[Paleontology • 2024] Ichthyotitan severnensis • The Last Giants: New Evidence for Giant Late Triassic (Rhaetian) ichthyosaurs from the UK

 

 Ichthyotitan severnensis 

Lomax, de la Salle, Perillo, Reynolds, Reynolds & Waldron, 2024

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300289

  facebook.com/DeanRLomax

Abstract

Giant ichthyosaurs with body length estimates exceeding 20 m were present in the latest Triassic of the UK. Here we report on the discovery of a second surangular from the lower jaw of a giant ichthyosaur from Somerset, UK. The new find is comparable in size and morphology to a specimen from Lilstock, Somerset, described in 2018, but it is more complete and better preserved. Both finds are from the uppermost Triassic Westbury Mudstone Formation (Rhaetian), but the new specimen comes from Blue Anchor, approximately 10 km west along the coast from Lilstock. The more complete surangular would have been >2 m long, from an individual with a body length estimated at ~25 m. The identification of two specimens with the same unique morphology and from the same geologic age and geographic location warrants the erection of a new genus and species, Ichthyotitan severnensis gen. et sp. nov. Thin sections of the new specimen revealed the same histological features already observed in similar giant ichthyosaurian specimens. Our data also supports the previous suggestion of an atypical osteogenesis in the lower jaws of giant ichthyosaurs. The geological age and giant size of the specimens suggest shastasaurid affinities, but the material is too incomplete for a definitive referral. Ichthyotitan severnensis gen. et sp. nov., is the first-named giant ichthyosaur from the Rhaetian and probably represents the largest marine reptile formally described.

Comparison of the holotype (BRSMG Cg3178, A and C right surangular, BAS specimen) and referred specimen (BRSMG Cg2488, B and D left surangular, Lilstock specimen) of Ichthyotitan severnensis gen. et sp. nov. To ease comparison, A and C have been reversed.

Systematic palaeontology

Ichthyopterygia Owen, 1840

Ichthyosauria de Blainville, 1835

?Merriamosauria Motani, 1999

?Shastasauridae Merriam, 1902

Ichthyotitan severnensis gen. et sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Giant, probable shastasaurid ichthyosaur distinguished by the presence of the following unique characters of the surangular: upturned, almost 90 degree angle bend at posterior end; subcircular cross section morphology of the shaft at the position of the coronoid, oblong in Shonisaurus; minor eminence of coronoid process in lateral view, compared with prominent projection in Shonisaurus; bulbous coronoid process displaced laterally and only occupying half of the width of the dorsal surface; massively developed dorsoventral M.A.M.E. ridge; spatulate shaped posterior end; and possibly dorsoventral height of posterior end in adults being more than 20% larger than in either Shonisaurus popularis or Shonisaurus sikanniensis.

Holotype: BRSMG Cg3178, a large right surangular comprising the posterior end and parts of the middle and anterior sections.

Referred material: BRSMG Cg2488, a large left surangular comprising the posterior end and a portion of the shaft.

Type locality and horizon: The type specimen was collected from the Upper Triassic Westbury Mudstone Formation (latest Rhaetian) at Blue Anchor, Somerset, UK. The referred specimen was collected from the Upper Triassic Westbury Mudstone Formation (latest Rhaetian) 0.8 m below the junction with the Cotham Formation, at Lilstock, Somerset, UK.

Etymology: Giant fish lizard of the Severn. Ichthys derived from Greek meaning fish, taken from ichthyosaur meaning “fish lizard”, and -titan (Greek for giant), after the large size. Severn after the River Severn Estuary, Somerset, UK, where the remains were discovered and Latin -ensis pertaining to the location.

