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

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.

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The genus Xiphinema in South Africa. XXVI. New information on X. bolandium, with description of the four juvenile stages (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v44i2.174 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

Author(s):

J. Heyns

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Western Cape ◽

Eastern Cape Province ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Western Cape Province ◽

New Information ◽

Wilderness Area ◽

Juvenile Stages ◽

First Time ◽

New Distribution

A population of Xiphinema bolandium from the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area in the Eastern Cape Province was studied, and the four juvenile stages described and figured for the first time. New distribution records are listed from several localities in the Western Cape Province, mostly from vineyards and peach orchards, as well as from fynbos.

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Redescription of Orthoprotella mayeri K.H. Barnard, 1916 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae) from Cape Province, South Africa and description of O. berentsae sp. nov. from New South Wales, Australia

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1632.1.3 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1632 (1) ◽

pp. 37-48

Author(s):

ICHIRO TAKEUCHI ◽

JAMES K. LOWRY

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

South Wales

Close examination of Orthoprotella mayeri K.H. Barnard, 1916 (sensu lato) which has been recorded from South Africa and New South Wales, Australia, revealed that there are two distinct species from Cape Province, South Africa and New South Wales, Australia, respectively. The present paper provides a redescription of O. mayeri K.H. Barnard, 1916 (sensu stricto) from South Africa and a description of O. berentsae sp. nov. from New South Wales, Australia. The two species can be identified based on the morphology of antenna 2, pereonites 6 and 7, and the uropods, although characteristic body somites of both species resemble other species.

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

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.433.1.5 ◽

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.

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