Truncate Apex Research Articles

Plastid phylogenomics with broad taxon sampling provides insights into the generic delimitation of Paraphlomideae (Lamiaceae)

AbstractParaphlomideae (Lamioideae, Lamiaceae) is a recently established tribe endemic to East and Southeast Asia. It comprises three herbaceous genera: Paraphlomis, Matsumurella, and Ajugoides. Phylogenetic relationships among these genera have not yet been satisfactorily resolved and the monophyly of Paraphlomis was challenged in previous molecular phylogenetic studies. In this study, we performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses on complete plastomes and nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacer sequences to further resolve the generic relationships within Paraphlomideae. All phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Paraphlomideae. Contrary to traditional classifications, both Ajugoides and Matsumurella were deeply nested within Paraphlomis, indicating the need to expand Paraphlomis to include Ajugoides and Matsumurella. Hence, six new combinations and one replacement name are proposed. Morphologically, species of the newly defined Paraphlomis share a rhizomatous or stoloniferous habit, plants with simple hairs, nutlets with a truncate apex, and actinomorphic calyces. In addition, widespread incongruence between nuclear and plastid trees may have been caused by hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting after rapid diversification in the re‐circumscribed Paraphlomis.

Two new species of Typhonium (Araceae) with bicolored staminodes from Central Vietnam

Typhonium bicolor and T. culaochamense are described as new species endemic to Central Vietnam. They have bicolored staminodes (apex and base of different colors) which are formerly reported for six species, namely T. bachmaense, T. blumei, T. filiforme, T. flagelliforme, T. kbangense and T. ramosum. The first species is characterized by its oblong-elliptic and thick leaflets, yellowish and elliptic flattened anthers with lateral dehiscence, pink 6–7 mm long staminodes with a pale purple verrucose surface and a bright yellow and obtuse or truncate apex, oblanceolate ovaries and stipitate spadix appendix, and the second by its elongate and cylindrical tuber, variable leaf blades, longer spathe tube, basically externally green-brownish spathe limb, 3–5 rows of pistils, apically brownish dotted ovaries, disciform stigmas and recurved staminodes with a yellow apex. The ecology, distribution and assessment of conservation status of the two new taxa as well as a key to all known Typhonium species in Vietnam are provided.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Ganoderma (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in Costa Rica.

Ganoderma species are well recognised by their significant role in the recycling of nutrients in ecosystems and by their production of secondary metabolites of medical and biotechnological importance. Ganoderma spp. are characterised by laccate and non-laccate, woody basidiocarps, polypore hymenophores and double-walled basidiospores generally with truncate apex. Despite the importance of this genus, its taxonomy is unclear and it includes several species' complexes with few circumscribed species and incorrect geographic distributions. The aim of this work was to provide detailed morphological descriptions together with phylogenetic analyses using ITS sequences to confirm the presence of seven species of Ganoderma in Costa Rica: G.amazonense, G.applanatum s.l., G.australe, G.curtisii, G.ecuadorense, G.oerstedii and G.parvulum. This is the first study that integrates morphological and phylogenetic data of Ganoderma from Central America and a key of the neotropical species. Besides, the distribution range of G.curtisii, previously reported from North America and G.ecuadorense from South America, is expanded to Central America.

The genus Cephonodes from Xisha islands, Hainan Province, China, with description of a new species Cephonodes sanshaensis Deng & Huang, 2023 sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

A new species, Cephonodes sanshaensis Deng & Huang, sp. nov. is described from Xisha islands near Sansha City, China. Photographs of the adults and their genitalia are provided. The new species is similar to C. hylas (Linnaeus, 1771) and C. picus (Cramer, 1777) but can be easily distinguished by characters in the male genitalia: the right lobe of the uncus is hook-shaped with distinctly acute apex, the left valva is long and narrow with a truncate apex, and the right valva is broad and knife-shaped. Molecular analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase I gene barcode sequences is used to infer the phylogenetic position of the new species within the genus Cephonodes. An updated key and checklist to the worldwide species of the genus Cephonodes are also provided.

A new hemiparasitic species of Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae) from North Sikkim, India

The new species Pedicularis revealiana, is described from Katao in Sikkim Himalaya, India. The new species is hemiparasitic and possesses a combination of characters which makes it unique among all Pedicularis species as it has a perennial caespitose habit, stout and woody stems with decumbent branches and congested internodes, evanescent radical leaves and smaller and fewer cauline leaves with linear pinnae, 3–5 flowered and subcapitate or fascicled inflorescence, pedicillate bracts, minute flowers, hairy calyx with crestate‐dentate and recurved lobes, stipitate and arcuate galea with truncate apex and papillose surface, gland‐dotted labium with very large lateral lobes, unequal filament pairs inserted near top of the corolla tube, stipitate stigma which is bilobed and woolly and monocolpate pollen grains which are large and fusiform in shape with rugulose‐punctate surface. With these combination of characters, it is differentiated from the only allied species Pedicularis gracilis.

