Taxonomic status and distribution of the critically endangered Christmas Island spleenwort (Asplenium listeri, Aspleniaceae): it is not as rare as we thought

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Ohlsen ◽  
Leon R. Perrie ◽  
Lara D. Shepherd ◽  
Michael J. Bayly
Keyword(s):  
New Caledonia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Chloroplast Haplotype

Asplenium listeri C.Chr. has been considered endemic to Christmas Island and is one of only two fern species listed as Critically Endangered under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Its status as a distinct species has been questioned because of morphological similarity to the widespread A. polyodon G.Forst., which also occurs on Christmas Island. Molecular analyses revealed that A. listeri and plants attributed to A. polyodon from coastal limestone in New Caledonia and Vanuatu share the same rbcL, trnL–trnF and rps4–trnS haplotype and that other samples of A. polyodon in Australia and the south-western Pacific belong to three separate molecular lineages. One of these lineages is formed by epiphytic A. polyodon from Christmas Island and has a chloroplast haplotype closely related to that of A. listeri, differing by four mutations. The A. listeri haplotype and each of the three A. polyodon lineages are associated with morphological characters and are all worthy of recognition as separate species. Asplenium listeri is here expanded to include limestone dwelling populations in the Pacific previously assigned to A. polyodon. This greatly extends the geographic range of A. listeri, and its conservation status should be revised accordingly. Application of correct names to all species in the A. polyodon complex requires further molecular sampling throughout its geographic range and clarification of how type material relates to each of the molecular groups.

A refined circumscription of Notobubon striatum and the resurrection of Dregea collina Ecklon & Zeyher (Apiaceae, Apioideae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTHONY R. MAGEE ◽  
ODETTE E. CURTIS ◽  
B-E. VAN WYK
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Type Material ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Extensive Field

Extensive field surveys of the Critically Endangered Central and Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld have uncovered that Notobubon striatum, as currently circumscribed, comprises two distinct species. Upon careful examination of the type material it has become clear that names exist for both species. The type specimen of N. striatum clearly matches the lesser known species, a large shrub, ca. 1 m. tall, with a powerful anise-scent and which is restricted to the banks of seasonal rivers and watercourses in the Central and Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. The second and better known entity, with a wider distribution, corresponds to the type material of Dregea collina Ecklon & Zeyher. As such, a new combination, Notobubon collinum (Ecklon & Zeyher) Magee, is here made to accommodate this taxon, restricted to dry quartz and silcrete patches or outcrops in Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. In their revised circumscriptions N. striatum and N. collinum are readily distinguished by habit, scent, leaf size and division, as well as leaf lobe shape and sepal size. Comprehensive descriptions of both species are provided, together with notes on their ecology and conservation status, and the existing key to the species of Notobubon updated. This brings the number of recognised species in the genus to thirteen.

scholarly journals Molecular and morphological analyses support recognition of Prostanthera volucris (Lamiaceae), a new species from the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan P. O'Donnell ◽  
Jeremy J. Bruhl ◽  
Ian R.H. Telford ◽  
Trevor C. Wilson ◽  
Heidi C. Zimmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Neighbour Network

Research into the systematics of Prostanthera has recently revealed a close evolutionary relationship among P. phylicifolia s. str., the critically endangered P. gilesii, and a population of uncertain identity from the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Previous analyses were unable to establish whether genetic boundaries separated these taxa. This study aimed to assess the species boundaries among these three taxa using a combination of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) sampled at the population-scale and multivariate analysis of morphological characters. Non-parametric and parametric statistics, neighbour-network analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and ancestry coefficient estimates all provided support for discrete genetic differences between the three taxa. Morphological phenetic analysis identified a suite of characters that distinguished each of these taxa. This corroboration of evidence supports the presence of three independently evolving lineages. Prostanthera gilesii and P. phylicifolia s. str. are distinct species independent from the third taxon which is described here as P. volucris R.P.O'Donnell. A detailed description, diagnostic line drawings and photographs are provided. We evaluate P. volucris as satisfying criteria to be considered Critically Endangered.

