Resolving the taxonomic identities and genetic structure of two cryptic Platynereis Kinberg species from South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyothi Kara ◽  
Cinthya S. G. Santos ◽  
Angus H. H. Macdonald ◽  
Carol A. Simon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Structured Populations ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Cosmopolitan Species ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Haplotype Networks ◽  
Platynereis Dumerilii

The perceived cosmopolitanism of polychaete worms could be an artefact of historical factors such as poor original species descriptions, lack of type material and the European taxonomic bias, to name a few. Thus, it is possible that several cosmopolitan species hide complexes of cryptic and pseudocryptic species. Two putative cosmopolitan species, Platynereis dumerilii and Platynereis australis, collected in South Africa were investigated here (1) to determine whether the South African taxa are conspecific with the morphologically identical taxa from France and New Zealand (the respective type localities of P. dumerilii and P. australis), (2) to compare the South African species morphometrically to determine whether their morphological characters are reliable enough to separate them, and (3) to investigate whether these species have geographically structured populations along the coast of South Africa. Molecular data (COI and ITS1) confirm that P. dumerilii and P. australis do not occur in South Africa. Instead, the South African taxon formerly thought to be Platynereis dumerilii is new and is described here as Platynereis entshonae, sp. nov.; the identity of the other South African species is currently unresolved and is treated here as Platynereis sp. Surprisingly, Platynereis massiliensis (type locality: Marseilles) nested within the South African Platynereissp. clade but, since it is part of a cryptic species complex in the Mediterranean, the name is considered doubtful. Morphological characters traditionally used to define these South African Platynereis species are not reliable as predefined morphological groupings do not match phylogenetic clades and principal component scores revealed no separation in morphological characters that could distinguish between them. Haplotype networks and phylogenetic trees revealed that P. entshonae, sp. nov. and Platynereis sp. have geographically structured populations along the South African coast. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6E36A210-9E48-430F-8A93-EDC27F0C5631

Descriptions of two new species of the genus Paragus Latreille (Diptera: Syrphidae), with a key to males of all South African species

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4780 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-355
Author(s):  
TAMARA TOT ◽  
SNEŽANA RADENKOVIĆ ◽  
ZORICA NEDELJKOVIĆ ◽  
LAURA LIKOV ◽  
ANTE VUJIĆ
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Afrotropical Region ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Republic

Two new species of the genus Paragus Latreille, 1804 are described from the Republic of South Africa: Paragus longipilus Tot, Vujić et Radenković sp. nov. and Paragus megacercus Tot, Vujić et Radenković sp. nov. These new species belong to the subgenus Pandasyopthalmus Stuckenberg, 1954a. Paragus longipilus sp. nov. is a member of the P. jozanus group, whereas Paragus megacercus sp. nov. belongs to the P. tibialis group. The taxonomic status of Paragus chalybeatus Hull, 1964 is revised and proposed as synonym of Paragus punctatus Hull, 1949. Additionally, an identification key to males of the South African species of Paragus is provided. Results of the present study confirm a significant level of endemism of Paragus in the Afrotropical Region (12 out of 29). 

A Taxonomic Revision of the Othonna bulbosa Group (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon L. Magoswana ◽  
James S. Boatwright ◽  
Anthony R. Magee ◽  
John C. Manning
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
The South ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
African Species ◽  
Taxonomic Treatment ◽  
Rainfall Region

Othonna L. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae) is a genus of some 120 species concentrated in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, with a few species extending into southern Namibia, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The South African species of Othonna were last revised more than a century ago, and many species, particularly from the southern African winter rainfall region, remain poorly understood. This study focused on the geophytic species comprising the O. bulbosa group, distinguished by their tuberous rootstock and annual, leafy, aerial stems. A comprehensive taxonomic treatment is presented, including descriptions, complete nomenclature and typification, illustrations, and geographical distribution. Twenty-five species are recognized, of which four are newly described (O. lilacina Magoswana & J. C. Manning, O. nigromontana Magoswana & J. C. Manning, O. revoluta Magoswana & J. C. Manning, and O. sinuata Magoswana & J. C. Manning), and 18 names are reduced to synonymy. The species differ in habit, shape and incision of foliage, capitulum type (radiate vs. disciform), number of involucral bracts, pappus length, and cypselae (myxogenic vs. nonmyxogenic). We place the species into four morphologically diagnosable series (series Heterophyllae Magoswana & J. C. Manning, series Disciformes Magoswana & J. C. Manning, series Perfoliatae Magoswana & J. C. Manning, and series Undulosae Magoswana & J. C. Manning) based on habit and capitulum type.

The genus Rubus in South Africa. I. Chromosome numbers and geographical distribution of species

Bothalia ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 591-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Spies ◽  
H. Du Du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Chromosome Numbers ◽  
The Other ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Rubus Species ◽  
First Time

The geographical distribution of 14 of the Rubus species in South Africa is presented. Chromosome numbers of nine of the species were determined: six for the first time, one is confirmed and additional polyploid levels are described for the other two species. It is demonstrated that the South African species of the subgenus Idaeobatus contain less diploid specimens and more polyploid specimens than their extra-African counterparts. This phenomenon could be attributed to hybridization between the subgenera Eubatus and  Idaeobatus.

scholarly journals A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Dippenaar ◽  
Ansie S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽  
Mogadi A. Modiba ◽  
Thembile T. Khoza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
The South ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
African Species ◽  
Collecting Methods

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), spiders were collected from all the field layers in the Polokwane Nature Reserve (Limpopo Province, South Africa) over a period of a year (2005–2006) using four collecting methods. Six habitat types were sampled: Acacia tortillis open savanna; A. rehmanniana woodland, false grassland, riverine and sweet thorn thicket, granite outcrop; and Aloe marlothii thicket. A total of 13 821 spiders were collected (using sweep netting, tree beating, active searching and pitfall trapping) represented by 39 families, 156 determined genera and 275 species. The most diverse families are the Thomisidae (42 spp.), Araneidae (39 spp.) and Salticidae (29 spp.). A total of 84 spp. (30.5%) were web builders and 191 spp. (69.5%) wanderers. In the Polokwane Nature Reserve, 13.75% of South African species are presently protected.