New scale insects (Homoptera: Coccinea) from Neotropical region

Four new species of scale insects collected in Mexico are described and illustrated. Puto bicirculatus sp. nov. (Pseudococcidae) seems to be most similar with the widely distributed P. barberi (Cockerell, 1895), but differs from the last in the presence of 2 distinct circuli, in 15–16 pairs of cerarii (instead of 17–18), in more numerous tubular ducts (especially on abdominal sternites), and in very poorly developed ostioles. Acanthococcus reineri sp. nov. (Eriococcidae) has peculiar microtubular ducts with bifurcate opening and differs from congeners posessing the same type of wax glands in the fine structure of microtubular ducts, which have the duct, subdivided into 2 parts: thinner (connected with bifurcate opening) and distal larger part. Philephedra zipolitana sp. nov. (Coccidae) differs from all congeners in the fine structure of invaginated conical setae («dorsal tubercles»); these setae have truncate apex and surrounded each at the base by 5–6 oval pores; invaginated setae and pores are located inside of pot-like cuticular pouch, which is slightly narrowed at the orifice. Prionococcus alexandrae sp. nov. (Coccidae) differs from all congeners in the marginal setae (mainly bulbous), forming loose, widely interrupted row with gaps several times longer than setae and in the absence of stigmatic setae. The overlapped diagnostic characters of the nominal genera Philephedra Cockerell, 1898 and Alichtensia Cockerell, 1902 (Coccidae) are briefly discussed.

Restrepia santanderensis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a new species from the western slope of the eastern Andes in Colombia

A new species of the orchid genus Restrepia from the department of Santander, in the western slope of the eastern Andes of Colombia, is described and illustrated. Restrepia santanderensis is compared with the morphologically similar R. flosculata and R. mendozae, which share having short inflorescences and small to medium yellow flowers. The new species can be recognized by its ramicauls prominently covered by brown-dotted sheaths, with the uppermost sheath elongate as long as the peduncle, the sepals partially spreading, the synsepal with glandular trichomes along the veins of the adaxial surface, the straight petals and the rectangular lip with truncate apex. Comparisons with similar species and comments on its ecology are provided.

A new species of Kohleria (Gesneriaceae) from Southwestern Colombia

A new species of Kohleria (Gesneriaceae) is described from the Colombian Andes, in the departments of Huila and Cauca. The new species, Kohleria huilensis, has long been documented from the Merenberg Natural Reserve (La Plata, Huila), but has been confused with K. inaequalis var. inaequalis and K. inaequalis var. ocellata. The new species is distinguished by the following characters: white sericeous and sparse villous indumenta on vegetative structures; calyx lobes elongate with revolute margins; corolla magenta to fuchsia, ventral lobe orbicular with apex truncate; filaments hirsute with glandular trichomes distally; and staminodes < 2.8 mm long.

A new genus and new species of the leafhopper tribe Idiocerini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Eurymelinae).

A new genus of the leafhopper tribe Idiocerini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Eurymelinae) Longiaedeagus gen. nov. with type species Longiaedeagus flavofasciatus sp. nov. from China is described and illustrated. This new genus can be distinguished from other leafhopper genera by the broad style with truncate apex, and aedeagus with a long, unpaired retrorse preapical process.

Short Communication: Cremanthodium indica (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from the Eastern Himalaya, India

Abstract. Borah D, Singh RK, Thungon LT. 2021. Short Communication: Cremanthodium indica (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from the Eastern Himalaya, India. Biodiversitas 22: 1268-1272. Cremanthodium indica D.Borah, R.Kr. Singh & Thungon (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from Eastern Himalayan state Arunachal Pradesh, India is described and illustrated. The new species is allied to Cremanthodium nobile (Franch.) Diels ex H.Lév. in having elliptic-obovate basal leaves, solitary, nodding capitula and hemispheric involucre, but differs by densely pale yellow tomentose stem, stem leaves 5–9, 1.6–2.1 cm distant, outer phyllaries 2.3–2.8 mm wide, inner phyllaries elliptic, 3–5 mm wide, apex acute, ray lamina creamy, oblong, 2–2.3 cm long, apex truncate, distinctly 3-dentate, ray tube 1.5–2 mm long, tubular florets creamy, 8–9 mm long and pappus 6–8 mm long.

