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The new Checklist of hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) and liverworts (Marchantiophyta) of Slovenia within current political boundaries comprises 181 species, additional 4 subspecies and 2 varieties. Additional 5 species are denoted by a question mark since reports are considered questionable. An alphabetically arranged tabular presentation of genera, species and lower taxa shows their presence in the phytogeographical units of Slovenia. The records from the periods before and after 1958 are marked with different symbols. Each species also has a new Red List status in Slovenia. The checklist includes the data from the literature and Herbarium LJU. Annotations to selected species give a critical evaluation of the literature and herbarium data. A list of taxa that should be excluded from the flora of Slovenia, the synonyms and the used literature with floristic data not cited in this article are also added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genus Pteridium Gled. ex Scop. was thought to be monotypic with the cosmopolitan species P. aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. for many years. However, morphological variations among these plants in different regions have been noted since the 1940's, leading to the description of new taxa later. Molecular investigations, while not resolving all taxonomical questions within the genus, have highlighted its rich genetic diversity globally, confirming the status of several previously described species and subspecies. This wealth of data has prompted revisions of the Pteridium genus in regional floras, with Northern Eurasia serving as a central arena for such studies in the last 30 years. Recent data suggest that the European flora comprises a single species, P. aquilinum, with two subspecies, P. a. subsp. aquilinum and P. a. subsp. pinetorum (C.N. Page & R.R. Mill) J.A. Thomson. However, their distribution within the continent remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the representation and distribution of Pteridium taxa in Slovakia with an attempt to describe natural ranges of P. aquilinum subspecies based on herbarium materials and citizen science data within Europe for a whole. Results: It is confirmed that the genus Pteridium is represented by the single species with two mentioned subspecies in the flora of Europe, as well as in the flora of Slovakia. The distribution of these subspecies is mapped in the country. Additionally, we discuss the ranges of these subspecies for a whole, and we evidence the growth of P. aquilinum subsp. pinetorum within the Netherlands, Czechia, Austria, Hungary and Romania for the first time. Also, two new combinations of taxa from the Asian part of Russia are offered. Conclusion: Our study is a significant contribution in the present knowledge about the distribution and taxonomy of P. aquilinum, however it also shows that many questions concerning this taxon and its infraspecific taxa remain open. Additional field investigations and herbarium processing should be carried out for detailed explorations of biological and ecological peculiarities of the mentioned subspecies, and for the clear understanding of their regional distribution. Such explorations also might become a basis for new syntaxonomic revisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Checklist of mosses (Bryophyta) of Slovenia within current political boundaries comprises 669 species, 6 subspecies and 18 varieties. Additional 13 species are denoted by a question mark since reports are considered questionable. An alphabetically arranged tabular presentation of genera, species and lower taxa, also shows their presence in particular phytogeographical units of Slovenia. The records from the periods before and after 1959 are marked with different symbols. Each species has also new Red List status in Slovenia. The checklist includes the data from literature and the Herbarium LJU. Annotations to selected species give a critical evaluation of the literature and herbarium data. A list of taxa that should be excluded from the flora of Slovenia and the synonyms used in the floristic literature for Slovenia are also added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic and nomenclatural account on taxa of Iridaceae proposed by Ferdinand Schur, a famous investigator of the flora of Transylvania (present‐day Romania), is presented. Types are designated for 12 names, namely lectotypes for Crocus banaticus var. niveus, C. exiguus, Iris fieberi var. monantha, I. × binata, I. × cucullata, I. pseudocyperus, I. transsilvanica, I. sibirica var. salina, and neotypes for C. banaticus var. concolor, C. banaticus var. pictus, C. banaticus var. versicolor and I. pumila var. albiflora. Based on a broad examination of Schur's original and authentic material, the taxonomic application of these names, as well as of his invalidly published and unpublished names (appearing only on herbarium labels), are clarified. It is proposed to treat I. fieberi var. monantha as a taxonomic synonym of I. aphylla, I. pumila var. albiflora and I. transsilvanica as synonyms of I. pumila, and I. sibirica var. salina as a synonym of I. spuria. The names I. × binata and I. × cucullata are accepted for the hybrids I. aphylla × pumila and I. × germanica × pallida, respectively. The treatment of I. pseudocyperus as a distinct subspecies within I. graminea is supported. All names validly published by Schur in Crocus are treated as synonyms of C. heuffelianus s.l. until an adequate taxonomic revision covering the southern Carpathian allotetraploid C. cf. heuffelianus (2n = 18) is implemented. If this polyploid deserves the rank of a distinct species, the name C. exiguus, which seems to be the earliest validly published, should be accepted for this taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical species inventories provide primary biodiversity data crucial for biogeographical, ecological, and conservation studies. After six years, a second update to the inventory of the vascular flora native to Italy is presented. It provides details on the occurrence at regional level and, for the first time, floristic data for San Marino. The checklist includes 8,241 species and subspecies, distributed in 1,111 genera and 153 families; 23 taxa are lycophytes, 108 ferns and fern allies, 30 gymnosperms, and 8,080 angiosperms. The species/subspecies endemic to Italy are 1,702, grouped in 71 families and 312 genera. The taxa currently occurring in Italy are 7,591, while 545 taxa have not been confirmed in recent times, 94 are doubtfully occurring in the country, 11 are data deficient, and 236 are reported by mistake and to be excluded at national level. Out of the 545 not confirmed taxa, 28 are considered