Centre Of Endemism Research Articles

Vascular plant diversity of the high mountains of Fereydunshahr, Central Zagros, Iran

Questions: The mountains of Fereydunshahr County are one of the centers of plant endemism within the Zagros, however, its flora and vegetation remain relatively understudied. In this study we undertook research on the plant species diversity of the subalpine and alpine zones of this area, their life forms, chorology, and vegetation types. Study area: Mountains of Fereydunshahr County, Central Zagros, West Iran. Methods: Plant specimens were collected during the growing seasons of 2018 to 2020. A complete species list was prepared including their life forms, chorotypes, elevation range, and major vegetation types. Results: A total of 308 vascular plant species have been identified belonging to 185 genera and 47 families. The largest plant families recorded during the study are Asteraceae with 44 species, Fabaceae 32, Brassicaceae 29, and Lamiaceae 27. At genus level Astragalus with 23 species is the richest. Hemicryptophyte with 162 (53%) species is the major life form. Most of the species are Irano-Turanian elements (52%). A total of 57 species (19%) are endemic to Iran and 23 species (7%) are endemic to Zagros. Most species belong to the montane-subalpine zone (33%), followed by subalpine (20%), montane (15%), lowland-montane (10%), alpine (9%), and lowland-subalpine (5%). In the alpine zone a high proportion of the species are endemic, while the montane zone has a very low proportion of endemics. From the identified species, 24% belong to subalpine and alpine thorn-cushion grasslands, 19% to montane steppe shrublands, 5% to subalpine tall-umbelliferous vegetation types, 5% to wetlands, and 5% to chasmophyte vegetation. Conclusions: The area has a rich flora, but at the same time is under high pressure from anthropogenic activities, especially a very high level of overgrazing. The region is not a protected area, therefore, establishment of a protected area and efficient conservation planning for the region is highly recommended. Taxonomic reference: Flora of Iran (Assadi et al. 1989–2021) and, for families not yet covered in the previous source, Flora Iranica (Rechinger 1963–2015). Abbreviations: ES = Euro-Siberian; IT = Irano-Turanian; M = Mediterranean; SS = Saharo-Sindian.

Filling the gaps: herpetological checklist of Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province (Angola) shed light on one of the most unexplored corners of tropical Central Africa

ABSTRACT The global environmental crisis has reinforced the importance of improving the documentation of the geographical distributions of extant species. With this aim, species inventories of specific locations or regions are a high priority, especially so in poorly explored areas. Cabinda Province, an Angolan enclave located between the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), represents one of the most enigmatic and poorly explored areas in Africa. No detailed species inventories within its protected areas (namely, Mayombe National Park) exist. Furthermore, this region presents some of the better preserved remanent of primary moist rainforest in West Africa. Although these forests are severely threatened by logging and by the rapid social growth in the area. Therefore, we provide here the first herpetological checklist of Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province, Angola, to shed light on this underexplored corner of Africa. To obtain the most accurate species identification, we performed detailed morphological examinations and DNA barcoding identifications. As a result, we recorded a total of 76 species of amphibians and reptiles in the area, including four new genera, 19 new distribution records for Angola, and 13 candidate species. This work also provides novel topotypic genetic material from three reptile species (i.e., Agama congica, Panaspis cabindae and Atractaspis congica), that may contribute to revise and solve taxonomic inconsistencies in these different groups. Finally, we identified areas of high species richness, as well as areas with a high number of habitat specialists, thus indicating species more vulnerable to extinction. Therefore, our study allowed us to identify areas that are of special interest for conservation of reptiles and amphibians, primarily focus on species vulnerable to extinction, but also to identify some knowledge gaps that still need further investigation. To conclude, this work not only contributes to an improved understanding of Angolan herpetofauna, but also highlights the importance of the western slope of Central Africa as an important biodiversity hotspot, centre of endemism and potential source of diversification for this group of land vertebrates.