scholarly journals Novitates neocaledonicae. XIII. Taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) in New Caledonia, with description of a new species

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 502 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-229
Author(s):  
JÉRÉMIE MOREL ◽  
JÉRÔME MUNZINGER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Remarkable Feature ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Vegetative Characters ◽  
Reproductive Characters ◽  
A New Species

Three endemic species of Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) are currently recognized in New Caledonia. A recent multivariate analysis of 18 morphological characters based on 129 specimens of Xyris from New Caledonia, supported by 10 anatomical and micromorphological observations, suggested that three species should be recognized in the New Caledonian archipelago. However, the three published names did not correspond to the three entities identified via the multivariate analyses. The results showed that Xyris neocaledonia Rendle was morphologically distinct but requires lectotypification, Xyris guillauminii Conert was indistinct from X. pancheri Rendle, and that a new morphologically distinct species required description. We therefore propose to clarify the taxonomy of the genus for New Caledonia, by designating a lectotype, making this synonymy and describing the new species. The new species, Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger, sp. nov., has the remarkable feature of leaves that are shed as the plant senesces, and is reflected in the specific epithet for this new species. Line drawings are provided for the new species, along with colour photos for the three New Caledonian Xyris species and a distribution map. Three identification keys are provided, the first based on vegetative characters, the second on reproductive characters and the third on anatomical features of the leaf. Xyris desquamatus is preliminarily assigned an IUCN risk of extinction assessment of vulnerable.

Taxonomy, natural history, and conservation of the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851) (Thraupidae, Sporophilinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4442 (4) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLÁVIO KULAIF UBAID ◽  
LUÍS FABIO SILVEIRA ◽  
CESAR A. B. MEDOLAGO ◽  
THIAGO V. V. COSTA ◽  
MERCIVAL ROBERTO FRANCISCO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
South America ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
History Of

Seed-finches are small-sized Neotropical granivorous birds characterized by extremely strong and thick beaks. Among these birds, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani has been selectively and intensively trapped to the extent that has become one of the most endangered bird species in South America, yet its taxonomy remains complex and controversial. Two subspecies have been recognized: S. m. maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851), mainly from the Cerrado of central South America, and S. m. parkesi Olson (= Oryzoborus m. magnirostris), from northeastern South America. Originally, S. m. parkesi was diagnosed as being larger than the Large-billed Seed-Finch, S. c. crassirostris (Gmelin, 1789), but proper comparisons with S. m. maximiliani, which is larger than S. c. crassirostris, were never performed. Here we provide a review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of S. maximiliani, reevaluate the validity and taxonomic status of the subspecies based on morphological characters, and significantly revise its geographic distribution. Analyses based on plumage patterns and a Principal Component Analysis of morphometric characters indicated that S. m. parkesi is most appropriately treated as a synonym of the nominate taxon, which results in a monotypic S. maximiliani comprising two disjunct populations. Further, we conducted systematic searches for S. maximiliani in Brazil, in an attempt to obtain natural history information. After more than 6,000 hours of fieldwork in 45 areas of potential and historical occurrence, S. maximiliani was located only in two sites, in marshy environments called veredas, confirming the critical conservation status of this species, at least in Brazil. We discuss the conservation potential for, and the problems involved with, captive breeding of S. maximiliani for reintroduction into the wild. 

