Rediscovery of Scarabaeus sevoistra Alluaud, 1902 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae): biological notes and IUCN Red Listing

Scarabaeus sevoistra Alluaud, 1902 was previously thought to be extinct. While identifying Scarabaeinae species on the iNaturalist website, photos posted by citizen scientists were discovered and identified as this species by the authors. The importance of the rediscovery of the species is presented here. We provide new biological notes for the species and a key to separate the species from its congeners. Additionally, we formally give a conservation status for the species.

Maputo Special Reserve and dung beetle conservation in the heterogeneous landscape of the Maputaland Centre of Endemism

Background: Maputo Special Reserve (MSR) in Mozambique lays within the Maputaland Centre of Endemism (MCE) and protects the biota of a habitat mosaic dominated by coastal dune forest and inland sand forest patches of different sizes surrounded by natural grassland. Objectives: To determine the importance of woody versus grassland vegetation for supporting endemic east coast versus widespread savanna dung beetles in the MCE in the face of increased accessibility and exploitation of woody vegetation in southern Mozambique, especially by charcoal burners.Method: We used general linear mixed models, additive partitioning of diversity and ordination to analyse species abundance and occurrence across a mosaic of three major habitats in the MSR (grassland, sand and dune forest).Results: High compositional heterogeneity was found between habitat types and study sites so that beta diversity was mostly higher than alpha diversity. Three distinct scarabaeine dung beetle assemblages defined from ordination were largely centred on the three habitat types. Out of a total of 61 species, greater numbers were associated with grassland (38) than sand (17) and dune forest (6) although abundance was greater in both dune forest and grassland than in sand forest. Biogeographical classification indicated that >40% of the species are endemic to the east coast of southern Africa with the remainder centred in adjacent savanna. Endemic east coast species were well represented in both forest (15) and grassland (11). Savanna species were better represented in grassland (27) than forest (8). Proportions of grassland species and their abundance declined across increasing patch sizes of sand forest becoming lowest in dune forest.Conclusions: Conservation of endemic, east coast dung beetle species requires the preservation of both natural grassland and sizeable patches of forest in an undisturbed habitat mosaic. As the east coastal system is relatively small in extent with the MCE widely transformed in South Africa, the MSR is an important contributor to regional conservation of endemic species.

Chlorophytum boomense (Agavaceae) is a synonym of C. namquense from southern Namibia and Northern Cape, South Africa

Chlorophytum boomense (Agavaceae), a local endemic from southern Namibia, is found to be morphologically indistinguishable from C. namaquense, which ranges from southern Namibia to central Namaqualand, and is consequently synonymised in that species.

Mushroom art in South Africa and Zimbabwe – Emil Holub: 1847–1902

Emil Holub was a nineteenth century, Austro-Hungarian Czech, medical doctor with wide-ranging interests in ethnography and the natural sciences. During visits to southern Africa in the 1870s, he meticulously recorded everything that he encountered. Amongst his vast collection of artifacts, natural history specimens and notes were several sketches of fungi. These illustrations are reproduced here to document this valuable historical knowledge, tentatively identifying them in the context of the habitats through which Holub travelled.

Validation of two previously described species of Annesorhiza (Apiaceae, Annesorhizeae)

Two species of Annesorhiza, A. laticostata Magee and A. radiata Magee, are here validated with reference to the previously and effectively published descriptions and diagnoses.

Othonna koos-bekkeri Van Jaarsv. is a synonym of Othonna cerarioides Magoswana & J.C. Manning (Asteraceae: Othonninae).

Othonna koss-bekkeri Van Jaarsv. is recognised as a synonym of O. cerariodes Magoswana & J.C. Manning.

Clarification of the confusion surrounding the generic name Bryomorphe Harv. (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae), and the new genus Muscosomorphe J.C.Manning

The monotypic genus Bryomorphe Harv. is found to be homotypic with Klenzea lycopodioides Sch.Bip., which is considered to be a later synonym of Dolichothrix ericoides (Lam.) Hilliard & Burtt, and Bryomorphe is thus a synonym of Dolichothrix. The new genus Muscosomorphe J.C.Manning is proposed to accommodate the species previously included in Bryomorphe as B. aretioides (Turcz) Druce, along with the new combination M. aretioides (Turcz) J.C.Manning.

