A new species, Ossicaulis, O. gansuensis, collected from the Qilian Mountains Natural Protection Station in Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated. Its taxonomic position is established through morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of multi-gene sequences (ITS+LSU+tef1-α+rpb2). Morphologically and ecologically, the new species is distinguished from other members of the genus by its white basidiomata, irregular pileus margins, larger basidia and basidiospores, and unique subcoprophilous and pine-cone-associated habitats. Molecular phylogenetic results show that O. gansuensis is nested within the monophyletic clade of Ossicaulis with high support (100/100/1), while also verifying the monophyly of related genera and the polyphyly of the traditional Lyophyllum sensu lato and Calocybe. In terms of evolutionary ecology, the shift from typical wood-decaying to pine-cone epiphytic and subcoprophilous habitats reflects an ecological niche compression and highly specialized survival strategy to avoid competition in the extreme cold and arid environment of the Qilian Mountains. This study not only fills the lineage and geographic distribution gaps in Ossicaulis in Asian cold-arid regions and Northwest China but also suggests that the Qilian Mountains and surrounding areas may serve as a significant center of fungal biodiversity.
The study provides quantitative evidence refuting the traditional tripartite infraspecific classification of Cryptotaenia japonica complex (Apiaceae) in East Asia, whose taxonomic status is controversial because its leaf‑shape variation has historically been divided into three infraspecific forms (f. japonica, f. dissecta, f. pinnatisecta) based on qualitative assessments, and it is unclear if these forms represent discrete lineages or a continuous response to environmental gradients. The authors analyzed 1,061 leaf specimens from 72 East Asian populations and 9 North American C. canadensis samples using geometric morphometrics and fractal dimension analysis. Unsupervised multivariate approaches (PCA, hierarchical clustering, silhouette analysis) were applied to assess the intrinsic structure of the data without any a priori taxonomic assignment. The results revealed a continuous morphological gradient, with PCA capturing 68.63% of the total variance. The low Adjusted Rand Index (ARI = 0.088) statistically refuted the three‑form classification. Generalized additive modelling (GAM) identified a significant nonlinear relationship between leaf complexity (PC1) and altitude (adj. R²= 0.0559, P < 0.001), with an inflection point occurring at 850 m s.l.m. These findings demonstrate that the three traditional infraspecific forms are not discrete taxa, but rather arbitrary segments along a continuous altitudinal phenotypic cline. Multivariate analyses statistically reject the tripartite classification, leaf complexity increases non‑linearly with elevation (threshold ~850 m s.l.m), and the phenotypic contrasts between East Asian C. japonica and North American C. canadensis suggest divergent evolutionary strategies. Consequently, we propose reducing f. dissecta and f. pinnatisecta to synonyms under C. japonica, reflecting altitudinal morphological variation within a single, polymorphic taxon.
Bilacunaria konyaensis (Apiaceae) is described as a new species from Anatolia, Turkey. The species grows on serpentine soil and open Pinus nigra forests in the Meram and Hadim districts of Konya province. The taxonomic affinities of the new species were determined by analyzing morphological data and through a molecular phylogenetic study of nrITS/ETS sequences. The new species is morphologically and genetically related to Bilacunaria aksekiensis and B. anatolica—both species with distribution in Anatolia—but differs from them mainly in its indumentum, stem height, basal leaf and terminal segment characters, number and length of umbel rays, and flower number, as well as in its bract, bracteole, pedicel, petal, fruit, style, and stylopodium features. Additionally, the fruit’s anatomical structure is described, and the new species’ diagnostic morphological characters are discussed. Furthermore, the geographical distribution of the new species and the related taxa, B. aksekiensis and B. anatolica, is mapped. The work provides also information on its habitat, ecology, phenology, its conservation status, and an identification key for Bilacunaria species of Turkey.
A new lignicolous species, Artomyces tsugae, is described from the high mountains of Guangxi, subtropical China, based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis. The new species is characterized by annual, stipitate, well-branched and snow white basidomata when fresh, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections on generative hyphae, the presence of gloeoplerous hyphae and gloeocystidia, ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, verrucose, amyloid basidiospores measuring 4.6-5.2 & times; 3.1-3.6 & micro;m, and growing on rotten wood of Tsuga tchekiangensis. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences indicated that it was closely related to A. brunneoalbus, A. yunnanensis, and five other species. A description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided. In addition, the new species is compared with closely related and similar species.
