Short Spur Research Articles

Exploring the Interplay of Bud Load and Pruning Type in Shaping ‘Xinomavro’ (Vitis vinifera L.) Vine Growth, Yield, and Berry Composition

‘Xinomavro’ (V. vinifera L.) is an important native red wine grape variety in Northern Greece, particularly in PDO (protected designation of origin) regions. Despite its significance, there is limited research on the effects of pruning type and severity on ‘Xinomavro’ vine physiology, yield, and berry quality across diverse environmental conditions. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap and provide growers with crucial information for optimizing vineyard management practices. The study was conducted over two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) in a vineyard in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Four treatments (B12: 12 buds on 6 spurs, B24: 24 buds on 12 spurs, M12: 12 buds on 2 canes, and M24: 24 buds on 4 canes) combining two bud load levels (12 or 24 count nodes) and two pruning types (short spurs or long canes) were applied to ‘Xinomavro’ vines in a complete block randomized design. The vine water status, gas exchange, canopy characteristics, yield components, and berry composition were measured. Bud load and pruning type significantly influenced vine canopy development, microclimate, and yield components. Short pruning with high bud load (B24) resulted in denser canopies and higher yields, whereas cane pruning (M12 and M24) led to more open canopies and improved berry quality indicators. Treatment effects on berry composition were inconsistent across years but showed a tendency for higher anthocyanin and total phenol content in cane-pruned vines. This study demonstrates that pruning type (short or long fruiting units) may have a greater impact on vine growth, yield, and berry composition than bud load alone in ‘Xinomavro’ vines. Cane pruning appears to be a more effective strategy for achieving vine balance and potentially improving grape quality under given experimental conditions.

Impatiensbeipanjiangensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Impatiensbeipanjiangensis Jian Xu & H. F. Hu (Balsaminaceae), a new species of Impatienssubg.Clavicarpa discovered in Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated in this study along with its molecular phylogenetic analysis. I.beipanjiangensis is similar to I.liboensis, I.chishuiensis and I.clavigera in morphology, but I.tubulosa has the closest relationship to it. However, there are various ways in which the new species can be easily distinguished from these four species: Inferior nodes swollen rhizoid, pale green and with hooked outer sepals, longer lateral united petals, subovate auricle, deeper lower sepal and shorter spur that is reflexed towards the lower sepal. Furthermore, I.beipanjiangensis is distinguished from other Impatiens species, based on morphological, micromorphological and palynological evidence and molecular data (PP 0.967).

Description of Amblyomma monteiroae n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae), a parasite of the great horned owl (Strigiformes: Strigidae) in southern Brazil

In 2020, adult hard ticks (males and females) were collected from great horned owls [Bubo virginianus (Gmelin, 1788)] in the coastal region in southern Brazil. The engorged females were allowed to oviposit in the laboratory and hatched larvae could be obtained. Analyses of the external morphology of the adult ticks revealed that they represent a new species, which was named Amblyomma monteiroae n. sp. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and the nuclear second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) were generated from a male and a female. Their 16S rRNA haplotypes were identical to each other and closest (96% identity) to corresponding sequences of Amblyomma parvitarsum Neumann, 1901, and 90% identical to Amblyomma neumanni Ribaga, 1902. Their ITS2 haplotypes were 95.8 to 96.0 identical to the single ITS-2 partial sequence of A. parvitarsum available in GenBank. In the phylogenetic trees inferred by both 16S rRNA and ITS2 partial sequences, A. monteiroae n. sp. formed a clade with A. parvitarsum, with A. neumanni branching sister to this clade. Amblyomma monteiroae n. sp. is genetically and morphologically related to A. parvitarsum. Both tick species are unique in combining the following morphological characters: scutum extensively ornate; eyes rounded and bulging; coxa I with two moderate pointed spurs, the external longer than the internal; a single triangular short spur on coxae II-III; presence of two spines on the tibia of legs II-IV; hypostomal dentition 3/3, trochanters without spurs. However, the males of the two species can be separated by specific features in palps and festoons, whereas the females differ in specific features of the coxal spurs. The larva of A. monteiroae n. sp. can be morphologically distinguished from A. parvitarsum only by morphometry, with the former species being slightly smaller. Currently, A. monteiroae n. sp. is restricted to southern Brazil, and the only known host is B. virginianus (Strigiformes: Strigidae). The present study increases the Amblyomma Brazilian fauna to 34 species.