The Taxonomic Status of Littorina Neglecta: A Comment to Grahame, Mill, Double and Hull

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Johannesson ◽  
B. Johannesson
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Littorina Saxatilis ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Close Coupling ◽  
Allozyme Loci ◽  
North Western ◽  
High Shore

In a short communication Grahame et al. (1992) argue against our finding that Littorina neglecta Bean is an ecotype of Littorina saxatilis (Olivi) rather than a separate species (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1990b). Unfortunately, Grahame et al. (1992) have miss-represented our earlier paper, and we feel the need to refute their arguments.In populations from north-western Europe we studied morphological characters used to separate Littorina neglecta from L. saxatilis. We found that intermediate shapes were common and, furthermore, we found no close coupling among characters used to define L. neglecta (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1990a). We further analysed the genetic variation in five strongly polymorphic allozyme loci. In four loci we found a pattern that indicated that L. neglecta is not reproductively isolated from L. saxatilis. In the fifth locus, Aat-1, we found consistent differences between populations of L. neglecta (from the low shore) and L. saxatilis (from the high shore). Similar differences were observed between low and high shore populations in Sweden where, however, no snails of neglecta-type were present.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence evidence supporting the recognition of a new North Atlantic Pseudostichopus species (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1077-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco A. Solís-Marín ◽  
David S.M. Billett ◽  
Joanne Preston ◽  
Alex D. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
A New Species

A new species of the synallactid sea cucumber genus Pseudostichopus is described, P. aemulatus sp. nov., based on genetic (DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I [COI] gene) and morphological characters. A comparative molecular study with two other species of the same genus (P. villosus and P. mollis) and from a different family (Isostichopus fuscus) was carried out in order to clarify its taxonomic identity. The nucleotide distance between P. aemulatus sp. nov. and P. villosus and P. mollis is sufficient to support distinct species status. The estimated difference in the number of amino acids, coded for by a partially sequenced COI gene, within the species of the family Synallactidae ranged from 4 to 18. The phylogenetic analysis clearly supports separate species status of these sympatric morphotypes, as indicated by the morphological analysis.

The Dogma of Dingoes—Taxonomic status of the dingo: A reply to Smith et al.

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4564 (1) ◽  
pp. 198 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHEN M. JACKSON ◽  
PETER J.S. FLEMING ◽  
MARK D.B. ELDRIDGE ◽  
SANDY INGLEBY ◽  
TIM FLANNERY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Gray Wolves ◽  
Narrow Scope

Adopting the name Canis dingo for the Dingo to explicitly denote a species-level taxon separate from other canids was suggested by Crowther et al.  (2014) as a means to eliminate taxonomic instability and contention. However, Jackson et al.  (2017), using standard taxonomic and nomenclatural approaches and principles, called instead for continued use of the nomen C. familiaris for all domestic dogs and their derivatives, including the Dingo. (This name, C. familiaris, is applied to all dogs that derive from the domesticated version of the Gray Wolf, Canis lupus, based on nomenclatural convention.) The primary reasons for this call by Jackson et al.  (2017) were: (1) a lack of evidence to show that recognizing multiple species amongst the dog, including the Dingo and New Guinea Singing Dog, was necessary taxonomically, and (2) the principle of nomenclatural priority (the name familiaris Linnaeus, 1758, antedates dingo Meyer, 1793). Overwhelming current evidence from archaeology and genomics indicates that the Dingo is of recent origin in Australia and shares immediate ancestry with other domestic dogs as evidenced by patterns of genetic and morphological variation. Accordingly, for Smith et al.  (2019) to recognise Canis dingo as a distinct species, the onus was on them to overturn current interpretations of available archaeological, genomic, and morphological datasets and instead show that Dingoes have a deeply divergent evolutionary history that distinguishes them from other named forms of Canis (including C. lupus and its domesticated version, C. familiaris). A recent paper by Koepfli et al.  (2015) demonstrates exactly how this can be done in a compelling way within the genus Canis—by demonstrating deep evolutionary divergence between taxa, on the order of hundreds of thousands of years, using data from multiple genetic systems. Smith et al.  (2019) have not done this; instead they have misrepresented the content and conclusions of Jackson et al.  (2017), and contributed extraneous arguments that are not relevant to taxonomic decisions. Here we dissect Smith et al.  (2019), identifying misrepresentations, to show that ecological, behavioural and morphological evidence is insufficient to recognise Dingoes as a separate species from other domestic dogs. We reiterate: the correct binomial name for the taxon derived from Gray Wolves (C. lupus) by passive and active domestication, including Dingoes and other domestic dogs, is Canis familiaris. We are strongly sympathetic to arguments about the historical, ecological, cultural, or other significance of the Dingo, but these are issues that will have to be considered outside of the more narrow scope of taxonomy and nomenclature. 