extinct or possibly extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic classification of dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp., Viscaceae) in series Campylopoda requires a multi-trait approach, integrating plant genetics, morphologies, and phenologies as well as their host and geographic distributions. Thus, competing interpretations on the contribution of these traits to defining species and subspecies boundaries has spurred considerable debate. Accordingly, the recent reclassification of 12 previously recognized species in ser. Campylopoda to separate subspecies of Arceuthobium campylopodum in the Flora of North America (FNA) has furthered this debate. We contend that these taxa deserve separate species recognition, while subspecies described prior to and after the recombination of ser. Campylopoda taxa in the FNA also deserve recognition. Herein, we provide evidence that the treatment in the FNA does not adequately reflect the diverse morphological, geographic, host, and phenological differences across the series, and hence, we maintain that the reclassification of ser. Campylopoda taxa was not justified according to empirical evidence published prior to and following the FNA treatment. We conclude our critique of the FNA treatment of ser. Campylopoda by advocating for the continued application of the Hawksworth and Wiens' classification system, with minor modifications to the constitution of the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plagiochila squamulosa subsp. tamas-pocsii Sajitha, Manju & Rawat, a new subspecies of P. squamulosa Mitt. of sect. Vagae Lindenb., is described from the Nelliyampathy Hills in the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. This is the first Indian record of the species P. squamulosa from outside Africa and is supportive of the close relationship between the bryophyte floras of tropical Africa and southern India. The affinities of the new subspecies with P. peradenyensis Schiffn. and P. palangiensis S.C.Srivast., K.K.Rawat & P.K.Verma are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pantropical genus Connarus is the largest within Connaraceae and comprises ca. 80 species, most of which occur in the Neotropics. The genus is potentially economically important as several taxa produce metabolites of medicinal interest. Morphologically, Connarus differs from other members of the family mainly by the punctate perianth, the single carpel and follicular and relatively broader fruits than in the other genera. In the decades after the publication of the Flora Neotropica monograph of Connaraceae, new botanical collections have become available, especially in American herbaria, allowing identification of overlooked characters and, hence, redefinition of species circumscriptions. In addition, a significant number of typifications were outdated and taxonomic novelties have recently been proposed – all elements that justify a revisional work. After intensive examination of herbarium specimens and field expeditions, the present study recognizes 57 species, 2 varieties and 2 subspecies of Connarus in the Neotropics; about 100 specific names were evaluated, 39 of which are here considered heterotypic synonyms, 11 of them are new synonyms. The distribution of Neotropical Connarus ranges from south Mexico to south Brazil and, although most species occur in dense wet forests, especially in the Amazonia and Atlantic Forest, some are dispersed in savannas from Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, in Brazilian coastal vegetations or in montane formations; wide distributions are commonly seen in wet forests from Central America to northern South America, while restricted occurrences or endemism are mainly observed in the Atlantic Forest, Peru and Venezuela. Complete morphological descriptions of the species of Neotropical Connarus are provided here, as well as illustrative images, identification keys, and detailed discussions of their taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution and habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, all the published names of Jasione (Campanulaceae) in the species, subspecies, and variety ranks for populations from the Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas are reviewed, including names of taxa allied to these groups in surrounding areas. These two areas are among the main centers of diversity of the genus, albeit no recent revisions to address the regional taxonomical complexity of the genus have been published for the Balkans and Anatolia. In this work, the taxonomic status and typification of twenty-six published names are discussed, including the plethora of names within the Jasione heldreichii, J. supina, and J. orbiculata taxonomic complexes. In total, eleven lectotypes and one neotype are designated for names from the aforementioned regions, plus one from southern Italy. This nomenclatural clarification establishes a reference for ongoing and future taxonomic and evolutionary studies of Jasione in the Mediterranean basin. In a genus prone to micro-endemism and cryptospeciation, a number of the historically described forms, despite being disregarded by current taxonomic treatments, may, therefore, deserve further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The updated checklist of the bryophyte flora of Albania (SE Europe), with the addition of eighteen new records (and several regional ones) presented here, comprises 583 taxa (species, subspecies, varieties) representing 212 genera and 96 families. The main list includes tabular distributional data by region. Reports after 1950 are differentiated from the earlier ones. The list is organized taxonomically (hornworts, liverworts and mosses) and in alphabetical order within each division. Updated synonymy and a systematic synopsis are presented at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moss flora of Lembah Jemaloi, Kenaboi Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan consists of 111 taxa (86 species, three subspecies and 22 varieties) in 48 genera dan 23 families. This total represents 19.7% of the 564 taxa, 30.1% of the 159 genera and 50.0% of the 46 families of moss in Peninsular Malaysia. While in Negeri Sembilan, 58.4% of the 190 taxa, 67.6% of the 71 genera and 74.2% of the 31 families recorded. From the total of 111 moss taxa, 20 are new additional records for Negeri Sembilan, viz. Acroporium condensatum, A. convolutum var. elatum, Barbula consanguinea, B. javanica, Campylopus umbellatus var. umbellatus, Ditrichum difficile var. difficile, Ectropothecium elegantipinnatum, E. monumentorum, Fissidens pseudoceylonensis, Isopterygium bancanum, Leucobryum juniperoideum, Leucomium strumosum, Macromitrium angustifolium, M. blumei var. blumei, Mitthyridium