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.

Synopsis of the Japanese species of Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with review of the type specimens II. Genus Myllaena Erichson of tribe Myllaenini,with redescription of four Japanese species

Four Japanese species the rove beetle genus Myllaena are redescribed based on the type material. They are: M. japonica Sharp, 1888, M. lewisi Cameron, 1933, M. rufotestacea Cameron, 1933, and M. torrentum Cameron, 1933. Myllaena chinoculata Pace, 1998 described from China is synonymized with M. lewisi. All of these species are illustrated and mapped.

Review of Dactylosternum Wollaston, 1854 from China and Japan (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

The species of the genus Dactylosternum Wollaston, 1854 occurring in China and Japan are reviewed. Ten species are recognized to occur in China, two of which were also recorded from Japan. Four new species are described from China: Dactylosternum nanlingensis Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Guangdong, Jiangxi) from fungal hyphae on fallen wood, D. songxiaobini Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Guangxi) from fallen wood with termites, D. pseudolatum Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Guangdong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Yunnan) and D. frater Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Yunnan) from banana trees. Dactylosternum latum (Sharp, 1873) and D. salvazai Orchymont, 1925 are reported for the first time from China, and species recorded previously (D. abdominale (Fabricius, 1792), D. corbetti Balfour-Browne, 1942, D. hydrophiloides (MacLeay, 1825) and D. pui Jia, 2002) are redescribed or diagnosed. Dactylosternum abdominale (Fabricius, 1792) is confirmed to occur in Japan. Dactylosternum latum is only known from Japan based on type specimens believed to be collected in Nagasaki by G. Lewis in late 19th century; since the species was never re-collected in Japan later, its distribution in Japan seems doubtful. Dactylosternum vitalisi Orchymont, 1925 is synonymized with D. latum (Sharp, 1873), the variability of the latter species is discussed. We moreover found that the type series of D. vitalisi contains two species, with some paratypes actually belonging to D. pseudolatum Mai et Jia, sp. nov. All species of Dactylosternum living in China and Japan are diagnosed and illustrated and a key allowing their identification is provided. We infer that the compact antennal club and paralleled body form are characters related to the life inside of plant tissues, while loose antennal club and rounded body form is present in free living Dactylosternum species. The combination of characters for distinguishing Dactylosternum from other genera of Coelostomatini is also provided.

Two new species of the genus Chilobrachys (Araneae, Theraphosidae) from China

Two new species of the genus Chilobrachys Karsh, 1892 are described from China: Chilobrachys dominus Lin & Li, sp. nov. from Yunnan and C. jinchengi Lin & Li, sp. nov. from Tibet. Photos and a morphological description of the new species are given. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy (IZCAS) in Beijing.

Liparis inaudita (Orchidaceae, Malaxidinae), a new species from the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, San Martín, Peru

Background: During an ongoing inventory of the orchids of the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, northern Peru, a population morphologically assignable to Liparis section Decumbentes was found. This is a little-known group restricted to wet montane Andean forests and consists of four species, from which the BPAM populations differs in leaf and labellum morphology. Hypotheses: The features of the plants led us to hypothesize that it represents an unknown species, which can be distinguished morphologically from its congeners. Taxon: Liparis section Decumbentes, Liparis sp. nov. Study site and dates: Peru, department of San Martín, Rioja province, Pardo Miguel Naranjos district, Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, sector Venceremos. Methods: The unknown entity was studied in detail using fresh, pressed, and alcohol-preserved specimens. We also compared it to type specimens, other specimens of Liparis section Decumbentes housed in herbaria in Peru and abroad, and with descriptions from specialized literature. Results: A leaf feature and the unique labellum morphology of the unknown entity permit it to be distinguished clearly from all other species of Liparis section Decumbentes. Conclusions: The new species shares with L. sessilis the sessile leaf blades and the convex labellum, but differs from it and all other species of the section in its saddle-shaped labellum, which when spread out is narrowly obtrapezoid, with minute basal auricles, laciniate distal margins, and the apex projected into a narrowly triangular lobe.