Hidden on the Roof of the World: Mitochondrial Data Reveals Exceptional Genetic Diversity of Himalayan Ablepharine Skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae)

Snake-eyed, or ablepharine skinks, are common residents of the highest mountain ranges on Earth, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, Karakoram, Pamir, and Tian Shan, colloquially known as the Roof of the World. Historically, these skinks were alternatively assigned to the genera Scincella, Ablepharus, Asymblepharus, and Himalblepharus, but recent revisions proposed to group them in only two genera, namely Protoblepharus (the eastern Himalayan taxa) and Ablepharus (all other taxa). The taxonomy of this group yet remains in a state of flux due to the limited informativeness of available phylogenies (often with little material from the Himalayan region), discrepancies in morphological patterns of variation, and the potentially high yet unconsidered degree of diversity of the group. To shed some light, we assess the mitochondrial diversity and evolution of Himalayan snake-eyed skinks based on 200 individuals sampled across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and China, representing nine out of ten Himalaya currently recognized species. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 2998 bp of mitochondrial sequences (12S, 16S, ND2, cyt b). Our analyses reveal a remarkably high cryptic diversity, including 14 to 16 species-level lineages within Ablepharus and four species-level lineages within Protoblepharus, which would substantially increase the number of species by at least twofold. This hidden diversity highlights the Himalayas as a center of phylogeographic diversification and endemism, likely shaped by geological and climatic factors associated with orogenesis, which now houses over half of the ablepharine skink species.

Phylogenetic Diversity of Live‐Bearing Fishes (Poeciliidae) Peaks on Peninsulas, Isthmuses, and in Deserts

ABSTRACTAimPoeciliids are ecologically important, are widely used as pets, and also have value as model organisms. To understand diversity within this family, we study their phylogenetic diversity (PD) at regional and local scales to delimit bioregions and identify patterns of biodiversity.LocationThe Americas.TaxonPoeciliidae (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontiformes).MethodsWe expanded an existing dated phylogeny from 164 to 261 species with distributional data for 1o × 1o latitude × longitude cells (~111 km2) and conducted a cluster analysis (phylo‐jaccard distance) to delineate bioregions. For individual cells, we mapped species richness (SR), phylogenetic diversity (PD), weighted endemism (WE) and phylogenetic endemism (PE). We used randomisation tests to map phylogenetic clustering and over‐representation of short‐branch species by cell. We used categorical analysis of neo‐ and palaeo‐endemism to map neo‐, palaeo‐, mixed and super (mixed) endemism.ResultsWe delineated six bioregions. Highest regional species density and density of PD occurred on the Isthmus of Panamá (IOP). At the grid‐cell scale, the Grijalva–Usumacinta drainage is a hotspot for SR, PD, PE and WE; the IOP has high PD and PE; the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (IOT) has high PD, WE and moderately high SR; and western Hispaniola has high WE and moderately high SR. The Grijalva–Usumacinta drainage also includes cells of super (mixed) and palaeoendemism, while mixed endemism is widespread in Middle America and the Greater Antilles. Phylogenetic clustering is widespread, whereas over‐representation of short‐branch species is concentrated in the Chihuahuan Desert–Sierra Madre Oriental region and in western Hispaniola, both hotspots of neoendemism.Main ConclusionsWe found widespread diversification of genera intermixed with relict species (mixed endemism). Furthermore, SR and PD were strongly correlated. Centres of endemism include the Chihuahuan Desert–Sierra Madre Oriental, western Hispaniola, the IOT, the IOP and (most of all) the Grijalva–Usumacinta drainage. However, conservation efforts must occur within each bioregion and for each genus.

Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of <i>Amomum</i> Species

Amomum is a pungent and aromatic plant genus that contains 150–180 species, where Southeast Asia is the center of endemism, with Indonesia indigenous to 24 breeds. These species are used as spices and traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. This paper aims to provide Amomum species summarized data regarding phytochemistry and biological activities. Several studies have been carried out on the fruits, seeds, roots, rhizomes, and leaves of Amomum species from 1999 to 2024, as approximately 127 metabolites were isolated as flavonoid, diterpenoid, diarylheptanoid, monoterpenoid, sesquiterpenoid, phenylpropanoid, phenolic, and steroid groups. Besides cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potentials; it also has an owed tendency for use as a chemical marker. The extracts and compounds obtained from the Amomum species were evaluated for biological activities, including cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, platelet antiaggregation, and antidiabetic properties. Tsaoko arilon (neolignane) had antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, with the highest reactions considered as lead compounds for further development. The findings highlighted the significance of using compounds from the Amomum genus in traditional medicine and the discovery of new medicines. Therefore, the results supported the concept of utilizing Amomum species as a potential source for producing biologically active compounds.

