Genomic and morphological evidence supports the segregation of two new species from Tillandsia myosura (T. subg. Diaphoranthema, Bromeliaceae)

Background and aims – With more than 40 species, Brazil is the centre of diversity for Vanilla. Despite the species richness, few studies on species boundaries involving Brazilian taxa have been carried out. Consequently, many species have been synonymized under taxa with a wider distribution. This is the case for V. lindmaniana, a species currently synonymized under V. palmarum. While studying the diversity of Brazilian Vanilla, differences between plants from the Amazonia/Cerrado/Pantanal and Caatinga/Atlantic Forest Biomes were recorded. Material and methods – Detailed descriptions based on herbaria specimens and living material of V. lindmaniana and V. palmarum are provided and a morphological comparison is given. Illustrations of both species based on living plants is provided, and their geographic distributions are presented. Key results – Plants occurring in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal Biomes correspond to V. lindmaniana, while V. palmarum occurs in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest Biomes. Vanilla lindmaniana is distinguished from V. palmarum by several vegetative and reproductive characteristics, such as the size of leaves and flower structures, and the shape of the fruits. Characteristics associated to pollination strongly differ between both taxa. Vanilla lindmaniana is ornithophilous, while the labellar morphology of V. palmarum suggests pollination by bees. Both species occur as epiphytes on palms: Vanilla lindmaniana predominantly on Acrocomia, Attalea, and Mauritia, while V. palmarum on Elaeis and Syagrus. Both V. lindmaniana and V. palmarum are assessed as Endangered. Conclusion – Appraisal of reproductive and vegetative characteristics from living specimens is crucial in delimitating species boundaries in Vanilla. Species delimitation based on ecological divergencies, plus geographic disjunctions have advanced the current evaluation and understanding of diversity in this economically and ecologically important orchid genus. All evidence reveals that V. lindmaniana is distinct from V. palmarum. Vanilla palmarum is endemic to Brazil, while V. lindmaniana is widely distributed throughout South America.

The chapter gives an introductory overview on the biology of the 11 species of crocodilians inhabiting the Americas. Geographical distribution is broadly discussed in the light of biogeographical and evolutionary origins. As a broad generalization, crocodilians are morphologically, genetically, and ecologically conservative and show a high dispersal ability, which together complicate the delimitation of species boundaries. Furthermore, distinct clades of crocodilians are a result of environmental selection for different adaptive characteristics. Gene flow occurs between clades, but distinct morphological varieties are sometimes a result of environmental filters. Thus, many taxa of crocodilians can be considered ecological species. Reproductive characteristics, such as nest-site choice and female reproductive output, influence reproductive success and thus population trends, so we discuss reproductive and habitat characteristics in the light of conservation genetics. Finally, the status of crocodilians is discussed both in terms of past hunting pressure and current conservation and management initiatives. In general, crocodilians can look after themselves if they have sufficient habitat, but some species are critically endangered by hunting, even though much of their original habitat remains intact. Conservation actions must be applied locally, taking into account threats and dispersal between source and sink populations. Given the difficulty of studying the dispersal of crocodilians by direct observation in most places in Latin America, the definition of effective management units will depend on genetic studies that can be linked to economic or conservation goals.

Selaginella sanguinolenta group is widely distributed from the Himalayas to Siberia and the Russian Far East, including four to nine taxa. Despite progress in recent phylogenetic studies of the S. sanguinolenta group, the problem of species delimitation in this group remains. We revise the taxonomy of the S. sanguinolenta group based on an integrative approach considering morphological, molecular, and geographical evidence. The sampling for molecular analysis based on rbcL, psbA, and 26S nrDNA sequence data involved 71 individuals, covering the geographical range of this group. A total of 21 morphological traits from 103 specimens were explored using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The LDA results indicate that the combination of ventral leaf cilium length and ventral/dorsal leaf carinate characteristics enable a success rate of more than 90% in distinguishing between S. aitchisonii (western Himalayas to northern China), S. jacquemontii (western Himalayas to southwest China), and S. sanguinolenta (Russian Far East regions to northeast China). The phylogenetic analysis results of nuclear and plastid DNA markers further disclose the clear molecular differentiation. Selaginella nummularifolia, S. rossii, and S. sajanensis are well‐defined species based on morphological and molecular evidence with narrow distribution ranges respectively. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, in combination with distribution information, we finally recognize seven species in the S. sanguinolenta group, including a new species, S. baodongii sp. nov. from the bordering regions of Russia and China in northeast Asia.

