Allied Species Research Articles

Microfungi associated with ornamental palms: Byssosphaeria phoenicis sp. nov. (Melanommataceae) and Pseudocoleophoma rhapidis sp. nov. (Dictyosporiaceae) from south China

The health and attractiveness of ornamental plants play key role in gardening and horticulture. They affect both the economical and ornamental value of the plants. In this study, we collected and isolated microfungi associated with dead petioles of dwarf date palm and living leaves of lady palm from Zhongkai University Garden, Guangzhou, China. Phylogenetic relationships were investigated based on multi-locus phylogeny of ITS, LSU, SSU and tef-1α sequence data. The morphology of the new collections was compared with all the relevant species. Based on the morphological comparison and multi-locus phylogeny, we introduce Byssosphaeria phoenicis sp. nov. and Pseudocoleophoma rhapidis sp. nov. in Melanommataceae and Dictyosporiaceae, respectively. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided with notes discussing allied species in Byssosphaeria and Pseudocoleophoma. Pathogenicity testing of P. rhapidis causing leaf spots on lady palm was proven and Koch’s postulates fulfilled. This is the first phytopathogenic Pseudocoleophoma species. The pathogenicity does not cause dieback, but the leaf spots reduce the aesthetical value of the plants.

Taxonomy of Homoeusa Kraatz, 1856 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from the East Palearctic: I. Homoeusarufescens (Sharp, 1874) and a new allied species.

There is insufficient information to identify most species of the myrmecophilous rove beetle genus Homoeusa. In this paper, after examining the type material, Homoeusarufescens (Sharp, 1874) is redescribed in detail and its new allied species Homoeusaovata sp. nov. is described. We also observed the behavior of these two species in the field; the behavior was similar to that reported for H.acuminata (Märkel, 1842). A checklist of Homoeusa from the Palearctic and Nearctic is also provided.

Two new species of Kaempferia subgenus Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae) from Thailand

Abstract. Saensouk P, Saensouk S, Boonma T. 2022. Two new species of Kaempferia subgenus Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae) from Thailand. Biodiversitas 23: 4343-4354. Two new species of Kaempferia L., namely Kaempferia napavarniae Saensouk, P. Saensouk & Boonma, and Kaempferia sakonensis Saensouk, P. Saensouk & Boonma, are discribed here. The production of terminal inflorescences, covered by leaf sheaths, makes both species fall into the subgenus Kaempferia. The first species were found only in Nakhon Sawan Province, Northern Thailand, and the second species were found only in Sakon Nakhon Province, Northeastern Thailand. Living specimens and spirit specimens of both new species were compared to the existing allied species, but they differed and were never reported in taxonomic treatment before. Thus, we claimed both of them as new species to science and named the first species to honor Associate Professor Dr. Napavarn Noparatnaraporn (Director of Center for Research-driven in Natural Resources and Environment towards Utilization) who is a specialist in Biodiversity in Thailand. And named the second species according to its locality by using the province name as the epithet name. The descriptions with their illustrations, ecology, etymology, distributions, and a revised key to species of Kaempferia subgenus Kaempferia in Thailand for facilitating identification are also prepared.

Sex Pheromone of the Azalea Mealybug With a Non-Terpene Structure.

Mealybug females release sex pheromones to attract conspecific males for mating. It is critical for mealybug males, which are fragile and short-lived, to respond to the pheromone of their species without time- and energy-consuming cross-attractions to other species. Thus, mealybug pheromone systems are considered to have evolved to be species-specific with unique structures in each species and offer an opportunity to study the diversity of pheromone chemistry that mediates intersexual courtship signals. More than 20 mealybug pheromones are reported to be monoterpenes in general, with only one exception, a hemiterpene alcohol esterified with a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), found in the Matsumoto mealybug, Crisicoccus matsumotoi. However, it is unknown whether this is truly exceptional, or if similar compounds are used in other related mealybugs. In this study, we isolated and characterized the pheromone of an allied species, the azalea mealybug C. azaleae. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and bioassays with synthetics, the pheromone was shown to be composed of isopropyl (E)-7-methyl-4-nonenoate, isopropyl (E)-7-methyl-4-octenoate, and ethyl (E)-7-methyl-4-nonenoate. Surprisingly, the structures of these compounds do not include hemiterpene nor monoterpene motifs but have methyl-branched MCFA parts that are similar to an acid moiety of the C. matsumotoi pheromone. This study implies irregular events for the divergence of pheromone structures in ancestors of the genus Crisicoccus and other mealybugs.