constrictum, Pogonatum camusii, Pseudotaxiphyllum pohliaecarpum, Pyrrhobryum medium, Rosulabryum tuberosum and Syrrhopodon semiliber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iris unguicularissensu lato is an endemic species to the Mediterranean region. In Italy, the species is alien and recorded in Liguria, Tuscany, Abruzzo, and Apulia administrative regions. In the latter region, the species was recorded in Salento, Province of Lecce (Southern Apulia), in three main stations: Li Fani, in the administrative territory of the municipality of Salve, Serra del Rio, Castiglione d'Otranto (Andrano) in the residual Mediterranean scrub areas, along with the new station of Serra of Masseria Grande, Spongano, and on a site near Surano. Morphological analyses and genetic investigations made it possible to establish how the specimens from Li Fani (Salve) belong to I. unguicularis subsp. unguicularis, a species of allochthonous origin, while the plants of Castiglione d'Otranto and Spongano represent a taxonomically distinct group, identifiable as I. unguicularis subsp. carica. The presence of this subspecies in Salento redefines the western boundaries of the area known to date, constituting a novelty for the Apulian and Italian flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we provide a new analysis on strict-endemic vascular plant taxa of Algeria and discuss their taxonomic diversity, geographical distribution and conservation status, based on a large literature review and our own field observations. Overall, 248 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) are currently considered as Algerian endemics, from 41 families and 128 genera. They constitute about 6.3% of the total known flora of Algeria. The northern floristic regions are richer in endemic species: K1, K2, AS3, C1+C2 and O1 are by far the richest floristic regions for strict-endemic taxa, highlighting the importance of their mountain ranges. Most (59%) of the endemic plants have a narrow geographical distribution range (range-restricted). An overview of the IUCN conservation status of the Algerian endemics indicates that only 16 taxa (6.4%) are evaluated, out of which 5.6% of the taxa are threatened. Overall, 44% of the Algerian endemics are legally protected and 43% are included in the protected areas network. Finally, we focus on the shortfalls of knowledge that could orient further research on endemism data in Algeria. They concern taxonomic, chorological or conservation figures and above all the actual presence of the endemic species. It is, therefore, urgent to carry out targeted field expeditions in order to find and re-collect these species, most of which are strictly localized and have probably never been searched or found for 60 years to over a century. Citation: Meddour R Sahar O & Jur S 2023: New anal sis of the endemic vascular lants of Al eria their diversit distribution pattern and conservation status. – Willdenowia 53: 25–43. Version of record first published online on 21 March 2023 ahead of inclusion in April 2023 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogenetic status of Quercus subg. Cyclobalanopsis has long been controversial and the interspecific relationships of some species are unclear. At present, chloroplast genomes have been used to solve the phylogenetic problems of subg. Quercus and Castanea in the Fagaceae, but there are few researches on solving the phylogenetic problems of Quercus subg. Cyclobalanopsis with chloroplast genome information. To reveal the chloroplasts genome characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of Quercus ningangensis, Q. oxyodon, Q. gambleana and Q. neglecta. In this study, mature leaves of the above four species of Quercus subg. Cyclobalanopsis were selected for next-generation sequencing, and the chloroplast genome structure and characteristics were analyzed, phylogeny was studied in combination with related taxa. The results were as follows:(1)The chloroplast genome sequences of Q. ningangensis, Q. oxyodon, Q. gambleana and Q. neglecta were 160 906, 160 883, 160 832, 160 784 bp, respectively. They all encoded 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes.(2)The codons ending in A/T were preferred by the four species of Quercus subg. Cyclobalanopsis, and the variation regions of plastid genome mainly existed in non-coding sequences.(3)According to IR boundary analysis, ycf1 pseudogene was found in four species of Quercus subg. Cyclobalanopsis and expanded in IRb/SSC regions.(4)Phylogenetic analysis showed that Fagus and Trigonobalanus were differentiated early in Fagaceae, while subg. Quercus did not form a monophyly. The results of phylogenetic tree based on chloroplast genome were consistent with the nuclear marker plasmid markers. Interspersed between Ilex group and Cerris group in subg. Quercus. (5)The Flora of China and some local flora treated Q. gambleana as a separate species, while ZHOU Zhekun and DENG Min et al. treated Q. gambleana as a subspecies according to the characteristics of leaves. The phylogenetic status of Q. gambleana is still controversial. Based on the chloroplast genome information and previous morphological analysis results, the present study supported the idea that Q. gambleana existed as an independent species. This study provides basic data for discussing the phylogenetic status of the Quercus subg. Cyclobalanopsis, the division of its groups, and the resolution of doubtful relationships among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilobium and Chamaenerion included 165 and 8 species over the world, respectively. The members of the genera are distributed particularly in moist habitats from subpolar to tropical regions. This paper aims to provide improvements in the phylogeny of the genera Epilobium and Chamaenerion using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of nuclear DNA and matK gene sequence data evaluation with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference criterations. A total of 188 individual accessions belonging to 28 taxa were newly generated and 110 sequences imported from GenBank (NCBI) were analysed. The nrDNA and plastid DNA gene trees supported to treat Epilobium and Chamaenerion as separate genera in two well-supported clades. The matK analyses revealed a better resolution than nrDNA ITS within the Chamaenerion clade and supported the inclusion of C. angustifolium in the sect. Chamaenerion. However, most of the examined species mostly fell into the polytomy in both trees excluding E. roseum subsp. consimile which should be considered a distinct species in the Epilobium contrary to morphological treatment in many national flora books. Both phylogenetic trees also support distinguishing E. prionophyllum from E. anatolicum previously treated as a subspecies