hubbardii Airy Shaw, with a new combination as Synostemon hubbardii (Airy Shaw) I.Telford & Pruesapan, are re-instated as species. Phyllanthus arnhemicus S.Moore is lectotypified and placed in synonomy under Synostemon lissocarpus (S.Moore) I.Telford & Pruesapan, which is the new combination provided for Phyllanthus lissocarpus S.Moore (syn. Sauropus lissocarpus (S.Moore) Airy Shaw). Synostemon umbrosus I.Telford & J.J.Bruhl, a rare endemic from the Kimberley, Western Australia, is named as new. The newly described S. hamersleyensis I.Telford & Naaykens, endemic to the Pilbara, Western Australia, and the north-eastern Queensland endemic Sauropus aphyllus J.T.Hunter & J.J.Bruhl are shown to be closely related; the new combination Synostemon aphyllus (J.T.Hunter & J.J.Bruhl) I.Telford & Pruesapan is provided for the latter. Sauropus sp. A of Flora of the Kimberley Region, previously included within S. trachyspermus sens.lat., shows a more distant relationship and is named as Synostemon judithae I.Telford & J.J.Bruhl. Notes on distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, photomicrographs of seeds and a key to identification of the species are provided.


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