Redescription of Hemidactylus giganteus Stoliczka, 1871 with the description of three new allied species (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820) from peninsular India.

We revise the systematics of Hemidactylus giganteusan Indian endemic leaf-toed gecko based on recent collections from the type locality and other localities in peninsular India. We provide a comprehensive redescription of H. giganteus sensu stricto and describe three new allied species from the Karnataka and Telangana states in India. We analysed the phylogenetic relationships between the three new species, H. raya sp. nov., H. saxicolus sp. nov., and H. aemulus sp. nov., and found them to be nested within the H. giganteus sensu lato branch. The pairwise genetic divergence between these new cryptic taxa from H. giganteus sensu stricto ranged from 5.88% to 10.95% for the Cyt b gene. The new species also differ from H. giganteus sensu stricto based on number of femoral pores on each thigh and poreless scales separating them (1823 femoral pores and seven or eight poreless scales versus 17 femoral pores and seven poreless scales in H. raya sp. nov., 26 or 27 femoral pores and nine poreless scales in H. saxicolus sp. nov., and 2225 femoral pores and nine to ten poreless scales in H. aemulus sp. nov.), corroborated by linear discriminant analysis based on 29 morphometric and meristic characters. Our species delimitation analysis shows the presence of three additional putative new species awaiting formal description within the H. giganteus sensu lato branch.

Naturalisation of Ranunculus repens in Kashmir Himalaya: Floristic and Ecological Aspects

Naturalisation is the most crucial stage along the ecological process of introduction-naturalisation-invasion continuum. Therefore, reporting the transition of alien plant species at the naturalised stage along the continuum can be crucial for the early warning and rapid response in invasion management. Here we report Ranunculus repens as a new distribution record from Kashmir Himalaya. We provide a floristic account of this newly naturalised species and photographic illustrations of the distinguishing characters from an allied species, R. bulbosus, with which it is misidentified in the region. We also investigated the ecological aspects of this naturalised species by undertaking quadrat sampling in the R. repens-dominated community. Our results revealed that R. repens show positive association with those native species in the community which possess similar traits, but show interestingly negative association with other alien species found within the same community, thus hinting towards habitat filtering among the alien species pool in the region. Hopefully, the present study will validate report of R. repens from this Himalayan region, facilitate its field identification, guide control strategies at this early stage of naturalisation when chances of management success are maximum and prompt further studies on its potential invasion risk.

Biogeography and Ecological Differentiation of Pseudasphondylia gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Distributed in Taiwan and Japan, with Description of a New Species P. kiwiphila sp. nov. and the Southernmost Record of P. elaeocarpi.

Pseudasphondylia species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are known to induce fruit galls on Actinidia rufa (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. and finger-like leaf galls on Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. in Taiwan, but their taxonomic positions remain undetermined. Based on gall morphology and host plants, they were supposed to be the same or allied species of known Japanese congeners, i.e., P. matatabi Yuasa & Kumazawa inducing flower-bud galls on Actinidia polygama (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim and P. elaeocarpi Tokuda & Yukawa inducing finger-like leaf galls on E. sylvestris. Species identifications of these Taiwanese species provide us an opportunity to study biogeographical aspects and transition of ecological features in these Pseudasphondylia species distributed in East Asian Arc. Morphological comparisons and species delimitation by molecular analysis indicated that the cecidomyiid on the fruit of A. rufa is distinct from P. matatabi and thus it is described as a species new to science, P. kiwiphila sp. nov. Lin, Tokuda, & Yang. The leaf galler on E. sylvestris was identical to P. elaeocarpi, whose southernmost distribution range extended to Taiwan, a new record of its distribution. COI-based phylogenetic tree (Bayesian inference and IQ tree) of Pseudasphondylia suggested that leaf galling habitat and univoltine life history are ancestral, whereas fruit or flower-bud galling and multivoltine life history are derived. In addition, the monophyletic Actinidia-associated species lineage is sistered to the clade including the remaining Japanese fruit and flower-bud gallers, suggesting that Pseudasphondylia has colonized on the host genus Actinidia once and later speciated on different plant species of the host genus. As a biogeographical aspect of P. elaeocarpi, 2.7% of the COI distance between Japanese and Taiwanese individuals indicates that they have diverged around 1.2 mya, which corresponds to the last but second separation of Taiwan and Japan in the Pleistocene. As for Actinidia-associated Pseudasphondylia species, the two valid species are allopatric and have distinct areas of origin, suggesting they may have speciated allopatrically. Nevertheless, there is still the possibility of ecological speciation due to the following reasons: (1) Host species (and varieties) and unidentified congener of Actinidia-associated Pseudasphondylia are occurring China, revealing potential occurrence of these gall midges. (2) The divergence time (2.2-2.9 mya) of the two known species corresponds to the late Pliocene to Pleistocene, when China, Taiwan, and Japan were part of the East Asian continent. During this period, their host species were sympatric in southeast China. (3) The host of two named Actinidia-associated Pseudasphondylia species each belong to different plant groups with distinct fruit features. These presume that the speciation might have been caused via sympatric host shift.

GEOGRAPHICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISTRIBUTION OF INVASIVE FLORA OF RAILWAYS IN KIROVOHRAD REGION

Development of transport capable to overcome distances of the planetary level, was caused to more intensive, than early, expansion allied, especially invasive, species of plants that become concurrent for aboriginal flora. Phytoinvasions are one of the most important geoecological problems of our time, as they disrupt the species composition and structure of natural phytocenoses, ultimately leading to the impoverishment of the plant component of landscapes and the reduction of biodiversity. One of leading factors in the spread of adventitious and, in particular, invasive species is rail transport, as a result of which seeds and organs of plants capable of taking root and gradually displacing the aboriginal flora get in the way.
 Although among the invasive flora of Kirovohrad region there are representatives of different systematic groups and life forms of plants, still clearly dominated by angiosperms and - at the same time - herbaceous plants. Main peculiarities of the space differentiation are described by the examples of railway stations of Holovanivsk and Znamianka situated consequently in the West and the East of the Kirovohrad region. The most common representative of the invasive flora of the railways of the studied region is ragweed, also widespread grindelia spread (in the west of the Kirovograd region) and sweet silique (in the east of the region). Of the families of flowering plants, the most widely represented are Aster (Compositae), a significant place is occupied by Cabbage (Cruciferous), Thin-legged (Cereals), Legumes and others.
 Factors contributing to the naturalization of invasive species and their rapid displacement of aboriginal flora are various. The main ones are eurybiont, unpretentious to the conditions of the habitat, the significant size of the aboveground phytomass.
 The internal diversity in the invasive flora of the region's railways is mainly due to the influence of the factor of the sectoral nature of natural conditions within the territory rather elongated from west to east. Therefore, in the presence of clear common features characterizing the invasive flora of the region, the differences associated with predominance of moisture-loving plants in the western part of the region and drought-resistant plants in the eastern part are noticeable.
 The practical use of the study results is associated with the possibility of improving the system of measures to combat phytoinvasions, taking into account the geographical features of the spatial distribution of individual species.
 Results of the investigation may be used during realizing tasks of ecologization of land using, especially defining priorities in the struggle with invasive species of the plants of railways. Discovered internal differentiation in expansion different allied species in Kirovohrad region gives a ground for defining the most important factors of distortion natural biodiversity in its different parts. Studying space peculiarities of expansion allied flora has a significance for create concrete actions directed to renewing initial space composition of phytocenosis and landscapes distorted by invasions.
 Key words: invasive flora, railway tracks, Kirovohrad region, adventitia, ragweed, grindelia spread, itching eastern.

Codification and description of the phenological growth stages of red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) using the extended BBCH scale- with special reference to spines, areole, and flesh color development under field conditions

Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) has become a global fruit crop, particularly in Southeast Asia, with two main species cultivated over recent decades; the white-fleshed pitaya (H. undatus) and the red-fleshed pitaya (H. polyrhizus). Although the morphological description of the phenological stages of white-fleshed pitaya (H. undatus) has been recorded using a three-digit numerical system as per the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale rule; however, the description of spine development, an important characteristic of bud burst under the areole is lacking. Additionally, the description scale for flesh color change caused by the accumulation of the betalain pigment, which is important for its nutrition value in red-fleshed pitaya, is lacking. This study investigated the phenological stages of a red-fleshed pitaya, an allied species with remarkable similarity to white-fleshed pitaya, “Da Hong” (also called “Big Red”), using the BBCH scale to provide uniform phenology-related information and develop a more suitable scale for the scientific studies and crop practices of red-fleshed pitaya. Furthermore, at each stage, the development of the spine and flesh color to address fruit developmental characteristics owing to its red flesh was simultaneously assessed and recorded. The flesh started to grow at the first stage of fruit development (code 711). The flesh color changed at the final phase of fruit development (code 719) and at the first phase of fruit peel maturity (code 811). The peel color in the flesh and mesocarp changed completely in the final phase (code 819), indicating the completion of fruit maturity. This important phenological stage scale may be used in growth, development, and physiology studies, and in orchard management, including field practice, nutrition management, and pest and disease control.

