Report of Neoheterophrictus chimminiensis Sunil Jose, 2020 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from the Nelliyampathy forest region of Western Ghats, India

Neoheterophrictus chimminiensis Sunil Jose, 2020 was previously only found in the Chimmini forest area, but it has recently been found in the Nelliyampathy forest region of Western Ghats, indicating its distribution. Taxonomic description illustrations and measurements of chimminiensis are added.

Stadiochilus R. M. Sm. (Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae), a new generic record for India

The monotypic ginger genus Stadiochilus R. M. Sm. with S. burmanicus R. M. Sm. earlier known from Myanmar is reported here as a new record for India from the state of Nagaland. A detailed taxonomic description along with photographic illustrations of S. burmanicus is given. For conservation purposes, the IUCN status of this species has been evaluated as Endangered. The present field study ascertained that extraction of timber and non-timber forest products, forest fires and shifting cultivation are the major threats to the species in the locality in Nagaland reported here.

Floristic Studies in Two Species of Eleocharis R. Brown (Cyperaceae)

Present study is on our own critical observations on fresh plant material collected from the different parts. The observations are also based on herbarium specimens. Relevant data from literature have been referred for comparative study and conclusion including recent nomenclature. The study of Eleocharis R. Brown provides a detailed taxonomic description, illustration and relevant information for its easy identification in the field. Two species are collected and are described. The present report is hoped to provide basic material for further research in Cyperaceae

Beilschmiedia danhkyii (Lauraceae), a new species from Vu Quang National Park, Vietnam

The new species Beilschmiedia danhkyii (Lauraceae) is described from Ha Tinh Province, Central Highland of Vietnam. Beilschmiedia danhkyii is characterized by ferruginous hairy terminal buds, branchlets and abaxial surfaces of lamina, subopposite leaves, adaxially impressed midrib and secondary veins, short inflorescence 2–3(–5) cm long, and large ellipsoid fruits 5–8 cm long, by which combination it is cleary distinguished from the other species of Beilschmiedia in the region. Taxonomic description, a table comparing morphological characters of the allied species, and color photo-plate are provided.

First record of the interaction between the arthropod-pathogenic fungus Gibellula and a new species of harvestman Auranus (Stygnidae) narrowly endemic to the Brazilian rain forest

Harvestmen are one of the largest groups of arachnids with more than 6,500 species distributed in 1,500 genera and 50 families. However, the interactions between harvestmen and arthropod-pathogenic fungi have rarely been studied. Certain previous studies report that fungal attack represents one of the most important factors for the mortality of harvestmen, but the fungus has rarely been identified, and most of the important information about the fungus-host interactions remains unrecorded. In the present study, we have described the new species Auranus quilombola sp. nov. and reported its interactions with the arthropod-pathogenic fungus Gibellula sp. Auranus quilombola sp. nov. belongs to the family Stygnidae, and it is endemic to the humid mountain forests of Ceará state, Brazil in an area of endemism known as Brejos Cearenses. The species is related to five other species of Auranus, all of which have been recorded from the Amazon rainforest. A taxonomic description of this new species and its biogeographic implications have also been discussed in this paper.

Taxonomic description and pollination ecology of Cyrtorchis okuensis (Orchidaceae, Angraecinae), a new species endemic to the Cameroon Volcanic Line

Background and aims – A recent taxonomic and molecular study of the genus Cyrtorchis revealed three new species. Here, we describe one of these new species, endemic to the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), and compare it to its closest relatives. Its conservation status is provided along with detailed information on its ecology and reproductive biology.Material and methods – A detailed examination of 21 herbarium specimens was performed using standard practices of herbarium taxonomy. The conservation status of the new species was assessed using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Furthermore, we investigated the reproductive biology of the new species in an easily accessible subpopulation in Cameroon and tested the hypothesis of hawkmoth pollination in the genus Cyrtorchis. Key results – The newly discovered species, here named C. okuensis, is restricted to the montane forest (1600 to 2500 m elevation) of the CVL and is currently assessed as Near Threatened (NT). Among angraecoid orchids in which hawkmoth pollination is recorded (~16 species), C. okuensis has the shortest nectar spur (19–40 mm). In situ observations revealed hawkmoths with short proboscis of the genus Hippotion (H. celerio, H. eson, and H. osiris) as the main pollinators. The rate of pollination and fruiting under natural conditions was low and among the 448 surveyed flowers only 38.8% (174/448 flowers) had their pollinia removed, 19% produced fruits (87/448 flowers), and 16% (70/448 flowers) set mature fruits. Conclusion – Cyrtorchis okuensis is clearly differentiated from C. submontana by its longer and wider floral bracts, longer anther caps, and wider triangular dorsal sepal.