Description of a new species within the Satyrium longicauda (Orchidaceae) complex from South Africa, based on integrative taxonomy

Although delimitations of plant species are traditionally based on the study of herbarium specimens, new species can also be identified using multiple lines of evidence (integrative taxonomy). An integrative approach was implemented to identify a new species of the orchid genus Satyrium from the Midlands area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, described here as S. cernuum. This species shares an overall similar floral morphology with five other sympatric morphotypes within the S. longicauda complex reported from the type locality but can be diagnosed by a combination of vegetative and floral traits and flowering phenology. According to a published phylogeny based on DNA sequences, the new species forms a monophyletic clade that is nested within S. longicauda and is supported as sister to the other S. longicauda morphotype that is uniquely characterised by a single erect leaf. The new species differs from this morphotype by the orientation of its flowers which are obtuse (vs. right-angled) relative to the inflorescence stem, spreading (vs. spreading to recurved) sepals, relatively short (vs. long) spurs that lack nectar and by its production of elevated levels of diacetin, a fatty-acid derived compound. Other S. longicauda morphotypes differ in the number and position of their leaves and a later flowering period. In addition, the new species is exclusively pollinated diurnally by the oil-collecting bee species Rediviva neliana, rather than being pollinated nocturnally by settling moths and hawkmoths; it is thus reproductively isolated from sympatric morphotypes. The formal recognition of the new species, which is known from two adjacent populations in an area of occupancy ≤1 km2 makes it a matter of immediate conservation concern. An identification key to the morphotypes of the S. longicauda complex from KwaZulu-Natal, including the newly described species, is provided. This study shows the value of using integrative taxonomy in the South African flora for the recognition of recently diverged taxa.

An Early Calcium Loading during Cherry Tree Dormancy Improves Fruit Quality Features at Harvest

The possible role of an early calcium application via sprays (0.25, 0.5 and 1M CaCl2) on dormant buds to improve sweet cherry (cv. Ferrovia) fruit quality at harvest was investigated. Fruit quality characteristics were also investigated in response to the age of spurs, the ripening stage, and their interactions. Results indicate that calcium enters the dormant flower buds and the phloem but not to the dormant vegetative buds. At harvest, the levels of Zn, Mn, and Cu were declined in fruits by increasing CaCl2 doses of sprays. Fruit respiratory activity was higher and on–tree fruit cracking was lower in red-colour (unripe) cherries as well as in fruit that was produced by 2-year-old short spurs or by Ca-treated buds. Differences in the sweet cherry skin metabolic profiles were identified. Fruit produced from Ca-exposed spurs exhibited lower levels of ribose and other cell-wall-related sugars and higher sucrose, maltose, and quininic acid levels. Nutrient shift was increased in red cherries, while anthocyanins were boosted in the black ones. PCA analysis was performed between the high dose of calcium spray and a control for mineral element content and cherry quality traits. This study illustrates that the high dose of calcium application during bud dormancy can effectively improve sweet cherry fruit characteristics, in terms of calcium content, cracking incidence, and fruit set. Overall, the present study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of calcium nutrition in fruit crops, which will provide references for alternative nutrient management and quality control in sweet cherry production.

Tigridiopalma exalata, a new and endangered species of Melastomataceae from China.

A new species of the genus Tigridiopalma, formerly considered monotypic, is here described as T. exalata and illustrated based on molecular and morphological evidence. It is morphologically similar to T. magnifica in having a short stem, huge basal leaves, scorpioid cymes, and 5-merous flowers, but differs in having ribbed and pale yellow puberulent petioles, purple petals with a small white apical patch, connectives of longer stamens with a distinct dorsal short spur at their base, and wingless capsules. Due to the restricted distribution, small populations and horticultural potential of this new species, it should be categorized as an Endangered species (EN).