<p><strong>A novel species of <em>Ischaemum </em>(Poaceae, Andropogoneae) from the northern Western Ghats, India, based on morphological and molecular data</strong></p>

Ischaemum amboliense (Poaceae, Andropogoneae), a new species of Muraina grass, is described and illustrated here. The new species is closely allied to I. travancorense but differs from it in having annual habit and erect posture, culm with sparsely hairy nodes, well-exerted racemes, lower glumes of sessile spikelets with 3–4 side nodules without ridges, upper glume of sessile spikelets with bicuspidate apex and margins with a membranous wing on one side of apical region and lower lemma of sessile spikelets winged on both sides towards the apex. A strict consensus tree obtained from the Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of trnLC–trnLD and ETS datasets supported the novelty of the species. Here, we provide a detailed morphological description, molecular phylogenetic analysis, distribution map, and photo-plates of the novel and allied species.

(2810) Proposal to reject the name Thymus marschallianus (Lamiaceae)

(2810) Proposal to reject the name <scp><i>Thymus marschallianus</i></scp> (<i>Lamiaceae</i>)

&lt;strong&gt;Morphology and molecular approach reveal a new species of the genus &lt;em&gt;Russula&lt;/em&gt; subsect. &lt;em&gt;Lepidinae&lt;/em&gt; (Russulaceae) from India &lt;/strong&gt;

Russula baniyakundensis (subg. Russula subsect. Lepidinae), a new species originating from the temperate to subalpine regions of Uttarakhand Himalaya and related to the European R. lepida Fr. is described. The phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) suggest that in addition to Indian sequences of R. baniyakundensis, there are sequences from China (wrongly labelled as “Russula rosea”) that are also conspecific with R. baniyakundensis in subsect. Lepidinae. Comparison with its respective allied species and a key to the described species of subsect. Lepidinae are provided for a better understanding of its taxonomic position.

A new medium-bodied rupicolous Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Sirumalai massif, Tamil Nadu, India.

We describe a new species of the Hemidactylus acanthopholis clade from Sirumalai, an isolated massif in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state, India. Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all members of the prashadi group by its medium body size (SVL <95 mm), the number of dorsal tubercles rows at mid-body, the number of enlarged tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of femoral pores and poreless scales between series of left and right femoral pores on the femoral-precloacal row in males, the number of ventral scales across the belly at mid-body and subtle colour pattern differences. The new species is the fourth member of the acanthopholis clade and 8.5-13.4 % divergent in ND2 sequence data from other members of the clade. We also provide data on additional specimens from a new locality of Hemidactylus kolliensis, previously known only from the male holotype. Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. is the first endemic and only the other vertebrate species described from Sirumalai massif in the last 133 years. Most rupicolous Hemidactylus species from peninsular India outside the Western Ghats are known only from a few localities and are likely to be geographically restricted in distribution, and large areas of suitable habitat remain unsurveyed, suggesting many more allied species remain to be discovered.

Two New Species of the Onthophagus clypeatus Species Group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Two new species of Onthophagus from Oaxaca, Mexico, are described and illustrated: Onthophagus istmenusnew species, and Onthophagus santamariensisnew species. Keys for separating major males of the new and allied species are presented. Taxonomic remarks are commented for the new and closely related species.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A new species of &lt;em&gt;Sericanthe&lt;/em&gt; (Coffeeae, Rubiaceae) from Chimanimani Mountains, Mozambique-Zimbabwe border&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The Chimanimani Mountains, located at the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, are geologically unique in that they consist of quartzites giving rise to peaks and outcrops between zones of schist supporting grasslands. The nutrient-poor quartzitic soils house a high number of endemic plant species. One of these is Sericanthe chimanimaniensis, which is here described as new for science. We give a detailed description and distribution map, illustrations, information on ecology and phenology, and an assessment on the conservation status. An identification key to closely allied species is presented.

