Species Nova Research Articles

Arthrobacter pokkalii sp nov, a Novel Plant Associated Actinobacterium with Plant Beneficial Properties, Isolated from Saline Tolerant Pokkali Rice, Kerala, India.

A novel yellow colony-forming bacterium, strain P3B162T was isolated from the pokkali rice rhizosphere from Kerala, India, as part of a project study aimed at isolating plant growth beneficial rhizobacteria from saline tolerant pokkali rice and functionally evaluate their abilities to promote plant growth under saline conditions. The novel strain P3B162T possesses plant growth beneficial traits such as positive growth on 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), production of indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore. In addition, it also showed important phenotypic characters such as ability to form biofilm and utilization of various components of plant root exudates (sugars, amino acids and organic acids), clearly indicating its lifestyle as a plant rhizosphere associated bacterium. Taxonomically, the novel strain P3B162T was affiliated to the genus Arthrobacter based on the collective results of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses. Moreover, molecular analysis using 16S rRNA gene showed Arthrobacter globiformis NBRC 12137T, Arthrobacter pascens DSM 20545T and Arthrobacter liuii DSXY973T as the closely related phylogenetic neighbours, showing more than 98% 16S rRNA similarity values, whereas the recA gene analysis displayed Arthrobacter liuii JCM 19864T as the nearest neighbour with 94.7% sequence similarity and only 91.7% to Arthrobacter globiformis LMG 3813T and 88.7% to Arthrobacter pascens LMG 16255T. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain P3B162T, Arthrobacter globiformis LMG 3813T, Arthrobacter pascens LMG 16255T and Arthrobacter liuii JCM 19864T was below 50%. In addition, the novel strain P3B162T can be distinguished from its closely related type strains by several phenotypic characters such as colony pigment, tolerance to NaCl, motility, reduction of nitrate, hydrolysis of DNA, acid from sucrose, cell wall sugars and cell wall peptidoglycan structure. In conclusion, the combined results of this study support the classification of strain P3B162T as a novel Arthrobacter species and we propose Arthrobacter pokkalii sp.nov.as its name. The type strain is P3B162T (= KCTC 29498T = MTCC 12358T).

Paeonia sandrae (Paeoniaceae) species nova of Sardinia and relationship with peonies of Corsica and Sicily

Paeonia sandrae (Paeoniaceae) species nova of Sardinia and relationship with peonies of Corsica and Sicily

Leaf evolution in early-diverging ferns: insights from a new fern-like plant from the Late Devonian of China.

With the exception of angiosperms, the main euphyllophyte lineages (i.e. ferns sensu lato, progymnosperms and gymnosperms) had evolved laminate leaves by the Late Devonian. The evolution of laminate leaves, however, remains unclear for early-diverging ferns, largely represented by fern-like plants. This study presents a novel fern-like taxon with pinnules, which provides new insights into the early evolution of laminate leaves in early-diverging ferns. Macrofossil specimens were collected from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Wutong Formation of Anhui and Jiangsu Provinces, South China. A standard degagement technique was employed to uncover compressed plant portions within the rock matrix. A new fern-like taxon, SHOUGANGIA BELLA GEN ET SP NOV: , is described and represents an early-diverging fern with highly derived features. It has a partially creeping stem with adventitious roots only on one side, upright primary and secondary branches arranged in helices, tertiary branches borne alternately or (sub)oppositely, laminate and usually lobed leaves with divergent veins, and complex fertile organs terminating tertiary branches and possessing multiple divisions and numerous terminal sporangia. Shougangia bella provides unequivocal fossil evidence for laminate leaves in early-diverging ferns. It suggests that fern-like plants, along with other euphyllophyte lineages, had independently evolved megaphylls by the Late Devonian, possibly in response to a significant decline in atmospheric CO2 concentration. Among fern-like plants, planate ultimate appendages are homologous with laminate pinnules, and in the evolution of megaphylls, fertile organs tend to become complex.

