Primulina silaniae sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from the limestone area of Guizhou Province, China

Primulina silaniae X.X.Bai & F.Wen, a new species of Primulina Hance (Gesneriaceae) from the limestone area of Wangmo County, Guizhou Province, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to P. spiradiclioides Z.B.Xin & F.Wen, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by a combination of characteristics, especially in the lateral veins of its leaf and floral shape and tube. At present, three populations in one locality of this new taxon were found, totaling about 600 mature individuals. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (Version 3.1), the species is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable [VU D1].

The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Kerala – Status and Distribution

The odonate fauna of Kerala, their status and distribution are reviewed. Based on personal records from field work since 2010 and published literature, all the recent additions and range extensions to the region are critically analyzed and a revised checklist of odonates of Western Ghats and Kerala is provided. The current checklist of odonates of the Western Ghats stands at 207 species, including 80 endemics. A total of 181 species of Odonates, including 68 Western Ghats endemics, belonging to 87 genera under two suborders and 14 families were recorded from the geographical boundary of Kerala. The suborder Zygoptera comprises 74 species of damselflies (30 genera in seven families) and the suborder Anisoptera has 107 species (57 genera in seven families). Endemic species and those in IUCN Red List categories are enlisted. None of the odonate species from the region are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972. A detailed discussion on odonates occurring in Kerala has been provided in the systematic part.

Hemiboea chanii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from limestone areas of northern Vietnam

Hemiboea chanii, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, is here described and illustrated. It has many branched stems, diamond-shaped involucre with two cirrose opposite apices, a pink corolla, red spotted inside, and a flowering time in January-February. Among congeners with an externally hairy corolla, this new species is morphologically close to H. crystallina and H. sinovietnamica. Diagnostic discriminative characters in all mentioned species are discussed. The conservation status of this species is considered to be “Critically endangered” (CR) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Begonia pseudoedulis, a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from southern Guangxi of China

Begonia pseudoedulis, a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A.DC. (Begoniaceae) from southern Guangxi of China, is here described and illustrated. It morphologically resembles B. edulis H.Lév. and B. dielsiana E.Pritz. ex Diels but differs easily by its hairy petioles and inflorescences, and red hispidulous flower tepals, ovary and capsules. The molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS supported that the new species was a monophyletic lineage, separating from both B. dielsiana and B. edulis. Due to its isolated distribution with several small populations, which are possibly disturbed by human activities, the species is considered as “Near Threatened” (NT) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

The genus Salacia (Celastraceae: Salaciodeae) in peninsular India

The genus Salacia (Celastraceae: Salaciodeae) in peninsular India is revised, wherein ten species are recognised. Eight species are endemic to the region. Salacia macrophylla and S. reticulata are excluded from the revision as occurrence of both the species is doubtful in mainland India. Salacia macrosperma exhibits great variation in leaf shape, flower number, pedicel length and fruit texture, hence the morphologically similar species S. beddomei and S. vellaniana are relegated to its synonymy. Descriptions, photographs, and pen and ink as well as colour drawings of all recognised Salacia species are provided with an artificial key, updated nomenclature, and synonymy. Distribution and IUCN Red list categories and criteria are also discussed. Seven binomials, S. fruticosa, S. macrophylla, S. macrosperma, S. oblonga, S. ovalis, Tontelea prinoides and Johnia coromadeliana are lectotypified.

Three new endemic species of Lepanthes (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) from the highlands of Ecuador

Three new species of Lepanthes from Ecuador are described and illustrated. These additions to the Ecuadorean flora were recorded in evergreen montane forest and páramo as part of three different research projects conducted during the last five years (2016–2021). Lepanthes oro-lojaensis was discovered in the southwest of El Oro province and is similar to L. jimburae, differing mainly in the much smaller plants, inflorescences and floral parts. Lepanthes microprosartima from the western slopes of Pichincha volcano in northern Ecuador resembles L. obandoi but differs in the coloration of the leaves, the inflorescence that are shorter than the leaves and the smaller floral appendix. Lepanthes caranqui, found in eastern Pichincha and Imbabura, is most similar to L. pachychila but differs from it in its much larger plants and different shape of the petals and the floral appendix. Preliminary assessments of the conservation status of the three taxonomic novelties are provided, using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Rubus dorcheae (Rosaceae), a new species from central Nepal

Rubus dorcheae M.B. Rokaya & S. Subedi, a new Rubus L. species recorded from the subtropical forest in central Nepal is described and illustrated. Notes to distinguish it from related taxa are provided. It is closely related to R. kumaonensis N.P. Balakr. and R. rugosus Sm. but differs by having more height, both leaf surfaces green, upper surface more hairy than lower surface, leaf blade margins biserrate, sepal deltoid, tomentose on both sides, margin with 7–10 appendages, apex bifurcate or trifurcate, petals spathulate, and calyx, corolla and stamens persistent in fruit. The species is categorized as Not Evaluated based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Update on Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibians in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Conclusions Based on Field Surveys, Environmental Modelling, Molecular Analyses and Call Properties

Determining the range, status, ecology and behaviour of species from areas where surveys and samplings are uncommon or difficult to conduct is a challenge, such as in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea). Here, we used genetic samples, field surveys, call recordings, photographic identification and a literature review to estimate the presence, range and status of amphibians in the DPR Korea. From our combined results and based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, we were able to estimate the national threat levels for most species. Our results demonstrated the presence of 18 native species and the suspected presence of Karsenia koreana and two Onychodactylus species. We reported the first record for Rana uenoi in the vicinity of Pyongyang using molecular tools and similarly confirmed the presence of Dryophytes japonicus at the same location. Based on distribution and modelling, we can expect the contact zone between species within the Rana and Onychodactylus genera to be located along the Changbai Massif, a mountain range that marks a shift in ecoregions and acts as a barrier to dispersion. The species richness was higher in the lowlands and at lower latitudes, with such areas populated by up to 11 species, while more northern regions were characterised by species richness of about half of that value. The combination of ecological models and known threats resulted in the recommendation of ten species as threatened at the national level following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. This high number of threatened species was anticipated based on the high threat level to amphibians in bordering nations and globally. While the ecology of species in the DPR Korea is still understudied, we argue that species relying on agricultural wetlands such as rice paddies are not under imminent threat due to the enduring presence of extensive agricultural landscapes with low rates of chemical use and mechanisation. The maintenance of such landscapes is a clear benefit to amphibian species, in contrast to more industrialised agricultural landscapes in neighbouring nations. In comparison, the status of species dependent on forested habitats is unclear and threat levels are likely to be higher because of deforestation, as in neighbouring nations.

Henckelia khasiana, a new species of Gesneriaceae from India

A new species of Henckelia (Gesneriaceae) is here described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to H. oblongifolia but differs in having lanceolate calyx lobes, two prominent longitudinal flaps on the inner surface of the corolla tube, bilobed stigma and tomentose capsules. A detailed description of the new species with colour photographs, affinities and a comparison with related species is given. Based on the present data, the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Burmannia munnarensis (Burmanniaceae) a new species and rediscovery of B. indica after 110 years from southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

A new species of Burmannia (Burmanniaceae), endemic to the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India is described as Burmannia munnarensis and illustrations are provided. The new species is morphologically most similar to B. indica but can be easily distinguished by its narrow flower wings, involute margin of the perianth lobes, shorter perianth tube and shape of inflorescence. Burmannia indica, known only from the type locality Peermade in Idukki district, Kerala, is rediscovered after a lapse of 110 years on another locality, Meenuliyanpara in the same district. Key to the Indian species of Burmannia is included and status of both taxa is provisionally assessed as per IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.