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The description of Blepharidina socotrana sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), with clear Afrotropical affinities, from Socotra Island is provided. Photos of the main diagnostic morphological characters, including aedeagus, are supplied. A phylogenetic analysis of all species of Blepharidina Bechyné, 1968, performed to clarify the taxonomic position of the new species, confirms the presence of two clades referable to as Blepharidina s. str. and B. (Afroblepharida Biondi & D’Alessandro, 2017), and places the new species within Afroblepharida, even though with a moderate support.

Fourteen species of euryalids are reported from collections made in the eastern and western Indian Ocean during the International Indian Ocean Expedition. Three new species are described: Astrocladus goodingi from the Comoro Islands, Astrocladus socotrana from the northwestern Indian Ocean near the island of Socotra, and Astrocyclus somaliensis from off northeastern Somalia. Range extensions are documented for Asteronyx luzonicus, Astroglymma sculptum, Astrocladus ludwigi, Asteromorpha capensis and Squamophis amamiensis.

A new species of Colotrema Wittmer, 1979 (Malachiidae: Malachiinae: Colotini) from Socotra Island is described and illustrated: Colotrema socotrana sp. nov. It is most similar to C. barbertonica Wittmer, 1991 from South Africa, but differs from the latter in colouration of the extremities and morphology of maxillary palpi and terminalia. This species represents the first record of Colotrema for Socotra. In addition, C. asirensis Wittmer, 1979 and C. testacea wajjensis Wittmer, 1980 are recorded from continental Yemen for the first time. A key to the species of Colotrema occurring in the Arabian Peninsula and in the Socotran Archipelago is given.

The review of specimens from Iran belonging to the Portulaca oleracea L. aggregate resulted in the recognition of six microspecies: P. cypria Danin, P. granulatostellulata (Poelln.) Ricceri & Arrigoni, P. nitida (Danin & H.G.Baker) Ricceri & Arrigoni, P. rausii Danin, P. socotrana Domina & Raimondo, and P. trituberculata Danin, Domina & Raimondo, all reported for the first time for the flora of Iran. The identification was based on the microscopic study of seeds. It is noted that P. oleracea is not confirmed for Iran. Distribution data and an identification key for Portulaca microspecies in Iran are presented.

The present work evaluates the effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Dendrosicyos socotrana and Jatropha unicostata on the viability of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces in vitro, and on the development of secondary hydatid cysts, in vivo. Three different concentrations of each leaf extract were used. Concentrations of 5000 and 1000 μg/mL, for D. socotrana and J. unicostata, respectively, exhibited the highest protoscolicidal activity, significantly reducing and/or stopping protoscolex viability. Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extracts in white mice invoked noticeable inhibitory effects on the in vivo development of secondary hydatid cysts. These effects were compared with those of albendazole sulfoxide, a commonly used treatment for hydatidosis.

Summary The study of recent collections from the Island of Soqotra (Yemen) has led to the identification of a new species of Portulaca belonging to the P. oleracea aggregate. This new species is here described and named Portulaca socotrana. In Socotra other 5 species of Portulaca are reported, including P. oleracea. The occurrence of the latter or the attribution of its previous reports to the new species are still to be verified.

Phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of the stem of Dendrosicyos socotrana Balf. f. resulted in the isolation of a new pentacyclic cucurbitane glycoside Socotroside, in addition to the three known cucurbitacins, dihydrocucurbitacin D, dihydrocucurbitacin F and cucurbitacin G. The structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of their spectral data. The isolated cucurbitacin aglycones showed marked cytotoxic activity.

A remarkable new tiger beetle species, Socotrana labroturrita, gen. n., sp. n., is described from inland mountainous area of Socotra Island, Republic of Yemen, based on a single male specimen. Systematic affinities are discussed and male genitalia are illustrated.

Five juvenile specimens of the rare crangonid shrimpVercoia socotrana Ďuris 1992 were collected in the western Gulf of Aden, West Indian Ocean during FSMETEOR cruise (MINDIK) in 1987. The specimens agree well morphologically with the original description, based on a single ovigerous female from the Socotra Island. Some minor differences are due to the small size of the present specimens. Some additional data on the morphology of the species are provided.

Four species of Cleome with small flowers, 6 stamens, petals without appendages, spreading to erect capsules, and hairy seeds, are recognized in the Horn of Africa region: C. socotrana in the Socotra archipelago (Yemen), C. hadramautica, sp. nov., in southern Yemen, C. omanensis, comb, nov., in the Mahrah Region of Yemen and in Oman, and C. albescens in northern Somalia. C. socotrana is lectotypified and a key to the species treated is provided.