of E. anatolicum. In conclusion, these preliminary phylogenetic analyses have contributed significantly to the determination of the limits of members belonging to Epilobium and Chamaenerion distributed in Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the study on flora of Hyrcanian forests and collecting specimens in order to plant in Hyrcanian habitat of National Botanical Garden of Iran, among the collected specimens, some specimens of the Quercus castaneifolia (Chestnut leaved oak) from south of Sari city in Mazandaran Province in North of Iran seemed to be interesting and were different from the other known subspecies of Q. castaneifolia. Results of morphological study of the species showed that there are clear differences between shape of the cupule and some micro-morphology traits of the leaf trichomes and pollen. Thus, based on the botanical traits of the new taxon and according to summarised data from the obtained results of the other subspecies and variety of the Q. castaneifolia, this taxon was identified as a new subspecies and named: Quercus castaneifolia subsp. recurvatus Zare et Panahi which is described here. The new taxon is related to Quercus castaneifolia subsp. castaneifolia var. castaneifolia and well characterised by having different shape and arrangement of the involucral bracts on the acorn cupule comparing with the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper new floristic records for 41 taxa (species and subspecies) are reported. In particular, 30 taxa are natives and 11 aliens. Among the natives 1 is new for Veneto, 7 are new or confirmed for Marche, 1 is new for Lazio, 9 are new or confirmed for Abruzzo, 2 are new or confirmed for Molise; 13 aliens taxa are new for Abruzzo, Lazio and Marche. Some findings are very interesting from a phytogeographic and/or conservation point of view, such as Allium guttatum subsp. dalmaticum new for Italy, Astragalus austriacus and Myosotis minutiflora subsp. minutiflora new for the Apennines, and, a species deserving urgent conservation actions, of which we report the second location at national scale. Furthermore, we report some new locations for very rare species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daphne oleoides subsp. sardoa is a chamaephyte scrub described as a new subspecies occurring in the siliceous and limestone mountains of central Sardinia, characterised by cleistogamous flowers, purplish-purple hypanthium with generally erect short triangular segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleocharis acutangula (Roxb.) Schult., subsp. breviseta J. D. Rosen is cited for the first time for the flora of Argentina. This study provides a brief morphological description and identification key with E. acutangula (Roxb.) Schult. subsp. acutangula, a figure of the general aspect and the achenes of both subspecies and a description of their ecology and distribution in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the fourth part of data on selected new and noteworthy taxa originating from the revision of Herbarium collection of the Institute for Nature Conservation of the Vojvodina province (PZZP). Selected taxa include 13 species, two subspecies, 1 variety and two nothospecies placed within 11 genera (Malus Mill., Marrubium L., Marsilea L., Medicago L., Melampyrum L., Melica L., Melilotus Mill., Menyanthes L., Pholiurus Trin., Plantago L. and Ranunculus L.). One species (Malus dasyphylla) is new for a flora of Vojvodina province. Also, one subspecies (Melica ciliata subsp. magnolii) and one variety (Melampyrum nemorosum var. heterotrichum) are confirmed for Serbia while one species (Menyanthes trifoliata) is confirmed for Vojvodina province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of numerous own observations, occasionally with information from third parties and with selected information from relevant literature, all orchid species of the island of Krk mentioned or recorded so far are described in detail. The basis for this is more than 2,000 entries of documented occurrences on the island of Krk, which were taken from our „data treasure“ with more than 12,000 entries on the orchid flora of the northeastern Adriatic (period of the years 1999 to 2022). The distribution maps, also based mainly on our own data, were supplemented by reports of findings in the Flora of Istria and, in some cases, with information from the Flora Croatica Database, thus providing an almost complete representation of the currently known distribution picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper brings additional information about the red listed species Polycarpon tetraphyllum from the spontaneous flora of Romania. The research on this taxon started after the identification of a plant material collected from ruderal places of the municipality of Craiova (Dolj County). Polycarpon tetraphyllum is the only species belonging to the genus Polycarpon (Family Caryophyllaceae) that is spread on the Romanian territory. At European level, two species are known (P. polycarpoides, P. tetraphyllum with three subspecies: P. tetraphyllum sp. tetraphyllum; ssp. diphyllum; ssp. alsinifolium). In some European countries, including Romania, this plant is considered to be adventive. The plant analyzed by us in this paper is an Atlantic - Mediterranean taxon, located at the northern limit of the range, found in southern and eastern Europe. In Romania, it is known only from Mehedinți County (i.e. from the localities of Orșova and Vârciorova) and from Dolj County (Valea Stanciului and Craiova). Our research on this species focused on information related to chorology (literature, herbarium and field data), habitat and the phytosociological context in which it was mentioned in the literature and in which it was found in the last two years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill. s. l. (Asparagaceae s. l. / Hyacinthaceae s. str.) is a taxonomically complicated species (or a species aggregate) with a high level of intraspecific polymorphism. Since it has been taxonomically established, a large number of taxa of different ranks have been identified for various regions of Europe, such as Muscari lelievrei Boreau, M. motelayi Foucaud – for France, M. transsilvanicum Schur – for Romania, Botryanthus kerneri Marches., Muscari longifolium Rigo – for Italy, M. botryoides subsp. hungaricum Priszter – for Hungary, M. botryoides var. podolicum Zapał., M. carpaticum Racib. and M. pocuticum Zapał. – for Ukraine. The article provides a brief overview of the main publications on intraspecific taxonomy of M. botryoides. A list of selected synonyms (mainly taxa mentioned for the flora of Ukraine) of the species is provided. It is noted that the intraspecific taxonomy of M. botryoides remains unresolved in many aspects.