A new species of Roucheria (Linaceae) was revealed through a vegetation monitoring campaign in a long-term permanent plot in Santa Teresa municipality, Espirito Santo state, southeastern Brazil. Here, we describe and illustrate Roucheria krenakiana, a canopy tree of the montane Atlantic Forest, which stands out for its obovate leaves with obtuse apex, crenulate margins and flowers with pale green petals and 3 to 5 styles, as well as congested axillary cymules, caducous stipules, and a glabrous ovary with 3-5 locules. We provide its description, illustration, phenology, a preliminary conservation assessment, and a discussion of its morphological relationships with closely related species. Our study highlights that long-term forest monitoring, when integrated with systematic voucher collecting, strengthens the documentation of poorly known lineages, and can reveal undescribed species.
Our field explorations in South Africa revealed an undescribed species of Lachenalia occurring in a quarter degree square previously unrecorded for the genus, in an arid region of northwestern South Africa between Brandvlei and Williston. The new species shares the diagnostic characters of the genus, including the zygomorphic flowers, but it is readily distinguished by its single leaf ornamented with short appressed, branched trichomes and elongated translucent hairs borne on distinct pustules, hypogeal bulb covered with leathery, blackish outer tunics and extended into a hypogeal neck of 3-4 cm long, and the magenta or purplish speckled or mottled tepals, peduncle and lower portion of the leaf, among other characters. A complete morphological description of the new species as well as data on ecology, distribution, and differences with related species, are provided.
A new natural hybrid, Begonia & times; marceloi, is described from the State of S & atilde;o Paulo, Brazil and illustrated with photographs. This hybrid was found in submontane ombrophilous dense forest, in very humid places close to a watercourse. The leaf shape of the plant attracted attention because it was different from other species which occur in the region. Hybrid individuals were found living among Begonia spinibarbis, and close to Begonia lorenzii as well. After a detailed morphological study of the putative hybrid and its suspected parents it was possible to conclude that Begonia & times; marceloi is a natural hybrid between Begonia spinibarbis and Begonia lorenzii.
Phlox derelicta Floden & McKenzie sp. nov. is described for an entity long-recognized and which is shown in molecular phylogenetic data to be distinct from P. glaberrima and instead placed sister to P. ovata and P. pulchra. Here we provide a diagnosis, description, and discussion of its history, its morphology, and distribution in the eastern United States.
Myrcia rhodeosepala was described in the Flora Brasiliensis by Berg (as Aulomyrcia lanuginosa) and transferred to Myrcia by Kiaerskou as the specific epithet ‘lanuginosa’ was exhausted in this genus. Myrcia rhodeosepala was accepted as a good species during the 20th and early 21st century, but in 2008, it appeared as a synonym of Myrcia tomentosa in The World Checklist of Myrtaceae. There is now convincing historical, geographical, morphological, anatomical and ecological evidence that M. rhodeosepala should be reinstated. First, the type, cited to be from Rio de Janeiro by Berg, was probably collected in Minas Gerais. Second, one of the publications cited as the source for the synonymy recognizes M. rhodeosepala as distinct from M. tomentosa. Morphologically, M. rhodeosepala can be distinguished by being a subshrub (v. shrubs or trees up to 10m in M. tomentosa), inflorescences sympodial throughout and forming showy synflorescences (v. in the axils of young leaves and distally monopodial in M. tomentosa), and leaf shape, size and venation. Anatomically the two species also differ. In M. rhodeosepala the adaxial leaf surface epidermal cells have straight anticlinal cell walls (v. sinuous in M. tomentosa). In M. rhodeosepala epicuticular wax occurs on both surfaces of the leaf forming a densely coalescent reticulum (v. only on the adaxial surface of the leaf in small, sparse granules in M. tomentosa). Finally, M. rhodeosepala produces significantly (T-test significance: p< 0.001) heavier flowers, fruits and seeds in smaller numbers per plant than M. tomentosa at peak flowering and fruiting.
The authors describe and illustrate a new species of Cryptanthus, C. pataxoanus, found within the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park, and present new data on its closest morphological relative, C. beuckeri, both endemic to the Atlantic Forest of the state of Bahia, Brazil, and assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). The new taxon represents one of the most ornamental discoveries in recent years due to its marbled foliage, with contrasting greenish-yellow and dark green colors, which is similar to C. beuckeri. The main differences between C. pataxoanus and its closest relative include leaf blades not petiolate or the basal ones sometimes subpetiolate, the much broader portion of the blades distinctly longer, the narrower sepals covered by brown-centered trichomes, and petals without glandulose trichomes. The discovery of the new species results from cooperative work with the Patax & oacute; indigenous community living in Barra Velha and Barra Velha do Monte Pascoal Indigenous Lands, located within the boundaries of the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park. It symbolizes the inexhaustible richness of the Brazilian biodiversity in general and the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia in particular, despite its current coexistence with high levels of threat.