Novitates neocaledonicae VII: A new monocaulous species of Bocquillonia (Euphorbiaceae) from New Caledonia

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 360 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
DAVID BRUY ◽  
LAURE BARRABÉ ◽  
JÉRÔME MUNZINGER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Main Island ◽  
North East ◽  
Extreme North ◽  
Architectural Characteristics ◽  
Previous Identification ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Euphorbiaceae, Bocquillonia corneri, narrowly endemic to the extreme north-east of New Caledonia’s main island, is here highlighted, described and illustrated, based on original morphological and architectural characteristics. This new species differs notably by its unique monocaulous tree habit, while other Bocquillonia species are ramified shrubs, small monocaulous shrubs or well reiterated trees. A previous identification key to Bocquillonia species is expanded to include this new species. Bocquillonia corneri is located in a very confined gully forest at low-elevation on volcano-sedimentary substrate. A preliminary IUCN conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR) is proposed.

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy confirms the species status of the Himalayan langurs, Semnopithecus schistaceus Hodgson 1840

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunal Arekar ◽  
S. Sathyakumar ◽  
K. Praveen Karanth
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Hanuman Langur ◽  
As Species

AbstractTaxonomy is replete with groups where the species identity and classification remain unresolved. One such group is the widely distributed Hanuman langur (Colobinae: Semnopithecus). For most part of the last century, Hanuman langur was considered to be a single species with multiple subspecies. Nevertheless, recent studies using an integrative taxonomy approach suggested that this taxon is a complex, with at least three species. However, these studies did not include the Himalayan population of the Hanuman langur whose taxonomic status remains unresolved. The Himalayan population of Hanuman langurs have been classified as a distinct species with multiple subspecies or have been subsumed into other species. These classification schemes are wholly based on morphological characters and which are sometimes insufficient to delimit different species. Here, we have integrated data from multiple sources viz. morphology, DNA, and ecology to resolve the taxonomy of the Himalayan langur and to understand its distribution limit. Our results with three lines of evidence corresponding to three different species concepts show that Himalayan langur is a distinct species from S. entellus of the plains. Additionally, these results did not show any support for splitting of the Himalayan langur into multiple subspecies. Our study supports the classification proposed by Hill (1939) and we recommend Semnopithecus schistaceus, Hodgson 1840 as species name for the Himalayan langur and subsume all the known subspecies into it.

scholarly journals Taxonomic status of Pelargonium reniforme Curt.

Bothalia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine E. Victor ◽  
Mmamphe Aphane
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Leaf Shape ◽  
Flower Colour ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Current Investigation ◽  
Petiole Length ◽  
Pelargonium Sidoides ◽  
Variable Species

Background: Pelargonium reniforme Curt. is a morphologically variable species that many authors have attempted to split or combine. Confusion relating to the differences between the two subspecies currently included under P. reniforme has impeded attempts to assess their conservation status.  Pelargonium reniforme is closely related to  Pelargonium sidoides;  the two species are indistinguishable when not flowering and their distributions overlap in some areas.Objectives: With this study, we aimed to clarify the taxonomic status of the two subspecies of P. reniforme, which has relevance in terms of their conservation status.Method: Leaf shape, petiole length, internode length and flower colour were assessed by studying herbarium specimens of the two subspecies of  P. reniforme and specimens of P. sidoides. Living specimens of the two subspecies were also examined in their natural habitat.Results: The current investigation showed that the morphological characters used to distinguish the two subspecies of P. reniforme are too variable to separate them. Variation in some morphological characters may be related to environmental conditions.Conclusion: The recognition of the two subspecies of P. reniforme as distinct taxa is no longer justified.

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