Panicum simulans (Paniceae, Poaceae), a new species from southern Africa and its leaf anatomy

Bothalia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
L. Smook ◽  
R. P. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Leaf Anatomy ◽  
Light Microscope ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Photosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Surface View ◽  
The Past ◽  
A New Species

Panicum simulans Smook from northern Namibia is formally described. The morphology and leaf blade anatomy in transection and surface view, as observed under the light microscope, are described. The species is compared to others with which it has been confused in the past.  P. simulans can be readily distinguished from  P. novemnerve Stapf and P schinzii Hack, on the basis of both anatomical and morphological characters such as the venation of the lower glume and the photosynthetic anatomy, which is of the NAD-me subtype of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. On this basis it appears that P simulans is closely allied to the P. coloratum L. group of species and should be placed in section Panicum of subgenus Panicum.

scholarly journals A new species of Merxmuellera (Arundineae, Poaceae) from South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Barker ◽  
R. P. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
New Species ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscope ◽  
Leaf Anatomy ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Surface View ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Scanning Electron

Merxmuellera setacea N.P. Barker from the south-western Cape. South Africa, is formally described. Descriptions of the morphology and leaf anatomy, in transectional and surface view, as observed under the light- and scanning electron microscope are given. Comparisons between this taxon and other southern African arundinoid species are made on the basis of morphological and anatomical observations. While the morphology of M setacea is in keeping with the generic limits of Merxmuellera Conert. the leaf blade anatomy appears to be intermediate between Merxmuellera, Pentameris Beauv. and  Pentaschistis (Nees) Spach.

Species groups in the genus Ehrharta (Poaceae) in southern Africa

Bothalia ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Gibbs Russell ◽  
R. P. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Leaf Anatomy ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
The Past ◽  
Centre Of Diversity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Plant Families

Ehrharta Thunb. is a genus of Gondwanaland distribution with its centre of diversity in the winter rainfall Fynbos Biome of southern Africa. In recent subfamily treatments Ehrharta has proved difficult to place satisfactorily, and during the past five years it has been moved between Bambusoideae and Arundinoideae. However, most previous systematic studies using cryptic characters have covered only four taxa out of about 35. The present study includes all African taxa, and demarcates seven species groups on the basis of both spikelet morphology and leaf blade anatomy. Parallelism and/or convergence in vegetative macromorphology within and between the species groups is widespread, and is similar, in some cases, to adaptations found in other plant families in the Fynbos Biome. However, these macromorphological trends are not reflected in the leaf anatomy. Leaf anatomy is generally consistent with the spikelet morphology. Some anatomical differences between the species groups in Ehrharta appear to be as great as differences between taxa of much higher ranks elsewhere in the Poaceae. This wide range of variability may be related to an early divergence of Ehrharteae from other grasses, as suggested by the Gondwanaland distribution, and may explain the difficulty of placing this fascinating yet baffling genus in a subfamily.

The taxonomic position of C3 and C4 Alloteropsis semialata (Poaceae) in southern Africa

Bothalia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Gibbs Russell
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Taxonomic Position ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
The Past ◽  
Photosynthetic Pathways ◽  
Voucher Specimens

Alloteropsis semialata (R. Br.) Hitchc. sensu Chippindall (1955) and Clayton (in press) is the only known grass species in which elements with both non-Kranz and Kranz leaf blade anatomy, and therefore with C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways are included. In the past, two taxa had been recognized, but the characters used to separate them were found to be unreliable, so they were united. However, study of voucher specimens for anatomical and physiological work has shown that C3 and C4 taxa may be separated on the basis of morphological characters that differ from those considered in the past. Therefore, two taxa are again recognized, this time at the rank of subspecies, and the name  Alloteropsis semialata subsp. eckloniana (Nees) Gibbs Russell  stat. nov. is published.