Seasonal variation in microclimate and activity pattern of I Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis i 155 B Johanna Ambu, Desiree Andersen and Amaël Borzée b Spawning site selection and segregation at the landscape, habitat and microhabitat scales for five syntopic Asian amphibians 169 B Valerie Zwahlen, Olivier Lourdais, Sylvain Ursenbacher and Gaëtan Guiller b Rare genetic admixture and unidirectional gene flow between I Vipera aspis i and I Vipera berus i at their contact zone in western France 181 B Short Notes b Marko Bugarci'c, Ana Ivanovi'c, Milena Cvijanovi'c and Tijana Vuci'c: Consequences of hybridization on life history and growth in postmetamorphic I Triturus macedonicus i 195 Joice Martins, Adriele Magalhães, António Cruz, Matheus Corrêa and Maria Rita Pires: Anuran fauna of reforested riparian forests: is microhabitat the decisive factor for colonization? B Number 1 b B Review b B Lukas Landler b Orientation and emigration of larval and juvenile amphibians: selected topics and hypotheses 1 B Blake R. Hossack, Julio Alberto Lemos-Espinal, Brent H. Sigafus, Erin Muths, Gerardo Carreón Arroyo, Daniel Toyos Martinez, David Hurtado Félix, Guillermo Molina Padilla, Caren S. Goldberg, Thomas R. Jones, Michael J. Sredl, Thierry Chambert and James C. Rorabaugh b Distribution of tiger salamanders in northern Sonora, Mexico: comparison of sampling methods and possible implications for an endangered subspecies 13 B Gerlinde Höbel, Robb Kolodziej, Dustin Nelson and Christopher White b Effect of body size, age and timing of breeding on clutch and egg size of female Eastern Gray Treefrogs, I Hyla versicolor i 25 B Isabel Damas-Moreira, João P. Maia, Beatriz Tomé, Daniele Salvi, Ana Perera and D. James Harris b Blood parasites in sympatric lizards: what is their impact on hosts' immune system?. [Extracted from the article]

The southern African species of Chamaecrista were all treated under Cassia in Gordon-Gray's treatment for the Flora of Southern Africa. However, given the subsequent generic recircumscriptions in the subtribe Cassiinae, and the expanded collections of these taxa, there is a need to revisit the taxonomy of the group. The present study aimed to conduct a detailed taxonomic revision of the species of Chamaecrista indigenous to the flora of southern Africa region. Extensive fieldwork was carried out to study the taxa in their natural environment and morphological characters were additionally studied using herbarium material. The revision presented here includes comprehensive descriptions, a key to the species, nomenclature, typifications, diagnostic characters with illustrations, and geographical distribution maps of all recognised taxa. Eleven species of Chamaecrista are recognised for the flora of southern Africa, two of which are described as new, i.e. Chamaecrista grandiglandulata and C. gordon-grayei. In addition, one new subspecies is described, namely C. gordon-grayei subsp. longipedicellata, while Chamaecrista comosa var. capriconia is raised to the rank of subspecies, viz. Chamaecrista comosa subsp. capriconia. The typifications published here include lectotypes designated for Chamaecrista plumosa and C. stricta, neotypes designated for C. capensis var. flavescens, C. comosa, and C. plumosa var. diffusa, and an isolectotype designated for C. stricta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The territory of Albania includes a wide range of habitats and biodiversity. In the 3rd published volume of “Flora of Albania” Lamiaceae family is recognized as Labiatae family and includes 32 genera. The aim of this study is to bring an update of data on one of the large families of “Flora of Albania”, Lamiaceae family. First, this study refers to “Flora of Albania” volumes, as the only complete publication for the Albanian flora. Most of the data for the critical revision has been extracted from literature, such as the four volumes of “Flora of Albania”, the five volumes of the “Flora Europaea”, the MedChecklist and the Euro+Med Plantbase. Two genera: Acinos Miller and Calamintha Miller did not exist so far, and now this two genera are part of Clinopodium L. genus. From 276 taxa of this family only 143 remain unchanged like in the 3rd edition of “Flora of Albania”, whereas 133 taxa are new for Albania (with changed species/subspecies names or not even found in any of “Flora of Albania” published volumes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide a nomenclatural foundation for the treatment of Boechera in the soon-to-be-published Flora of New Mexico, we here discuss the current taxonomic situation in the genus, name three new species (B. austromontana, B. pseudoconsanguinea, and B. quadrangulensis), provide new combinations for B. kelseyana, B. thompsonii, and B. villosa as subspecies of B. crandallii, and propose subspecific names under B. perennans for nine taxa currently treated as species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus Pavonia in the FSA region is presented • 12 species are identified including one newly described subspecies (P. elegans subsp. stellata) • A combination of leaf, epicalyx, calyx and mericarp characters can be used to distinguish between the species Pavonia is the only genus of the tribe Malvaviscae in the FSA region and is distinguished by the style branches and stigmas being twice as many as the carpels. In this revision, 12 species are recognised, four of which are endemic to the FSA region (P. dentata, P. dregei, P. praemorsa and P. transvaalensis) with P. dregei being classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN red list. The new subspecies, Pavonia elegans subsp. stellata is described and P. gossweileri is taken into synonymy with P. rehmannii. In the present revision, a combination of leaf, epicalyx, calyx and mericarp characters are used to distinguish the species of Pavonia. We include correct nomenclature, typification, descriptions, geographical distributions, and a key to the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project, a species checklist of the genus Capparis in Peninsular Malaysia is presented here with a total of 11 species, two subspecies and four varieties. A new species and two varieties, endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, are described and illustrated: Capparis kenaboiensis, C. scortechinii var. ruthiae and C. trinervia var. chungiana. Capparis kenaboiensis is known from a single site in Negeri Sembilan and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU); C. scortechinii var. ruthiae from Pahang is Vulnerable (VU); and Capparis trinervia var. chungiana is known from Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor and its conservation status is assessed as Near Threatened (NT). A checklist and updated key to the genus in Peninsular Malaysia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perrottetia taronensis from the Dulong Jiang valley in northwestern Yunnan Province, China and the Babulongtan mountain range in northern Kachin State, Myanmar is here described as a new species of the Dipentodontaceae. It is the third species of the genus to be recognized for China and the first to be reported for Myanmar. It is similar to P. alpestris s.s. but differs by characters of its leaf margins, inflorescences, and fruit. The three subspecies of P. alpestris recognized by Hou in "Flora Malesiana" are here recognized as three distinct species, i.e., P. alpestris, P. moluccana, and P. philippinensis on the basis of differences in diagnostic characters and distribution. The report in the "Flora of China" of the Taiwan species P. arisanensis from Yunnan is determined to be incorrect due to misidentification of two specimens at KUN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper represents an update of the list of Italian amphibians and reptiles published 15 years ago by Razzetti et al. (2006) and of the checklist published in 1993 by the late Benedetto Lanza. At present, the Italian herpetofauna includes 101 species (41 amphibians and 60 reptiles) and an amphibian taxon of hybrid origin. Seven species and one subspecies are allochthonous and became naturalized within the last century. Since the last published list, a new species has been described (Vipera walser), five taxa have been raised to species rank (Salamandrina perspicillata, Speleomantes sarrabusensis, Zootoca carniolica, Malpolon insignitus and Natrix helvetica) while three taxa have been downgraded to subspecies. All the relevant taxonomic changes based upon new research have been discussed, including tentative revisions and controversial taxa. Nine species reported or listed dubitatively in Lanza’s 1993 list are excluded here.