 

 Dean R. Lomax, Paul de la Salle, Marcello Perillo, Justin Reynolds, Ruby Reynolds and James F. Waldron. 2024. The Last Giants: New Evidence for Giant Late Triassic (Rhaetian) ichthyosaurs from the UK. PLoS ONE. 19(4): e0300289. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300289

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[Arachnida • 2024] Troglotayosicus akaido • Phylogeny of the Troglomorphic Scorpion Genus Troglotayosicus (Scorpiones: Troglotayosicidae) with Description of A New Species from Colombia

Troglotayosicus akaido 

 Moreno-González, Luna-Sarmiento & Prendini, 2024

DOI: 10.1206/4011.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/379777194

Abstract  

The troglomorphic scorpion genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981, occurs in hypogean and epigean habitats in the Andean and Amazonian rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. The phylogenetic relationships among the species of Troglotayosicus are currently unknown. In the present contribution, a new species, Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., is described from specimens collected in the leaf litter of a primary rainforest in the Colombian Amazon, near the border with Peru, raising the number of species in the genus to seven. The new species represents the easternmost record of the genus and further extends its distribution into the Amazon. Its phylogenetic position was tested in an analysis of all species of the genus and two outgroup taxa, scored for 131 morphological characters (16 new and 115 legacy; 104 binary and 27 multistate) analyzed with maximum likelihood under the MK model. Troglotayosicus was recovered as monophyletic and composed of two main clades. The morphological survey revealed that the ventral macrosetae of the leg telotarsi of the type species, Troglotayosicus vachoni Lourenço, 1981, are simple, subspiniform macrosetae, irregularly distributed, but not arranged into clusters nor forming elongated clusters of setae/spinules, as previously suggested. A distribution map and key to the identification of the species of Troglotayosicus are provided. Further research, incorporating molecular data, is needed to understand the evolution and biogeographical history of this enigmatic scorpion genus.

Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., live habitus, holotype ♂ (ICN).
A. Anterior aspect. B. Lateral aspect.

 Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., habitus, dorsal (A, C) and ventral (B, D) aspects.
A, B. Holotype ♂ (ICN). C, D. Paratype ♀ (ICN). Scale bars: 10 mm.

Jairo A. Moreno-González, David A. Luna-Sarmiento and Lorenzo Prendini. 2024. Phylogeny of the Troglomorphic Scorpion Genus Troglotayosicus (Scorpiones: Troglotayosicidae) with Description of a New Species from Colombia. American Museum Novitates. (4011), 1-39. DOI: 10.1206/4011.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/379777194_Phylogeny_of_Troglotayosicus

[Botany • 2024] Impatiens neo-uncinata (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India

 

Impatiens neo-uncinata V.S.A.Kumar & Sindhu Arya, 

in Sindhu et Kumar, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.644.1.1 

 facebook.com: Arya Rajasekhar S 

 Abstract

A new species, Impatiens neo-uncinata, belonging to section Scorpioidae is described and illustrated from Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in the southern Western Ghats. It is morphologically similar to Impatiens unicinata, but can easily be distinguished in having milky white distal lobe of keel petal, deltoid shape of standard petals and 1–2 seeded capsules. Furthermore, the SEM analysis of pollen and seed also delineate the taxa. Impatiens neo-uncinatais assessed here as Endangered based on the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List.

Eudicots, Agasthyamala biosphere reserve, Impatiens, Scorpioidae, taxonomy

   

Impatiens neo-uncinata V.S.A.Kumar & Sindhu Arya

Arya Sindhu and Venugopalan Nair Saradhamma Anil Kumar. 2024. Impatiens neo-uncinata (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India.  Phytotaxa. 644(1); 1-9. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.644.1.1

  facebook.com/AryaSindu33/posts/7271537509632189

   

[Entomology • 2022] Paleogene Forest Fragmentation and Out-of-Africa Dispersal explain Radiation of the Paleotropical Dung Beetle tribe Epactoidini trib. nov. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Species illustrated: (a) Ochicanthon hanskii Krikken & Huijbregts, (b) O. woroae Ochi, Ueda & Kon, (c) O. crypticus Krikken & Huijbregts, (d) O. devagiriensis Sabu & Latha, (e) O. ceylonicus Cuccodoro, (f) Grebennikovius basilewskyi (Balthasar), (g) Epactoides giganteus, (h) E. madecassus (Paulian), (i) E. major (Paulian), (j) E. frontalis (Montreuil).