Studies on the Family Opisthorchiidaæ Braun, 1901, with a description of a New Species of Opisthorchis from a Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone)

1927 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. O. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
New Genera ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Family ◽  
A New Species

The classification of the Trematode family Opisthorchiidæ presents some difficulties to the systematist. These difficulties arise partly from the fact that a number of the existing species appear to lack any real morphological characters by which they can be differentiated, slight variations in measurements, together with a difference in host, having been considered sufficient to justify the making of new species. This view has resulted in the placing of undue importance on somewhat minor differences when they do occur in other species, such differences being considered sufficient for creating new genera.The systematist is further confronted with the difficulty of forming definite opinions on the systematic position of some of the species made by earlier workers. Their descriptions and figures are often inadequate owing to the fact that characters which, in the past, were considered of minor importance are now given much closer attention. Examples of the confusion which has arisen from such a position will be referred to in this paper.

scholarly journals A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4590 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE M. KAISER ◽  
MARK O’SHEA ◽  
HINRICH KAISER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Male Specimen ◽  
The Past ◽  
West Papua ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Bird's Head

We describe a new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake (Stegonotus) from a single adult male specimen collected in 1953 near Kamro, a village in Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. The specimen had been considered a member of S. batjanensis, a well-defined species from the northern Maluku Islands over 500 km to the northwest with which it shares the key characteristic of having the 3rd, 4th, and 5th supralabial scales touching the eyes. The new species can be differentiated from S. batjanensis as well as all other species of Stegonotus by having its 5th supralabial scale projecting forward from behind the eye to form a narrow contact zone with the eye. In addition, it is differentiated by the combination of the following characteristics: seven supralabials, the 3rd–5th touching the eye; eight infralabials, the 1st–4th touching the anterior genial; four scales separating the posterior genial and the first gastrostege; dorsal scales in 17 rows, diminishing to 15 posteriorly; a low number of ventrals (181 in the holotype) combined with a high number of subcaudals (105 in the holotype), the latter comprising 37% of the scales on the ventral surface, the highest proportion in the genus. The description of this species is of interest beyond adding to the species diversity of Stegonotus: it allowed us to explore additional characteristics to resolve taxonomic questions in a morphologically conservative genus, it illustrates the need for additional herpetological survey work on the Bird’s Head Peninsula, and its initial misidentification serves as a reminder of the continued relevance and importance of natural history collections as repositories for specimens and data that influence our knowledge today by reaching out from the past.

Resurrection of genus Nidirana (Anura: Ranidae) and synonymizing N. caldwelli with N. adenopleura, with description of a new species from China

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Tong Lyu ◽  
Zhao-Chi Zeng ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Chao-Yu Lin ◽  
Zu-Yao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Advertisement Call ◽  
Morphological Comparison ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Family ◽  
Significant Divergence ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
A New Species

The taxonomy of Babina sensu lato was controversial in the past decades. In this study, the phylogeny of genus Babina sensu lato was re-constructed based on genetic analysis, morphological comparison and advertisement call analysis. We found that Babina sensu stricto and previous subgenus Nidirana should be two distinct genera in the family Ranidae. N. caldwelli is confirmed to be a synonym of N. adenopleura because of the small genetic divergence and the lack of distinct morphological differences. A new species, Nidirana nankunensis sp. nov. is described based on a series of specimens collected from Mt. Nankun, Guangdong Province, China, which can be distinguished from other known congeners by having a behavior of nest construction, distinctive advertisement calls, significant divergence in the mitochondrial genes, and a combination of morphological characters. Currently, the genus Babina contains two species and the genus Nidirana contains eight species.

scholarly journals The Rhynchosia totta complex (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae) in Southern Africa, including the description of a new variety and new species

Bothalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annah N. Moteetee ◽  
M. Marianne Le Roux
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
African Species ◽  
New Variety ◽  
The Past ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Infraspecific Taxa ◽  
Typical Variety ◽  
A New Species