Abstract An understanding of the genetic diversity and structure of plant species is essential in order to comprehend the degree of biodiversity loss and to develop successful restoration programs. Handroanthus is an important genus that presents one of the most valuable timbers of South America. Handroanthus chrysanthus is an important species distributed in Central and South America. Microsatellite markers are not previously developed for this species. Ten microsatellites for Handroanthus chrysanthus developed using high-throughput sequencing are presented here. The usefulness of these microsatellite loci for the genetic analysis of subspecies H. chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus (distributed in coastal dry forests) and subspecies H. chrysanthus subsp. meridionalis (distributed in premontane moist forests) is analyzed. At least eight polymorphic microsatellites are useful for each subspecies, seven of which can be used in both subspecies.

Background. The efficiency of heterotic breeding is determined by reasonable selection of the lines with the best combining abilities and important breeding traits. It is possible to use the variability potential of the majority of traits when the level of resistance to the main diseases and pests is quite high. The most harmful disease of maize is common or boil smut (caused by Ustilago zeae (Beckm.) Unger). The breeding of resistant lines and hybrids of maize is the most rational, cheap and ecologically safe way to fight the disease. The initial stage of breeding work is the identification of pathogen-resistant forms.Materials and methods. In 2017, 594 accessions of six main Zea mays L. subspecies were studied using a score scale against the natural infectious background at the Kuban Experiment Station of VIR. The weather conditions (downpours and abrupt daily temperature fluctuations) were favorable for severe infection of maize plants with the pathogen.Results and conclusion. No disease symptoms were found in 173 accessions; 162 genotypes were affected only slightly. The greatest number of accessions with resistance to boil smut belonged to subsp. indentata (Sturt.) Zhuk. (69.4% of the total studied accessions), subsp. everta (69.2%) and subsp. semidentata (Sturt.) Zhuk. (66.7%). Accessions of subsp. amylacea (Sturt.) Zhuk. were more susceptible to the pathogen than other maize subspecies. The Russian, European and North American local maize varieties and self-pollinated lines had a low infection rate, while the accessions that came to the VIR collection from Asia and South America showed higher rates. After two years of comprehensive studies, the selected forms can be recommended for the use in breeding for immunity.

Abstract Background Photosynthetic efficiency might be a key factor determining plant resistance to abiotic stresses. Plants can sense when growing conditions are not favorable and trigger an internal response at an early stage before showing external symptoms. When a high amount of salt enters the plant cell, the membrane system and function of thylakoids in chloroplasts could be destroyed and affect photosynthetic performance if the salt concentration is not regulated to optimal values. Oryza species have salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive genotypes; however, very few studies have investigated the genetic architecture responsible for photosynthetic efficiency under salinity stress in cultivated rice. Results We used an imaging-based chlorophyll fluorometer to monitor eight rice varieties that showed different salt tolerance levels for four consecutive days under control and salt conditions. An analysis of the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters clearly showed the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII in sensitive varieties was significantly reduced after NaCl treatment when compared to tolerant varieties. A panel of 232 diverse rice accessions was then analyzed for chlorophyll fluorescence under salt conditions, the results showed that chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as F0 and NPQ were higher in Japonica subspecies, ΦPSII of Indica varieties was higher than that in other subgroups, which suggested that the variation in photosynthetic efficiency was extensively regulated under salt treatment in diverse cultivated rice. Two significant regions on chromosome 5 were identified to associate with the fraction of open PSII centers (qL) and the minimum chlorophyll fluorescence (F0). These regions harbored genes related to senescence, chloroplast biogenesis and response to salt stress are of interest for future functional characterization to determine their roles in regulating photosynthesis. Conclusions Rice plant is very sensitive to salinity stress, especially at young seedling stage. Our work identified the distribution pattern of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in seedlings leaf and their correlations with salt tolerance level in a diverse gene pool. We also revealed the complexity of the genetic architecture regulating rice seedling photosynthetic performance under salinity stress, the germplasm analyzed in this study and the associated genetic information could be utilized in rice breeding program.

The sweet tabaiba (Euphorbia balsamifera Ait.) is one of the classical examples of the disjunct biogeographic pattern known as Rand Flora. This species is currently circumscribed to comprise two subspecies, Euphorbia balsamifera subsp. balsamifera and E. balsamifera subsp. adenensis (Deflers) P.R.O. Bally, with their respective areas of distribution separated by a gap of about 2000 km across Central‐East Africa. We use multiple sources of evidence including phylogenomics, morphometrics, lineage ages, and climatic niche analysis to disentangle the confusing taxonomy around this charismatic Euphorbia lineage. Based on our integrative approach, we reestablish the two current subspecies to the rank of species (E. balsamifera Ait., E. adenensis Deflers) and resurrect the long forgotten E. sepium N.E. Br., a commonly used species in the western Sub‐Saharan and Sahelian regions. The taxonomic treatment presented here includes an identification key, updated morphological descriptions, and lectotypification of several names. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floristic investigation of the flora of North and Central Greece was continued, with emphasis on the genera Hieracium and Pilosella. As a result, five species and one subspecies of the genus Hieracium and two species of the genus Pilosella were detected for the first time in Greece and reported here. According to the original description and classification, Hieracium juranomorphum and Pilosella neosyllecta are suggested to be treated in the species rank. One new combination has been offered (Pilosella neosyllecta). The wrong spelling of Hieracium chalasinense has been corrected to H. chalasmenoense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information is compiled referring to the type specimens kept in the herbarium "Julián Acuña Galé", of the University of Camagüey "Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz", Cuba. The existence of 17 specimens that typify the names of 12 taxa (eight species, two subspecies and two forms), belonging to 10 genera and four families, is disclosed. Seven are holotypes and 10 isotypes. The presence in this herbarium of three of the latter is revealed for the first time, while another three do not have duplicates in other collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diverse Eocene charophyte flora from a section at Gánt (Vértes Hills), Transdanubian Central Range, north-western Hungary, provides significant new information building on previous studies based only on sub-surface data published from the mid-twentieth century. This newly acquired material facilitates the taxonomic revision and emendation of the species Raskyella peckii and thereby defines a new anagenetic lineage based on three successive varieties that were formerly considered as separate species or subspecies: Raskyella peckii var. peckii (early Lutetian–early Bartonian), Raskyella peckii var. caliciformis (early Bartonian), and Raskyella peckii var. vadaszii (late Bartonian). Based on this lineage, we propose a new local charophyte biozonation that consists of a 'Raskyella peckii Superzone' (Lutetian–Bartonian), sub-divided into three successive charophyte partial range zones: the 'Raskyella peckii peckii Zone' (Lutetian–lower-most Bartonian) characterized by an assemblage of R. peckii peckii, Gyrogona caelata forma caelata, G. caelata forma monolifera and Nitellopsis (Tectochara) aff. palaeohungarica, the 'Raskyella peckii caliciformis Zone' (lower Bartonian) characterized by the assemblage of R. peckii var. caliciformis, G. caelata forma caelata, G. caelata forma monolifera, G. caelata forma baccata, Nitellopsis (Tectochara) aff. palaeohungarica and Chara media, and the 'Raskyella peckii vadaszii Zone' (upper Bartonian) characterized by R. peckii var. vadaszii, G. caelata forma bicincta, G. caelata forma baccata, G. caelata forma fasciata, G. tuberosa, Psilochara polita, Psilochara sp., Chara media and Chara subcylindrica. Future research may show the new local biozonation as applicable to the whole of Europe and complementary to the current European charophyte biozonation. Our results show that the sequences from Gánt, which were previously regarded as upper mid-Eocene (upper Lutetian–lower Bartonian) in age, appear to represent a longer chronostratigraphic interval: lower Lutetian to upper Bartonian. Our chronostratigraphic results imply a longer and more stepwise Eocene major transgression in the Transdanubian Central Range than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selected genotypes of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) produce partial hybrids in sexual crosses with Medicago arborea, as reported in Plants (2013). The hybrids contain mostly alfalfa DNA and traits, but also contain DNA and traits from M. arborea. It was proposed in 2008 that the partial hybrids could be explained by fertilization of 2n eggs in alfalfa by normal pollen from M. arborea, followed by partial loss of M. arborea chromosomes during embryogenesis. In this paper, we confirm the presence of 2n eggs in the first alfalfa parents that produced hybrids. The test for 2n eggs involved pollinating 4x alfalfa with pollen from 8x alfalfa. The production of 8x progeny in the cross proved that selected alfalfa parents produced 2n eggs. Thus, 2n eggs appear to explain how the partial hybrids (hereafter hybrids) contain mostly alfalfa DNA and traits. However, two of the six alfalfa plants that did not hybridize with M. arborea also had 2n eggs. Thus, although 2n eggs explain the alfalfa content of hybrids, 2n eggs are not the only factor involved in weakening the hybridization barrier, and in transferring genes to alfalfa from M. arborea.

Chromosome numbers and karyotype morphology are given for four taxa of the Greek flora together with distributional and taxonomic notes. The chromosome number (2n = 16) and karyotype morphology of Allium sphaerocephalon subsp. arvense is reported for the first time in material from Kithnos island (Kiklades). The studied population of Cyclamen graecum subsp. graecum shows the chromosome number 2n = 84, which is in accordance with previous reports from Greek material of unknown origin. A new subpopulation of Cynara cyrenaica from E Crete is presented and karyologically investigated confirming the previous chromosome number (2n = 34), whereas microphotograph of the karyotype is provided here for the first time. Furthermore, chromosome data for Ornithogalum fimbriatum subsp. fimbriatum reveal a diploid karyotype (2n = 12), which constitute the first karyological contribution from a Greek population belonging to the typical subspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphometric analysis has been carried out for the first time in order to investigate the variability of the infraspecific taxa included in the steno-Mediterranean Malva cretica s.l., i.e. M. Cretica subsp. althaeoides, M. cretica subsp. cretica, and the poorly-known M. Cretica var. montana, described from southern Italy. According to our results, M. cretica subsp. althaeoides and subsp. cretica are worth of taxonomic recognition at subspecies rank and occupy respectively the western and the central-eastern sectors of the species range. Concerning M. Cretica var. montana, characterized by some intermediate features, it should be included in M. Cretica subsp. cretica.

The proposed classification system of the species Linum usitatissimum L. is based on the study of morphological features and the results of analyzing hybrids from diallelic crosses among all supposed flax taxa including primitive forms and the wild species L. angustifolium Huds. Genetic similarity between taxa was judged by their morphological affinity, crossability both among themselves and with L. angustifolium as a supposed ancestor of cultivated flax, and viability of Fi reported earlier (Kutuzova, 20ll). Research results show that fiber, intermediate and crown flax forms are varieties of cultivated flax, not subspecies, as N. M. Chernomorskaya and A. K. Stankevich (1987) claimed. New flax varieties have been described: L. usitatissimum subsp. usitatissimum var. nanum Kutuz. var. nova, dwarf flax from Ethiopia differing from other crown forms in that its F1 from the cross with L. angustifolium is practically unviable, and L. usitatissimum subsp. bienne (Mill.) Stankev. var. colchicum Kutuz. var. nova. - Colchian flax.