 Epactoidini trib. nov.

Rossini, Grebennikov, Merrien, Miraldo, Viljanen & Tarasov, 2022

DOI: 10.1111/syen.12564 

 twitter.com/Tarasov_Sergio

Abstract

Paleotropical clades with largely disjunct distributions are ideal models for biogeographic reconstructions. The dung beetle genera Grebennikovius Mlambo, Scholtz & Deschodt, Epactoides Olsouffief and Ochicanthon Vaz-de-Mello are distributed in Tanzania, Madagascar and Réunion, and the Oriental region, respectively. We combine morphology and molecular dataset to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships between these taxa. Our analyses corroborate previous hypotheses of monophyly of the group, which is here described as new tribe Epactoidini trib. nov. Grebennikovius is recovered as sister to Epactoides, while Ochicanthon emerges as sister to them both. The disjunct distribution of our focal clade is unusual within the subfamily Scarabaeinae. Bayesian divergence time estimates and ancestral range reconstructions indicate an African origin of the crown group of the tribe Epactoidini trib. nov. in the early mid Eocene, ca. 46 Ma. The divergence between Epactoides and its sister is dated to 32.3 Ma, while the crown age for the genus Ochicanthon is dated to 27 Ma. We investigate the factors that may have shaped the current distribution of the tribe Epactoidini trib. nov. The formation of the Gomphotherium landbridge, along with favourable environmental conditions would have allowed dry-intolerant organisms, such as Ochicanthon, to disperse out of Africa. Remarkable climatic stability of the Eastern Arc Mountains was critical for the retention of the monotypic genus Grebennikovius. We suggest two subsequent overwater dispersal events: the migration of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of Epactoides from Africa to Madagascar (32.3–29.5 Ma); the lately dispersal of the MRCA of the today's extinct Epactoides giganteus Rossini, Vaz-de-Mello & Montreuil to Réunion island from Madagascar (3.4 Ma). We suggest that the high potential of dispersal of Epactoidini trib. nov. dung beetles and the strict association to forest habitat might have triggered two major radiations, one in Madagascar and one in the Oriental Region.

Keywords: biogeography, evolution, phylogenetics

Epactoidini trib. nov. 

Type genus: Epactoides Olsouffief, 1947

Genera: Epactoides Olsouffief, 1947

Grebennikovius Mlambo et al., 2019

Ochicanthon Vaz-de-Mello, 2003.

Distribution: Tanzania (Uluguru Mountains); Madagascar; Réunion Island; Oriental Region: from southern India to southern Philippines. 

Diagnosis: The tribe Epactoidini is supported by the following diagnostic characters (Figure 2): (i) elytra with 9–10 striae; (ii) besides epipleural carina, elytra with one or two additional lateral carinas; (iii) endophallus without frontolateral peripheral (FLP) endophallite; (iv) radial posterior (RP1) sclerite of hindwings (when present) approaches the posterior side the radial anterior (RA4) sclerite.

Ancestral range reconstruction of Epactoidini trib. nov. BioGeoBEAR tree and map showing suggested dispersal routes of Epactoides and Ochicanthon from Afrotropical ancestors, including date estimation. Nodal support values are expressed as UFBS and SH-aLRT. Bars at nodes indicate 95% CI of estimated ages. Distribution areas of Epactoidini members: Eastern Arc Mountains (EAMs) (red); Madagascar (light blue); Réunion (purple); Oriental (green).
Species illustrated: (a) Ochicanthon hanskii Krikken & Huijbregts, (b) O. woroae Ochi, Ueda & Kon, (c) O. crypticus Krikken & Huijbregts, (d) O. devagiriensis Sabu & Latha, (e) O. ceylonicus Cuccodoro, (f) Grebennikovius basilewskyi (Balthasar), (g) Epactoides giganteus, (h) E. madecassus (Paulian), (i) E. major (Paulian), (j) E. frontalis (Montreuil).

