Taxonomy and phylogeny of two subgroups of Pelargonium section Otidia (Geraniaceae). 1. The Pelargonium carnosum complex

Bothalia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Becker ◽  
F. Albers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Monophyletic Clade ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Specific Rank ◽  
Complex Distribution

This contribution deals with the taxonomy and phylogeny of the  Pelargonium carnosum complex, a group of closely related taxa of Pelargonium L’Hér. section  Otidia (Sweet) DC. (Geraniaceae) that is distributed in the winter rainfall area of South Africa. According to molecular analyses via AFLP, P. adriaanii M.Becker F.AIbers,  P. carnosum (L.) L’Uér., P.  ferulaceum (C'av.) Willd. and P. polycephalum (E.Mey. ex Harv.) R.Knuth form a monophyletic clade. Although hybridization may occur between the taxa, three are assigned to specific rank. The fourth taxon, P. ferulaceum is recognized as a subspecies ot'P carnosum. As is implied from the occurrence of morphological intermediates and partly from molecular evidence,hybridization does not only occur among the taxa in this complex but also involves species closely related to this group  (P. panifiorum J.C.Wendl., P. laxum (Sweet) G.Don, P. dasyphyllum R.Knuth). For the taxa in the P. carnosum complex, distribution areas are delineated and diagnostic features that have until now remained obscure, are outlined.

scholarly journals Redescription and taxonomic status of Dipturus chilensis (Guichenot, 1848), and description of Dipturus lamillai sp. nov. (Rajiformes: Rajidae), a new species of long-snout skate from the Falkland Islands

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4590 (5) ◽  
pp. 501
Author(s):  
FRANCISCO J. CONCHA ◽  
JANINE N. CAIRA ◽  
DAVID A. EBERT ◽  
JOOST H. W. POMPERT
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Mitochondrial Genomes ◽  
Falkland Islands ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
A New Species

Recent molecular evidence has called into question the identity of skates collected in the waters off the Falkland Islands previously identified as Zearaja chilensis. NADH2 sequence data indicate that these specimens are not conspecific with those currently referred to as Z. chilensis from Chile and, in fact, represent a novel cryptic species. This study aimed to investigate this hypothesis based on morphological comparisons of specimens from the coasts of both western and eastern South America. In total, 50 specimens from Chile and 41 specimens from the Falkland Islands were collected and examined; morphometric data were generated for a subset of specimens from both areas. NADH2 sequence data were generated for a total of 19 specimens from both areas, as well as specimens of Z. nasuta from New Zealand, D. pullopunctatus from South Africa, D. oxyrinchus from the Azores, Okamejei hollandi, and O. cairae from Borneo, and O. kenojei from Japan. Based on morphological and molecular analyses, Zearaja is synonymized with Dipturus and species assigned to the former genus are transferred to the latter genus. A neotype is designated for D. chilensis and this species is redescribed. Dipturus lamillai sp. nov. is described based on specimens from the Falkland Islands. Comparison of our NADH2 data with data for mitochondrial genomes generated from tissue samples taken from two specimens originally identified as Z. chilensis, indicate that, while the sample from Chile came from a specimen of D. chilensis, that from the skate steak obtained from a restaurant in Korea actually came from a specimen of D. lamillai sp. nov. This emphasizes the importance of confirming both the provenance and identity of specimens from which sequence data are generated and submitted to GenBank if misidentifications are to be avoided.

Occurrence of putatively resistant plantago in the winter rainfall region of South Africa: a survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 411-415
Author(s):  
Vhuthu Ndou ◽  
Ethel E Phiri ◽  
Frederik H Eksteen ◽  
Petrus J Pieterse
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Region

scholarly journals Holocene climate variability in the Winter Rainfall Zone of South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 2309-2356 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Weldeab ◽  
J.-B. W. Stuut ◽  
R. R. Schneider ◽  
W. Siebel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Dust Deposition ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Phytoplankton Productivity