Stachys gaziantepensis (Lamiaceae), a New Species from South Anatolia, Turkey

Stachys gaziantepensis species nova is de- scribed and illustrated. It exhibits general features of the section Infrarosularis. However, it differs from the other species of the section from Turkey by its slender appear- ance. In addition, while the other species of the section grow on limestone or serpentine rocks, the new species grows on marble rocks. Diagnostic characters of S. gaziantepensis from sect. Infrarosularis species, especially from its closest relative S. pumila and S. choruhensis with extreme distribution, are discussed. In addition to its more slender appearance, it differs from S. pumila by its indu- mentum, leaf shape, inflorescence, calyx size and shape, corolla size and colour; from S. choruhensis by its indu- mentum, stem ramification, leaf shape, inflorescence and corolla colour according to the observations. The accom- panying taxa within its habitat are given. The conservation status of the new species is also evaluated based on population density and possible threats within presently known locality.

Revision of the genus Pseudapanteles (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), with emphasis on the species in Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica.

Pseudapanteles is a moderately diverse genus of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), endemic to the New World and with the vast majority of its species (including many undescribed) in the Neotropical region. We describe here 25 new species from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), northwestern Costa Rica, based on 400 studied specimens. A key to all 36 known species of Pseudapanteles is provided (except for Pseudapanteles brunneus, only known from a single male), and species are placed in three newly created species-groups. Host records are known for only 25% of the species; most are solitary parasitoids of the caterpillars of several families of small Lepidoptera (Crambidae, Elachistidae, Gelechiidae, Incurvariidae, Sesiidae, Tineidae). DNA barcodes (part of the CO1 gene) were obtained for 30 species (83%), and provide a start for future study of the genus beyond ACG. Brief descriptions (generated by Lucid 3.5 software) and extensive illustrations are provided for all species. The following new taxonomic and nomenclatural acts are proposed: Pseudapanteles moerens (Nixon, 1965), comb. n., Pseudapanteles brunneus Ashmead, 1900, comb. rev., a lectotype is designated for Pseudapanteles ruficollis (Cameron, 1911), and the following 25 species nova of Pseudapanteles (all authored by Fernández-Triana and Whitfield): alfiopivai, alvaroumanai, analorenaguevarae, carlosespinachi, carlosrodriguezi, christianafigueresae, hernanbravoi, jorgerodriguezi, josefigueresi, laurachinchillae, luisguillermosolisi, margaritapenonae, mariobozai, mariocarvajali, maureenballesteroae, munifigueresae, oscarariasi, ottonsolisi, pedroleoni, raulsolorzanoi, renecastroi, rodrigogamezi, rosemarykarpinskiae, soniapicadoae, teofilodelatorrei.

Taxonomic complexity in the halophyte Limonium vulgare and related taxa (Plumbaginaceae): insights from analysis of morphological, reproductive and karyological data.

Limonium is a well-known example of a group of plants that is taxonomically complex due to certain biological characteristics that hamper species' delineation. The closely related polyploid species Limonium vulgare Mill., L. humile Mill. and L. narbonense Mill. are defined species and can be used for studying patterns of morphological and reproductive variation. The first two taxa are usually found in Atlantic Europe and the third in the Mediterranean region, but a number of intermediate morphological forms may be present alongside typical examples of these species. This study attempts to elucidate morphological, floral and karyological diversity representative of these taxa in the Iberian Peninsula. The extent of morphological differentiation was tested through comparison of 197 specimens from both Portugal and Spain using 17 descriptive morphological characters and 19 diagnostic morphometric characters. Analyses of floral morphisms (heterostyly and pollen-stigma dimorphism) and karyological determinations were also conducted. Discriminant analysis using morphometric variables reliably assigned individuals in natural populations to their respective groups. In addition, the results provide the first direct evidence that L. narbonense and a new species, LIMONIUM MARITIMUM: Caperta, Cortinhas, Paes, Guara, Espírito-Santo and Erben, SP NOV: , related to L. vulgare are present on Portuguese coasts. Most of these species are found together in mixed populations, especially L. vulgare and L. narbonense. It is hypothesized that taxonomic biodiversity found in sites where distinct species co-occur facilitates the evolutionary processes of hybridization, introgression and apomixis. This study therefore contributes to the elucidation of the taxonomic diversity in L. vulgare-related species and may also help in implementing future conservation programmes to maintain the evolutionary processes generating biodiversity.