   

Michele Rossini, Vasily Grebennikov, Thomas Merrien, Andreia Miraldo, Heidi Viljanen and Sergei Tarasov. 2022. Paleogene Forest Fragmentation and Out-of-Africa Dispersal explain Radiation of the Paleotropical Dung Beetle tribe Epactoidini trib. nov. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae). Systematic Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12564

  twitter.com/Tarasov_Sergio/status/1569318421250117637

[Botany • 2024] Begonia abhak (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Begonia abhak Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite,  

in Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang et Rubite, 2024. 

DOI: 10.36253/jopt-15356 

Researchgate.net/publication/379103942

Abstract

A new Begonia species, Begonia abhak, from section Petermannia is described and illustrated. Growing on shady, moist, rocky slopes alongside a small creek of Bujon, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The new species resembles Begonia panayensis in having glabrous stems, membranous, shiny leaves, oblong to oblanceolate lamina, acuminate apex and green ovary with pink wings but is distinct in having short stems, broadly ovate stipules, acute leaf base, serrated margins, and the slashed or jagged to almost entire margins of the capsule wings. Based on IUCN criteria, B. abhak is hereby proposed as Least Concern (LC).

Keywords: Begonia panayensis, Mindanao, medicinal plants, Surigao provinces, Taxonomy

Begonia abhak Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, sp. nov.
A. Stem, B. Stipule, C. Bracts, D. Staminate flowers, E. Young pistillate flower, F. Mature pistillate flower, G. Pistillate flower side view, H. & I. Immature capsules, J. Matured capsule, K. Cross section of the ovary.

All from Freddie A. Blasco 22-009.

Begonia abhak Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, sp. nov.
A. & B. Habit and Habitat. All from Freddie A. Blasco 22-009.

Begonia abhak Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, sp. nov. 

Sect. Petermannia.

Diagnosis: Begonia abhak resembles B. panayensis Merril in having tall, erect and glabrous stems, oblanceolate leaves, glossy surface adaxially, light green abaxially, acuminate apex, acute base, 2 tepaled staminate flowers, 5 tepaled pistillate flowers and green ovaries with pink wings. However, B. abhak differs in having shorter stems at 1.3 m (vs. 1.5 m), stipules broadly ovate at 19–20 × 9–10 mm (vs. oblanceolate 15–20 mm long), smaller lamina at 14–15 × 5.5–6 cm (vs. 16–20 × 4–6 cm.) with serrated margins (vs. dentate), broadly ovate male tepals (vs. orbicular), shorter and narrower capsules at 16–17 × 14–15 mm. (vs. longer and wider 25 × 20 mm).

Etymology: The specific epithet abhak is derived from the Bisayan/Cebuano word, which means sliced or slashed, referring to the margin of the capsule wings.

Freddie A. Blasco, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Danilo N. Tandang and Rosario R. Rubite. 2024. Begonia abhak (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Webbia. 79(1); 47-50. DOI: DOI: 10.36253/jopt-15356

 Researchgate.net/publication/379103942_Begonia_abhak_a_new_species_from_Lanuza_Surigao_del_Sur_Philippines

[Herpetology • 2022] Leptobrachella yunyangensis • A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Chongqing City, Southwest China

Leptobrachella yunyangensis Luo, Deng & Zhou, 

in Luo, Wang, Peng, Lei, Deng, Ji, Huang et Zhou, 2022. 