New southern African species and a revalidation in the dung beetle genus Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) with an updated key

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4624 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN M. DESCHODT ◽  
ADRIAN L.V. DAVIS
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Coastal Forest ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Three New Species

Three new species are described in the genus Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), from upland grasslands of South Africa. They are Gyronotus dracomontanus Deschodt & Davis, new species, Gyronotus ovalis Deschodt & Davis, new species and Gyronotus kearneyorum Deschodt & Davis, new species. The South African coastal forest species, Gyronotus marginatus Péringuey, 1888, status revised, is removed from synonymy with Gyronotus pumilus (Boheman, 1857) and revalidated at species level. An updated key to all South African and eSwatini species is provided. 

scholarly journals II - Feeding, digestion, excretion and food storage of Peripatopsis

1937 ◽  
Vol 227 (546) ◽  
pp. 411-464 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Food Storage ◽  
Perfect Health ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
General Account ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Sexually Mature

The material for this work consisted of several hundred specimens of Peripatopsis obtained in South Africa in 1933 and brought to England alive. At least six species were present, four being referable to existing descriptions. Two of these, P. moseleyi and P. sedgwick , have been kept in captivity in perfect health for three years, and were represented in 1937 by some of the original animals and their sexually mature offspring. A study of their feeding, digestion, and excretion has been made during this period. The animals were killed primarily to obtain their embryos, but the material was used as extensively as possible for other purposes. In another paper a general account will be given of the biology of the South African species of Peripatopsis .

scholarly journals The skull of StW 573, a 3.67 Ma Australopithecus skeleton from Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J Clarke ◽  
Kathleen Kuman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The South ◽  
Dental Wear ◽  
Hominid Fossil ◽  
First Time

Here we present the first full anatomical description of the 3.67 million-year-old Australopithecus skull StW 573 that was recovered with its skeleton from the Sterkfontein Member 2 breccia in the Silberberg Grotto. Analysis demonstrates that it is most similar in multiple key morphological characters to a group of fossils from Sterkfontein Member 4 and Makapansgat that are here distinguished morphologically as A. prometheus. This taxon contrasts with another group of fossils from those sites assigned to A. africanus. The anatomical reasons for why these groupings should not be lumped together (as is frequently done for the South African fossils) are discussed in detail. In support of this classification, we also present for the first time a palate (StW 576 from Sterkfontein Member 4) newly reconstructed by RJC, which has a uniquely complete adult dentition of an A. africanus. The StW 573 skull also has certain similarities with other earlier Australopithecus fossils in East Africa, A. afarensis and A. anamensis, which are discussed. One of its most interesting features is a pattern of very heavy anterior dental wear unlike that found in A. africanus but resembling that found in A. anamensis at 4.17 Ma. While StW 573 is the only hominid fossil in Sterkfontein Member 2, we conclude that competitive exclusion probably accounts for the synchronous and sympatric presence of two species of Australopithecus in the younger deposits at Makapansgat and Sterkfontein Member 4. Because the StW 573 skull is associated with a near-complete skeleton that is also described for the first time in this special issue, we are now able to use this individual to improve our understanding of more fragmentary finds in the South African fossil record of Australopithecus.

Demoulinia Gillies 1990 and two unnamed genera of the plesiomorphon Protopatellata (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) from South Africa

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4820 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-464
Author(s):  
NIKITA J. KLUGE
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Type Species ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species

Larvae, subimagines, imagines of both sexes and eggs of Demoulinia crassi (Demoulin 1971) are described based on reared specimens from South Africa. Newly revealed characters testify that Demoulinia Gillies 1990 belongs to the plesiomorphon Protopatellata. Demoulinia includes two species, the South African species D. crassi and the Madagascar species D. insularis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty 1998 (= D. assimilis Gattolliat 2003 syn. n.). Larvae of these two species differ in structure of claws and paraprocts; imagines and eggs are described for D. crassi only. Larvae of two unnamed species of Protopatellata from South Africa are briefly described and figured; possibly, one of them belongs to africanum [Cloeon], which is the type species Austrocloeon Barnard 1932.

scholarly journals Limonium dagmarae (Plumbaginaceae), a new species from Namaqualand coast, South Africa

Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 403 (2) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
LADISLAV MUCINA ◽  
TIMOTHY A. HAMMER
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
African Species ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Limonium from Namaqualand coast, South Africa is here described and named L. dagmarae. Shared morphological characters with related South African species place the new species within L. sect. Circinaria. Evidence is presented to segregate the new species from relatives based on discrete morphological and environmental characters. The holotype of the L. dagmarae is preserved at NBG.

scholarly journals Longidorus jagerae sp.n., another longidorid species with globular inclusions in the prerectum (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Koedoe ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Heyns ◽  
Antoinette Swart
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
African Species

Longidorus jagerae sp.n. is described from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is characterised by the possession of globular inclusions in the prerectum, expanded lip region, posteriorly situated guiding ring, and distinct flanges at the odontophore base. It is compared with the South African species L. fursti and L. mobae, from which it differs among other things in the presence of prerectal inclusions, and with L. pisi and L. latocephalus, from which it can be differentiated mainly by the much longer odon- tostyle, more posteriorly situated guiding ring, and shorter tail.

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