Two new species of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 in the D. convexa species group (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Hyphydrini).

Two new species are described in the Desmopachria convexa species group in the Neotropical genus Desmopachria Babington: D. mancosp. nov. (Guyana), and D. mortimersp. nov. (Costa Rica). Two subgroups, the D. convexa-convexa and the D. convexa-signata groups are defined. Desmopachria convexa-convexa species are from North and Central America and have a subapical articulable lobe on the male lateral lobe that is large and elongate and extends well beyond the slender, oblique apex of the lateral lobe. Desmopachria convexa-signata species are from South America and have a subapical articulable lobe on the male lateral lobe that is small and discrete and does not extend beyond the truncate apex of the lateral lobe. The male genitalia of all recognized species in the D. convexa group are redrawn from the literature. New species are illustrated from specimens and described species have morphological features redrawn from published illustrations.

Cavilignum pratchettii gen. et sp. nov., a novel type of fossil endocarp with open locules from the Neogene Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee, USA

A suite of fossil endocarps representing a new taxon from the early Pliocene Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee, USA, is described as Cavilignum pratchettii gen. et sp. nov. Cavilignum is represented by circular to oblong endocarps that have a truncate apex, a mucronate base, and a smooth outer surface. The endocarp wall has three layers. The outermost layer is of uncertain composition. The inner wall structure is fibrous, with an outer layer of radially oriented fibers and an inner layer of circumferentially oriented fibers. The endocarps typically have four chambers (locules) divided by thick septa; two narrow canals penetrate the septa from the apex to the base of each endocarp. The locules are open apically. Because no evidence of structures that may have sealed the chambers was found, Cavilignum is interpreted as having open germination pores. Apically oriented, open germination pores most obviously suggest an affinity with the angiosperm family Symplocaceae, but endocarps of Symplocaceae differ from Cavilignum in several critical characteristics (e.g., wall histology, presence of a basal pit). While several other groups (e.g., Anacardiaceae, Cornales) produce drupaceous fruits with endocarps comparable in some characteristics to those of Cavilignum, none is structurally congruent enough to suggest an affinity with the new fossil genus. Thus, Cavilignum cannot be conclusively assigned to a known extinct or extant angiosperm genus or family. Cavilignum is the first extinct plant genus described from the Gray Fossil Site macroflora.

New species and records of the most diverse caddisfly genus in Brazil, Smicridea McLachlan, 1871 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae): solving a species delimitation through an integrative taxonomic approach

AbstractSmicridea is the only genus recorded in the New World for the Gondwanan subfamily Smicrideinae (Hydropsychidae). The genus comprises two subgenera, Smicridea (Smicridea) and Smicridea (Rhyacophylax). In Brazil, Smicridea numbers 55 species, of which 16 are referred to subgenus Smicridea and 39 to subgenus Rhyacophylax. Here, we describe two new species in Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) and one in Smicridea (Smicridea), both from Brazil. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) scalprum sp. nov. belongs to the Smicridea dispar group and is diagnosed mainly by the truncate apex of segment X that has a concave notch apically. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sororis sp. nov. belongs to the Smicridea argentina group and is similar to Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) froehlichi, possibly representing a recent speciation process; Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sororis sp. nov. is differentiated mainly by the papilla‐like lateral lobes on the phallus. DNA barcode sequences (577 bp of the mitochondrial gene COI) of Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sororis sp. nov. and Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) froehlichi were integrated to evaluate species delimitations. Smicridea (Smicridea) capao sp. nov. belongs to the Smicridea fasciatella group and appears to be morphologically similar to some Smicridea (Smicridea) from Colombia. Smicridea capao sp. nov. is diagnosed by the strong subapical constriction on the phallus and the rounded apex. Additionally, we provide new distributional records of Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) froehlichi, Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) abrupta, Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) roraimense and Smicridea (Smicridea) franciscana.

