Phytotaxa

We report on the occurrence of Orobanche krylowii in the Alpet Shqiptare (Prokletije, Albanian Alps) mountain range in northern Albania (Balkan Peninsula). The species was previously known only from eastern-most Europe (Volga-Kama River in Russia), more than 2500 km away, and from adjacent Siberia and Central Asia. We used morphological evidence as well as nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences to show that the Albanian population indeed belongs to O. krylowii and that its closest relative is the European O. lycoctoni, but not O. elatior as assumed in the past. Both Orobanche krylowii and O. lycoctoni parasitize Ranunculaceae (Thalictrum spp. and Aconitum lycoctonum, respectively). We provide an identification key and a taxonomic treatment for O. krylowii, and suggest the IUCN category CE (critically endangered) for the highly disjunct Albanian population.

Aulacoseira coroniformis sp. nov. is described from a short peat core recovered in Highlands Hammock State Park, Florida, U.S.A. The morphology of the new diatom species is documented by light and scanning electron micrographs and discussed in detail, including a comparison with related species in the genus Aulacoseira.

An unknown Giffenia taxon was sampled from the tidal flat sediment of Suncheonman Bay in the Republic of Korea on June 11, 2018. To identify the species, a detailed analysis using light and electron microscopy and a literature review were conducted. The important morphological characteristics—thin lip-shaped sternum, elongated alveoli, and eccentric raphe slit—were found in the species. These features are not present in previously described Giffenia taxa (Giffenia cocconeiformis). The new diatom species is characterized by (1) a slightly undulated valve face, (2) a lip-shaped sternum with a slightly rough surface, (3) numerous elongated alveoli on the valve face, and (4) an eccentric raphe slit. We propose Giffenia koreana sp. nov. as a new epipelic diatom taxon.

Three novel species of Bacillariophyta (diatom) are described from the sediments of Paleolake Lorenyang, a large lake that existed in the Turkana Basin, Kenya during the Gelasian age of the Pleistocene Epoch. Sediment cores extracted as part of the Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP) were sampled to provide a diatom-based paleoecological record of Paleolake Lorenyang. Preliminary results of the paleoecological analysis unearthed three novel species of diatoms belonging to Surirella and Thalassiosira in the Natoo Member of the Nachukui Formation. Comparisons of Surirella from Paleolake Lorenyang are made to previous reports of Surirella from modern lakes in East Africa and comparisons of Thalassiosira species from the paleolake are made to modern and fossil species reported from East Africa. This is a first report of diatoms in the Natoo Member, which has previously been described as a floodplain deposit, and thus provides evidence of the last occurrence of Paleolake Lorenyang within the Turkana Basin. Herein we describe a new species of Surirella and two Thalassiosira with remarks on morphology and evolution of East African Surirella and Thalassiosira.

The recent publication of a monograph on Ceratozamia promised greater taxonomic understanding in the genus. Instead, the plethora of inaccuracies and inconsistencies therein undermined taxonomic cohesiveness. This review critically evaluates the Ceratozamia monograph of Martínez-Domínguez et al. (2022), systematically correcting the inaccuracies and clarifying the inconsistencies therein. Notably, the proposed lectotypification of C. mirandae is invalidated, the proposed specific status of C. osbornei is questioned, the proposed synonymy of C. dominguezii under C. subroseophylla is rejected, the proposed recircumscriptions of C. sancheziae and C. zoquorum are refuted, and a lectotype and isolectotype for C. whitelockiana are designated. Additionally, evidence is provided for phenotypic and ontogenetic plasticity of cone color, ovulate cone apex shape, megasporophyll horn shape and orientation, megasporophyll distal face prominence, and microsporophyll distal face topology. Finally, within Ceratozamia, ‘mucronate’ is standardized over ‘apiculate’, ‘conspicuous’ is standardized for leaflet vein light transmission, and ‘prominent’ is standardized for vein protrusion from the leaflet surface; in addition, ‘vernation’ is standardized over ‘ptyxis’ across the Cycadales.

