Article
Plant Sciences
B. du Preez, B. D. Schrire, L. L. Dreyer, C. H. Stirton, S. B. M. Chimphango, A. M. Muasya
Summary: Indigofera L. section Oligophyllae DC. comprises nine species restricted to the GCFR of South Africa. This study provides descriptions, photographs, distribution maps, and ecological information for these species. It also recognizes three distinct species within Indigofera nigromontana, identifies I. spinescens and I. basotha as separate species, and describes Indigofera ernstii and Indigofera salteri as unique species in the section. Indigofera cogmaniana is similar to I. denudata but differs in leaflet shape, inflorescence characteristics, and habitat.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Shenglan Du, Miaoxuan Wang, Neng Wei, Geoffrey Mwachala, Guangwan Hu, Lin Wu, Shengwei Wang, Qingfeng Wang
Summary: Tropical East Africa is a significant biodiversity hotspot with a rich flora diversity. This study has compiled new taxa and records of vascular plants in TEA from 1952 to 2022, identifying 444 new and newly recorded species. These taxa are mainly endemic to TEA, with 94.59% being found exclusively in this region.
Article
Plant Sciences
P. Goldblatt, J. C. Manning, J. A. van der Walt
Summary: The newly discovered Geissorhiza mellimontana is a narrow endemic species of Western Cape, South Africa, closely related to the relatively widespread G. scillaris A.Dietr. It exhibits larger and more robust characteristics with distinct floral features compared to its relative species.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
P. Goldblatt, J. C. Manning, B. du Preez
Summary: The new species Geissorhiza seracina, discovered in the central Langeberg Mountains of South Africa, is characterized by its high altitude habitat, soft corm tunics, and deep pink flowers. It shares similarities with another Langeberg endemic species, G. altimontana, but can be distinguished by its fewer leaves and longer perianth tube and filaments.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mohan Vishnu, Santhosh Nampy
Summary: Polygala idukkiana is a newly described species of the Polygalaceae family, found in the Idukki district of Kerala in the southern Western Ghats. This study provides a detailed description, color photographs, distribution map, and identification key for Polygala species in Kerala. The new species is compared to morphologically similar species and its conservation status is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
ANALES DEL JARDIN BOTANICO DE MADRID
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guilherme Medeiros Antar, Elton John De Lirio, Roberto Baptista Pereira Almeida, Paulo Takeo Sano
Summary: In this study, a taxonomic investigation of the Neotropical genus Bixa was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a new species, Bixa atlantica. The study also provided information on the characteristics and ecology of this new species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Martin Molz, Denise Silveira
Summary: A new species, Mollinedia leucantha, was discovered in the Atlantic coastal moist forest in southern Brazil during a revision of Monimiaceae at the southern limit of the Atlantic forest domain. This species is morphologically similar to Mollinedia schottiana but differs in characteristics such as bark, leaves, trichomes, flowers, and fruit, as well as in flowering times. SEM images of the flowers and a key to distinguish morphologically similar species in the subtropical Atlantic forest are also provided.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joana Magos Brehm, Hannes Gaisberger, Shelagh Kell, Mauricio Parra-Quijano, Imke Thormann, Mohammad Ehsan Dulloo, Nigel Maxted
Summary: The study conducted analyses on crop wild relative diversity in the SADC region, identifying hotspots, unprotected species and predicted climate change impacts. By identifying suitable conservation areas and complementary sites, a network for in situ conservation of crop wild relatives in the SADC region can be established.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
B. du Preez, L. L. Dreyer, C. H. Stirton, A. M. Muasya
Summary: Polhillia is a small and poorly known genus of legumes endemic to the Greater Cape Floristic Region in South Africa. It is the third most threatened plant genus in the region, with eight known species all facing extinction. The study updated the taxonomy of the genus based on morphological, anatomical, palynological, and molecular data, revealing the monophyletic nature of Polhillia and its relationship with Argyrolobium.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malahat Dianat, Inessa Voet, David Ortiz, Joelle Gouy de Bellocq, Laura N. Cuypers, Boris Krystufek, Michal Bures, Dagmar Cizkova, Anna Bryjova, Josef Bryja, Violaine Nicolas, Adam Konecny
Summary: Crocidura is the most diverse mammalian genus with high cryptic diversity and complicated taxonomy. The hirta-flavescens group of Crocidura, which is abundant in eastern and southern African savannahs, is used as a model to study the impact of paleoclimatic changes on African biodiversity. This study integrates mitochondrial, genome-wide, morphological, and morphometric data to comprehensively examine the phylogeography, evolutionary history, distribution, systematics, and taxonomy of the group. The genomic data confirms the group's monophyly and its relationship with the olivieri group, and reveals substantial genetic variation within the hirta-flavescens group. The diversification of this group is likely influenced by grassland expansion and contraction during Plio-Pleistocene climatic cycles, as well as the Eastern African Rift system, rivers, and the distinctiveness of bioregions.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
M. Maswoliedza, J. C. Manning, A. R. Magee
Summary: Burchellia, endemic to southern Africa, is a genus of plants in the Rubiaceae family. The type species, B. bubalina, is based on Lonicera bubalina and a lectotype is designated in this study. The paper provides comprehensive nomenclature and synonymy for the genus, as well as taxonomic history, morphological descriptions, distribution, and ecological notes for both the genus and species. The study reveals a continuous pattern of variation in leaf size, shape, vestiture density, corolla size, and color, leading to the recognition of a single variable species.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rahmah Al-Qthanin, Hatim Al-Yasi
Summary: The Farasan Archipelago is an important plant area near the Arabian Peninsula, facing risks of increased plant extinction. A new plant checklist has been published to focus conservation efforts and provide a framework for research, conservation, and policy development for the flora of the Farasan Archipelago.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Silvia Catarino, David Goyder, Iain Darbyshire, Esperanca Costa, Rui Figueira, Maria Cristina Duarte, Maria Manuel Romeiras
Summary: Angola has a diverse and endemic-rich flora, but knowledge of native plants is limited. Leguminosae is the largest family, with many economically important species. This study provides an updated checklist of Angolan Leguminosae, including distribution, conservation status, and uses. Further research and conservation efforts are needed, especially for the endemic species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Angeles Alonso, Manuel B. Crespo, Mario Martinez-Azorin, Ladislav Mucina
Summary: The plant incorrectly named Spergularia hanoverensis Simon in central-western South Africa has been revisited. After revising herbarium material and conducting taxonomic research, it was found that this plant is distinct from other South African species and has therefore been effectively published under the name S. hanoverensis. A detailed description of its morphology, ecology, distribution, and genetic relationships has been provided.