Guishi Leaf Litter Toad | 贵师掌突蟾  ||  Asian Herpetological Research. 13(2); 

Abstract

Herein we describe a new species, Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov., from Yunyang County, Chongqing City, China, based on a combination of molecular and morphological data. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and six nuclear genes indicated that this new species represented an independent evolutionary lineage. The uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener species, L. oshanensis, was 5.4 % for 16S rRNA. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) moderate body size (SVL 28.3–30.6 mm in males); (2) rough dorsal skin, with sparse large granules and tubercles and short longitudinal ridges on the shoulder; (3) distinctly discernible tympanum with a diameter smaller than that of the eye (TMP/EYE ratio: 0.51) and a distinct black supratympanic line present; (4) an internasal distance almost equal to interorbital distance (IND/IOD ratio: 1.05); (5) flanks with several dark spots arranged longitudinally in two rows; (6) distinctly visible supra-axillary, femoral, pectoral, and ventrolateral glands; (7) bicolored iris, with the upper 1/3 of the iris being copper orange and the lower 2/3 a light silvery grey; (8) relative finger lengths of I < II = IV < III and relative toe lengths of I < II < V < III < IV; (9) absence of webbing and lateral fringes on fingers, and toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral fringes; (10) heels overlapping when the thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (11) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior corner of the eye when the leg is stretched forward; (12) ventral surfaces of the throat, chest, and belly greyish white with purple-brown speckling; (13) lacking distinct blackish dorsolateral markings; and (14) transverse dark brown bars on the surfaces of limbs and digits.

Keywords: mitochondrial DNA;  morphology; new species; nuclear gene; taxonomy

Morphological features of the live adult male holotype GZNU20210629001 of Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov.
A: dorsolateral view; B: dorsal view; C: ventral view; D: ventral view of the hand; E: ventral view of the foot. Photos A to E were taken at around 9:00 am.

Morphological features in life. Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov., paratype GZNU2021062200. 
A: dorsal view; B: dorsolateral view; C: ventral view; D: ventral view of the hand; E: ventral view of the foot. Photos A to E were taken at around 9:00 am.

Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov. Luo, Deng and Zhou

Diagnosis: Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) moderate body size (SVL 28.3–30.6 mm in males); (2) rough dorsal skin, with sparse large granules and tubercles and short longitudinal ridges on the shoulder; (3) distinctly discernible tympanum with a diameter smaller than that of the eye (TMP/EYE ratio: 0.51) and a distinct black supratympanic line present; (4) an internasal distance almost equal to interorbital distance (IND/IOD ratio: 1.05); (5) flanks with several dark spots arranged longitudinally in two rows; (6) distinctly visible supra-axillary, femoral, pectoral, and ventrolateral glands; (7) bicolored iris, with the upper 1/3 of the iris being copper orange and the lower 2/3 a light silvery grey; (8) relative finger lengths of I < II = IV < III and relative toe lengths of I < II < V < III < IV; (9) absence of webbing and lateral fringes on fingers, and toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral fringes; (10) heels overlapping when the thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (11) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior corner of the eye when the leg is stretched forward; (12) ventral surfaces of the throat, chest, and belly greyish white with purple-brown speckling; (13) lacking distinct blackish dorsolateral markings; and (14) transverse dark brown bars on the surfaces of limbs and digits.

Etymology: The specific epithet yunyangensis is in reference to the type locality, Lianhua Village, Renhe Town, Yunyang County, Chongqing, China. For the common name, we suggest “Guishi Leaf Litter Toad”, and for the Chinese name “Gui Shi Zhang Tu Chan (贵师掌突蟾)”. The year 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of Guizhou Normal University, which has made outstanding contributions to the training of teachers in Guizhou Province and the promotion of zoological research in China, and I would like to express my heartfelt wishes to Guishi, which comes from the abbreviation of Guizhou Normal University. 