Towards the reference ecosystems for quartzitic campo rupestre: Floristic composition and soil relationships

The loss and fragmentation of tropical habitats, especially extreme megadiverse environments like the campo rupestre (rupestrian grassland), impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services essential to millions of people. The campo rupestre is a grassy ecosystem of the Cerrado biome, a center of endemism in Brazil with high floristic richness and environmental heterogeneity, where plants have developed multiple adaptive strategies and form a vegetation mosaic shaped by local soil and microhabitat conditions. However, this ecosystem has been under severe land use conversion, while signs of augmenting pressure from climate change are now recorded at faster pace. Thus, understanding the particularities of its multiple habitats is fundamental to define habitat specific references to guide conservation and restoration projects that lead to increased biodiversity. In this work, for the first time, we characterize the floristic composition of the shrub and herbaceous strata and related them to the edaphic characteristics of the four main habitats that form the campo rupestre mosaic: rocky outcrop, stony grassland, sandy grassland, and peat bog. A total of 12,000 m2 of shrub layer (120 plots of 10 × 10 m) and 120 m2 (120 plots of 1 × 1 m) of herbaceous layer were sampled. We recorded 257 species belonging to 47 different families, and also observed a high species turnover among the four different habitats. Furthermore, we identified species from both ends of the edaphic gradient of the four habitats and emphasized the importance of multiregional studies to evaluate the association among species and soils before implementing any restoration project. This study provides the knowledge base to build the reference ecosystems for the mosaic of campo rupestre habitat types.

Petalidium namibense (Acanthaceae), a new species from Namibia

Petalidium namibense, hitherto confused with P. englerianum, P. rossmannianum, and the widespread P. variabile, is here described as a new species. It is a range-restricted species, only known from the area to the southwest, west and northwest of Puros in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows at the base of rocky outcrops, on arid hillsides, and along ephemeral riverbeds and drainage lines. Diagnostic characters for P. namibense include the pale grey appearance of the plants, corky bark on older stems, vegetative parts with a dense white indumentum of relative long dendritic trichomes appearing lanate, flowers borne in short few-flowered dichasia, and bracteoles narrowly ovate. The flowers of P. namibense are distinctive in having the two upper corolla lobes discolorous, abaxially light brown, adaxially vermillion, without nectar guides, and connate towards the base for 25–40% of their length. The anterior lobe is adaxially magenta with two relative long, narrowly triangular yellow nectar guides. The two lateral lobes are adaxially vermillion, or distally magenta, grading to vermillion towards the throat, and lack conspicuous nectar guides. A comparison of key morphological features distinguishing P. namibense from P. sesfonteinense, its closest relative in appearance, as well as from P. englerianum, P. rossmannianum, and P. variabile, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List criteria, a provisional conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU) is recommended for the new species.

Plant biogeography, endemism and vegetation types of Dena Mts, Zagros, West Iran

Questions: The highest mountain peak of Zagros is located in the Dena mountain system (4409 m a.s.l.), which is identified as the second richest center of plant endemism of Zagros. In this study we (1) investigate floristic affinities of Dena Mts to adjacent mountain ranges based on the endemic species of the Iranian Plateau, (2) identify the species reaching the subnival zone, and (3) characterize the plant communities of the subnival zone of Dena Mts. Study area: Dena Mts is a calcareous mountain system in southern Zagros, Iran. Methods: The list of taxa endemic to the Iranian Plateau present also in Dena Mts was taken from our previously published data. Novel vegetation data were collected using the methodology of Braun-Blanquet. Classification was carried out in JUICE using the Modified TWINSPAN method. Results: Of the 242 taxa endemic to the Iranian Plateau present in Dena Mts, 22 taxa are endemic to the latter. Dena Mts have the strongest floristic affinity with the Yazd-Kerman massif, with which they share 84 taxa compared to 51 taxa shared with Alborz, 37 taxa shared with the Azerbaijan Plateau, and 15 taxa shared with Kopet Dagh-Khorassan. In Dena Mts, 38 taxa reach the subnival zone, most of them being endemic to the Iranian Plateau (68%). From scree habitats in the subnival zone, two new plant associations are described, Aethionemetum umbellati and Zerdanetum anchonioidei. These constitute a newly described alliance Galion pseudokurdici, classified within the class Didymophyso aucheri-Dracocephaletea aucheri. Conclusions: Although Dena Mts lie within a protected area, this will not prevent shrinking of alpine and subnival habitats due to global warming. Consequently, strong attention to the conservation of all range-restricted species of this mountain system, especially of alpine and subnival species, is highly recommended. Taxonomic reference: Flora of Iran (Assadi et al. 1989–2021) and, for families not yet covered in the previous source, Flora Iranica (Rechinger 1963–2015).