Gracilaria parva sp. nov. (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) a Diminutive Species from the Tropical Eastern Pacific

DNA sequencing of the plastid encoded rbcL gene supported by morpho-anatomical features reveals Gracilaria parva sp. nov. from Panama and Ecuador in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. In the rbcL phylogram, G. parva occurs in a clade sister to the western Atlantic species G. galatensis. Morphologically and anatomically, G. parva is distinguished from two similar, described tropical eastern Pacific species, G. brevis and G. veleroae by its small size, to 2.5 cm tall with branch widths mostly <2 mm occasionally to 4 mm, and by its two to three cell layered cortex. Gracilaria brevis and G. veleroae are taller, have wider branches, and a one cell layered cortex. DNA sequencing is needed to resolve the many diminutive species in the tropical eastern Pacific, particularly those occurring in turf communities. DNA sequencing of historical type specimens from the 19th and 20th centuries is also needed to correctly apply names in this region.

The historical relics in Chongqing Natural History Museum: An annotated checklist of original materials for 37 names of Chinese seed plants

A catalogue of type specimens deposited at the herbarium of Chongqing Natural History Museum (CQNM) is carried out. A total of 62 specimens belonging to 56 gatherings concerning 37 valid published names in 23 families of Chinese seed plants are documented as original materials. They include seven isotypes, 21 syntypes, of which 16 of them are isolectotypes and 34 paratypes. A checklist of the 37 names is presented with annotations on the typification, authorship citation, type localities and other taxonomic issues. Eight names were lectotypified, and one name’s second-step lectotype is proposed. Additionally, Distylium lanceolatum Chun, which is invalid pending for further study, and which has long been treated as a synonym of D. dunnianum H.Lév., is listed after the 37 names.

New species, synonymies and records in the genus Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from Colombia

Rhagovelia medinae sp. nov., of the hambletoni group (angustipes complex), and R. utria sp. nov., of the hirtipes group (robusta complex), are described, illustrated, and compared with similar congeners. Based on the examination of type specimens, six new synonymies are proposed: R. elegans Uhler, 1894 = R. pediformis Padilla-Gil, 2010, syn. nov.; R. cauca Polhemus, 1997 = R. azulita Padilla-Gil, 2009, syn. nov., R. huila Padilla-Gil, 2009, syn. nov., R. oporapa Padilla-Gil, 2009, syn. nov, R. quilichaensis Padilla-Gil, 2011, syn. nov.; and R. gaigei, Drake & Hussey, 1947 = R. victoria Padilla-Gil, 2012 syn. nov. The first record from Colombia is presented for R. trailii (White, 1879), and the distributions of the following species are extended in the country: R. cali Polhemus, 1997, R. castanea Gould, 1931, R. cauca Polhemus, 1997, R. gaigei Drake & Hussey, 1957, R. elegans Uhler, 1894, R. femoralis Champion, 1898, R. malkini Polhemus, 1997, R. perija Polhemus, 1997, R. sinuata Gould, 1931, R. venezuelana Polhemus, 1997, R. williamsi Gould, 1931, and R. zeteki Drake, 1953.

Two new species of Aulacaspis Cockerell, 1893 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) from China

Two new armoured scale insects in the genus Aulacaspis (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) are described and illustrated from Guizhou Province, China. Aulacaspis paralonganae sp. n. was collected from the host-plant Schima superba (Theaceae) and A. guiyangensis sp. n. was collected from Cinnamomum camphora (Lauraceae). Aulacaspis longanae Chen, Wu & Su 1980 is redescribed and a new host-plant record is reported. The type specimens of the two new species and material of A. longanae are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China. An identification key based on adult females is provided to separate Chinese species of Aulacaspis.