  

Tao LUO, Weifeng WANG, Dong PENG, Bo LEI, Huaiqing DENG, Shengnan JI, Heqing HUANG  and Jiang ZHOU. 2022. A New Species of the Asian Leaf Litter Toad Genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from Chongqing City, Southwest China. Asian Herpetological Research. 13(2); 75-95. https://link.oversea.cnki.net/doi/10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.210052

DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.210052

[Botany • 2022] Gomphostemma phetchaburiense (Lamiaceae) • A New Species from A Limestone Karst in southwest Thailand

 

Gomphostemma phetchaburiense Bongch. & Poopath,
 

in Bongcheewin, Poopath & Paton, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.3767/blumea.2022.67.01.07

  

Abstract

Gomphostemma phetchaburiense, a new species from Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, is described and illustrated. A key to the species of Gomphostemma in Thailand is provided and conservation status and the dimorphic leaf characters are discussed.

 

Keywords: Gomphostemma; Lamiaceae; Primulina; convective heat; leaf serration; limestone

 

Gomphostemma phetchaburiense Bongch. & Poopath.
a. Habitat, showing plant growing outside the limestone karst with incised serrate leaf margins; b. cyme and lateral view of corolla; c. habitat, showing plant growing inside the limestone cave entrance with shallowly serrate leaf margins.

 —  Photos by a: Youngyut Rukkachatsuwan; b, c: Preecha Karaket.

Bhanubong Bongcheewin, Manop Poopath and Alan J. Paton. 2022. Gomphostemma phetchaburiense (Lamiaceae), A New Species from A Limestone Karst in southwest Thailand. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. DOI: 10.3767/blumea.2022.67.01.07

[Entomology • 2024] Leptanilla voldemort • Leptanilla from the Pilbara, with A Key to Australian Leptanilla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Leptanilla voldemort

Wong & McRae, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072

Abstract

The genus Leptanilla Emery, 1870 of the family Formicidae, subfamily Leptanillinae, comprises miniscule, pale, blind ants that are rarely collected and poorly understood due to their hypogaeic (i.e. underground) lifestyles. Here we describe a new Leptanilla species from two workers collected via subterranean scraping in the arid Pilbara region of Western Australia. Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. is the second leptanilline species documented in Australia after the elusive Leptanilla swani Wheeler, 1932. Workers of L. voldemort sp. nov. display a remarkably gracile morphology characterised by elongated legs, antennae, and mandibles, and they are easily differentiated from other Leptanilla species. We also provide new measurements for L. swani from two workers found proximally to the type locality of L. voldemort sp. nov. A key to the worker caste of Leptanilla species of the Australian continent is presented.

Key words: Australia, hypogaeic, Leptanilla, Milieu Souterrain Superficiel, subterranean

Full-face view of Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. (holotype) from Western Australia.

Profile view and Dorsal view of Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. (holotype) from Western Australia.  
The postpetiole and gaster of the specimen, which were disconnected from the main body during mounting, were imaged separately and subsequently attached to the body digitally while ensuring consistency of scale.

 Leptanilla voldemort Wong & McRae, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet pays tribute to the antagonist in the Harry Potter book series, Lord Voldemort, a terrifying wizard who, like the new ant, is slender, pale, and thrives in darkness. The species epithet is a noun, and thus invariant.

Distribution: Only known from the type locality within the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

 Mark K. L. Wong and Jane M. McRae. 2024. Leptanilla (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Pilbara, with A Key to Australian Leptanilla. ZooKeys. 1197: 171-182. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072

[Botany • 2022] Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New herbaceous Genus and Species from Guinea, West Africa

Benna alternifolia  Burgt & Ver.-Lib.,

in van der Burgt, Haba, Magassouba et Veranso-Libalah, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52102