Conchocarpus piranii (tribe Galipeeae, Rutaceae), a new species within the Neotropical subtribe Galipeinae, is described and illustrated. The new species occurs within the coastal forest vegetation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest domain. Morphologically, Conchocarpus piranii is most like to other species of the genus with inflorescences bearing foliaceous bracts such as C. bellus. C. cuneifolius, and C. macrophyllus, but differs from them by its non-umbilicate ovary with a terminal style, whereas the other species exhibit an umbilicate ovary. Our DNA based phylogenetic analysis revealed that species with foliaceous inflorescences within Conchocarpus are not closely related to each other. Additional data on foliar and floral anatomy, as well as palynology, are provided, along with comments on the geographic distribution and conservation status of C. piranii.
Eleven new species of Axinaea (Melastomataceae, Merianieae) are described and illustrated from the Andes. The new species are A. auriculata and A. johnjuliusii from Venezuela, A. frustrata, A. paisa and A. titanica from Colombia, A. andina, A. kiru, A. matangae and A. olivacea from Ecuador, A. huancabambae from Ecuador and Peru, and A. yunga from Bolivia. We provide morphological descriptions along with comments on related species and geographic distribution. Also, we discuss the current diversity and taxonomy of Axinaea in the Andes. With these discoveries, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia now have a total of seven, 12, 21, 18, and two species of Axinaea, respectively. Finally, we present a preliminary list of the 50 currently accepted Axinaea species.
Begonia thanhquyetii, a new species from central Vietnam, is herein described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to B. baik in its creeping habit, rugose ovate leaves, and protogynous inflorescences. However, it differs in several key morphological characters, including stipules hirsute on the abaxial surface (vs. glabrous), bracts lacking glandular hairs along the margins (vs. glandular-ciliate), a pair of bracteoles present near the apex of the pistillate pedicel (vs. bracteoles absent), abaxial tepals of both staminate and pistillate flowers hirsute (vs. glabrous), and densely hirsute ovary (vs. glabrous). Following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (Version 16), B. thanhquyetii is provisionally assessed as Least Concern (LC), pending further field surveys to clarify its distribution and population status.
Fimbristylis argentea (Rottboll) Vahl (equivalent to Scirpus argenteus Rottboll) is here lectotypified together with their synonyms using Koenig's collections. The holotype is also mentioned when applicable. Both the vegetative and reproductive morphology of the species are discussed and compared with recent field collections. Notes are also provided on the typification of other heterotypic synonyms of the species and male reproductive characters.
Calocybe kinabaluensis sp. nov. was collected and described from Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark in Sabah, Malaysia. Morphological and phylogenetic evidence were used to delimit the collections as a new species. The species is characterized by its small to medium-sized basidiomata, deep blue to indigo-blue pileus with an irregularly lobed and undulate margin, and whitish to pale cream adnate to decurrent lamellae. Microscopically, it is distinguished by ovoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores, a cutis-type pileipellis, and the presence of cheilocystidia. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated ITS and LSU sequences and ITS-only sequences distinguish this species from the molecularly closely related taxa, including C. cyanella and C. longisterigma. A detailed description and illustrations of the new species as well as comparative notes with other blue-capped taxa are provided. This research represents the first description of a new Calocybe species from Sabah, Malaysia, expanding current knowledge of the genus and highlighting the region as a significant area for future fungal diversity investigations.
The genus Fontinalis is recognized as one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of mosses due to its high morphological variability and divergent species concepts applied in North America and Eurasia. This study presents a detailed morpho-anatomical re-evaluation of the type material of Fontinalis sullivantii and F. dichelymoides to clarify their taxonomic boundaries. An analysis of 38 qualitative and quantitative characters revealed distinct differences between the type specimens of both taxa. Key diagnostic features include leaf dimensions, auricle morphology, and stem anatomy. Fontinalis dichelymoides is distinguished by narrower, nearly needle-like leaves, strongly inflated, subglobose to ovoid, and sharply delimited auricles, as well as significantly larger stem epidermal cells compared to F. sullivantii. The results indicate that both names represent distinct morphological entities. Consequently, the synonymization of F. dichelymoides under F. sullivantii, as proposed in some North American works, is not supported by the morphological and anatomical characteristics of their respective type materials. This work represents a necessary step towards stabilizing the nomenclature of the genus and revising the geographic ranges of both species.