Primates

The taxonomic treatment of Begoniaceae for the state of Bahia, Brazil, led to the recognition of three new species of Begonia with narrow distributions, which are described and illustrated here: Begoniadelicata Gregório & J.A.S. Costa, sp. nov. is a herb restricted to the region of the Recôncavo; Begoniaelianeae Gregório & J.A.S. Costa, sp. nov. is a shrub endemic to the Atlantic forest of the southern part of the state; and Begoniapaganuccii Gregório & J.A.S. Costa, sp. nov. is a subshrub known only from the type material, collected in the Piedmont of Paraguaçu. Notes on morphology, comparisons with morphologically similar species, etymology, geographic distribution, habitat and phenological data for each species are also presented. Furthermore, keys are provided as an aid to separating the new species from congeneric species that occur in their surroundings. Due to the sparse knowledge of the new species, there is as yet insufficient data to accurately assess their conservation status.

PhilodendronsubgenusMeconostigma has been a well-circumscribed group since 1829. Members of this group are easily distinguished by diagnostic morphological characters as well as by a distinct ecology and geographical distribution. Based on molecular, morphological and cytological evidence, we propose the recognition of P.subg.Meconostigma as a distinct genus, Thaumatophyllum Schott. We also present the necessary new combinations, an emended key and some nomenclatural and taxonomic corrections regarding 21 names of Thaumatophyllum.

Lucuma Molina, in its current circumscription, comprises 18 Neotropical species and can be recognized mainly by floral characters, particularly the biseriate calyx composed of four sepals and six (–eight) corolla lobes, or alternatively, five sepals and five corolla lobes, as well as by the presence of conspicuous staminodes and papillae on the corolla, stamen filaments, and staminodes. During the taxonomic revision of Lucuma, a new species from French Guiana was discovered. The proposal of this species is supported by both morphological and molecular evidence. Therefore, this study aims to provide a detailed morphological description, illustrations, a map of its geographical distribution, and a preliminary assessment of its conservation status. Comparative analyses of leaf epicuticular wax morphology and phylogenetic relationships are also presented. In addition, based on the currently accepted generic circumscription, four new combinations are required and are herein proposed.

Phylogenetics of the supertribe Paulliniodae (Sapindaceae) with emphasis on chromosome evolution: taxonomic implications including the new genus Acevedoa.

Leiboldiinae is one of the 24 subtribes of Vernonieae. It is composed of four genera, three of which are endemic to Mexico. The 14 recognized species and are distributed in mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to infer the relationships among members of the subtribe. As part of this analysis, 73 morphological, anatomical, palynological characters, as well as chromosome number, were analyzed. The results indicate that the subtribe Leiboldiinae is a monophyletic group. It is distinguished by two synapomorphies: pappus arranged outside the apical callus of the cypsela and the presence of glands with five to seven basal cells on the corolla. Bolanosa is differentiated from the other genera by the presence of paleae on the receptacle, 8–10 ribbed cypselae with a sericeous indumentumand persistent pappus. Leiboldia has glands on the cypsela above the carpopodium; Lepidonia has phyllaries with the apex broadly ovate-apiculate, and Stramentopappus is distinguished by the obovate cypsela and 3-seriate pappus. The taxonomical treatment includes updated descriptions for each taxon and identification keys for genera and species, as well as geographic distribution and phenological data.

This paper consists in the taxonomic survey of the Santalales order in the Núcleo Curucutu, Parque Estadual Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. The taxonomic treatment includes identification key, morphological descriptions, taxonomic notes, photographs, geographical distribution, and phenological data. The order is represented by four species: Langsdorffia hypogaea Mart., Phoradendron crassifolium (Pohl ex DC.) Eichler, Phoradendron fragile Urb., and Struthanthus acuminatus (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuijt.

Stigmatodon medeirosii (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae), a new hyperepilithic species, restricted to vertical rock walls of the inselbergs of eastern Minas Gerais, in the medium Rio Doce River basin, southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and affinities of the new species are discussed, accompanied by notes on its ecology, geographic distribution, and conservation status. The new species is most similar to S. fontellanus and S. lemeanus from Espírito Santo state but distinguished by a set of vegetative and reproductive characters. Following the criteria of the IUCN Red List, S. medeirosii is to be assessed as Vulnerable (VU), reinforcing the need for attention to the conservation of inselbergs and associated vegetation in eastern Minas Gerais.