Imperiled wanderlust lichens in steppe habitats of western North America comprise geographically structured mycobiont lineages and a reversal to sexual reproduction within this asexual clade

The northern North American Cordillera is a globally significant center of endemism. In western North America, imperiled arid steppe habitats support a number of unique species, including several endemic lichens. However, processes driving diversification and endemism in this region remain unclear. In this study, we investigate diversity and phylogeography of the threatened wanderlust lichens (mycobiont = Rhizoplaca species) which occur unattached on calcareous soils in steppe habitats. Wanderlust lichens comprise three species of lichen-forming fungi (LFF) – Rhizoplaca arbuscula, R. haydenii, and R. idahoensis (endangered, IUCN Red List) – which occur in fragmented populations in Idaho and Wyoming, with more limited populations in southern Montana and northern Utah. These lichens reproduce almost exclusively via large, asexual vegetative propagules. Here, our aims were to (i) assess the evolutionary origin of this group and identify phylogeographic structure, (ii) infer ancestral geographic distributions for lineages within this clade, and (iii) use species distribution modeling to better understand the distribution of contemporary populations. Using a genome-skimming approach, we generated a 19.1Mb alignment, spanning ca. half of the complete LFF genome, from specimens collected throughout the entire range of wanderlust lichens. Based on this phylogeny, we investigated phylogeographic patterns using RASP. Finally, we used MaxEnt to estimate species distribution models for R. arbuscula and R. haydenii. We inferred a highly structured topology, with clades corresponding to distinct geographic regions and morphologies collected throughout the group’s distribution. We found that R. robusta, a sexually reproducing taxon, is clearly nested within the vagrant Rhizoplaca clade. Phylogeographic analyses suggest that both dispersal and vicariance played significant roles throughout the evolutionary history of the vagrant Rhizoplaca clade, with most of the dispersal events originating from the Salmon Basin in eastern Idaho – the center of diversity for this group. Despite the fact that wanderlust lichens are dispersal limited due to large, unspecialized vegetative propagules, we inferred multiple dispersal events crossing the Continental Divide. Comparing herbarium records with species distribution models suggests that wanderlust lichens don’t fully occupy the areas of highest distribution probability. In fact, documented records often occur in areas predicted to be only marginally suitable. These data suggest a potential mismatch between contemporary habitats outside of the center of diversity in eastern Idaho with the most suitable habitat, adding to the vulnerability of this imperiled complex of endemic lichens.

Endemism Centres of the Five Richest Vascular Epiphyte Families in the Neotropics

ABSTRACTAimEndemic species, characterised by limited geographic ranges, face a high risk of extinction. The neotropical region harbours diverse ecosystems and a substantial number of endemic species, thus identifying areas of high endemism is crucial for protecting unique and threatened species and ecosystems. Vascular epiphytes—nonparasitic plants that grow on other plants without contact with the soil—exhibit remarkable diversity in the neotropics, with 63% of the global total of ca. 31,000 epiphyte species found in this region. This study aims to describe the endemism centres for the five most species‐rich families of vascular epiphytes.LocationNeotropics.TaxonTracheophyta.MethodsWe gathered information from free‐access web repositories, specific epiphytic plant databases and scientific and grey literature on epiphyte species of the families Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae and Polypodiaceae within the neotropical realm as defined by Morrone et al. (2022). Geographical ranges were calculated using minimum convex polygons for 11,446 species, accounting for about 70% of all epiphyte species in the neotropics. Narrow endemic species were defined as those within the first quartile of the density distribution of geographic range sizes within each family and we identified endemism centres for epiphyte species of the five families.ResultsOur study identified endemism centres for vascular epiphyte species in several biogeographic provinces, including Paramo, Cauca, Guatuso‐Talamanca, Atlantic, Yungas and Puntarenas‐Chiriqui. Orchidaceae, accounting for most of the analysed species (71%), drove the overall distribution pattern; however, endemism patterns varied among families.Main ConclusionsRegions with high epiphyte richness exhibited a greater proportion of endemic species, though the composition of epiphyte species varied considerably among regions. The endemism centres identified in this study could be prioritised as conserved and protected areas.