Abstract

Benna is a new monospecific genus in the Melastomataceae, from the Benna Plateau in Forécariah Prefecture in Guinea, West Africa. Molecular sequence data show the genus Benna is nested within the tribe Sonerileae but clearly unrelated to the other African Sonerileae genera. The genus is weakly supported as sister to the South American Sonerileae genus Phainantha. Similarities and differences with African and American Sonerileae genera are listed. The new species Benna alternifolia is a perennial evergreen herb, half-spherical in shape, up to 1.2 m in diameter. A plant may have up to 60 alternate leaves, with petioles up to 45 cm long and blades up to 31 × 28 cm. The flowers are actinomorphic, with 4 sepals and 4 pink petals, 8 dimorphic stamens, and an inferior 4-locular ovary. The fruit is a capsule. The seeds are obovoid or nearly so, with a smooth testa. Benna alternifolia occurs in deep shade in canyons, on vertical or overhanging sandstone rocks out of reach of falling rain drops, and only where water is seeping all year round, including during the 6-month dry season. About 680 plants were found. Benna alternifolia is assessed to the IUCN category Near Threatened.

KEYWORDS: Africa, alternate leaves, Benna, Guinea, Melastomataceae, near threatened, new genus, Sonerileae  

Benna alternifolia – A: the largest population was found in a deep canyon, of which the upper part is visible at the centre of the photograph, on a 1040 m-high hill on the Benna Plateau; B: plants in their habitat, on vertical rock in deep shade, under overhanging rocks, out of reach of falling rain drops, but within reach of permanently seeping water; C: group of four plants; D: single plant.

 – Origin: A, C from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering); B from Burgt & al. 2323; D from Burgt & Haba 2333. – All photographs by Xander van der Burgt.

Benna alternifolia – A: leaf upper surface; B: leaf lower surface; C: inflorescence with flower buds; D: roots. – Origin: A, D from Burgt & Haba 2333; B, C from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering).

– All photographs by Xander van der Burgt.

Taxonomy

Benna Burgt & Ver.-Lib., gen. nov.

Type: Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib.

Diagnosis — The genus Benna differs from all other African Melastomataceae genera by the following combination of characters: Herbs. Leaves alternate, venation acrodromous, margin dentate. Inflorescence cymose, paniculate, axillary, branching alternate. Flowers actinomorphic, epigynous, 4-merous, 8 dimorphic stamens. Fruit a capsule, apically dehiscent, containing many seeds. Seeds obovoid or nearly so, glossy, testa smooth. The genus Benna is placed in the tribe Sonerileae. A morphological comparison between Benna and the seven currently accepted African Sonerileae genera is presented in Table 1. A morphological comparison between Benna and the six currently accepted American Sonerileae genera is presented in Table 2.

Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib., sp. nov.

Benna alternifolia – A: branch showing alternate leaf arrangement, with two inflorescences and seven leaves: five mature leaves of which three removed, a young leaf, and a very young leaf; B: flower bud; C: petal inner surface; D: flower bud in longitudinal section with petals partly removed; E: large stamen back and front, small stamen back and front; F: ovary of flower bud in transverse section; G: ovary of flower bud seen from above; H: old infructescence with fruits partly decomposed; J: fruit; K: seeds.

– Origin: A from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering) and Burgt & al. 2323; B–G from Burgt & al. 2274; H–K from Burgt & Haba 2333.

 – Drawing by Xander van der Burgt.

Habitat and ecology — Benna alternifolia occurs on vertical sandstone rock, in deep shade in canyons 10–100 m deep (Fig. 3), and on vertical sandstone rock in deep shade of trees, at 300–800 m altitude. Plants occur only under overhanging rocks (Fig 3B), out of reach of falling rain drops, and only on vertical rock where water is seeping all year round, within reach of the several-meter-long roots. In this habitat, the perennial, evergreen, herbaceous plants, which do not have a rootstock, can continue to grow during the six-month dry season.

