Genus In Africa Research Articles

Afroboletus sequestratus (Boletales), the first species with sequestrate basidioma in the genus

A new species of Afroboletus, namely A. sequestratus, is described from Zambia. Evidence from molecular phylogenetic analyses using sequences rpb1, rpb2 and tef1α and morphological comparison support its placement in Afroboletus and it is distinct from the other related members of this genus in Africa. It is the first species with sequestrate basidiomata in the genus. A morphological description is augmented with line drawings and SEM images for the species.

Taxonomy and distribution of the African non-leucobryoid Calymperaceae species

In the course of taxonomical revision were established that 52 species occur in Africa and in the neighbouring Madagascar and in the Indian Ocean Islands. The number of species and names which earlier reached more than 180 were reduced with 70 %. The non-leucobryoid Calymperaceae species belong to four Genera in Africa: Syrrhopodon, Chameleion, Mitthyridium and Calymperes. The richest Genera is the Syrrhopodon comprising 32 species which divided into 41 taxons and have 4 Subgenera and 8 Sections. The Genera Chameleion has only one African species – Ch. cryptocarpos, and the Mitthyridium genus have five species. The Genera Calymperes represented in Africa with 14 species which belongig to three Subgenera. Examining the world distribution of the 52 African species there is established that 40,5 percent of the species are endemic, 26,9 % are paleotropical, 19,2% are pantropical and 13,4 % of the species are African-American disjunct. The list of taxons, the accepted and synonym names of the species and the African distribution are presented here.

Detection of Self Incompatibility Genotypes in Prunus africana: Characterization, Evolution and Spatial Analysis.

In flowering plants, self-incompatibility is an effective genetic mechanism that prevents self-fertilization. Most Prunus tree species exhibit a homomorphic gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system, in which the pollen phenotype is encoded by its own haploid genome. To date, no identification of S-alleles had been done in Prunus africana, the only member of the genus in Africa. To identify S-RNase alleles and hence determine S-genotypes in African cherry (Prunus africana) from Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda, primers flanking the first and second intron were designed and these amplified two bands in most individuals. PCR bands on agarose indicated 26 and 8 different S-alleles for second and first intron respectively. Partial or full sequences were obtained for all these fragments. Comparison with published S-RNase data indicated that the amplified products were S-RNase alleles with very high interspecies homology despite the high intraspecific variation. Against expectations for a locus under balancing selection, frequency and spatial distribution of the alleles in a study plot was not random. Implications of the results to breeding efforts in the species are discussed, and mating experiments are strongly suggested to finally prove the functionality of SI in P. africana.

A new species of Acroperus Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Chydoridae) from Africa.

A new species of Acroperus Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Chydoridae) is described based on the material from Lake Tana, Ethiopia and two water bodies in Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa. In Africa, Acroperus africanus sp. nov. had a chance to be confused by previous authors with Palearctic A. harpae (Baird, 1834) and A. angustatus Sars, 1863, but it could be easily distinguished from the latter by: (1) smaller seta on the proximal segment of antenna II endopod; (2) larger values of seta 3/seta 2 length ratio on the limb I, as well as some additional features. Diversity of the genus in Africa is underestimated yet, and further investigations of taxon distribution and ecology are necessary.

Terminalioxylon edwardsii from the Oligocene of Egypt, with a review of the genus in Africa

petrified wood resembling modern wood of Terminalia(Combretaceae) is described from the Oligocene of the CairoPetrified Forest, Egypt. On the bases of xylotomicalhomologies, the fossil wood is attributed to Terminalioxylonedwardsii. A summary is given on Terminalioxylon andCombretaceae, with inferences on palaeoclimate.

The Males of Rhynchomicropteron (Diptera: Phoridae)

The genus Rhynchomicropteron Annandal (1912) has distinctive, myrmecophilous, flightless females. The females of the 17 Oriental species are keyed by Disney & Kistner (1998), supplemented by Disney (1999, 2010). Until Brown (1992) reared R. nudiventer Papp in Thailand, the males had been assigned to the genus Gymnoselia Schmitz (1927). This ‘genus’ contained the type species, R. curvescens (Schmitz 1927) and R. nudicosta (Brues 1907). Neither of these have been linked to their females. Recently Lengyel (2011) has described both sexes of a species from Israel, and reported the presence of this genus in Africa and Australia. The males remain poorly known. The purpose of this paper is to provide a key to the known males, even though most remain unknown and some are given code numbers only until they can be linked to their females.