A new 5-methylchromone glycoside, named 7-O-methylaloeresin A (2-acetonyl-8-C-beta-D[2'-O-(E)-4-hydroxycinnamoyl]glucopyranosyl-7- methoxy-5-methylchromone, 1), was isolated from Commiphora socotrana (Burseraceae). Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic data (MS, UV, 1H- and 13C-NMR).

The African members of the remarkably disjunct Afro-American genus Thamnosma are revised. Six species are recognized, T africana, T. rhodesica and T. crenata in southern Africa, and T. somalensis, T. socotrana and T. hirschii in the Horn of Africa region

The six species of the soft-bodied elaterid genus Selasia Laporte (Agrypninae: Drilini) from the Palaearctic Region are reviewed: S. arabica Geisthardt, 2003 (Yemen, Oman, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), S. atriventris Pic, 1914 (India, Nepal), S. boruckae Kundrata, 2012 (Nepal), S. homhilia Geisthardt, 2003 (Yemen: Socotra), S. merkli Kundrata, 2012 (Pakistan), and S. socotrana Kundrata, 2012 (Yemen: Socotra). Selasia arabica and S. atriventris are recorded for the first time from Oman and Nepal, respectively. The variability in coloration of S. arabica is discussed. Selasia bleusei Olivier, 1913 from Rhodes is redescribed and transferred to Drilus Olivier, 1790 as D. bleusei (Olivier, 1913), comb. nov. A differential diagnosis is given and taxonomically important characters are figured. An identification key as well as data on the distributions, type depositories and bibliographic references of each Palaearctic Selasia species are provided.

Tephrosia socotrana sp. nov., a woody species growing on limestone cliffs in northcentral Socotra (Yemen), is described and illustrated. T. strigosa is recorded from Socotra and Yemen for the first ...

Dendrosicyos socotrana Balf.f. is a unique species (Cucurbitaceae) native to Socotra island in the horn of Africa. From the chloroform extract of the stems, A new isocucurbitacin (Dendrocyin) with unusual cyclization in the side chain; 24β-ethoxy-20-25-epoxy-3α,16α-dihydroxy-9-methyl-19-norlanost-5(6) ene-2,11,22-trione has been isolated alongside isocucurbitacin R. Their structural configuration were established by usual spectroscopic ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and DEPT) and two-dimensional NMR techniques ( 1 H– 1 H Cosy, HMBC and HMQC).

The new species Iphigenia socotrana, from limestone rocks along the northern escarpment of Socotra, is described and illustrated. I. somaliensis is lectotypified and reduced to a synonym of I. oliv ...

A taxonomical revision of3Fagonia groups, viz. the complexes ofF. arabica, F. bruguieri andF. indica, including the interrelationships between their species, is presented. These complexes are characterized by their compound tri- or reduced unifoliolate leaves. Among the truly simple-leaved species, viz.F. socotrana, F. harpago andF. ovalifolia, the confusion betweenF. socotrana and some other taxa described is considered. The different patterns of the leaf trace of simple and compound tri- to unifoliolate leaves may prove to be of systematic value.

Summary In the area of the “Flora Aethiopica” the family of Zygophyllaceae s. str. is represented by three genera and twenty species, one of which is represented by two varieties: Zygophyllum album L. f. var. amblyocarpum (Baker f.) Hadidi, Z. migiurtinorum Chiov., Z. coccineum L., Z. prismaticum Chiov., Z. hamiense Schweinf., Z. somalense Hadidi, Z. decumbens Del., Z. simplex L., Z. robecchii Engler, Z. hildebrandii Engler, Seetzenia lanata (Willd.) Bullock, Fagonia socotrana (Balf. f.) Schweinf. var. socotrana, var. somalica Sprague, F. migiurtinia Hadidi, F. harerensis Hadidi, F. charoides Chiov., F. schweinfurthii Hadidi, F. indica Burm. f. var. indica, F. paulayana L. Wagner & Vierh., F. bruguieri DC. var. bruguieri, F. isotricha Muerbeck var. isotricha. The majority of the species occurs in the lower and dry regions of the territory. The name with bibliographical reference, type, synonyms, illustrations, localities, geographical distributions, ecological data, and critical observations on the taxono...