A NEW SPECIES OF SIGMOIDOTROPIS (PAPILIONOIDEAE, LEGUMINOSAE) FROM ATLANTIC FOREST, EASTERN BRAZIL

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions and a key center of endemism for various plant groups. Here, we propose the new species Sigmoidotropis snakiae, which is found in the high-altitude Atlantic Forests of southeastern Brazil. Environmental niche modeling indicates potential areas of distribution that are distinct from the known range of the species, suggesting that these current areas may be remnants of a once-larger, interconnected habitat. The significance of conservation areas such as Parque Nacional do Caparaó and Parque Estadual do Forno Grande for the preservation of this species is emphasized. Sigmoidotropis snakiae, together with S. grandiflora, is only the second species of the genus identified in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Synopsis of the genus <i>Polystemma</i> (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) and recognition of three new species

Background: Polystemma is characterized by a mixed indumentum of glandular trichomes that turn white, rotate to rotate-campanulate corollas, a gynostegial corona with filiform appendages, and fusiform follicles. The taxon has undergone numerous taxonomic changes in recent years. In current phylogenies, Polystemma has been recovered as paraphyletic and many of its species require a new combination. In this study, we propose the corresponding changes and describe, map, and illustrate three new species within this genus. Questions: Do morphological data support the transfer of Matelea species to Polystemma? Are the plants of Polystemma collected in Durango, Jalisco, and Sinaloa different species? Studied species: Polystemma. Study site and dates: United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua y Costa Rica, between 2022 and 2024. Methods: More than 3,000 specimens from 20 herbaria and virtual databases were reviewed. Distribution maps were generated, and risk categories were proposed. The cohesive species concept was proposed as an explanatory hypothesis for taxon recognition. Results: A total of 27 species of the genus were recognized, these distributed from the southeastern United States of America to Costa Rica. Eleven new combinations and three lectotypifications are made, and three new species for science are proposed. Identification key, nomenclatural type information, synonyms, habitat, images of all species and distribution maps are also included. Conclusions: The review of this genus allowed for updating and improving the systematics within the subtribe Gonolobinae. Likewise, it highlights Mexico as the center of diversity and endemism for Polystemma.

Endemic and threatened birds as surrogates for identifying conservation priority areas and ecological corridors in the America’s most endangered habitat

Investigating multi-taxa macroecological patterns can provide critical insights for spatial conservation planning and landscape management across biodiversity hotspots. The Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC) is a biogeographic region of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest known to harbor the most threatened habitats in the Americas and a considerable number of recent bird extinctions. Here, we modeled the distribution of 30 threatened forest-dependent birds, 29 of which endemic to the PEC, to reveal key habitats/resources for their survival, identify conservation priority areas, and design ecological corridors. We found variations in the responses of the taxa to landscape characteristics when we addressed these organisms separately and when we grouped them by conservation status. Overall, the environmental variables related to forest quality (e.g., distance to large fragments, distance to the forest edge, percentage of tree cover, percentage of older forests) were important predictors of habitat suitability for the regional threatened avifauna. Additionally, we revealed forest fragments of high ecological importance for the PEC’s threatened birds, and we propose the creation of the Pernambuco Endemism Center Restoration Arc (PEC-ARC) that may maximize the investments in conservation and guarantee the connectivity of crucial areas for long-term species survival.

Cell Wall Profiling of the Resurrection Plants Craterostigma plantagineum and Lindernia brevidens and Their Desiccation-Sensitive Relative, Lindernia subracemosa.