Redescription ofStichotrema pasteelsi(Luna De Carvalho, 1956) with Notes on AfricanStichotrema(Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae)

Stichotrema pasteelsi (Luna de Carvalho, 1956) is redescribed based on the type specimen, other specimens collected by Luna de Carvalho, and an additional collection of specimens from Ghana. Stichotrema szekessyi (Luna de Carvalho, 1959) becomes a junior synonym of S. pasteelsi based on current knowledge of the variation within the species. A checklist of African Stichotrema is provided along with comments on the known distribution of the genus in Africa.

Aspectual and focal functions of Cognate Head-Dependent Constructions: Evidence from Africa

Cognate Head-Dependent Constructions (CHDCs) are employed across numerous genera in Africa to signpost alternations in the aspectual characteristics of a predicate or the information focus of a clause. The co-occurrence of a finite lexical verb (the cognate head) and an etymologically related (deverbal) noun or non-finite verb form (the cognate dependent) in such structures is interpreted with reference to the scalar semantics of events and properties. Within this areal typology, CHDCs are employed to indicate either (i) a high point relative to a norm on a semantic scale or (ii) a conventionally low-ranked possibility, in order to implicitly contrast possible alternatives.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses reveal three new Ceratocystis species and provide evidence for geographic differentiation of the genus in Africa

The emergence of wattle wilt disease on non-native Acacia mearnsii trees in Africa, caused by the indigenous fungus Ceratocystis albifundus, has highlighted a need to better understand the diversity, ecology and distribution of Ceratocystis species in natural African environments. In this study we applied phylogenetic inference to identify and characterize isolates of Ceratocystis collected in a natural savanna ecosystem in South Africa. Three new species were recognized and are described as C. cryptoformis sp. nov. in the C. moniliformis complex, as well as C. thulamelensis sp. nov. and C. zambeziensis sp. nov., both residing in the C. fimbriata complex. Incorporating the new species into global phylogenies of Ceratocystis provided insights into the patterns of evolution and biogeography of this group of fungi. Notably, the African continent was identified as an important centre of diversification of Ceratocystis spp., from which several lineages of these fungi were shown to have radiated.

Two New Uropodina Species from Ethiopia (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Two new Uropodina species from Ethiopia are described and illustrated. Neodiscopoma fabiani sp. n. is the second species known from the genus in Africa. The other new species, Trichouropoda szabadi sp. n., belongs to the Trichouropoda avails group. Notes concerning the genus Neodiscopoma and comments in respect of the available name of Neodiscopoma franzi Marais & Theron, 1986 are given.

Biogeography, ecology, acoustics and chromosomes of East African Eurycorypha Stål species (Orthoptera, Phaneropterinae) with the description of new species

Although Eurycorypha is the most species-rich Phaneropterinae genus in Africa, little is known about the distribution and the ecology of the species. In this study data on distribution, ecology, song and on chromosomes of some East African species are provided. The nymphs of some species are shown, famous for their ant-like appearance and behaviour. The male of E. punctipennis Chopard and three species of Eurycorypha are newly described. These are E. resonans n. sp. and E. combretoides n. sp. occurring in different habitats on Mount Kilimanjaro, and E. conclusa n. sp from forest habitats along the Tanzanian coast. Bioacoustically, the four recorded species are unusually divers, presenting non-resonant and resonant songs. As four Eurycorypha species occur syntopically on geological young Mount Kilimanjaro, the biogeographical pattern and possible speciation mechanisms in the genus Eurycorypha are discussed in context of the climatical history of eastern Africa.

Echinochara triplicata sp. nov. (Clavatoraceae, fossil Charophyta) from the Lower Albian of Tunisia

EchinocharaPeck, 1957 is a poorly known charophyte genus from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of the United States and Europe. Its fossil record is currently limited to two species, Echinochara spinosaPeck, 1957 and Echinochara peckii (Mädler, 1952) nov. comb. Grambast, 1956 emend. Schudack, 1993, which have obscure phylogenetic relationships. A third species of this genus, Echinochara triplicata nov. sp., is described here from the Lower Albian of Jebel Koumine (Central Tunisia) and is hypothesized to derive from the Barremian-Aptian morphotypes of Echinochara peckii. The new species represents the first record of the genus in Africa and its more recent record worldwide. It occurs along with the clavatoraceans: Clavator harrisii zavialensis and Atopochara trivolvis trivolvis and provides an additional tool for the biostratigraphic characterization of non-marine Albian of Europe and North Africa.