Structure and composition of the woody plant communities of Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

Background: The role of protected areas as sanctuaries for indigenous vegetation in Malawi, particularly miombo woodlands, will become increasingly important in the face of global change and rising human populations. Accurate knowledge of the extent and composition of woody components of plant communities will therefore play a vital part in informing conservation and management initiatives.Objectives: The aims of this study were to (1) classify, describe and map thewoody plant communities of the Majete Wildlife Reserve (MWR) using a combination of remote sensing and on-the-ground surveys, and (2) to compile an inventory of the tree and shrub species present in MWR.Methods: A combination of remote sensing and on-the-ground surveys was used to classify, describe and map the woody plant communities of MWR. Additionally, an inventory of the tree and shrub species in each delineated woody plant community was made.Results: Five distinct woody plant communities, two of which were subdivided into three sub-communities each, were recognised in MWR, and a total of 118 woody plant species within 31 families were identified. A description of the location, structure and species composition of each community is provided. Miombo was the most widespread community (covering 35.9% of the area), while the lower-altitude shrublands and woodlands were the richest floristically.Conclusion: This information is intended to provide a basis for improved management planning and policy development, including fire management, the placement of infrastructure, and the re-introduction of extirpated mammal species, as well as providing a baseline against which to monitor change. Additionally, this study provided an example of how the combination of remote sensing and ground surveys can provide a rapid and relatively inexpensive method for classifying the woody components of communities at a relatively fine scale over large areas, which may become particularly relevant for developing countries and regions that undergo rapid and constant change.

The correct author citation for taxa in Strumaria and changes to subgenera in Strumaria and Hessea (Amaryllidaceae: Amaryllideae), with a synopsis of the actinomorphic-flowered genera of subtribe Strumariinae

Aspects of the nomenclature and classification of the subtribe Strumariinae are corrected and emended as follows: Hessea subgenus Myophila (Snijman) Snijman and Strumaria subgenus Carpolyza (Salisb.) Snijman are described, and Strumaria section Gemmaria (Salisb.) Snijman is validated; the correct author citations for several names in Strumaria that were invalidly published by Jacquin are established; and a complete infrageneric synopsis for the actinomorphic-flowered taxa of subtribe Strumariinae is provided.

A rapid biodiversity assessment of Lesotho’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve: a case study of Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park

Background: Two of Lesotho’s protected areas, namely Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park, form the core area of the country’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve. Biodiversity is a key aspect needed to justify nomination of a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. Previously documented biodiversity of the two protected areas is limited in terms of coverage and scope as well as being outdated. The aim of the current study was to conduct a rapid assessment of the biodiversity, including endemism, of the proposed Biosphere Reserve to inform the formal nomination process.Methods: A field survey was undertaken over 112 033 ha in the core, buffer and transition zones of the proposed Biosphere Reserve during which species of both flora and fauna were documented. Purposeful recordings were made during different seasons to incorporate various flowering seasons of the plants, as well as faunal species that may hibernate or migrate seasonally.Results: A total of 380 plant species was recorded, 30 of which are legally protected in the country, 60 endemic to the Drakensberg Mountain Centre, and two species (Aloe polyphylla and Glumicalyx lesuticus) are endemic to Lesotho. The former is the national flower of Lesotho and is under threat due to illegal trade. Sixteen mammal species were recorded, seven of which are legally protected in the country, as well as 53 bird species (including the IUCN Red Listed vulture species, Gyps coprotheres and Gypaetus barbatus). Two fish species were also recorded including Pseudobarbus quathlambae, which is Lesotho’s only known endemic vertebrate species, as well as seven reptile and three amphibian species (two of which are near endemic namely Amietia delalandii and A. vertebralis).Conclusion: This survey has provided valuable baseline information on the biodiversity (particularly regarding the flora and avifauna) of the proposed Biosphere Reserve, which includes two protected areas namely Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park. The findings reflect the biodiversity value of the area and will contribute towards its nomination as Lesotho’s first Biosphere Reserve.