Mycobacterium Brisbanense Species Nova Isolated From a Patient With Chronic Cavitary Lung Infection

We describe the first case, to our knowledge, of Mycobacterium brisbanense species nova with the type strain W6743T (=ATCC 49938T=DSM 44680T) isolated from the lungs of a man with a 6-month history of productive cough and intermittent fever presenting with acute hypoglycemia. A CT scan of the thorax revealed multiple small nodules and consolidation over both lungs with cavitation. Sputum culture repeatedly grew M brisbanense species nova, a novel species never before isolated in Malaysia. The case met the American Thoracic Society criteria for the diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. There was dramatic clinical and radiologic response to treatment with an empirical combination of rifampicin, ethambutol, and levofloxacin and subsequently clarithromycin and levofloxacin once sensitivity was known. This report is the first, to our knowledge, of the pathogen isolated in a patient with chronic cavitary lung infection since it was first identified from an antral sinus in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and the first time it is isolated from a human subject in Malaysia.

Schistura sexnubes, a new diminutive river loach from the upper Mekong basin, Yunnan Province, China (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae).

An ichthyofaunistic survey of Mekong tributaries in Lincang Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China yielded a new species of nemacheilid loach, herein described as Schistura sexnubes species nova. The new species is readily distinguishable from its congeners by the following combination of characters: 8+8 branched caudal fin rays, an incomplete lateral line, a dissociated caudal bar, a shallow caudal peduncle depth (7.6%-9.6% SL; respectively caudal peduncle 1.76-1.95 times longer than deep), a diminutive size of less than 50 mm SL, and no sexual dimorphism. A dorsocephalic pattern consisting of a black, forward directed V-shaped formation located between the nares, and a white, ovoid blotch on the upper operculum serves as an autapomorphy.

Carnivorous diving beetles of the genus Desmopachria (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Brazil: new species, new records, and a checklist.

Eight new species of DesmopachriaBabington, 1841 are described and illustrated from Brazil: D. dicrophallica sp. nov. , D. disticta sp. nov. , D. grammosticta sp. nov. , D . grandinigra sp. nov. , D. itamontensis sp. nov. , D. leptophallica sp. nov. , D. stethothrix sp. nov. , and D. ukuki sp. nov. The species D. amyaeMiller, 2001 , D. cheiMiller, 1999 , D. margarita Young, 1990, and D. volatidiscaMiller, 2001 are recorded for the first time from Brazil. From species of the Desmopachria reported in Brazil, D. aldessaYoung, 1980 has a new record from Pará state and D. fossulataZimmermann, 1928, D. granoidesYoung, 1986 , and D. laevis Sharp, 1882 have new records from Rio de Janeiro State. A checklist of all Desmopachria recorded from Brazil is presented with notes about some of the localities. Resumo Oito espécies novas de DesmopachriaBabington, 1841 são descritas e ilustradas para o Brasil, D. dicrophallica sp. nov. , D. disticta sp. nov. , D. grammosticta sp. nov. , D . grandinigra sp. nov., D. itamontensis sp. nov., D. leptophallica sp. nov., D. stethothrix sp. nov. e D. ukuki sp. nov. As espécies D. amyaeMiller, 2001, D. cheiMiller, 1999 , D. margarita Young, 1990 e D. volatidiscaMiller, 2001 são registradas pela primeira vez para o Brasil. Das espécies de Desmopachria registradas para o Brasil D. aldessaYoung, 1980 tem um novo registro para o estado do Pará e D. fossulataZimmermann, 1928 , D. granoidesYoung, 1986 e D. laevis Sharp, 1882 têm novos registros para o estado do Rio de Janeiro. Uma listagem de todos os Desmopachria registrados para o Brasil é apresentada, com notas acerca de algumas localidades.

Revision of the genus Endochilus Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Chilocorini).

The members of the endemic African genus EndochilusWeise, 1898 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Chilocorini) are redescribed, diagnosed, and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for Endochilus compater Weise, Endochilus minor Weise, Endochilus plagiatus Sicard, Endochilus rubicundus Weise, and Endochilus styx Sicard. One new species is described: Endochilus abdominalissp. nov. Notes on the genus and nomenclatural history for each species are provided. A key for iden- tification of all species is presented. Adult characters concerning similarities of Endochilus to other genera of African Chilocorini are discussed.