A cross-sectional study to evaluate the validity of a novel patient-reported outcome measure of medication adherence in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Introduction The average medication adherence (MA) among patients in developed countries living with a chronic disease is estimated to be roughly 50%.(1) Non-adherence is multi-factorial, owing to socio-economic and clinical factors, as well as arguably the most important factor, patients’ health beliefs and experiences. Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are often uni-dimensional in their assessment of drivers of MA. This study has evaluated a novel PROM as part of a wider international research initiative focused on Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) which assesses four key factors of MA referred to as Social (S), Psychological (P), Usage (U) and Rationale (R), in short SPUR®. Aim To compare the validity of SPUR® against previously validated PROMs in patients with T2D. Methods This South London cross-sectional study surveyed adult participants with a confirmed diagnosis of T2D prescribed a minimum of one anti-hyperglycaemic medicine. Surveys were administered face-to-face by community pharmacists using a convenience sampling method based on interactions with pharmacy patients. The survey consisted of questions relating to socio-demographic and clinical data, the SPUR® tool and three previously validated PROMs (BeMQ-General®, MARS-10® and BeMQ-Specific®) as comparators to evaluate factors P, U and R respectively. The Medication Possession Ratio (MPR), a measure of a patient’s pill count in a given time period, was used as an objective comparator of adherence. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to determine the strength of association between the validated PROMs and SPUR®, with T tests used as a measure of significance (p=<0.05) as an evaluation of validity for SPUR®. Results The survey response rate was 21.6% (n=149/690). The modal age range for participants was 60–69 years of age (40.1%, n=60). Participants were predominantly educated to degree level (29.5%, n=44), White (48.3%, n=72) and retired (28.9%, n=43). Overall, 47.6% (n=71) of participants identified as female. Body Mass Index (BMI) data were available for 88.6% (n=132) of the sample with 42.4% (n=56/132) reporting a BMI >30. In ascending order, moderate to strong positive correlations were observed between SPUR® and the comparative PROMs for factors P (r=0.464, p=<0.0001), U (r=0.595, p=<0.0001) and R (r=0.719, p=<0.0001), indicating SPUR® to be a reliable measure of those MA factors. When assessing MA objectively, SPUR® demonstrated the strongest correlation (r=0.281, p=<0.0001) to MPR compared with the validated tools, with MARS-10® as the closest comparator (r=0.266, p=0.001). Despite this, SPUR® did not overestimate MA, 83.8% (n=125) of the sample was identified as adherent based on MPR compared to 53% (n=79) with SPUR®. The latter more closely reflecting HbA1c data which identified 55.4% (n=31/56) as adherent. Conclusion Study strengths include the implementation of validated PROMs and two objective MA measures; however, the study sample size was limited. SPUR® has demonstrated its validity against validated PROMs whilst predicting adherence levels without exaggeration, which is often attributed to crude objective measures such as MPR.(2) SPUR® may therefore holistically identify the multiple factors linked to non-adherence, thus supporting the design of individualised interventions.. Such interventions are deemed by the World Health Organisation as potentially more impactful than developing new treatments.(1)

Новый вид Corydalis (Fumariaceae) из Синьцзяна (Китай)

A new species Corydalis nodosa Mikhailova (sect. Strictae (Fedde) Wendelbo) is described from NW China, Xinjiang, Tian Shan mountain system, Dzharges ridge. The new species differs from C. tianshanica Lidén by its larger size, shorter pedicels, and shorter spur; from C. laxifloraLidén by biternate leaves, a short racemose inflorescence, missing bracteoles, and smaller size. From the two above-mentioned species, it differs by nodose last year’s stems.

Syllidae (Annelida) from East Timor and the Philippines (Pacific Ocean), with the description of three new species of Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818.

East Timor is an island located to the south of the Indonesian Archipelago and to the north of Australia, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is included in the Coral Triangle and houses an amazing quantity of marine biodiversity. However, only two species of Syllidae (Annelida) have been reported up to now: Trypanosyllis migueli and T. devae. Based on a small collection from the Australian Museum, we have identified nine genera and 17 species: Brevicirrosyllis mariae, Opisthodonta morena, Sphaerosyllis densopapillata, Branchiosyllis australis, B. exilis, B. maculata, B. verruculosa, Haplosyllis djiboutiensis, Opisthosyllis brunnea, Syllis alternata, S. broomensis, S. corallicola, S. erikae, S. gerlachi, S. hyalina, S. setoensis and Trypanosyllis luzonensis. This is the first record of S. gerlachi outside the Indian Ocean, and B. mariae, O. morena, S. densopapillata, H. djiboutiensis, S. corallicola and S. erikae have not been previously reported in tropical Asia. A specimen of Parahaplosyllis sp. could not be identified due to its poor condition. Three species belonging to Syllis are herein described as new: S. cambuk n. sp. has a large size body, with anterior segments much wider and shorter than posterior ones, long whip-shaped dorsal cirri and bidentate midbody and posterior chaetae, with both teeth equal in size and shape; Syllis hampirmenyatu n. sp. has three chaetae per posterior parapodium, with short and wide blades appearing to be fused with shafts, but still clearly distinguishable from each other, bidentate, with proximal tooth clearly smaller and thinner than distal one; and S. maganda n. sp. is easily recognizable because of its spectacular orange and blue colouration, only observable in living specimens, with broad transverse red stripes on the dorsum forming a distinctive pattern and red spots on the cirri and prostomium observable in both living and fixed specimens. Additionally, Philippine samples from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales of Madrid have been examined corresponding to S. maganda n. sp. A Philippine specimen of S. maganda n. sp. had a small unidentified specimen of Haplosyllis attached to a posterior dorsal cirrus, which is the first documented case of such an interaction between two species of Syllidae. This provisionally called Haplosyllis sp. is characterized by its simple chaetae with short spur and two very long, distinct curved teeth, very close to each other. A regenerated prostomium and a stolon were also found in other Philippine specimens of S. maganda n. sp.