Background: Hechtia is characterized by its terrestrial, succulent rosettes, dioecy, and unisexual, dimorphic flowers, mainly fragrant. The paucity and fragmentary herbarium material limit the species recognition but living material reveals diagnostic characters to delimitate them. Hypothesis: Hechtia species are circumscribed by a combination of vegetative and floral characters of both sexes. If the new taxon does not share morphological characters with other species, it will be described as new. Taxon: Hechtia. Study site and dates: Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco, 1985-2023. Methods: Field collected, cultivated as well as herbarium material of the new taxon were analyzed and compared to other species from the Pacific Lowlands and adjacent areas, particularly flowers of both sexes, fruits, and seeds. Conservation status using IUCN criteria is reported for the new species. Results: Specimens of Hechtia chamelensis have been misidentified as H. laevis and H. reticulata (both described from fruiting, fragmentary specimens) but the fruit and seed features of both taxa do not match those of the new species. H. chamelensis is known from the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve and it is characterized by strict sympodial growth pattern, green leaves with red hues, shiny and glabrous above, white lepidote below, panicles usually simple to (rarely staminate ones) 2-divided, staminate flowers pinkish to pale white, pistillate with pale green to white petals. Conclusions: Vegetative and reproductive features as well as geographical distribution allow the recognition of H. chamelensis as a new species native from Jalisco, Mexico.

Abstract. Valen FS, Mamat NB, South J, Ottoni FP, Vieira LO, Kamarudin AS, Afandi AY, Hasan V. 2024. Unveiling the occurrence of vulnerable Sisorid catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) in Bangka based on morphological and molecular evidence. Biodiversitas 25: 4543-4550. Glyptothorax robustus Boeseman 1966 is a vulnerable catfish species that is known to be distributed across Java and Sumatra. The objective of this research is to document, for the first time, the presence of G. robustus in Bangka, Indonesia, and to update the species' geographic distribution. This discovery of a freshwater fish in a new location significantly contributes to the understanding of its biogeography. A purpose-sampling approach was employed to collect the specimens. The species were identified morphologically and molecularly through DNA barcoding. On 20 January 2023, five G. robustus specimens were collected from the Bumang River in Bangka Island using fish traps. The occurrence of G. robustus at this location represents the most northerly record of this species and extends its known geographic range. Additionally, this new site is approximately 200 km north of the nearest known location on Sumatra Island and 300 km north of the nearest known location in Java. This record expands the documented distribution range of G. robustus and enhances our understanding of this species. Furthermore, an updated record of the G. robustus DNA sequence from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene is presented. This sequence constitutes the first DNA barcode for Indonesia and has the potential to support future studies in biogeographical and ichthyological research. The DNA sequence was registered in NCBI GenBank under the accession code OR144414. This DNA barcode can serve as a standard for identifying G. robustus and will support future DNA and biotechnology-based studies.

Amphibian diversity, distribution and conservation in the Ethiopian highlands : morphological, molecular and biogeographic investigation on Leptopelis and Ptychadena (Anura)

The genus Eudius Schoenherr is classified in the broad-nosed weevil tribe Eudiagogini (Entiminae) and harbors two species, Eudius quadrisignatus Gyllenhal and Eudius jocosus Fahraeus, which are only known from their original descriptions. It is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is one of the most threatened biomes in the world despite being a biodiversity hotspot. In this contribution, and as part of a wider systematic and phylogenetic study on tribe Eudiagogini, we performed a taxonomic revision of the genus Eudius and made preliminary phylogenetic analyses of Eudiagogini based on morphology and molecular evidence. Specimens from seven collections in Argentina, Brazil, and Europe were examined. Diagnosis and redescription of the genus and its species are provided, along with photographs of habits, and illustrations of diagnostic characters and new geographic distribution data. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for each species. The morphology-based phylogenetic analysis was performed under maximum parsimony, using 60 characters from adults coded for representative species from eight genera of Eudiagogini and other related tribes of Entiminae. As a result, monophyly of the genus Eudius and its placement within the tribe Eudiagogini are confirmed, while placement of the genus Chileudius Kuschel in Eudiagogini is refuted. A first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the tribe was also designed, using DNA sequences (of the COI barcode and two ribosomal markers) available for some representatives of Eudiagogini and outgroup taxa, analyzed under parsimony and maximum likelihood. The molecular results are consistent with morphology in recovering a monophyletic tribe Eudiagogini, excluding the genus Chileudius, which is now placed as incertae sedis in Entiminae, pending further analyses. Informative characters within the tribe are discussed, with Eudius supported as a clade by the basally connate tarsal claws and by the sclerites present in the bursa of female genitalia. Synapomorphies justifying the revised concept of Eudiagogini as a natural tribe are highlighted, like the presence of a cavernous prementum and the metaventrite with a spine-like swelling anterior to each metacoxa.