Benna alternifolia is often found together with Cincinnobotrys felicis (A. Chev.) Jacq.-Fél. (Melastomataceae), Impatiens bennae (Balsaminaceae) and Mesanthemum bennae (Eriocaulaceae). On the same vertical rocks, but higher up and in sunny, seasonally dry habitat, two plant species endemic to Guinea occur abundantly: Cailliella praerupticola (Melastomataceae) and Pitcairnia feliciana (Bromeliaceae), the only member of the family that is native outside America.

Etymology — The genus is named for the Benna Plateau or Benna Gadyah in the Susu language. The Benna Plateau holds the only known locations for the species. The specific epithet refers to the alternate leaf arrangement.

Vernacular name — In the Susu language, the name of Benna alternifolia is Labalaba Khamè or Labalaba Hamey, which means “male soft leaf”. The name Labalaba is given to Piper umbellatum L. (Burkill 1997, vol 4: p. 441), a herb with leaves similar in size and appearance. On the Benna Plateau, Piper umbellatum is named Labalaba Guinè, which means “female soft leaf”.

 

 

Xander M. van der Burgt, Pepe M. Haba, Sékou Magassouba and Marie Claire Veranso-Libalah. 2022. Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), A New herbaceous Genus and Species from Guinea, West Africa. Willdenowia. 52(1); 25-37. DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52102

[Botany • 2022] Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis (Brassicaceae) • A New cushion Genus from China and its systematic position

Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis  J. P. Yue, H. L. Chen, Al-Shehbaz & H. Sun, 

  

in Chen, Al-Shehbaz, Qian, ... et Sun, 2022. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.189.77926

Abstract

The new genus and species Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis (Brassicaceae) are described and illustrated. The species is a cushion plant collected from Xuegu La, Xizang, China. Its vegetative parts are most similar to those of Arenaria bryophylla (Caryophyllaceae) co-occurring in the same region, while its leaves and fruits closely resemble those of Xerodraba patagonica (Brassicaceae) from Patagonian Argentina and Chile. Family-level phylogenetic analyses based on both nuclear ITS and plastome revealed that it is a member of the tribe Crucihimalayeae, but the infra-/intergeneric relationships within the tribe are yet to be resolved.

Keywords: Crucihimalayeae, cushion plants, molecular phylogenetics, new species, Xizang

 

    

 Images of Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis 
A and B fruiting plants C fruits D septum and replum E and F seeds G and H flowering plants I and J stems K leaves.

  Scales bars: 1 mm. 

 Photos: A–F & I–K by Lishen Qian G and H by Jianwen Zhang.

Habitat and geographic distribution of Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis
 A–C alpine meadow habitat, white arrow in A points to the location, white arrows in B and C point to P. xuegulaensis  

 Photos: A by Jianwen Zhang B and C by Lishen Qian.

Pulvinatusia J.P. Yue, H.L. Chen, Al-Shehbaz & H. Sun, gen. nov.

   

 Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis J. P. Yue, H. L. Chen, Al-Shehbaz & H. Sun, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: As indicated above, the monospecific Pulvinatusia xuegulaensis and Ladakiella klimesii are the only members of the tribe Crucihimalayeae with pulvinate and scapose habit and pink to whitish pink petals. The former differs by having simple and fewer forked trichomes, thin papery leaves, solitary flowers, caducous sepals, and glabrous, somewhat flattened fruits. By contrast, L. klimesii has subdendritic trichomes with finely branched rays, thick and fleshy leaves, 2–4-flowered racemes, persistent sepals, and pubescent and terete fruits.

Name derivation: The generic name is derived from the pulvinate habit of the plant, and the species epithet from the Xuegu La (Xizang, China), where the type collection was made.

 Hong-Liang Chen, Ihsan A. Al-Shehbaz, Li-Shen Qian, Jian-Wen Zhang, Bo Xu, Ti-Cao Zhang, Ji-Pei Yue and Hang Sun. 2022. Pulvinatusia (Brassicaceae), A New cushion Genus from China and its systematic position. PhytoKeys. 189: 9-28. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.189.77926