Description of new species of leaf miners (Diptera Agromyzidae) associated with leguminous host described from northern India

A total of 28 species of agromyzid flies belonging to 7 genera have been reared and described on 34 different leguminous host -plants from Pantnagar, Nainital, Northern India. 13 agromyzid flies have been described as new species viz., Japanagromyza species nova (sp.n.) ex leaves of Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth; Liriomyza sp.n. ex leaves of Vicia sativa Linn.; Liriomyza sp.n. ex leaves of Vicia faba Linn.; Malanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Cassia sp.; Melanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Pisum sativum Linn. Melanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Trifolium pratense Linn.; Melanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Vicia faba Linn.; Ophiomyia sp.n. ex stems of Pueraria Phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth; Ophiomyia sp.n. ex stems of Sesbania aculeata Pers.; Ophiomyiz sp.n. ex stem of Vigna mungo (Linn.) Heeper and Ophiomyia sp.n. ex stems of Vigna mungo (Linn.) Heeper. Large numbers of host plants have been recorded as new host for various agromyzid species. More than one thousand male genitalia slides have been prepared for this study. Variations in morphology and genitalia characters have also been illustrated within the species. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7474 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 66-82 (2011)

Mid-Mesozoic Flea-like Ectoparasites of Feathered or Haired Vertebrates

Parasite-host associations among insects and mammals or birds are well attended by neontological studies [1]. An Eocene bird louse compression fossil [2, 3] and several flea specimens from Eocene and Oligocene ambers [4-8], reported to date, are exceptionally similar to living louse and flea taxa. But the origin, morphology, and early evolution of parasites and their associations with hosts are poorly known [9, 10] due to sparse records of putative ectoparasites with uncertain classification in the Mesozoic, most lacking mouthpart information and other critical details of the head morphology [11-15]. Here we present two primitive flea-like species assigned to the Pseudopulicidae Gao, Shih et Ren familia nova (fam. nov.), Pseudopulex jurassicus Gao, Shih et Ren genus novum et species nova (gen. et sp. nov) from the Middle Jurassic [16] and P. magnus Gao, Shih et Ren sp. nov. from the Early Cretaceous in China [17]. They exhibit many features of ectoparasitic insects. Large body size and long serrated stylets for piercing tough and thick skin or hides of hosts suggest that these primitive ectoparasites might have lived on and sucked the blood of relatively large hosts, such as contemporaneous feathered dinosaurs and/or pterosaurs or medium-sized mammals (found in the Early Cretaceous, but not the Middle Jurassic).

A new species of the Liolaemus darwinii group (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Salta Province, Argentina

We describe a new species of the iguanian genus Liolaemus of Northwestern Argentina in Salta Province. This new lizard is a member of the L. boulengeri group, and within this group it is a member of the L. darwinii subgroup. With the addition of the species described here, the L. darwinii group now contains 19 species. Like most of the members of this group, the new taxon exhibits sexual dichromatism, showing a unique color pattern in males and females. The color pattern is characterized by the presence of a pre-scapular spot and lateral black stripes, unique within the L. darwinii group. Liolaemus diaguita sp nov inhabits a region where bushes are the predominant vegetation, in Quebrada de Las Conchas, in Guachipas Department, Salta Province, which has an elevation between 1200–2500 m.

