Lectotypification of three names in Cicer (Fabaceae)

Cicer Linnaeus (1753: 738), as currently established, includes about 50 species distributed from north to south from the Altai Mountains (C Asia) to the East African Rift (E Africa), and from west to east from the Canary Islands (W Africa) to the upper Irtysh River in Dzungaria (C Asia) (van der Maesen et al. 2007, Dönmez 2011, Toker et al. 2021). In the course of our revisionary work on this genus for Caucasian flora conspectus (Takhtajan 2003), we found the name C. anatolicum Alefeld (1861: 349) and its synonym C. glutinosum Alefeld (1861: 349), also the name C. minutum Boiss. & Hohen. in Boissier (1849: 130) that warrant lectotypification in accordance with the Shenzhen Code (Turland et al. 2018). The second-step lectotypification is made for C. anatolicum and C. minutum, while the lectotype is selected for C. glutinosum based on the analysis of their protologues and original herbarium material deposited in C, BM, G, LE, M, MO, P and WAG. Herbarium acronyms mentioned here follow Thiers (2021-onward).

Epiphytic diatoms on herbarium material from the Central Forest phytogeographic region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background and aims – Epiphytic diatoms are excellent bio-indicators of the present and past ecological condition of aquatic ecosystems. In order to reconstruct the diatom history and to evaluate its diversity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, epiphytic diatoms were sampled from herbarium specimens of aquatic plants deposited at the National Herbarium of the Congo at Yangambi (YBI) and at the herbarium of Meise Botanic Garden (BR).Material and methods – In YBI, nine specimens belonging to the Nymphaeaceae, three to the Ceratophyllaceae, and 12 to the Lentibulariaceae collected in the Central Forest phytogeographic region were sampled for diatom investigation. In addition, nine Nymphaea lotus specimens were sampled in BR. Semi-quantitative analyses were performed by light microscopy on permanent diatom slides.Key results – Analyses of the epiphytic diatom communities on YBI and BR materials showed a large diversity of 132 species belonging to 44 genera. Taxa belonging to the genus Eunotia were relatively the most abundant in all studied samples followed by Frustulia saxonica and a Desmogonium sp. The diatom communities on Nymphaea were as varied as on Ceratophyllum, while on Utricularia, a significant lower diversity was observed. The Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) and Generic Diatom Index (GDI) showed that the water quality in the Central Forest phytogeographic region was overall good during the 20th century. They point to oligotrophic conditions for the running waters with a slight increase towards more mesotrophic conditions from the 1950s onwards. The only sample in the present study indicating mesotrophic condition was from a swamp.Conclusions – The results on the epiphytic diatoms present on herbarium material can serve as a basis for sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems in D.R. Congo. In absence of an in-depth knowledge of the species and their ecological preferences, a genus-based TDI and IDG have proven to be valuable tools for water quality monitoring in tropical Africa.

Synoptic revision of Kolobopetalum and Rhigiocarya (Menispermaceae) with the description of a new Kolobopetalum species from Gabon, and a new specific combination in Rhigiocarya from West Africa

Background and aims – In the framework of the Menispermaceae treatment for the Flore du Gabon, the closely related genera Kolobopetalum and Rhigiocarya are synoptically revised.Material and methods – Standard practices of herbarium taxonomy have been applied to study the relevant herbarium material from B, BM, BR, BRLU, HBG, K, L, P, U, and WAG. The relevant collecting data are stored in the Botany Section of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.Key results – The distinction between the genera Kolobopetalum and Rhigiocarya is further investigated and improved. As a result, Kolobopetalum leonense is transferred to Rhigiocarya. The Gabonese collections of Kolobopetalum contained a new species named K. synsepalum, which is described and illustrated. Rhigiocarya nervosa is resurrected as a distinct species. The distribution of all species is mapped. Illustrations are provided to facilitate the use of the key for the two genera and their species.

