A new endemic species of Chicoreus from Savai’l, Samoa

A new species of Muricidae, Chicoreus (Triplex) tangaroai is described from the Samoan Infraprovince. This new taxa is compared with C. (T.) thomasi (Crosse, 1872) and C. (T.) lorenzi Houart, 2009, related species in the Marquesan Molluscan Province.

Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (VII): new synonyms and imperfectly known species

Based on literature survey, examination of type specimens and fieldwork, seven names of Carex are synonymized in the present paper: viz. Carex hypoblephara reduced to a synonym of C. glossostigma; C. dayunshanensis and C. wuyishanensis to synonyms of C. graciliflora; C. dolichogyne to a synonym of C. truncatigluma; C. kwangtoushanica to a synonym of C. tatsiensis; and C. martini to a synonym of C. rhynchophora. The holotype of Carex fokienensis is identified and confirmed at P. The putative endemic species Carex macrosandra (basionym: C. lanceolata var. macrosandra) is synonymized to C. lanceolata, whereas C. cavaleriensis, considered a synonym of the former, is here recognized as a distinct species. A lectotype is designated for C. lanceolata var. macrosandra.

Linaria subbaetica (Plantaginaceae), a new species from the south of the Iberian Peninsula

Linaria subbaetica, a new species from the south of the Iberian Peninsula, is here described, illustrated, and compared with its morphologically closest relatives from L. sect. Supinae: L. badalii, L. caesia, and L. supina. The species is characterised by being annual, and having usually revolute leaves, a short and corymbiform inflorescence at anthesis with a pilose-glandulose axis, a white to pale-yellow corolla (yellow to orangish palate), bearing a spur equalling to slightly longer that the rest of the corolla, and black seeds with a tuberculate and papillose disc surface and a thickened wing. L. subbaetica is an endemic species, growing on calcareous mountains, in the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, Córdoba province (Andalusia, Spain).

Impact of Fires on Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and Priority Bird Species for Conservation in Bolivia

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that contribute significantly to the protection of the planet’s biodiversity. In this study, we evaluated the annual burned areas and the intensity of the fires that affected Bolivia and its 58 KBAs (23.3 million ha) over the last 20 years (2001–2020). In particular, we analyzed the impact of wildfires on the distribution of Bolivian birds at the levels of overall species richness, endemic species and threatened species (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable). We found that at the KBA level, the cumulative area of wildfires was 21.6 million ha, while the absolute area impacted was 5.6 million ha. The KBAs most affected by the wildfires are located in the departments of Beni and Santa Cruz; mainly in the KBAs Área Natural de Manejo Integrado San Matías, Oeste del río Mamoré, Este del río Mamoré, Noel Kempff Mercado and Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Otuquis. The wildfires impacted the distribution of 54 threatened species and 15 endemic species in the KBAs. Based on the results of this study, it is a priority to communicate to Bolivian government authorities the importance of KBAs as a strategy for the conservation of the country’s biodiversity and the threats resulting from anthropogenic fires.

Proposals for improvement of Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC: Sardinia

The ‘Habitats’ Directive (HD 92/43/EEC) is one of the primary legal tools aiming at conserving nature in Europe. Due to the complex iter to revise it, the habitats listed in the Annex I have been seldom updated after the HD adoption. Basing on already available information and expert knowledge, this paper presents a preliminary list of relevant habitats occurring in Sardinia, not yet considered and worth to be placed in the Annex I. Two new habitat proposals, one habitat new for Italy, and nine new subtypes of already existing HD habitats are here described. Most of the proposed new habitats and subtypes have a limited distribution range, due to the high number of narrow, often endangered, endemic species that characterize them. Being neglected, they are consequently poorly investigated, inconstantly monitored and unprotected. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to promote their conservation through implementation of HD and its interpretation manuals.