Background: The Rhynchosia totta complex is one of three taxonomically complicated African groups in the genus Rhynchosia. Numerous southern African species and infraspecific taxa (at least 19 names, 17 species and 2 varieties) have been described by various authors in the past, but were later reduced into synonymy with  R. totta. Currently, only the typical variety is recognised in Southern Africa.Objectives:  To investigate and update the circumscription of the taxa within the  R. totta complex in southern Africa and to update their synonymies and distribution ranges. Methods: Specimens of R. totta at GRA, JRAU, K, NH and PRE were studied and compared, and measurements of characters recorded. Populations were also observed during field studies.Results: The examination of numerous specimens, as well as field investigations, has prompted the recognition of four varieties (one described here as new: R. totta var. longicalyx) and a new species (R. pedunculata) in southern Africa.Conclusions: A great variation in leaf structure and vestiture occurs within the R. totta complex, with the extreme forms easily recognisable. However, the total number of varieties are limited to four [R. totta vars. totta,  longicalyx,  rigidula and venulosa] and a new species described to accommodate specimens with a distinctly prostrate habit and upwardly directed leaves.

scholarly journals Austronea phyllopogon (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae), a new species from the Kamiesberg, Northern Cape Province in South Africa

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 449 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-206
Author(s):  
MARIO MARTÍNEZ-AZORÍN ◽  
MICHAEL PINTER ◽  
MANUEL B. CRESPO ◽  
MARÍA ÁNGELES ALONSO-VARGAS
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Early Developmental Stages ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
Early Developmental ◽  
A New Species

Among the recently described genera in Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (= Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae tribe Urgineeae), Austronea Mart.-Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Pinter & Wetschnig in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2018: 105) includes 20 species restricted to southern Africa (Martínez-Azorín et al. 2018, 2019a, 2019b). Some such species were traditionally included in Urginea Steinheil (1834: 321) or Drimia Jacq. ex Willdenow (1799: 165) sensu lato and resemble those of Fusifilum Rafinesque (1837: 27), a phylogenetic relationship supported by molecular data (Martínez-Azorín et al. in prep.). However, species of Austronea are easily identified by a unique syndrome of morphological characters, the most characteristic being the subcorymbose or congested raceme that commonly nods during early developmental stages, the green to yellowish ovary (in contrast to the white gynoecium of Fusifilum) and the tetrahedrally folded seeds with narrowly winged angles (see Martínez-Azorín et al. 2018).

Allium pseudotelmatum (Amaryllidaceae), a new species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from Croatia

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 311 (2) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
MICHAELA JANDOVÁ ◽  
MARTINA OULEHLOVÁ ◽  
KATEŘINA VOJTĚCHOVÁ ◽  
MILOSLAV KITNER ◽  
MARTIN DUCHOSLAV
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Leaf Anatomy ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Chromosome Complement ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Moist Soil ◽  
Citrus Orchards ◽  
A New Species

Allium pseudotelmatum, a new species of A. sect. Codonoprasum, is described from the southern Dalmatia (Croatia). It is a late-summer flowering species with pentaploid (2n = 40) chromosome complement, occurring in synanthropic habitats (Citrus orchards with nutrient rich and fresh moist soil). Karyology, leaf anatomy, morphology, ecology, molecular (ITS) and taxonomic relationships with related species are examined for the species. It shows morphological relationships with the northern Dalmatian species A. telmatum from which it well differentiates for many morphological characters including the presence of aerial bulbils within the inflorescence, phenology, chromosome number and ecology. Confusion of A. pseudotelmatum with some specimens of A. oleraceum due to the presence of bulbils within the inflorescence is discussed.

scholarly journals Ipomoea lanifolia sp. nov. (Convolvulaceae), a new species endemic to the Ibiapaba plateau in northeastern Brazil

Rodriguésia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Santos ◽  
Elnatan Bezerra Souza ◽  
Maria Teresa Buril
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Abaxial Surface ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Ipomoea Species

Abstract A new species of Ipomoea, thus far endemic to Caatinga domain, is described. The species occurs in a “carrasco” physiognomy - a shrubby vegetation on sandy soils characterized by the presence of cacti and bromeliads. The new species can be recognized by a combination of morphological characters, including a leaf blade with a lanate abaxial surface with long hairs, and sepals lanceolate, acuminate, tomentose, and smooth. A complete description, diagnosis, an identification key for Ipomoea species from the Ibiapaba plateau, illustrations, conservation assessments, a distribution map, and taxonomic comments are provided.

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