Vegetative desiccation tolerance has evolved within the genera Craterostigma and Lindernia. A centre of endemism and diversification for these plants appears to occur in ancient tropical montane rainforests of east Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. Lindernia subracemosa, a desiccation-sensitive relative of Craterostigma plantagineum, occurs in these rainforests and experiences adequate rainfall and thus does not require desiccation tolerance. However, sharing this inselberg habitat, another species, Lindernia brevidens, does retain vegetative desiccation tolerance and is also related to the resurrection plant C. plantagineum found in South Africa. Leaf material was collected from all three species at different stages of hydration: fully hydrated (ca. 90% relative water content), half-dry (ca. 45% relative water content) and fully desiccated (ca. 5% relative water content). Cell wall monosaccharide datasets were collected from all three species. Comprehensive microarray polymer profiling (CoMPP) was performed using ca. 27 plant cell-wall-specific antibodies and carbohydrate-binding module probes. Some differences in pectin, xyloglucan and extension epitopes were observed between the selected species. Overall, cell wall compositions were similar, suggesting that wall modifications in response to vegetative desiccation involve subtle cell wall remodelling that is not reflected by the compositional analysis and that the plants and their walls are constitutively protected against desiccation.

The future of plant diversity within a Mediterranean endemism centre: Modelling the synergistic effects of climate and land-use change in Peloponnese, Greece

Climate- and land-use change stand as primary threats to terrestrial biodiversity. Yet, their synergistic impacts on species distributions remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted the first-ever comprehensive species distribution analysis on an entire regional endemism centre within an eastern Mediterranean country, incorporating dynamic land-use/land-cover change data together with climate change scenarios. Specifically, we apply species distribution modelling and spatial data analysis techniques to compare the individual and synergistic effects of these environmental drivers on the endemic vascular flora of Peloponnese, focusing on potential range contractions, altitudinal shifts, and habitat fragmentation levels. Moreover, we identify fine-scale present and potential future endemism hotspots within our study area, incorporating taxonomic and phylogenetic information. Overall, we aim to enhance our current understanding of endemism patterns and contribute to the development of future-proof conservation strategies for safeguarding Greece's endangered endemic flora. The integration of land-use change projections with climate change yielded less severe impacts compared to the effects anticipated when considering climatic variables alone. Most taxa are expected to undergo significant range declines and nearly half might experience increased habitat fragmentation, due to the synergistic effects of climate- and land-use change. We identified endemism hotspots, which are concentrated in or along the main Peloponnesian mountain massifs. However, our predictions indicate that areas presently recognized as endemism hotspots will undergo a concerning area decline, across all future scenarios considered in this study. Our findings highlight the importance of including dynamic land-use variables alongside climatic predictors when projecting species distributions under global change. Moreover, we showed that endemism hotspots are not static and considering their potential geographic shifts is paramount to delineate effective forward-looking conservation strategies.

A new species of green pitviper of the Trimeresurus macrops complex (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) from South Central Coastal Region of Vietnam.

We describe a new species of green pitviper from southern and central parts of coastal Vietnam based on morphological and molecular (2406 bp from cyt b, ND4, and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes) lines of evidence. Trimeresurus cyanolabris sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: small size, maximum known SVL of 638 mm; dorsal scales in 21 (rarely 23)-21-15 rows, moderately keeled except the outermost rows; ventral scales 166-178; subcaudal scales 52-75, all paired; hemipenis forked, calyculate, reaching the 8th subcaudal; eye bright yellow in both sexes; dorsal surface deep green lacking cross-bands; postocular white stripe missing in both sexes; ventrolateral stripe faintly present on the first few dorsal scale rows in males, absent in females; throat, chin, and lower labials in shades of blue. The new species forms a distinct clade on the phylogenetic tree of the genus Trimeresurus and differs from the morphologically similar T. rubeus by a significant divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 6.0%). The new species is currently known from low- to mid-elevations (ca. 90-400 m a.s.l.) in tropical forests of central-southern Vietnam. This discovery further underlines the importance of this area as a local center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemism, which is under great threat of deforestation.

A new combination for a neglected member of Linaria subsect. Versicolores (Plantaginaceae, Antirrhineae) endemic to the Algarve, Portugal

Linaria bimaculatacomb. et stat. nov., from the overlooked Central Algarve plant endemism centre, is here lectotypified and redescribed as a full species based on Linaria viscosa var. bimaculata, which was historically misidentified under allopatric L. spartea and L. viscosa. Traditional herbarium taxonomy and citizen science observations were combined to document the geographical range of the four species of Linaria subsect. Versicolores in the Algarve and amend an identification key for the Iberian clade of this subsection. Geographical patterns and morphological similarity suggest a sister relationship between L. bimaculata and L. algarviana, unveiling a new possible example of parallel speciation linked to a purple to yellow shift in corolla colour. Besides the yellow flowers, L. bimaculata differs from L. algarviana in the more elongate fertile stems and the invariably erect-patent corolla tube. It is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN Categories and Criteria.