Adiantum japonicum, a new species of the Adiantum pedatum complex (Pteridaceae) from Japan

The Adiantum pedatum complex is disjunctly distributed in North America and eastern Asia. In this study, we carried out a detailed morphological study based on 137 specimens representing the biogeographic diversity of this complex. The sequences of eight chloroplast markers of 35 samples were analyzed with maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The morphological and phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of a new species of the A. pedatum complex from Japan. We propose the new species as A. japonicum based on the examinations of specimens from Japan and the comparative analyses of the whole complex. This new species can be distinguished from A. pedatum by the erect rhizome and shows significant molecular differences from other species in this complex. A taxonomic description with detailed morphological characters of the new species is presented.

Octopus djinda (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae): a new member of the Octopus vulgaris group from southwest Australia

A new Octopus Cuvier, 1797 species, Octopus djinda Amor, 2021 (previously treated as O. cf. tetricus and O. aff. tetricus), is described from the shallow waters off southwest Australia. This species was classified as conspecific with O. tetricus Gould, 1852 from Australia’s east coast and New Zealand but is shown here to be morphologically and genetically distinct. This description is based on 25 individuals across three localities in southwest Australia, encompassing most of its distribution. Greater and non-overlapping sucker counts on the males hectocotylised arm delimit east and west coast forms. DNA barcoding using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I also successfully differentiates between these taxa; 13 polymorphisms along a 349 bp partial fragment (3.7% sequence divergence). A close relative of the O. vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 species-group, O. djinda, sp. nov. supports a highly productive fishery and is currently one of two octopod fisheries worldwide to have received sustainable certification from the Marine Stewardship Council. The taxonomic description presented here provides formal recognition of the taxonomic status of southwest Australia’s common octopus, O. djinda, sp. nov. and facilitates appropriate fisheries catch reporting and management.

Growth variability, dimensional scaling, and the interpretation of osteohistological growth data

Osteohistological data are commonly used to study the life history of extant and extinct tetrapods. While recent advances have permitted detailed reconstructions of growth patterns, physiology and other features using these data, they are most commonly used in assessments of ontogenetic stage and relative growth in extinct animals. These methods have seen widespread adoption in recent years, rapidly becoming a common component of the taxonomic description of new fossil taxa, but are often applied without close consideration of the sources of variation present or the dimensional scaling relationships that exist among different osteohistological measurements. Here, we use a combination of theoretical models and empirical data from a range of extant and extinct tetrapods to review sources of variability in common osteohistological measurements, their dimensional scaling relationships and the resulting interpretations that can be made from those data. In particular, we provide recommendations on the usage and interpretation of growth mark spacing/zonal thickness data, when these are likely to be unreliable, and under what conditions they can provide useful inferences for studies of growth and life history.

New Species of Nannamoria from the Pliocene and Miocene of Australia (Caenogastropoda: Volutidae)

This study provides the taxonomic description of eight species of Nannamoria Iredale, 1929 from Miocene deposits of Victoria and South Australia and Pliocene deposits of Flinders Island Tasmania, Australia. The following new species are described, discussed and compared to their congeners: Nannamoria costatum n. sp., Nannamoria flindersi n. sp., Nannamoria hiscocki n. sp., Nannamoria gnotuki n. sp., Nannamoria alquezae n. sp., Nannamoria cadella n. sp., Nannamoria malonei n. sp. and Nannamoria persimilis n. sp. Various aspects of Nannamoria evolution are discussed.