Ficinia pygmaea is not conspecific with F. limosa, and a description of a new species of Ficinia (Cyperaceae) from South Africa

The taxonomy of several species allied to Ficinia pygmaea, that are perennials of small stature (typically under 100 mm) and with a capitate inflorescence, is contentious. Recent authors have considered Ficinia pygmaea to be conspecific with F. limosa, and these South African taxa have been thought to be allied to the Ethiopian taxon F. clandestina. Examination of herbarium specimens and further field studies supports recognition of F. pygmaea and F. limosa at species rank. An additional allied species, putatively named F. echinata in several herbaria, occurring in the Cape Agulhas area, is described. Ficinia echinata is a rigid tufted plant growing at the edges of coastal salt pans and is distinguished by its sharply pointed leaves and bract apices, and its glume morphology. The interpretation of the morphology of F. echinata as intermediate between F. pygmaea and F. limosa had influenced the decision to merge the two taxa.

The Synonymy of the Supratidal Crab Species Parasesarma cognatum Rahayu & Li, 2013 with P. liho Koller, Liu & Schubart, 2010 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence, with a Note on P. paucitorum Rahayu & Ng, 2009.

Parasesarma liho Koller, Liu & Schubart, 2010 and P. cognatum Rahayu & Li, 2013 from East and Southeast Asia are similar species that have been confused in several studies. Here, we re-examined the type specimens of both species and found identical main characters, which is supported by the molecular identity of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. As a result, we treat P. cognatum as a junior subjective synonym of P. liho. We also show that the male paratype of P. paucitorum Rahayu & Ng, 2009 is conspecific with P. liho, although P. paucitorum s. str. remains a distinct but allied species. The distribution of P. liho is updated to include Japan (Ryukyus), Taiwan, Philippines (Cebu) and Indonesia (Sulawesi).

An updated phylogeny and diversity of Phylloporia (Hymenochaetales): eight new species and keys to species of the genus

Phylloporia is shown to be monophyletic according to molecular sequence data. Morphologically, Phylloporia is characterized by annual or perennial basidiomata, a monomitic to dimitic hyphal system, generally presenting a duplex context, absence of setae, and abundant tiny, thick-walled and colored basidiospores. In this study, specimens from China and Brazil a priori identified to Phylloporia species were revised. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nuc 28S rDNA showed that they nested within the Phylloporia clade, in which they formed eight new terminal lineages. According to this result and additional morphological and ecological data (host relationships), these eight lineages are described as eight new species: Phylloporia atlantica, P. cystidiolophora, P. montana, P. perangusta, P. rattanicola, P. solicola, P. splendida, and P. subpulla. Detailed descriptions with illustrations are provided for these new species, and their relationships with similar or allied species are discussed. An identification key for all accepted 56 species with a synoptic description is provided, and two keys to neotropical and Asian Phylloporia species are also provided.

A new species of the Phanaeus endymion species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), with comments on ecology and distribution

SummaryPhanaeus edmondsi n. sp. is described from the tropical forest of La Sierra Madre del Sur, estado de Oaxaca, Mexico. The new species belongs to the P. endymion species group. Distributional and ecological information of the new and allied species is included. A modification to update the identification key for related species is presented.

More grist for the mill? Species delimitation in the genomic era and its implications for conservation

Species delimitation is one of the most contested areas in modern biology, with widespread disagreement about almost every aspect of the definition and implementation of the “species” label. While this debate is intellectually stimulating, it also has real implications for conservation, where its impacts on taxonomic inflation or inertia can mean that specific populations receive adequate conservation measures or are ignored. Recently, the rise of next generation sequencing and phylogenomics has revolutionised phylogenetic understanding of many organismal groups but has simultaneously highlighted the porosity of genomes in terms of admixture across previously delineated species barriers. The extraordinary power of genomic data is increasingly being used to delineate species, and several publications in this domain have recently attracted significant attention and criticism. Here we revisit the question of species delimitation, but from a genomic context. We ask how and whether the large amounts of data provided by genomic methods can resolve the longstanding discussion on the validity and application of phylogenetic and allied species concepts, and how some recent examples can inform this debate. We argue that conserving adaptive potential is a priority for conservation, and no single species concept currently does that adequately on its own. Genomic data holds the potential to add unprecedented detail, but frequently falls short of this potential.