A new species of Polylepis (Rosaceae) from Santuario Nacional Pampa Hermosa, Peru

A new species of Polylepis from central Peruvian province of Tarma and present in Santuario Nacional Pampa Hermosa, is described and illustrated. The new species is most similar to Polylepis canoi but differs by its 3-foliate leaves, smaller oblong-lanceolate auriculate and sessile leaflets, shorter petioles with glandular hairs of reddish yellow resin, shorter pendulous axillary inflorescences 8–14 cm long with 6–13 flowers, and higher number of stamens (17–24). On present knowledge, the species has a tiny distribution and is further threatened by land use practices, so that we classify it as critically endangered. This discovery reinforces our understanding of the central Peruvian Andes as a poorly known center of biodiversity and endemism.

Minor loss or huge threat? Assessment of potential infrastructure projects reveals drastic landscape degradation in the Atlantic forest

Projects demanding deforestation to expand urban infrastructure and road networks put pressure on the Atlantic Forest − a hyper-fragmented global conservation hotspot known for its high biodiversity and endemism. To support decision-making, we applied a scientific approach to analyse the immediate and long-term impacts of two major planned projects in the most threatened Atlantic Forest region – the Pernambuco Endemism Center, a crucial area for the survival of many endemic species. A Metropolitan Road Arch and a Training School for Career Sergeants are expected in the Environmental Protection Area Aldeia-Beberibe (31,634 ha) in the next few years. The area has 198 protected forest remnants, including one larger than 10,000 ha. Our analysis shows that the projects’ implementation may deforest 189 ha, increase fragment number by 3.5 % and decrease the average patch area by 4 %. The largest fragment will be divided into two. We may lose 335,307 trees and 44,655.59 Mg of carbon. Approximately 112.67 ha of watershed protection will be damaged. Thus, in the medium to long term, habitat quality will worsen, and the probability of connectivity will decrease, restricting forest-dependent species’ mobility considerably. To date, alternative areas have been proposed in meetings, working groups, and environmental advisory bodies for the analysed projects.We strongly oppose further deforestation and suggest that science-based approaches must be immediately considered for any project that requires forest suppression in highly fragmented landscapes. This is crucial to mitigate the alarming scenarios of extreme climate and biodiversity loss that we are currently witnessing in Brazil and worldwide.

Large-scale geographic patterns and environmental and anthropogenic drivers of wetland plant diversity in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

BackgroundThe geographic patterns of plant diversity in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) have been widely studied, but few studies have focused on wetland plants. This study quantified the geographic patterns of wetland plant diversity in the QTP through a comprehensive analysis of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional indices.MethodsBased on a large number of floras, monographs, specimens and field survey data, we constructed a comprehensive dataset of 1,958 wetland plant species in the QTP. Species richness (SR), phylogenetic diversity (PD), functional diversity (FD), net relatedness index (NRI) and net functional relatedness index (NFRI) were used to assess the taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity of wetland plants. We explored the relationships between the diversity indices and four categories of environmental variables (i.e. energy-water, climate seasonality, topography and human activities). We used four diversity indices, namely endemic species richness, weighted endemism, phylogenetic endemism and functional endemism, together with the categorical analysis of neo- and paleo-endemism (CANAPE), to identify the endemic centers of wetland plants in the QTP.ResultsSR, PD and FD were highly consistent and showed a decreasing trend from southeast to northwest, decreasing with increasing elevation. The phylogenetic structure of wetland plant assemblages in most parts of the plateau is mainly clustered. The functional structure of wetland plant assemblages in the southeast of the plateau is overdispersed, while the functional structure of wetland plant assemblages in other areas is clustered. Energy-water and climate seasonality were the two most important categories of variables affecting wetland plant diversity. Environmental variables had a greater effect on the functional structure of wetland plants than on the phylogenetic structure. This study identified seven endemic centres, mainly in the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains.ConclusionsClimate and topography are the main factors determining the geographic distribution of wetland plant diversity at large scales. The majority of grid cells in the QTP with significant phylogenetic endemism were mixed and super-endemism. At large scales, compared to climate and topography, human activities may not have a negative impact on wetland plant diversity in the QTP.