Four species of Poa L. are newly reported for sub-Saharan Africa and southern Africa, Poa compressa L., P. iconia Azn., P. infirma Kunth and P. nemoralis L. This is the first report of P. iconia from Africa. Vouchers at PRE of P. bulbosa L. all belong to var. vivipara Koeler, those of P. iconia belong to var. iconia and the one of P. trivialis L. belongs to var. trivialis. Two subspecies are recognised in P. pratensis L.: subsp. irrigata (Lindm.) H.Lindb. and subsp. pratensis. We also designate a lectotype for P. iconia and second-step lectotype for P. leptoclada Hochst. ex A.Rich. and report the first recording of a diclinous breeding system in P. binata Nees. Our account updates the treatment in Identification Guide to Southern African Grasses (Fish et al. 2015) including a key to the taxa and notes on infrageneric taxonomy, DNA subtypes, ecology, chromosome numbers and breeding systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has the potential to have a major impact on flora and fauna across Australia. There is a need to investigate the potential impact of climate change at a subspecies level to inform effective conservation management. To date, there have been no studies that have considered the effects of climate change on the distribution and habitat of the Brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa. In this research, the potential changes to the phascogale climatic envelope were modelled to simulate low emissions (RCP2.6) and high emissions (RCP8.5) scenarios for 2075. Six bioclimatic parameters were selected, based on their likelihood of influencing phascogale occupancy. Modelling was conducted separately on two groupings of phascogale that occur in central Victoria and from northern New South Wales to southern Queensland. Of the selected parameters, the maximum temperature of the hottest month was found to have the greatest influence over phascogale distribution. The high emission scenario for 2075 suggests that climatically suitable phascogale habitat would contract by 79% in Queensland, 67% in Victoria and 17% in New South Wales. Suitable habitat would also increase in some areas with large expansions in New South Wales. Habitat connectivity will be essential for allowing phascogales to move through the landscape to reach areas where climate may be most suitable under warming. These projections do not take into account the increase in bushfires and other natural disasters that could exacerbate the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work on the catalogue of type specimens of vascular plants deposited in the KRAM herbarium has highlighted uncertainties and errors in references to place of valid publication of numerous taxa described by Hugo Zapałowicz in his Conspectus florae Galiciae criticus - Krytyczny przegląd roślinności Galicyi (1904- 1914). Zapałowicz published his work in an excerpt series, a serial publication and a multi-volume book, with much duplication amongst these three different forms. Despite the importance of this work, no studies have clarified the dates of publication of its various parts, as relevant to the nomenclature of numerous new taxa of Central European vascular plants described therein: 94 species and hybrids, 10 subspecies and more than 2000 other infraspecific taxa. Here, the publication dates of the component parts of Zapałowicz's work are clarified and discussed. Archival sources that made it possible to determine publication dates of these works are described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize geographical variation in the genetics, ecology, morphology and plumage of the Hooded Plover Charadrius cucullatus, a threatened shorebird widespread on coasts (south-east) and saltlakes (south-west) across the southern mainland of Australia. We confirm the distinctness of populations on either side of the Nullabor Plain/Great Australian Bight indicating that this apparent biogeographic barrier to terrestrial flora and fauna also influenced the phylogeographic pattern of a resident shorebird which is dependent on access to saline/hypersaline water. Western birds are genetically distinct, larger and have darker plumage than those in the east. Distinct ecological differences also exist, with eastern birds being resident, usually occurring on ocean beaches, with generalised diets and seasonal, solitary breeding. Western birds are nomadic, breeding when suitable conditions prevail, and exhibit more specialized diets, and may at times breed semi-colonially. Within the extensive eastern population, genetic analyses revealed an isolation by distance pattern, as well as genetic evidence of a long distance dispersal event. South Australian birds are distinct from Victorian birds, but cluster closely with Victorian birds in all genetic analyses. The western population features little genetic structuring, consistent with nomadism and congregatory behavior associated with drought/flood events. The distinctness of western populations found using multiple lines of evidence and the lack of evidence for any recent migration events across the Nullabor Plain, suggests that previously described subspecies warrant reinstatement, and that these evolutionary units require conservation assessment, as has been recognized by national conservation authorities. Conservation management of the eastern population should occur across its distribution, taking care to capture the genetic variability which is evident within this population. Further exploration of genetic variation between Eastern states is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the checklist presented here, the bryophyte flora of Hungary consists of 2 species in 2 genera and 2 families of hornworts, 146 species and 3 additional infraspecific taxa (1 subspecies and 2 varieties) in 60 genera and 34 families of liverworts, and 521 species and 17 additional infraspecific taxa (5 subspecies and 12 varieties) in 186 genera and 64 families of mosses, in total 669 species, 6 subspecies and 14 varieties or 689 taxa. During the last decade, 40 bryophyte taxa (6 liverworts and 34 mosses) were added to the Hungarian bryophyte flora (Appendix 1.1), and an additional 19 taxa (4 liverworts and 15 mosses) that were already part of the Hungarian flora but not recognised in the previous checklist, are now incorporated in the list (Appendix 1.2). On the other hand, 29 taxa (7 liverworts and 22 mosses) must be excluded according to our present state of knowledge (Appendix 2). Another 13 taxa (2 liverworts and 11 mosses) that are at present not considered members of the Hungarian bryoflora are annotated in Appendix 3. They were not recognised in the previous checklist (with one exception), but are reported from Hungary in some literature and with five exceptions are also recognised in the European checklist. In many cases we have insufficient information to definitely decide upon their status. Annotations to all taxa listed in the three appendices provide additional information. In Appendix 4 to all names of bryophyte taxa that appeared in the previous checklist (except excluded taxa) the presently accepted names are assigned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bryophyte flora of Italy sums up 1191 species, 18 subspecies and 35 varieties. Among them, hornworts and liverworts are represented by 297 species, 5 subspecies and 4 varieties, united in 99 genera and 54 families, while mosses totalize 894 species, 13 subspecies and 31 varieties, grouped into 253 genera and 77 families. The lists include tabular distributional data by region, based on literature records and herbarium material, especially for rare and doubtful species. Similarly, it differentiates between reports before and after 1968, using the most recently published information when appropriate. Critical notes on distributional and taxonomical issues are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]