<p><strong><em>Nabalus muliensis</em></strong><strong> (Asteraceae, Cichorieae), a new species from China</strong></p>

Nabalus muliensis (Asteraceae, Cichorieae), a new species from southwestern Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. It is the third species of Nabalus occurring in China. The new species is similar to Nabalus tatarinowii in its paniculiform inflorescence, nodding capitula, 3–5 florets, cylindric involucre, achene with unequal ribs and pale brown pappus, but differs by its yellow florets (vs. purple, white or pink), leaf blade lyrate-pinnatilobate (vs. divided with 1–3 pairs of lobes), and achenes with a 2–3 mm long beak (vs. apex truncate). The new species is considered Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

A new species of Mesosetum (Poaceae: Paspaleae: Arthropogoninae) with a winged rachis from Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A new species of Mesosetum with a winged rachis, only known from Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species (Mesosetum canastrense) is morphologically similar to M. alatum, but it is distinguished mainly by the collar with a continuous line of trichomes (vs. absent or interrupted in M. alatum), synflorescences 6‒9(‒12) cm long (vs. 2.2‒3.2(‒7.5) cm long), pedicels with a truncate apex (vs. oblique), spikelets with the base surrounded by long appressed trichomes 0.8‒1.2 mm long (vs. glabrous or with short sparse trichomes ca. 0.2 mm long) and with an inconspicuous callus (vs. conspicuous and geniculate), and the lower anthecium neuter (vs. staminate or neuter). Additionally, the two species also differ in geographical distribution, since M. alatum only occurs in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.

A new species of Huberia (Melastomataceae) from Espírito Santo, Brazil

We describe and illustrate Huberia misteriosa, a new species endemic to the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. The new species can be recognized by the young branches and abaxial surface of the leaves covered with dendritic trichomes 0.5–1 mm long, hypanthium covered with stalked glands, sepals with the internal laminae broadly trapezoidal, with the apex truncate and shortly apiculate, and by the petals with an apiculate apex. We also provide taxonomic comments, comparisons with closely related species, information about distribution and photos of living and dry specimens.

Gastrodia kachinensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from Myanmar

Gastrodia kachinensis, a new species of Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from Putao, Kachin State, Myanmar. It is morphologically similar to G. gracilis, presumably its nearest relative, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by having perianth tube with punctate outer surface, verrucose outer surface of sepal lobe, orbicular petals, ovate-elliptic lip with truncate apex and auriculate-clawed base, glabrous lip apex with a pair of twin protuberance-like lamellae and column with a pair of blade-like lateral wings and acute stelidia at apex. Identification key and colour photographs are provided. A preliminary risk-of-extinction assessment, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, is given for the new species.

Cerasus laoshanensis (Rosaceae), a New Species from Shandong, China

Cerasus laoshanensis D.K. Zang, sp. nova (Rosaceae) is described from Mt. Laoshan (Shandong Province, China). It resembles C. serrulata, but differs from it by its distinct leaves that are obovate or wide elliptic with a truncate or emarginate apex, sparsely serrate sepals, elliptic petals, and red drupes. Cerasus laoshanensis was found in a roadside ditch and at forest margins.

An additional marine fungal lineage in the Diatrypaceae, Xylariales: Pedumispora rhizophorae

Abstract Pedumispora rhizophorae, a marine ascomycete reported only from mangrove habitats, was referred to the Diaporthales on the basis of morphological characteristics. To clarify the phylogenetic classification of P. rhizophorae, we re-examined the morphological features of a recent collection of this fungus and evaluated its taxonomic position at the molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. rhizophorae is distantly placed from the Diaporthales, and groups in the Diatrypaceae, Xylariales with strong support. Pedumispora rhizophorae shares many features with members of the Diatrypaceae, including its saprobic habit on decaying plant material, ascomata embedded in a pseudostroma, the presence of paraphyses and pigmented ascospores. However, P. rhizophorae differs from other members of the Diatrypaceae in that this species has apically truncate asci without an apical apparatus, which deliquesce at maturity, whereas diatrypaceous species have persistent long-stalked asci with a more or less truncate apex. Within the Diatrypaceae, the ascospores of most species are allantoid in shape and unicellular, whereas P. rhizophorae possesses septate, filiform ascospores with apical cells lacking cytoplasm. Filiform ascospores and deliquescing asci are common in many unitunicate marine ascomycetes and are regarded as an adaptation to aquatic environment.

Chrysanthemum zhuozishanense(Compositae), a New Species in SectionChrysanthemumfrom Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract. Chrysanthemum zhuozishanense L. Q. Zhao & J. Yang, a new species (Compositae) from Inner Mongolia, China, is described and illustrated. It appears most closely related to C. lavandulifolium (Fisch. ex Trautv.) Makino but is distinguished by its capitula 8–10 mm diam., the white or pink ray florets, the lamina 4–5 mm, and the style branches with the truncate and papillose apex. Plants are densely pubescent throughout, with simple trichomes. The new species is assigned to Chrysanthemum L. sect. Chrysanthemum on the basis of the phyllaries with brown scarious margins.