Abstract. We established a multi-proxy time series comprising analyses of major elements in bulk sediments, Sr and Nd isotopes and grain size of terrigenous fraction, and δ18O and δ13C in tests of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral) from a marine sediment sequence recovered off the Orange River. The records reveal coherent patterns of variability that reflect changes in wind strength, precipitation over the river catchments, and upwelling of cold and nutrient-rich coastal waters off western South Africa. The wettest episode of the Holocene in the Winter Rainfall Zone (WRZ) of South Africa occurred during the "Little Ice Age" (700–100 yr BP). Wet phases were accompanied by strengthened coastal water upwellings, a decrease of Agulhas water leakage into the southern Atlantic, and a reduced dust incursion over Antarctica. A continuous aridification trend in the WRZ and a weakening of the southern Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) between 9000 and 5500 yr BP parallel with increase of dust deposition over Antarctica and an enhanced leakage of warm Agulhas water into the southeastern Atlantic. The temporal relationship between precipitation changes in the WRZ, the thermal state of the coastal surface water, and leakage of warm water in southern Atlantic, and variation of dust incursion over Antarctica suggests a causal link that most likely was related to latitudinal shifts of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies. Our results of the mid-Holocene time interval may serve as an analogue to a possible long-term consequence of the current and future southward shift of the westerlies that may result in a decline of rainfall over southwest Africa and a weakened upwelling with implication for phytoplankton productivity and fish stocks. Furthermore, warming of the coastal surface water as a result of warm Agulhas water incursion into the southern BUS may affect coastal fog formation that is critical as moisture source for the endemic flora of the Namaqualand.

scholarly journals The Influence of Atmospheric Rivers over the South Atlantic on Winter Rainfall in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Blamey ◽  
A. M. Ramos ◽  
R. M. Trigo ◽  
R. Tomé ◽  
C. J. C. Reason
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Atmospheric Rivers ◽  
The North ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Topographic Barriers ◽  
High Topography

Abstract A climatology of atmospheric rivers (ARs) impinging on the west coast of South Africa (29°–34.5°S) during the austral winter months (April–September) was developed for the period 1979–2014 using an automated detection algorithm and two reanalysis products as input. The two products show relatively good agreement, with 10–15 persistent ARs (lasting 18 h or longer) occurring on average per winter and nearly two-thirds of these systems occurring poleward of 35°S. The relationship between persistent AR activity and winter rainfall is demonstrated using South African Weather Service rainfall data. Most stations positioned in areas of high topography contained the highest percentage of rainfall contributed by persistent ARs, whereas stations downwind, to the east of the major topographic barriers, had the lowest contributions. Extreme rainfall days in the region are also ranked by their magnitude and spatial extent. The results suggest that although persistent ARs are important contributors to heavy rainfall events, they are not necessarily a prerequisite. It is found that around 70% of the top 50 daily winter rainfall extremes in South Africa were in some way linked to ARs (both persistent and nonpersistent). Overall, the findings of this study support similar investigations on ARs in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.

Morphological, genome-size and molecular analyses of Apostasia fogangica (Apostasioideae, Orchidaceae), a new species from China

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 277 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
YA-YI YIN ◽  
PING-SHENG ZHONG ◽  
GUO-QIANG ZHANG ◽  
LI-JUN CHEN ◽  
SI-JIN ZENG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Genome Size ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Orchid Species ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
A New Species

After examining morphological, molecular and genome-size evidence, we describe and illustrate a new orchid species, Apostasia fogangica, from Guangdong, China. Morphological comparisons indicate that A. fogangica is similar to A. shenzhenica, although the habit, leaves, inflorescences and fruit shapes and sizes differ. Comparison of the genome sizes in Apostasioideae show that A. fogangica is 1C=0.952 pg, which is double the size of A. shenzhenica but close to that of A. wallichii. Molecular analyses from combined nuclear and plastid datasets (ITS, matK and trnL-F) indicate that A. fogangica is sister to A. nipponica plus A. shenzhenica. The morphological, genome-size and molecular evidence support the hypothesis that A. fogangica is a new species.

Late Quaternary micromammals and the precipitation history of the southern Cape, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 848-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tyler Faith ◽  
Brian M. Chase ◽  
D. Margaret Avery
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Seasonality ◽  
Barn Owls ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Last Glacial

AbstractThe southern Cape of South Africa is important to understanding regional climate because it straddles the transition between the winter and summer rainfall zones. We examine late Quaternary changes in rainfall seasonality and aridity through analysis of micromammal assemblages from three sites: Boomplaas Cave and Nelson Bay Cave in the aseasonal rainfall zone and Byneskranskop 1 in the winter rainfall zone. Our interpretation is based on analysis of 123 modern micromammal assemblages accumulated by barn owls (Tyto alba), which empirically links species composition to climate. The Pleistocene record (∼65 to 12 ka) from Boomplaas Cave, together with the last glacial maximum (LGM) samples from Nelson Bay Cave, indicates enhanced winter rainfall, especially during the LGM. Boomplaas Cave documents progressive aridification from the LGM to the earliest Holocene, followed by a return to moderately humid conditions through the Holocene. Byneskranskop 1 indicates a dominance of winter rains over the last 17 ka and a shift from an arid middle Holocene to a humid later Holocene. Agreement between the micromammal record and other local and regional proxies reinforces the potential of southern African micromammal assemblages as paleoclimate indicators.

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