Article
Zoology
Agata Szwarc, Koen Martens, Tadeusz Namiotko
Summary: Two new species of Cypridopsinae ostracods are described, both found in temporary waters of southern Africa in all-female populations. One species has unique features that require further taxonomic revision and study.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. F. Smith, Estrela Figueiredo, Janine Victor, Ronell R. R. Klopper
Summary: In recent years, the illegal poaching of succulent plants, especially in South Africa, has become a massive industry, with an annual increase in confiscated plants of over 250%. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million plants have been illegally removed from the wild in the past three years. This conservation crisis has led to a significant surge in poaching of succulent plants in South Africa and neighboring countries, which are home to approximately 45% of the world's known succulent species. Drastic measures are being proposed to prevent the disclosure of accurate locality information on specimens in literature and on websites.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith, Retief Grobler, Andrew Hankey
Summary: A new species of Bulbine, B. decastroi, with grass tuft-like leaves, is identified in north-central Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It is a specialized species for substrate (peatland). The species is illustrated and compared to B. capitata.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith
Summary: A new shrubby nothospecies, Kalanchoe xsampsonii (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), from South Africa is described. It is derived from the parents K. xhankeyi and K. sexangularis, both belonging to K. subg. Kalanchoe. The reddish-infused trait of K. xhankeyi, one of the parents of K. xsampsonii, when exposed to direct solar irradiation, is inherited from K. sexangularis, which is also one parent of K. xhankeyi. This desirable feature was further enhanced through back-crossing with K. sexangularis. At reproductive maturity, K. xsampsonii plants bear large, dense-flowered inflorescences structurally resembling those of K. longiflora, the other parent of K. xhankeyi. The flowers of K. xsampsonii are larger and have more intensely yellow corolla tube and lobes compared to both K. xhankeyi and K. sexangularis.
Review
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith, Bharti Parihar, Ana M. R. Almeida
Summary: Representatives of the Kalanchoe genus are known for their varied reproductive mechanisms, some of which have led to certain species becoming weeds in non-native habitats. Additionally, Kalanchoe species have evolved different growth forms in response to environmental pressures, including herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and even tree-like plants. This article reviews the distribution of these growth forms across the different subgenera of Kalanchoe and provides illustrations.
Editorial Material
Zoology
Estrela Figueiredo, Christopher J. Bae, Predrag Radovic, Xiu-Jie Wu, Mirjana Roksandic, Gideon F. Smith
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Zoology
Christopher J. Bae, Predrag Radovic, Xiu-Jie Wu, Estrela Figueiredo, Gideon F. Smith, Mirjana Roksandic
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith
Summary: This study collates and analyzes data on exotic Kalanchoe taxa in Africa to better understand their cultivation and invasion status on the continent. The inventory is expanded and updated taxonomically and nomenclaturally. The results show that 13 Kalanchoe taxa have become naturalized in Africa, with three of them being widely invasive. In addition, 40 Kalanchoe taxa are being cultivated, and three of them have the potential for further spread. Early detection and eradication of these invasive species are crucial for their management and prevention of further spread.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith
Summary: Following recent research on the classification and definition of Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe stearnii has been recognized as a distinct species, different from Kalanchoe rotundifolia in terms of leaf characteristics and corolla lobe color.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith
Summary: Considerable investment in breeding has led to the introduction of several new hybrid species of Kalanchoe from South Africa, which offer additional horticultural possibilities, particularly in conditions with limited irrigation. This article describes a further large-growing hybrid species, Kalanchoe xtoelkenii, obtained through backcrossing between K. xgunniae and K. sexangularis, with improved inflorescence spread and floral density.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon f. Smith
Summary: There are four widely recognized subgenera in the Kalanchoe genus, and now a fifth subgenus, called Kalanchoe subg.Calophygia, is added to accommodate the 'woody clade' group of species. This group consists of low-growing shrubs or trees with covered surfaces.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith, Estrela Figueiredo
Summary: A new species of Kalanchoe, K. krigeae, is described from Mpumalanga province in northeastern South Africa. The species is near-endemic to the species-rich Wolkberg Centre of Endemism, with distinct morphological differences from K. decumbens and K. rotundifolia. The combination of vegetative and reproductive characters justifies its recognition as a new species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gideon F. Smith
Summary: This article discusses the nomenclature and taxonomy of the Malagasy Kalanchoe beharensis, particularly focusing on the established cultivar names used in horticulture. It also introduces two distinct groups, the Hairy Group and the Glabrous Group, within K. beharensis.