Phylogenetic relationships and divergence date estimates among Australo‐Papuan mosaic‐tailed rats from the Uromys division (Rodentia: Muridae)

Bryant, L. M., Donnellan, S. C., Hurwood, D. A. & Fuller, S. J. (2011). Phylogenetic relationships and divergence date estimates among Australo‐Papuan mosaic‐tailed rats from the Uromys division (Rodentia: Muridae). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 433–447.We inferred phylogenetic relationships and divergence date estimates among four genera of mosaic‐tailed rats from the Uromys division in Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands from both mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear (AP5 and DHFR introns) nucleotide sequence data. Phylogenetic analysis of our combined data shows that Melomys species from Australia and New Guinea are monophyletic to the exclusion of Paramelomys, which last shared a common ancestor with other members of the Uromys division approximately 3 MYA. However, Melomys was found to be paraphyletic with respect to the Solomon Islands endemic Solomys, suggesting the taxonomic distinction of the latter may need revision. The radiation of this group was estimated to have occurred between 2.1 MYA and 900 000 years ago. A currently undescribed taxon, species nova, which is apparently morphologically indistinguishable from sympatric M. cervinipes, was found to be a highly distinctive lineage and was not monophyletic with Melomys from Australia or New Guinea. Australian Uromys share a sister group relationship with sp. n. and the Melomys/Solomys clade. Australian Melomys were not monophyletic with respect to New Guinean Melomys. The New Guinean M. lutillus and Australian M. burtoni appear to be conspecific, supporting a previous suggestion that M. burtoni has an extralimital distribution encompassing New Guinea as M. lutillus. This also suggests sustained contact between these taxa, most likely enabled through historical landbridges that linked the two landmasses during periods of lower sea level. Melomys rubicola, found only on Bramble Cay, 50 km south of New Guinea, is more closely related to Australian Melomys, particularly M. capensis, than to any of the New Guinean species. Results suggest that M. rubicola and M. capensis last shared a common ancestor in the early Pleistocene, a time when land bridges existed connecting Bramble Cay to Cape York. Finally, polyphyly within M. cervinipes was also detected, corresponding to reciprocally monophyletic northern and southern clades. The northern M. cervinipes clade diverged from the M. capensis/rubicola clade approximately 1.2 MYA, with this split possibly resulting from isolation across the Normanby gap in far north Queensland.

Mini Review Article: An annotated list of newPhytophthoraspecies described post 1996

The mini review gives the list of 39 novel Phytophthora species and 2 species hybrids identified and described by various authors following the publication of the handbook of Erwin and Ribeiro (1996). Based upon original reports, sources and locations of isolations, morpho-physiological features and phylogenetic status of each species nova , as compared to previously known species are also summarized. Ultimately, a list of taxa to be formally described outlines prospects of further research.

A primitive sauropodomorph from the upper Elliot Formation of Lesotho

AbstractA well-preserved, articulated dinosaur skeleton from southern Africa is described. The specimen comes from the upper Elliot Formation (?Hettangian) of Ha Ralekoala (Lesotho) and represents a new species:Ignavusaurus rachelisgenus et species nova. A cladistic analysis suggests thatIgnavusaurusis more derived thanThecodontosaurus–Pantydraco, but more primitive thanEfraasia.Ignavusaurusindeed shares a number of unambiguous synapomorphies with the taxa more derived thanThecodontosaurus–Pantydraco, such as a fully open acetabulum, but it is more plesiomorphic thanEfraasiaand more derived sauropodomorphs as shown by the evidence of, for instance, the distal extremity of its tibia that is is longer (cranio-caudally) than wide (latero-medially). The discovery ofIgnavusaurusincreases the known diversity of the early sauropodomorph fauna of the upper Elliot Formation, which stands as one of the richest horizons in the world in this respect.

Sarcocystis calchasi sp. nov. of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) and the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): light and electron microscopical characteristics

A novel highly pathogenic Sarcocystis species has been shown to cycle between the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) as definitive host and the domestic pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) as intermediate host. However, genetically based characteristics are only available from very few bird-infecting Sarcocystis species. We therefore further characterised morphological properties of this protozoan in both hosts. Using light and electron microscopy, oocysts and sporocysts as well as schizonts and sarcocysts were characterised and compared with available morphological features of previously reported Sarcocystis species of Northern goshawks, Columbidae and genetically closely related species of other avian hosts. Sporocysts shed from day 6 on after experimental infection by the Northern goshawk were of ovoid appearance (11.9 x 7.9 microm). Ultrastructurally, schizonts of all developmental stages were found in the liver, spleen and next to or in endothelial cells of various organs of domestic pigeons 7 to 12 days after experimental infection. The cyst wall surface of slender sarcocysts (1 to 2 mm in length and 20 to 50 microm in width) was smooth and lacked protrusions. Cystozoites were lancet-shaped and measured 7.5 x 1.5 microm in Giemsa stain smears. The morphological findings, when combined with data of experimental infection and genetic studies, convergently indicate that the recently discovered Sarcocystis species represents a new species. We therefore propose to name this parasite Sarcocystis calchasi species nova.