Brassicaceae Burnett in the municipality of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) includes invasive species as well as widely cultivated horticultural species. In Santa Maria, Cruciferae species usually occur in environments that have undergone urbanization such as sidewalks, roadsides, walls, near energy poles, etc. The last listing of species of this family in the area was performed by Romeu Beltrão in 1962 and supplemented in 1965. The objective of the current study was to update the number of records of Brassicaceae species that occur in the municipality of Santa Maria, RS, as well as to provide keys for the identification for native and naturalized genera and species. Bibliographic surveys, field collections, herbarium material analysis and data from databases of speciesLink and Flora of Brazil 2020 were carried out, as well as complementary collections from August 2018 to April 2019. The species found were photographed and identified based on the existing literature. Identification keys for genera and species, as well as illustrations, were prepared. All genera had only one representative species in Santa Maria with the exception of Lepidium, which presented three species. There was an addition of three species and one genus in relation to the last survey carried out.

Sansevieria pfennigii (Ruscaceae, Asparagales): Confirmation of existence, emendation of description, and tentative threat assessment

Sansevieria pfennigii, which to date has been a doubtful species, is confirmed as extant by a recent collection from the Lindi Region in southern Tanzania. The original description of the species, which is based on herbarium material only, is here emended based on additional observations recorded from living plants, including fruits that were previously unknown. Sansevieria pfennigii distinguishes from S. canaliculata, to which it was repeatedly assigned, by its capitate instead of elongate inflorescence, rough rather than smooth leaves, non-pungent instead of pungent leaf tips, dull green leaf colour, more delicate overall appearance, alongside other traits. The difference in inflorescence architecture indicates that these species belong to different groups within Sansevieria and are not closely related; the closest relatives of S. pfennigii are probably S. fischeri and S. stuckyi. Sansevieria pfennigii occurs on well-drained soil in forests, close to S. canaliculata populations. According to the extent of the population seen and the species’ overall rarity, it is tentatively assessed as critically endangered.

Las especies de Splachnaceae (Bryophyta) de Tierra del Fuego, Argentina: las esporas y sus modos de dispersión

The Splachnaceae family is a bryological component of the temperate forests of Nothofagus in the Fuegian region of Argentina. It is represented by the Tayloria genera with three species, T. dubyi (endemic), T. magellanica, T. mirabilis, and Tetraplodon, with a single specie Tetraplodon fuegianus. They grow on organic substrates of animal origin and are the only family among mosses in the area in which entomochory is observed (i.e. dispersion of spores through insects). From herbarium material, the taxonomic features of gametophytes and sporophytes which allow species to be identified are described. Spores were studied with OM and SEM. Dispersal vectors for Tayloria mirabilis and morfo-ecological adaptations associated with entomochory were observed and analyzed. Mosses are differentiated from their leaves and the morphology and color of the sporophyte capsules. The spores, similar in the studied species, are dispersed in sticky masses, they are spheroidal, monoletes, 8-13 μm of diameter with a pitted-reticulate ornamentation. The dispersing agents mostly correspond to the order Diptera. The Splachnaceae family has developed adaptive strategies in relation to substrate (coprophilous gametophytes), in striking and showy sporophytes morphologies and in a particular dispersal mode of the spores by insects. All these morpho-ecological adaptations contribute to an effective action of the dispersing agents in the muscinal biocenosis.

A new species of Philibertia (Apocynaceae) from Bolivia

Based on herbarium material collected in Bolivia, a species new to science, Philibertia woodii H.A. Keller & Goyder is described and illustrated here. The species is similar in its vegetative and floral morphology to Philibertia latiflora (Griseb.) Goyder, P. longistyla Goyder and P. speciosa (Malme) Goyder. The new species allows the list of taxa of the genus to be increased to 45.

Dos nuevos registros de Senecio (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) para la Flora de Perú

The analysis of herbarium material of the genus Senecio from Southern Peru resulted in the identification of two new records for its Flora: Senecio behnii y Senecio ctenophyllus. Based on the examination of herbarium specimens from Chile and Peru, we provide the morphological descriptions, distribution, habitat, and a comparison with the closer species.

Astragalus habaheensis (sect. Erioceras, Fabaceae) in Mongolia and China

A new species to the flora of Mongolia, Astragalus habaheensis Y. X. Liou (A. arcuatus Kar. et Kir. s. l., Fabaceae), was revealed among herbarium material (LE!). It is assumed that all reports of A. arcuatus Kar. et Kir. and A. subarcuatus Popov for Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China also belong to A. habaheensis. The difference between A. habaheensis and closely related species is illustrated by the original illustration and the identification key.