Diversity of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the University of Kerala Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, India

Survey conducted on the ant diversity in the Kerala University Campus revealed a total 64 species under six subfamilies. Species belonging to the Myrmicinae dominated (51.5%) followed by Formicinae (20.6%), Ponerinae (13.2%), Dolichoderinae (4.4%), Pseudomyrmicinae (4.4%) and Dorylinae (1.5%). Endemic species Camponotus invidus Forel, 1892 , Cardiocondyla parvinoda Forel, 1902, Carebara spinata Bharti & Kumar, 2013 and Tetramorium rossi (Bolton, 1976) were recorded in the campus. Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith, 1857), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802), Monomorium carbonarium Smith 1858, Solenopsis geminate (Fabricius, 1804), Strumigenys membranifera Emery, 1869, Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846) and Hypoponera ragusai (Emery, 1894) (introduced species) were found in the campus. The results showed that the campus is rich in ant diversity. The sites with human interference showed less diversity. A potential new species in the genus Lepisiota was recorded. Trichomyrmex abberans, Carebara spinata, Crematogaster anthracina, Crematogaster biroi and Nylanderia indica are new records.

Phytochemical Investigation and Reproductive Capacity of the Bulgarian Endemic Plant Species Marrubium friwaldskyanum Boiss. (Lamiaceae)

Marrubium friwaldskyanum Boiss (Lamiaceae) is a Bulgarian endemic species. Overall, the essential oil (EO) composition of M. friwaldskyanum was different from that of the other Marrubium species reported in the literature. The main EO constituents of M. friwaldskyanum were (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and caryophyllene oxide. The effect of the harvest stage was significant only on α-copaene, (E)-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and τ-muurolol. The concentration of α-copaene (1.26–1.83% range of the total oil), (E)-caryophyllene (31–41%), caryophyllene oxide (6.4–11.8%), and τ-muurolol (1.3–2.8%) were the highest at 2–3 pair of leaves or before flowering and lower at flowering. The harvest stage did not significantly affect the concentrations of the other six identified EO compounds β-bourbonene (1.1%), α-humulene (2.8%), germacrene D (23.3%), bicyclogermacrene (2.85%), δ-cadinene (1.1%), and spathulenol (2.8%). In a separate experiment, grinding of the biomass prior to EO extraction had a significant effect only on the concentrations of D-limonene (0.24–3.3%) and bicyclogermacrene (3.6–9.1%). Grinding in water or without water, maceration, and addition of Tween®20 had rather small effects on the EO profile. The identified EO constituents and their mean concentrations in this experiment were (E)-caryophyllene (25.4%), germacrene D (17.6%), caryophyllene oxide (9.1%), spathulenol (6.5%), τ-muurolol (5.0%), carvacrol (3.9%), α-copaene (2.5%), β-bourbonene (2.5%), δ-cadinene (2.4%), α-humulene (1.8%), and Z-β-farnesene (1.3%). Embryological studies observed anther and the development of the male gametophyte and ovule and development of the female gametophyte of M. friwaldskyanum. Furthermore, pollen and seed viability assays were conducted, and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis of an extract from shoots revealed the presence of 45 natural products, identified as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and (tri)terpenoids. Overall, the phytochemistry and some of the microscopic analyses distinguished this endemic species from other species in Marrubium.

A new subspecies of Stellaria alsine (Caryophyllaceae) from Yakushima, Japan

An unknown taxon of Stellaria was discovered in Yakushima, a Japanese island known to harbor several endemic species. To determine the identity of this taxon, this study employed MIG-seq for the reconstruction of a finely resolved phylogenetic tree of the newly discovered taxon, along with some related species of Stellaria. The results showed that the newly discovered taxon is a relative of S. alsine. Based on this result, Stellaria alsine subsp. nanasubsp. nov. was published.

Salvia beltraniorum (Lamiaceae), a new species in savannoid vegetation from Cosalá, Sinaloa, Mexico

An undescribed Salvia species was discovered in savannoid vegetation in the municipality of Cosalá, Sinaloa, during botanical explorations addressed to document the endemic species of this Mexican state. This plant is morphologically most similar to Salvia pringlei, sharing with this the peculiar character of connivent calyces during fructification enclosing the mericarps. However, the new species differs by having smaller floral bracts, deep blue corollas instead of magenta, shorter corollas, corolla lips subequal in length, and shorter connectives and styles. Consequently, we describe and diagnosed this taxon as Salvia beltraniorum. A distribution map, photographs and an identification key to Salvia species in Sinaloa are also provided.