Species New to Science: Lycopodiophyta

Showing posts with label Lycopodiophyta. Show all posts

Monday, September 2, 2024

[Botany • 2024] Huperzia crassifolia (Lycopodiaceae) • A New Species from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence

Huperzia crassifolia W.M.Chu & B.Y.Zhang ex Z.Y.Guo,

in Guo, Liu, Wang, Fujiwara, Liu, Zhang et Schneider, 2024.

厚叶石杉 || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.246.131046

Abstract

A new species of the firmoss from China, Huperzia crassifolia sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. The new species resembles species associated with the H. javanica complex, in particular H. javanica based on leaf shape and serrations, but can be easily distinguished by elliptic lanceolate and thick coriaceous leaves, well differentiated seasonal constriction zones, and reflexed leaf margins when get dried. Phylogenomic reconstruction using whole chloroplast genome sequences recovered H. crassifolia as sister to H. sutchueniana and only distantly related to morphological similar species H. javanica, H. nanlingensis, and H. serrata. The genome size 2C = 17.2 pg indicated the new species to be a tetraploid, whereas diploid H. javanica had a genome size of 8.7 pg. Morphological characters, distribution, and conservation status of the new species are also presented.

Key words: Firmoss, integrative taxonomy, micromorphology, phylogenomics

Huperzia crassifolia sp. nov.
A, B habit C adaxial view of trophophyll D abaxial view of trophophyll E fertile portion of the shoot F gemmae

(Photographed by Zhi-You Guo).

Illustration of Huperzia crassifolia sp. nov.
A habit B adaxial view of trophophyll with prominently raised veins and serrate margin.

Drawn by Mr. Ying-Bao Sun based on the type specimen Zhi-You Guo 2016022 (QNUN).

 Huperzia crassifolia W.M.Chu & B.Y.Zhang ex Z.Y.Guo, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Huperzia crassifolia resembled species H. javanica in its gross morphology, but can be easily distinguished by the thicker texture and round-lanceolate pinnae. The well differentiated seasonal constriction zones, as well as the dark-green colour of the pinnae, provide further distinctions to species with similar morphology.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to its thick and coriaceous texture of the pinnae.

Vernacular name: 厚叶石杉 (Chinese pinyin: hou ye shi shan).

Zhi-You Guo, Hong-Mei Liu, Kai-Kai Wang, Tao Fujiwara, Zheng-Yu Liu, Xian-Chun Zhang and Harald Schneider. 2024. Huperzia crassifolia (Lycopodiaceae), A New Species from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. PhytoKeys. 246: 27-42. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.246.131046

Sunday, August 14, 2022

[Botany • 2022] Selaginella wuyishanensis (Selaginellaceae) • A New Species from East China and its Phylogenetic Position based on Molecular Data

Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan,

in Xu, Chen, Song, ... et Duan, 2022.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.202.85410

Abstract

A new spikemoss species, Selaginella wuyishanensis, is described and illustrated based on materials collected from Fujian Province, East China. The new species can be distinguished from S. lutchuensis Koidzumi and S. albociliata P. S. Wang by its leaves with extremely long cilia (up to 8 mm) and distinctly white margins, ovate ventral sporophylls, and sporophyll-pteryx completely inverted on dorsal sporophylls. In the present work, a molecular phylogeny, taxonomic description, distribution information, line drawing, and photographs of this new species are presented. A morphological comparison is also given to distinguish it from morphologically similar species in Selaginella sect. Tetragonostachyae (Hook. & Grev.) Hieron. & Sadeb.

Keywords: Danxia landform, Selaginella albociliata, Selaginella subg. Heterostachys, species diversity

Illustration of Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan.
A habit B adaxial view of branch C abaxial view of branch with rhizophore D axillary leaf E ventral leaf F dorsal leaf G strobili H ventral sporophyll I dorsal sporophyll

(A–F drawn by Sun YB based on the isotype at NF

G–I drawn by Wei HJ based on the paratype at CSH).

Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan
A, B habit C abaxial view of portion of branch D portion of branch showing the dorsal leaves E portion of branch showing the ventral and axillary leaves F, G strobili H axillary leave I axillary leave J dorsal leave K ventral sporophyll L dorsal sporophyll M proximal surface of megaspores N detail of megaspore surface O microscopic structures of microspore surface P proximal surface of microspore.

 Selaginella wuyishanensis K.W.Xu, X.M.Zhou & Y.F.Duan, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is most similar to Selaginella albociliata and S. lutchuensis in the habit, sterile leaves, and spores. However, S. wuyishanensis can be distinguished from the latter two species by its long leaf cilia (up to 0.6 mm), ovate ventral sporophylls, and the smooth perispore surface of the megaspores (Figs 2, 3).

Distribution and habitat: Selaginella wuyishanensis is known only from Fujian Province, East China. Three populations were observed to grow on rocks of the Danxia landform in evergreen broad-leaved forests at elevations of ca. 200–800 m.

Etymology: The species epithet is based on the name of the famous mount Wuyishan, referring to the type locality of the new species.

Ke-Wang Xu, Shui-Fei Chen, Qiang Song, Xiao Zheng, Meng Li, Yan-Ming Fang, Hong-Jin Wei, Hui Ding, Xin-Mao Zhou and Yi-Fan Duan. 2022. Selaginella wuyishanensis (sect. Tetragonostachyae, Selaginellaceae), A New Species from East China and its Phylogenetic Position based on Molecular Data. PhytoKeys. 202: 107-119. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.202.85410

Friday, March 25, 2022

[Botany • 2022] Selaginella orientali-chinensis (Selaginellaceae) • A New Resurrection Spikemoss Species from southeastern China based on Morphological and Molecular Evidences

Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao,

co-occurred population of S. orientali-chinensis [A-B] and S. tamariscina [C]

(S. tamariscina is showed in the red dotted boxes).

in Wang, Dai, Chen, Fan & Liao, 2022.

xuebao.SYSU.edu.cn

Abstract

Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring and S. pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim. are two closely related rosette forming and resurrection spikemoss species widespread in Asia. In this paper， Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao was described and illustrated. This species was closely related to S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata and previously misidentified as S. tamariscina. By the gross morphological and molecular evidences， we found that this species is easily distinguished from S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata by the absolutely dichotomously branched main stems. Our field works confirmed that this species is widely distributed in southeastern China and mainly inhabits Danxia landforms areas. In some cases， this species shares the same habitats with S. tamariscina. Illustrating the morphological， phylogenetic and distribution characters of this new species would provide new data for the taxonomic studies on the genus Selaginella in the future.

Key words: Selaginella, Danxia landforms, morphology, phylogeny, distribution

Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao.
A: Lower view of branchlets; B; Upper view of branchlets; C: Dorsal leaf; D: Ventral leaf ; E: Megasporophyll; F: Microsporophyll; G: Lower view of strobilus; H: Upper view of strobilus.

Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao.
A: Habit; B: Dorsal leaf; C: Ventral leaf; D: Strobilus; E: Part of main stem showing ventral leaves, axillary leaves; F: Part of main stem showing dorsal leaves; G: Megasporophyll; H: Microsporophyll.

(Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu)

Morphology comparison between Selaginella orientali-chinensis and S. tamariscina
A-B: S. orientali-chinensis; C: S. tamariscina;
D: A co-occurred population of S. orientali-chinensis and S. tamariscina (S. tamariscina is showed in the red dotted boxes).

Selaginella orientali-chinensis Ching et C. F. Zhang ex H. W. Wang et W. B. Liao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata in plant form and the morphology of dorsal leaves, ventral leaves, and sporophylls. However, the main stems of S. orientali-chinensis are absolutely dichotomously branched, while those of S. tarmariscina and S. pulvinata are pinnately branched. Additionally, S. pulvinata usually inhabits alpine, plateau, and temperate region, and the tree-like trunks usually form compact cushions, but S. orientali-chinensis and S. tamariscina are distributed in the mountains or lowland of subtropical regions, and have tree-like trunks that are slender and do not form compact cushions.