First Report of Fusarium meridionale Causing Stalk Rot of Ryegrass in China

Members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) are the main causing agents of head blight, seedling blight, or stalk rot in wheat and other cereals worldwide. Surveys on species composition and mycotoxin production of FGSC populations have mainly focused on food crops such as wheat, maize, and barley, but little is known about the identity of FGSC pathogens present in pasture grass. In April 2021, a survey of grass diseases in the Hongya County (29.90661 N; 103.37313 E) in Sichuan Province was conducted to understand the etiology of stalk rot in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). It was observed in several pastures that about 10% of yield loss in perennial ryegrass was caused by stalk rot. Affected plant stalks were brown to dark brown in colour and appeared soggy. As infections continued or under conditions of high humidity, some plant stalks also became flattened. Perennial ryegrass samples with symptoms of stalk rot or browning of the stem were collected. Symptomatic tissues were cut into short segments (approximately 5 mm), surface-sterilized in 3% sodium hypochlorite solution for 2 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water, air dried, plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA), and then incubated in the dark at 28 °C. After 3 to 5 days, Fusarium-like fungal colonies with reddish-orange mycelium were collected and transferred to new PDA plates for further purification, and the purified cultures were obtained by single spore isolation. Four uniform isolates were obtained and their colonies on PDA resembled typical FGSC colonies (Leslie and Summerell 2006; O’Donnell et al. 2004). Colonies had an average radial growth rate of 8.5 to 11.0 mm/day at 28 °C in the dark on PDA. Conidial characteristics were studied on Spezieller Nährstoffarmer agar (SNA) as described by Wang et al. (2014). Macroconidia were falcate to almost straight, usually with parallel dorsal and ventral lines, 3- to 5-septate, 20.65 to 55.22 μm in length (average 39.16 μm), and 2.38 to 6.93 μm in width (average 4.42 μm) (n = 200). No microconidia were observed. The pathogenicity of the isolated Fusarium strains was then tested on healthy perennial ryegrass (variety Changjiang 1). Ryegrass plants grown for 2 months were inoculated by punching a hole in the stem using a sterile toothpick, followed by an injection of 20 μL macroconidia suspension at a concentration of 105 spores/mL. Ryegrass stems treated with water served as the control. Twenty plants were included in each treatment. After inoculation, the plants were grown in a growth chamber at 25 °C and 90% humidity for 24 h. Stalk tissues at the wound site turned brown after 3 days and the brown area then extended to regions above and below. No symptoms were observed in the water-treated controls. As well, the same pathogen was reisolated from the infected grass stems, but not from the controls. Thus, the isolated Fusarium spp. are a cause of stalk rot in perennial ryegrass based on the fulfillment of Koch’s postulates. To identify the Fusarium spp. to species level, portions of the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF) gene sequences from all four strains were amplified and sequenced as described by Wang et al. (2015). The obtained sequences were identical, and a sequence of isolate SC1 was submitted to GenBank (accession no. MZ964308). BLASTn searches were conducted on the TEF sequence (607 bp) in two databases, revealing it had 100% similarity to the sequence of Fusarium meridionale strain DS27 (accession no. MN629330) in NCBI and strain NRRL28723 from FUSARIUM-ID (http://isolate.fusariumdb.org/). A concatenated four-gene phylogeny (supplementary figure) resolved SC1 and the type specimens of F. meridionale (NRRL28723, 29010, and 28436) in a monophyletic clade with 100% bootstrap support, confirming that the strain SC1 belongs to F. meridionale. Finally, trichothecene productions of F. meridionale strains were evaluated using rice cultures kept at 28 °C in the dark for two weeks, as described by Desjardins and Proctor (2011). LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that the fungus could produce NIV and 4ANIV in rice cultures with average concentrations of 1400.44 and 3144.10 μg/kg, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. meridionale causing disease in perennial ryegrass in China. Further research will be necessary to determine its distribution, aggressiveness, and trichothecene production.