Pseudopolydora species associated with mollusc shells on the south coast of South Africa, with the description of Ps. dayii, sp nov.

Two species of the genus Pseudopolydora, Ps. dayii, sp. nov. and Ps. antennata, were associated with gastropods on the south and south-east coasts of South Africa. Pseudopolydora dayii is characterized by prominent post-chaetal notopodial lobes on chaetiger 1 with very long chaetae, a prominent occipital tentacle, having hooded hooks that start on chaetiger 9, branchiae that start on chaetiger 6, stout hooks and lobes placed latero-posteriorly to the hooded hooks in posterior chaetigers. It is a surface-fouler and was found on several species of wild gastropods at four of the five sites sampled and from additional material from the south-west coast and on cultured abalone (Haliotis midae) at a farm on the south-west coast. Three individuals of Ps. antennata were found only with oysters at the easternmost site. This was the first record of this species outside of the Western Cape Province and it is possible that their association with the oysters was fortuitous.

Babesia microti-Group Parasites Compared Phylogenetically by Complete Sequencing of the CCT.ETA. Gene in 36 Isolates

Babesia microti, the erythroparasitic cause of human babesiosis, has long been taken to be a single species because classification by parasite morphology and host spectrum blurred distinctions between the parasites. Phylogenetic analyses of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) and, more recently, the beta-tubulin gene have suggested inter-group heterogeneity. Intra-group relationships, however, remain unknown. This study was conducted to clarify the intra- and inter-group phylogenetic features of the B. microti-group parasites with the eta subunit of the chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide l (CCTeta) gene as a candidate genetic marker for defining the B. microti group. We prepared complete sequences of the CCTeta gene from 36 piroplasms and compared the phylogenetic trees. The B. microti-group parasites clustered in a monophyletic assemblage separate from the Babesia sensu stricto and Theileria genera and subdivided predominantly into 4 clades (U.S., Kobe, Hobetsu, Munich) with highly significant evolutionary distances between the clades. B. rodhaini branched at the base of the B. microti-group parasites. In addition, a unique intron presence/absence matrix not observable in 18S rDNA or beta-tubulin set the B. microti group entirely apart from either Babesia sensu stricto or Theileria. These results have strong implications for public health, suggesting that the B. microti-group parasites are a full-fledged genus comprising, for now, four core species, i.e., U.S., Kobe, Hobetsu, and Munich species nova. Furthermore, the CCTeta gene is an instructive and definitive genetic marker for analyzing B. microti and related parasites.

Discrimination of Pinus eldarica Medw. and its two new species by epicuticular wax, lignin content, electrophoretic isozyme and activity of peroxidase

AbstractMondell pine (Pinus eldarica Medw.) is a rare and drought resistant pine, found naturally only in semi desert environment southeast of Tbilisi, Georgia, and has been probably introduced to Iran more than 800 years ago. This species has gradually altered both in shape and growth rate in Nashtifan‐Khaf, and generated two species nova which so called as ball shaped and conical, according to characteristics of their shape and smaller stature. This study was conducted to discriminate these species nova using epicuticular wax features and certain biochemical characteristics i.e., peroxidase electrophoretic pattern (PAGE), the activity of soluble (SPO), ionically (IPO) and covalently (CPO) wall‐bound fractions of peroxidase, lignin and total protein content. Observation via scanning electron microspopy showed differences that in adaxial and abaxial surface of needles, and also seed surface, in ball shaped type with the others. But none of the biochemical characteristics had significant difference in these three types. The electrophoretic analysis showed that the peroxidase isozyme is not suitable marker for discriminating the species nova from wild type, in spite of obvious micro‐ and macromorphological differences. Results of current study, propose the use of molecular markers and cytogenetic studies in order to specify cause of species nova occurrence in the study area. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)