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

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.

Bothalia ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 591-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Spies ◽  
H. Du Du Plessis

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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyothi Kara ◽  
Cinthya S. G. Santos ◽  
Angus H. H. Macdonald ◽  
Carol A. Simon

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


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4780 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-355
Author(s):  
TAMARA TOT ◽  
SNEŽANA RADENKOVIĆ ◽  
ZORICA NEDELJKOVIĆ ◽  
LAURA LIKOV ◽  
ANTE VUJIĆ

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). 


Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1277 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID A. BARRACLOUGH

The South African Nemestrinidae are reviewed. Regional family characteristics, biology and the importance of long-proboscid species in pollination biology are discussed. Long-proboscid species (proboscis 15 mm or longer) are important pollinators in most provinces, but particularly in the Western Cape; all have specialised pollination interactions with long-tubed flower species. Five pollination guilds centered on long-proboscid species are briefly discussed.        A detailed, annotated key to the six genera is presented; in it particular attention is given to the problematic distinction between Prosoeca Schiner and Stenobasipteron Lichtwardt. A checklist of all described species considered to have a South African provenance is provided. A total of 43 described species is recorded in the following genera: Moegistorhynchus Macquart (4 species); Prosoeca (35 species); Stenobasipteron (1 species); Atriadops Wandolleck (1 species); Nycterimyia Lichtwardt (1 species); Trichopsidea Westwood (1 species).        Moegistorhynchus is restricted to the west coast (Western Cape, Northern Cape). Three of its species have a remarkably elongate proboscis, the best known and most widespread being M. longirostris (Wiedemann, 1819). Its proboscis reaches 90 to 100 mm in length in some specimens, this being the longest proboscis of all known Diptera. Two new species have been identified in the fauna.        Prosoeca dominates the fauna, and is the only genus likely to be represented in all nine provinces. It appears to occur in all habitats except closed-canopy forest. Prosoeca major Bezzi, 1924 is newly synonymised with P. robusta Bezzi, 1924. The likely South African provenance of P. nigripes (Macquart, 1840) is confirmed. Nemestrina obscura Westwood, 1835, previously referred to Prosoeca, is considered not to be an Afrotropical species. Prosoeca rhodesiensis Bequaert, 1925a, is recorded from South Africa for the first time.        Although Stenobasipteron is restricted to only one named South African species, namely S. wiedemanni Lichtwardt, 1910 from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, several undescribed species occur in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Stenobasipteron wiedemanni occurs in closed-canopy forest, but species from Mpumalanga may occur in other habitats such as grassland and savanna.        There are at least two species of Atriadops, one almost certainly being A. vespertilio (Loew, 1858). The genus is recorded from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. A taxonomic revision is recommended. Nycterimyia is represented by one species only, namely N. capensis Bezzi, 1924 from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Trichopsidea is represented by one species, T. costata (Loew, 1858), recorded from North West, Gauteng and Limpopo.


Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Dippenaar ◽  
Ansie S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽  
Mogadi A. Modiba ◽  
Thembile T. Khoza

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.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4624 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN M. DESCHODT ◽  
ADRIAN L.V. DAVIS

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. 


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 .


Bothalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Young ◽  
Philip G. Desmet

Background: The dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E.Br. is one of the most species rich in the Aizoceae. The genus is most closely associated with a region of high floral endemism and biodiversity, the Succulent Karoo biome in south-western Africa.Objectives: To examine the distribution of Conophytum in south-western Namibia and in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.Method: A database comprising 2798 locality records representing all known species and subspecies of the genus Conophytum has been constructed.Results: The genus is primarily restricted to the arid winter-rainfall region of the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and south-western Namibia, within the Greater Cape Floristic Region. Whilst taxa are found across all the main biomes in the region (the Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, Desert and Fynbos biomes), 94% of Conophytum taxa are found only in the Succulent Karoo biome and predominantly (88% of taxa) within South Africa. Endemism within specific bioregions is a feature of the genus and ~60% of taxa are endemic to the Succulent Karoo. Approximately 28% of all taxa could be considered point endemics. Whilst the genus has a relatively wide geographical range, we identify a pronounced centre of endemism in the southern Richtersveld.Conclusion: The genus Conophytum can be used as a good botanical model for studying patterns of diversity and speciation in the Succulent Karoo biome, the effects of climate change on dwarf succulents, and for informing conservation planning efforts.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4820 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-464
Author(s):  
NIKITA J. KLUGE

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.


Koedoe ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Heyns ◽  
Antoinette Swart

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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