Continuous petal variation in Epimedium tianmenshanense (Berberidaceae), a taxon endemic to western Hunan, China

In the protologue, Epimedium tianmenshanense (Berberidaceae), a species endemic to western Hunan, China, was described as ‘flower small, 0.2–0.4 cm diam., inner sepals white, petals as long as inner sepals or a little shorter than the latter, spur very short, ca 5.0 mm’. However, both morphological characteristics and molecular evidence suggest that E. tianmenshanense is closely related to E. baojingense, a taxon with a long spur, thus suggesting that the size of the floral parts is not as reliable as previously believed. When investigating the variability of E. tianmenshanense in more detail, in the field as well as in cultivation, we found that the petals were are highly variable in morphology (both shape and size), being cucullate, subulate, short to long spurred, and with various transitions. The flowers size varied from small to large accordingly. The flowers with cucullate and subulate petals, which were a little shorter than the inner sepals or almost as long as the latter, were small (about 0.8 cm in diameter). The flowers with long spurs, which were much longer than the inner sepals, were also large (about 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter). Finally, the flowers with short spurs, which were a little longer than the inner sepals, were medium‐sized (about 1.0–1.2 cm in diameter). In addition, the color of inner sepals was revised from ‘white, occasionally light mulberry‐purple’ to yellowish green or yellowish white. Epimedium tianmenshanense is a perfect example of natural petal evolution, which could be used for further taxonomic and evolutionary studies. The reason for the variation and the taxonomic treatment of the species still need further study.

Implementation of Morphological Operation through Intercept Based Euclidean Distance Algorithm

Skeletonization is the process of extracting the region-based shape features that represents a common form of original object. It can be employed to binary images that produces alternative binary image as the resulting output. The main goal of thinning is to degrade particular foreground pixels from original input image. A pruning focused on removing short spurs present in an image. By Employing morphological operation for the process of extracting skeleton can be used in wide range of application. In this paper, we proposed a model which is a robust intercept based Euclidean distance (IBED) algorithm to perform morphological operation to extract the surface of the skeleton from the computed Tomography image. In this edge points of the skeleton have been analyzed over set extraction, hence the characterization has been improved by presenting a novel skeleton with edge points. The index value, edge points, Euclidean distance and fracture length have been calculated. The proposed technique is employed to four men and two women with different fractures in CT scanned image.

Breeding of a fragrant, multiflora Phalaenopsis by Neofinetia intergeneric hybrid orchid cultivar, ‘Pinky Beauty’

The Chungcheongbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Service has developed a new intergenic hybrid orchid cultivar released under the name ‘Pinky Beauty.’ The marketable qualities of this new cultivar include an abundance of flowers, a good fragrance, and a relatively long flowering period. It was derived from an initial intergeneric cross between (Phalaenopsis pulcherrima x P. parishii ) x Neofinetia falcata ‘Hwacheon’ in 2007. The seed germination, cultivation, selection, and characteristic evaluation trials were conducted from 2008 to 2014. After selecting a line that grew well and had desirably shaped and colored flowers, its morphological characteristics were investigated, from 2015 to 2017, according to the survey standard for agricultural experimentation and research that is used for the evaluation of new N. falcata varieties. The selection had pink flowers, which were determined to be Red-purple Group 68D based on the RHS color chart, on a dark green stem. The length of the flower stem was measured on average to be 25.8 cm, and the number of flowers per stem was 16.3. The width of a typical flower was about 2.5 cm, and the flowers had a short spur similar to N. falcata on the back of the lip. The plant height was on average 12.7 cm, which is similar to the control cultivar P. pulcherrima, while the leaf width was 1.6 cm. The overall volume of the flower pot was high. The flowering time of the hybrid was in late May, and its flowering period was about 34 days. Furthermore, it had a noticeably pleasant scent. Due to this desirable combination of characteristics, the selection was released as the cultivar ‘Pinky Beauty’ in 2018.

