A new subspecies of Cinctura (Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae) from the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida

A new geographical bathymetric subspecies of the offshore deepwater species Cinctura tortugana (Hollister, 1957) is described from shallow subtidal depths off southwestern Florida. The new subspecies, Cinctura tortugana foxi, is described from offshore of the Ten Thousand Islands, in Collier and Monroe Counties, Florida.

An integrative taxonomic revision of slug-eating snakes (Squamata: Pareidae: Pareineae) reveals unprecedented diversity in Indochina

Slug-eating snakes of the subfamily Pareinae are an insufficiently studied group of snakes specialized in feeding on terrestrial mollusks. Currently Pareinae encompass three genera with 34 species distributed across the Oriental biogeographic region. Despite the recent significant progress in understanding of Pareinae diversity, the subfamily remains taxonomically challenging. Here we present an updated phylogeny of the subfamily with a comprehensive taxon sampling including 30 currently recognized Pareinae species and several previously unknown candidate species and lineages. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA and nuDNA data supported the monophyly of the three genera Asthenodipsas, Aplopeltura, and Pareas. Within both Asthenodipsas and Pareas our analyses recovered deep differentiation with each genus being represented by two morphologically diagnosable clades, which we treat as subgenera. We further apply an integrative taxonomic approach, including analyses of molecular and morphological data, along with examination of available type materials, to address the longstanding taxonomic questions of the subgenus Pareas, and reveal the high level of hidden diversity of these snakes in Indochina. We restrict the distribution of P. carinatus to southern Southeast Asia, and recognize two subspecies within it, including one new subspecies proposed for the populations from Thailand and Myanmar. We further revalidate P. berdmorei, synonymize P. menglaensis with P. berdmorei, and recognize three subspecies within this taxon, including the new subspecies erected for the populations from Laos and Vietnam. Furthermore, we describe two new species of Pareas from Vietnam: one belonging to the P. carinatus group from southern Vietnam, and a new member of the P. nuchalis group from the central Vietnam. We provide new data on P. temporalis, and report on a significant range extension for P. nuchalis. Our phylogeny, along with molecular clock and ancestral area analyses, reveal a complex diversification pattern of Pareinae involving a high degree of sympatry of widespread and endemic species. Our analyses support the “upstream” colonization hypothesis and, thus, the Pareinae appears to have originated in Sundaland during the middle Eocene and then colonized mainland Asia in early Oligocene. Sundaland and Eastern Indochina appear to have played the key roles as the centers of Pareinae diversification. Our results reveal that both vicariance and dispersal are responsible for current distribution patterns of Pareinae, with tectonic movements, orogeny and paleoclimatic shifts being the probable drivers of diversification. Our study brings the total number of Pareidae species to 41 and further highlights the importance of comprehensive taxonomic revisions not only for the better understanding of biodiversity and its evolution, but also for the elaboration of adequate conservation actions.

A new subspecies of Ruthenica filograna(Pulmonata: Clausiliidae) from Croatia

A new subspecies of land snails of the clausiliid genus Ruthenica has been found on the territory of Republic of Croatia. Illustrated description is presented. New subspecies differs from others in shell shape, semi-apostrophic aperture and sculpture pattern.

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.

A new subspecies of Сryptocephalus ergenensis Morawitz, 1863 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) from Kazakhstan and significance of colour pattern polymorphism examination

Cryptocephalus apicalis species group is introduced and defined within the subgenus Asionus Lopatin, 1988. Cryptocephalus ergenensis Morawitz, 1863 from this group is first recorded in Eastern Kazakhstan and this form with unusual colour pattern is described herein as a new subspecies kalbensis Mikhailov, ssp. nov. The members of Cryptocephalus apicalis species group are keyed and illustrated. Significance of the colour pattern polymorphism in taxonomy is discussed.

New records of Cochylini moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from the Balkans

In the course of expeditions conducted on the Balkan Peninsula by Ignác Richter in 2004–2019, altogether 45 species of Cochylini moths were collected. The examination of the collected specimens revealed one new species of the genus Aethes: Aethes larissae sp. nov., from the North Macedonia. Additionally, a new subspecies, Aethes kindermanniana macedonica ssp. nov. is described from the North Macedonia too. Phtheochroa amasiana (Ragonot, 1894) and Cochylimorpha erlebachi Huemer & Trematerra, 1997 are recorded from the Balkans for the first time. A male of Aethes eichleri Razowski, 1983 is collected for the first time, and DNA barcoding data of this species was obtained. We established a new synonymy: Aethes eichleri Razowski, 1983 syn. nov. of Aethes francillana (Fabricius, 1794). Illustrations of specimens and photographs of the genitalia of all described taxa are provided.

A Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) miscellany

SummaryThis paper presents miscellaneous, previously unpublished results arising from the authors’ research into Strobilanthes. S. moylaniae J.R.I.Wood & Scotland from New Guinea and S. dengii J.R.I.Wood & Scotland from Sumatra are proposed as new species, while an unnamed species is described from Sumba Island in Indonesia in the hope that it might be rediscovered. A new subspecies, subsp. subovata J.R.I.Wood & Scotland is described for S. timorensis Nees, while attention is drawn to its plietesial flowering pattern. The new combinations S. benculensis (Bremek.) J.R.I.Wood & Scotland, S. wetarensis (Bremek.) J.R.I.Wood & Scotland, S. javanica (Bremek.) J.R.I.Wood & Scotland and S. serpens (Nees) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland are made. Typification is clarified and where appropriate lectotypes are designated for Hemigraphis hispidula Craib, Lepidagathis setigera Blume, Ruellia crispa L., R. sabiniana Lindl., Strobilanthes duclouxii Benoist, S. erecta C.B.Clarke, S. flava Kurz, S. forrestii Diels, S. scabra Nees, S. secunda T.Anderson and S. thomsonii T.Anderson.

Zingiber ultralimitale subsp. matarombeoense Ardiyani & Ardi (Zingiberaceae), a new subspecies from Sulawesi

A new subspecies of Zingiber ultralimitale Ardiyani & A.D.Poulsen was found at Matarombeo, South-East Sulawesi. Zingiber ultralimitale subsp. matarombeoense Ardiyani & Ardi, was described, illustrated and barcoded using four barcoding loci (rbcL, trnH-psbA, Internal Transcribed Spacer-ITS, and matK). Provisional conservation status assessment indicates a Critical Endangered (CR) status. The taxonomic placement into section was determined based on morphology, molecular, and pollen SEM data.

A New Taxon of Sideroxylon mascatense in Oman

A new subspecies of Sideroxylon mascatense (A.DC.) T.D.Penn. in the Western Hajar Mountains, differing from the type subspecies in the colour of the mature fruit, is described. The two colour forms are genetically isolated, showing that these two are distinct taxa.

Beauverdia hirtella subsp. glabrata (Amaryllidaceae), a new subspecies from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Beauverdia hirtella comprises two subspecies: hirtella and lorentzii, the former occurs in Uruguay and southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, while the second subspecies spreads in southeastern Corrientes and eastern Entre Ríos provinces, Argentina. Based on field surveys, study of nomenclatural types and other specimens, and review of literature, the new subspecies Beauverdia hirtella subsp. glabrata is here proposed, being endemic to rocky grasslands in south-central Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The new subspecies differs from the other two subspecies in several aspects, including the glabrous leaves and pedicels, the narrower leaves, and the smaller and nearly spherical or obovate capsules. Beauverdia hirtella subsp. glabrata is here described and illustrated, including comments on distribution, phenology and conservation. The main differences with regards to related taxa and a key to distinguish the taxa of Beauverdia are also provided.