In our recent paper, we noticed a mistake concerning figure 2 (Di Pietro et al. 2021: 93). According to the caption, figure 2 should represent the sheet FI051890 (a lectotype of Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii). In fact, in the place of the sheet FI051890, a figure containing two herbarium specimens deposited in PAD (PAD-HD00955 and PAD-HD00956) was erroneously published. These two PAD specimens were discussed in the paper (Di Pietro et al. 2021: 94) where it was highlighted that these could not be considered with certainty as original material for Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii Pampanini (1917: 4).We here, correct the mistake and publish the image of lectotype of Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii (FI051890, Fig. 1).

This publication is a Corrigendum to Lima & Salino (2022). In the original article, we did not fully refer to the original publication of the basionym of the new proposed combination, which we rectify here. The authors apologize for the mistake and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way.

Eurya Thunberg (1783: 67) is a genus of Pentaphylacaceae and it contains about 130 species distributed widely in tropical and subtropical Asia and the Pacific Islands; 83 species (63 endemic) are known from China (Ming & Bartholomew 2007). The genus was assigned to Theaceae in FRPS (Ling, 1966), while molecular studies (e.g., Tsou & Vijayan, 2016) placed it in Pentaphylacaceae and resolved it as a monophyletic group which is recognized here. Notably, paraphyletic groups are sometimes advocated by some authors (e.g., Brummitt, 2014; Ehrendorfer & Barfuss, 2014; George, 2014; Horandl, 2014; Stuessy & Horandl, 2014; Stuessy et al. , 2014). Species of Eurya often have unisexual flowers. In an effort to update the online version of Flora of China (www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2), we found that two gatherings were designated as types for each of 11 names of Eurya published in a same article by Chang (1954). Here we lectotypify these 11 names by choosing one of the two gatherings designated as the lectotype of each name so that the application of these names can be stabilized.

A new species, Urophyllum malayense (Rubiaceae) is described, endemic to the Malay Peninsula (Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore). It has resemblances to Urophyllum trifurcum but differs notably in the extent of inflorescence branching and flower size.

After the publication of our Update on the systematics of Benstonea (Pandanaceae): When a visionary taxonomist foresees phylogenetic relationships (Callmander, Booth, Beentje & Buerki 2013), an error was brought to our attention:

Two new species of Stigmatodactylus from Palawan Island in the Philippines are described and illustrated. The taxa, which represent the first records for the genus Stigmatodactylus in the Philippines, are restricted to the ultramafic peaks of central Palawan. Cryptostylis carinata, originally described from New Guinea, is also documented, representing a first record for this species in Palawan. Buod (Pilipino) Inilarawan at iginuhit sa artikulong ito ang dalawang bagong species ng Stigmatodactylus mula sa isla ng Palawan sa Pili-pinas. Ito ang pinakaunang tala ng genus Stigmatodactylus sa Pilipinas at matatagpuan lamang sa ultramafic na bundok sa gitnang Palawan. Ang ultramafic na bundok ay may mataas na mga sangkap na Magnesium at Iron. Inihayag rin sa sulating ito ang unang tala sa Palawan ng 1 species na Cryptostylis carinata, na unang naitalâ sa bansang New Guinea.

The rediscovery of Erigeron morelensis, not collected since 1898, is reported. Between 2021 and 2022, E. morelensis was recorded at two sites in the northwestern canyons of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, which are subjected to degradation pressure. The morphological description is updated and complemented, and a key for E. sect. Erigeridium is included. Data about the known distribution, ecology and habitat of the species are provided. Based on the IUCN criteria, it is recommended that the species be listed as Critically Endangered (CR).

A new trifoliolate shrub, Pseudarthria panii (Fabaceae: Desmodieae), is described and illustrated. It resembles Pseudarthria viscida, but differs by its taller height, upright habit, late flowering, leaflets with an acuminate apex, longer light purple flowers, longer glabrous fruits, and more seeds. It occurs in the montane forest of China (Yunnan), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Molecular evidence from the concatenated chloroplast fragments of rbcL and matK confirms its placement in Pseudarthria, which is a newly recorded genus from China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The first collection of the new species can be dated back to ca. 120 years ago, i.e. Augustine Henry’s collection in Yunnan during 1896–1899. A key to Pseudarthria is also presented.