A new species of the genus Polyphena Solovyev, 2014 (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) from China.

Polyphena chongzuoensis sp. nov. is described from China, as the twelfth species of Polyphena Solovyev, 2014. This new species is morphologically similar to P. bana (Cai, 1983), but differs in male genitalia from the latter by short spurs of anellus and aedeagus without obvious apical processes. Male adult and its genitalia are illustrated. The new species is supported molecularly by the analysis of pairwise genetic distances from a 658 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, with the minimum distance value of 6.4% from its allied species P. annae.

Butterfly pollination of Bonatea cassidea (Orchidaceae): Solving a puzzle from the Darwin era

Although moths and butterflies are closely related, they tend to respond to different floral cues for foraging and thus select for different suites of floral traits. Shifts between moth and butterfly pollination in the same plant clade provide an opportunity to assess the traits that are required to impart a shift between these pollination systems. The orchid genus Bonatea consists mostly of night-scented moth-pollinated taxa, but here we document a butterfly pollination system in Bonatea cassidea, a century after Mansel Weale's initial observations of butterflies carrying pollinaria of this taxon in South Africa were communicated to the Linnean Society by Charles Darwin. We recorded visits by a number of species of butterflies from the family Hesperiidae and Pieridae, but contrary to Weale, we found that the majority of pollinaria were firmly affixed between the palpi and not on the sternum. Removal of pollinaria from flowers during the day, but not at night, suggested that moths do not contribute to pollination, despite the white flower colouration. Floral traits found in B. cassidea but not its moth-pollinated congeners include diurnal anthesis, scent emission which is weak in the day and virtually absent at night, and the production of small amounts of relatively dilute sucrose-rich nectar in short spurs. These features are consistent with those expected for butterfly-pollinated plants in general. This study represents the first detailed report of butterfly-pollination in Bonatea and one of very few cases of orchid pollination by pierid butterflies.

Iosanthus (Hyacinthaceae subfam. Urgineoideae), a new genus from Southern Africa to include Ornithogalum toxicarium and its removal from Ornithogaloideae

In the framework of a taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae based on morphological and genetic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus from Southern Africa. Iosanthus gen. nov. includes Ornithogalum toxicarium, a highly toxic species originally placed in subfamily Ornithogaloideae. However, our morphological studies support its inclusion in subfamily Urgineoideae based on the small bracts with a slight curve or short spur abaxially, the withered perigone circumscissile below and forming an apical cap and widely winged seeds with loose testa, a treatment also supported by its isolated phylogenetic position within this subfamily that facilitates the description of the new genus. Moreover, we also show that the holotype collection of this species represents a mixed collection of O. toxicarium in flower and an Albuca sp. in fruit, and therefore a lectotype is selected to maintain the current concept of this species.

Equipped for Migrations Across High Latitude Regions? Reduced Spur Length and Outcrossing Rate in a Biennial Halenia elliptica (Gentianaceae) With Mixed Mating System Along a Latitude Gradient.

Halenia (Gentianaceae) originated from the mountain regions of East Asia, and diversified in America following long migrations via Beringia. While Halenia elliptica, one species of the genus in China, migrated toward high latitudes in China. Spur length of H. elliptica is highly variable. We examined the relationship between spur length and mating pattern along a latitude gradient. Field experiments were performed in two populations of H. elliptica, and we found that this species could produce seeds via both autonomous selfing and the aid of pollinators, suggesting a mixed mating system. In seven populations of H. elliptica along a latitudinal gradient, we found a trend of decrease in spur length with the increase of latitude. Based on molecular data from 11 microsatellite loci, we found that multilocus outcrossing rate decreased with the increase of latitude while the estimated inbreeding depression increased significantly, indicating that a high degree of inbreeding depression might have prevented evolution toward complete selfing in the high latitude populations with short spur length, and thus maintained mixed mating system of H. elliptica. Our results suggest that the mixed mating system of this species might be helpful in overcoming pollinator scarcity in newly colonized populations toward high latitudes after its origination in the mountain regions of China, and the decrease of spur length in the high latitude populations could result from reduced resource allocation to pollinator associated traits.