Diversity of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Associated withEucalyptusin Africa and Madagascar

Use of the Australian genusEucalyptusin short rotation plantations in Africa and Madagascar has developed over the last century to such an extent that it is becoming the most frequently planted genus in Africa. In order to find ecologically well-adapted eucalypts, foresters have tested different species of various origins and the number of testedEucalyptusspecies now exceeds 150 in Africa. Due to the ability of eucalypts to naturally form ectomycorrhizae, even in the absence of any controlled introduction of compatible ectomycorrhizal fungal partners, their introduction in new ecosystems has direct consequences for ectomycorrhizal fungus communities. A bibliographical compilation, together with original field observations on putative ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with eucalypts in Africa and in Madagascar, has been drawn up in two lists: one for Africa and one for Madagascar where surprisingly high fungal diversity was observed. The level of diversity, the putative origin of the fungi, and their potential impact on native ectomycorrhizal fungi are discussed. The development of eucalypts plantations will inexorably lead to the increase of exotic fungal species being potentially invasive in the considered region.

Pre-Clinical Assays Predict Pan-African Echis Viper Efficacy for a Species-Specific Antivenom

BackgroundSnakebite is a significant cause of death and disability in subsistent farming populations of sub-Saharan Africa. Antivenom is the most effective treatment of envenoming and is manufactured from IgG of venom-immunised horses/sheep but, because of complex fiscal reasons, there is a paucity of antivenom in sub-Saharan Africa. To address the plight of thousands of snakebite victims in savannah Nigeria, the EchiTAb Study Group organised the production, testing and delivery of antivenoms designed to treat envenoming by the most medically-important snakes in the region. The Echis saw-scaled vipers have a wide African distribution and medical importance. In an effort to maximise the clinical utility of scarce antivenom resources in Africa, we aimed to ascertain, at the pre-clinical level, to what extent the E. ocellatus-specific EchiTAbG antivenom, which was designed specifically for Nigeria, neutralised the lethal activity of venom from two other African species, E. pyramidum leakeyi and E. coloratus.Methodology/Principal FindingsDespite apparently quite distinctive venom protein profiles, we observed extensive cross-species similarity in the immuno-reactivity profiles of Echis species-specific antisera. Using WHO standard pre-clinical in vivo tests, we determined that the monospecific EchiTAbG antivenom was as effective at neutralising the venom-induced lethal effects of E. pyramidum leakeyi and E. coloratus as it was against E. ocellatus venom. Under the restricted conditions of this assay, the antivenom was ineffective against the lethal effects of venom from the non-African Echis species, E. carinatus sochureki.Conclusions/SignificanceUsing WHO-recommended pre-clinical tests we have demonstrated that the new anti-E. ocellatus monospecific antivenom EchiTAbG, developed in response to the considerable snakebite-induced mortality and morbidity in Nigeria, neutralised the lethal effects of venoms from Echis species representing each taxonomic group of this genus in Africa. This suggests that this monospecific antivenom has potential to treat envenoming by most, perhaps all, African Echis species.

New observations on the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene Lutrinae (Mustelidae: Carnivora, Mammalia) from the Middle Awash, Afar Rift, Ethiopia

New observations on the Late Miocene and Earliest Pliocene mustelids from the Middle Awash of Ethiopia are presented. The Middle Awash study area samples the last six million years of African vertebrate evolutionary history. Its Latest Miocene (Asa Koma Member of the Adu-Asa Formation, 5.54–5.77 Ma) and Earliest Pliocene (Kuseralee and Gawto Members of the Sagantole Formation, 5.2 and 4.85 Ma, respectively) deposits sample a number of large and small carnivore taxa among which mustelids are numerically abundant. Among the known Late Miocene and Early Pliocene mustelid genera, the Middle Awash Late Miocene documents the earliest Mellivora in eastern Africa and its likely first appearance in Africa, a new species of Plesiogulo, and a species of Vishnuonyx. The latter possibly represents the last appearance of this genus in Africa. Torolutra ougandensis is known from both the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene deposits of the Middle Awash. The genus Sivaonyx is represented by at least two species: S. ekecaman and S. aff. S. soriae. Most of the lutrine genera documented in the Middle Awash Late Miocene/Early Pliocene are also documented in contemporaneous sites of eastern Africa. The new observations presented here show that mustelids were more diverse in the Middle Awash Late Miocene and Early Pliocene than previously documented.

Late Miocene Carnivora from Chad: Herpestidae, Viverridae and small-sized Felidae

The small-sized feliforms (Viverridae, Herpestidae, Felidae) from the Late Miocene fossiliferous area of Toros-Menalla, Chad, are described. The Viverridae are represented by dental and postcranial remains of two species: a new, large-sized viverrid, Sahelictis korei n. gen. n. sp., which is characterized by a more trenchant dentition than in Viverra spp., and an indeterminate species similar in size to Viverra howelli. The Herpestidae are represented by a subcomplete mandible with partial dentition assigned to Herpestes sp., similar in size to the smallest individuals of the extant Herpestes naso and H. ichneumon. Felids are known from two, possibly three small-sized species. Fragmentary dental and postcranial remains indicate the presence of one or two species of the size of the golden cat ( Profelis aurata). A partial skeleton of a wildcat-sized species assigned to Felis sp. is also described; this record is by far the earliest record for the genus in Africa.