Evolution of nectar spur length in a clade of Linaria reflects changes in cell division rather than in cell expansion.

Background and AimsNectar spurs (tubular outgrowths of a floral organ which contain, or give the appearance of containing, nectar) are hypothesized to be a ‘key innovation’ which can lead to rapid speciation within a lineage, because they are involved in pollinator specificity. Despite the ecological importance of nectar spurs, relatively little is known about their development. We used a comparative approach to investigate variation in nectar spur length in a clade of eight Iberian toadflaxes.MethodsSpur growth was measured at the macroscopic level over time in all eight species, and growth rate and growth duration compared. Evolution of growth rate was reconstructed across the phylogeny. Within the clade we then focused on Linaria becerrae and Linaria clementei, a pair of sister species which have extremely long and short spurs, respectively. Characterization at a micromorphological level was performed across a range of key developmental stages to determine whether the difference in spur length is due to differential cell expansion or cell division.Key ResultsWe detected a significant difference in the evolved growth rates, while developmental timing of both the initiation and the end of spur growth remained similar. Cell number is three times higher in the long spurred L. becerrae compared with L. clementei, whereas cell length is only 1.3 times greater. In addition, overall anisotropy of mature cells is not significantly different between the two species.ConclusionsWe found that changes in cell number and therefore in cell division largely explain evolution of spur length. This contrasts with previous studies in Aquilegia which have found that variation in nectar spur length is due to directed cell expansion (anisotropy) over variable time frames. Our study adds to knowledge about nectar spur development in a comparative context and indicates that different systems may have evolved nectar spurs using disparate mechanisms.

High fruit sets in a rewardless orchid: a case study of obligate agamospermy in Habenaria

Low fruit set and pollination limitation are common characteristics of non-autogamous orchids, especially in rewardless species. The flowers of many Habenaria species are often characterised by long spurs and are mostly pollinated by long-tongued hawkmoths or butterflies. Unlike the flowers of other Habenaria species, the flowers of Habenaria malintana (Blanco) Merr. have very short spurs with no nectar or scent; however, this species is able to maintain high fecundity in south-west China. Breeding system experiments suggested that H. malintana is an obligate agamospermous orchid. Seed set did not need to be triggered by pollen grain deposition on stigmas, and ~100% fruit set was found in different populations and years. In pollen germination experiments, hand-deposited pollen failed to germinate on stigmas. The flowers of H. malintana failed to attract any pollinators, as we did not observe any floral visitors, and no pollinia removal or deposition occurred in both 2013 and 2014 at two study sites. These results strongly suggested that H. malintana has completely abandoned sexual reproduction and has adopted obligate agamospermy to achieve high reproductive output. We suggest that this strategy may have evolved to provide reproductive assurance and reduce the cost of flowers in response to unreliable pollinator service.

Bredia changii, a new species of Melastomataceae from Jiangxi, China

A new species, Bredia changii W.Y. Zhao, X.H. Zhan & W.B. Liao (Melastomataceae) is described from Jiangxi Province, China. Bredia changii is distinguished from other species of Bredia by its slender, creeping stem and terminal, solitary flower (seldom two flowers) and stamens almost equal in shape and length. The species is most similar to Bredia microphylla, which differs from the latter by the leaves 2–3.5 × 1.7–3.2 cm, papery, the margin obviously toothed, and homomorphic stamens, the connective without a short spur. The morphological characters of Fordiophyton repens are also similar to Bredia changii, but the stamens of F. repens are obviously dimorphic.

On Blaps Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Western Kazakhstan with description of a new species from Tyuleniy Archipelago (Caspian Sea).

A new species of darkling beetles Blaps caspicasp.n. from Western Kazakhstan Kulaly Island (Tyuleniy Archipelago, Caspian Sea) is described. This new taxon belongs to the 6^thgroup of the 2^ndsection according to Seidlitz's classification and is most similar to Blaps kadyrbekovi G.Medvedev, 2004, B. lethifera Marsham, 1802 and B.parvicollis Zoubkoff, 1829. Blaps caspicasp.n. differs from B.kadyrbekovi by the presence of a hair tuft between male abdominal ventrites 1 and2, from B.parvicollis by having narrow acute short spurs on the mesotibiae, the structure of the gastral spicula, ovipositor and female genital tubes, from B.lethifera by the slender elliptic body, punctated (not granulated) epipleura and the structure of the female genital tubes. Images, an identification key and local distribution are given for ten Western Kazakhstan species of the genus Blaps Fabricius, 1775.