Unionicola (Coelaturicola) gledhilli n. subgen., n. sp. (Acari: Unionicolidae) from freshwater mussels in Botswana and East Africa

Unionicola (Coelaturicola) gledhilli n. subgen., n. sp. (Hydrachnida: Unionicolidae) is described from freshwater mussels, Coelatura kunenensis Mousson, 1887 (Unionoida: Unionidae) from the Okavango River, Botswana, and Chambardia nyassaensis (Lea, 1864) (Unionoida: Iridinidae) from Lake Malawi, Malawi, East Africa. The new species has distinctive coxal plate and genital field morphologies. This new mite extends our understanding of the morphology and biogeography of the genus in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. It further extends our knowledge of host selection and host-specificity among the Unionicola.

An overview of labeonin relationships and the phylogenetic placement of the Afro-Asian genus Garra Hamilton, 1922 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with the description of five new species of Garra from Ethiopia, and a key to all African species

A clarification of the morphological character data supporting the hypothesis of labeonin monophyly, and also for one of its subgroups, the Garraina, is presented. As an aid to ongoing studies, a full listing of putative labeonin genera is provided. Included in the Garraina is the widespread and taxonomically problematical Afro-Asian genus Garra. Getahun (2000) in an unpublished thesis clarified much of the taxonomic confusion surrounding the African members of this genus, and we summarize many of his conclusions in the form of an artificial identification key for all 17 valid species of Garra on the African continent. The diversity of Garra in Ethiopia, the geographical centre of species diversity for the genus in Africa, is resolved and redescriptions of the six species previously recognized in Ethiopian inland waters are provided, along with formal taxonomic descriptions of an additional five new species from that country. Four of the new species are endemic to Ethiopia: Garra regressus sp. nov., Garra duobarbis sp. nov., Garra geba sp. nov., and Garra tana sp. nov., whereas the fifth, Garra dembecha sp. nov., is more widespread and found also in Eritrea, Kenya, and Tanzania in eastern Africa. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 150, 41–83.

Gone with the wind: westward dispersal across the Indian Ocean and island speciation in Hemicordulia dragonflies (Odonata: Corduliidae)

The taxonomy and biogeography of the western representatives of the largely Papuan-Australian genus Hemicordulia are discussed and compared with other alate fauna including butterflies, birds, bats and other dragonflies. Specimens from Malawi, Mozambique, Réunion, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda were compared with Indian specimens of H. asiatica, with which they were previously regarded conspecific. They are found to be distinct and are described as the continental H. africana n. sp. and those from Réunion as H. atrovirens n. sp. The three species were compared with H. similis of Madagascar and H. virens of Mauritius. Insufficient material of the Seychelles taxon H. similis delicata was available; it may represent another insular endemic species. The distribution of Hemicordulia is discussed in the light of the dispersal capacity of Odonata and the biogeography of taxa with similar distributions in the region, with an emphasis on the survival of ‘oceanic’ species on the continent. Recent (i.e. in the last few million years) trans-oceanic airborne dispersal aided by westward storms, is the most likely explanation for the distribution of the genus in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, as well as for other winged animals of Asian affinities in the region. The world range of Hemicordulia is largely insular, broadly excluding continents, and H. africana n. sp. demonstrates ‘inverted insularity’: all continental sites are in proximity to large water bodies, such as the great African lakes. This pattern may be related to the climatological instability of these sites, which offer suitable cool habitat where competition is (temporarily) reduced. Hemicordulia prefer cool conditions, but may be vulnerable to overheating and competition with more warm-adapted species.

Re-evaluation of Australian and South American Unionicola Haldeman (Acari: Unionicolidae)

The genus Unionicola Haldeman in the family Unionicolidae is distributed worldwide, with more than half of the known species recorded as parasites of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida). Re-evaluation of the morphology and biogeography of the genus in Africa, Australia and South America extends our knowledge of host selection and host-specificity among Unionicola. New host and geographic records for Unionicola (Kovietsatax) walkeri Viets are Velesunio angasi in Western Australia. The subgenus Australatax Vidrine is re-evaluated. A new subgenus, Hyricola n. subgen., is erected for Australian members of the subgenus Australatax sensu lato. Discrete differences in leg chaetotaxy, pedipalp morphology, and female genital field chaetotaxy clearly separate the newly redefined Australatax from Hyricola. These changes provide an opportunity to re-evaluate all the gill mites in the Southern Hemisphere.