Distribution and ecology. Selaginella orientali-chinensis is widely distributed in southern and eastern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces), growing on bare rock and grassy slope at 100 to 1,000 m a.s.l., and mainly in Danxia landforms.

Haowei WANG, Jingmin DAI, Zaixiong CHEN, Qiang FAN and Wenbo LIAO. 2022. Selaginella orientali-chinensis, A New Resurrection Spikemoss Species from southeastern China based on Morphological and Molecular Evidences. ACTA SCIENTIARUM NATURALIUM UNIVERSITATIS SUNYATSENI (中山大学学报（自然科学版). 61(2);

xuebao.SYSU.edu.cn/Jweb_zrb/article/2022/0529-6579/0529-6579-2022-61-2-57.shtml

xuebao.SYSU.edu.cn/Jweb_zrb/CN/10.13471/j.cnki.acta.snus.2022E003

中国东南部复苏卷柏一新种：东方卷柏 ——基于形态学和分子生物学证据

摘要：卷柏和垫状卷柏是两种近缘的莲座状复苏卷柏，两者在亚洲皆有广阔的分布区域。本研究描述并修订了东方卷柏这一新种；该种是卷柏和垫状卷柏的近缘种，此前常被错误鉴定为卷柏。东方卷柏与卷柏和垫状卷柏最大的形态差异在于东方卷柏的主茎为二叉分枝，而卷柏和垫状卷柏的主茎为羽状分支。形态学和分子系统发育数据分析强烈支持卷柏、垫状卷柏和东方卷柏各自独立的物种地位。通过查阅以往被错误鉴定的东方卷柏标本，可知该种广泛地分布于华东和华南地区。此外，野外调查表明该新种主要生长于丹霞地貌区，有时会和卷柏混生。本文对东方卷柏新种的形态、系统发育和地理分布进行了描述，这将有助于未来的植物学和生态学野外工作者开展针对性的相关研究。东方卷柏学名的种加词 orientali-chinensis 是我国蕨类分类学家秦仁昌及张朝芳1982年在标本台纸上对该种作出的鉴定，使用的是裸名，没有描述，本文在此正式合格发表继续采用了该名称，以资纪念。

关键词: 卷柏属, 丹霞地貌, 形态学, 系统发育, 地理分布

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

[Botany • 2019] Synopsis of the Genus Phlegmariurus (Lycopodiaceae) in Colombia

Phlegmariurus sp.

in Øllgaard, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.426.1.1

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study of a large material of Colombian Lycopodiaceae, describing 75 species of the genus Phlegmariurus, some of them subdivided into several varieties. Their nomenclature, distribution and habitats are indicated, and problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation are discussed. All species are illustrated, and studied specimens are cited. An attempt has been made to group the species, mainly following the clades of recent molecular studies. The following taxa are described as new to science: Phlegmariurus cocuyensis, P. cruentus var. exilis, P. cruentus var. illimitatus, P. idroboi, and P. josesantae.

Keywords: Lycopodiaceae, Phlegmariurus, Colombia, Pteridophytes

Benjamin Øllgaard [B.Øllg.]. 2019. Synopsis of the Genus Phlegmariurus (Lycopodiaceae) in Colombia. Phytotaxa. 426(1); 1-105. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.426.1.1

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

[Botany • 2018] Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) • A New Species from Vanuatu, Re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and New Combinations in Phlegmariurus

(D, E, F) Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field

in Field, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.29359

Abstract

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field is described as a new species for plants endemic to the islands of Vanuatu that were previously identified with P. nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching. The Vanuatuan species differs from the widespread Asian-Oceanian species in several characteristics, most notably its acutely divergent leaf arrangement and thicker less branched fertile spikes. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius is here re-circumscribed as plants occurring in Asia and into Oceania as far east as the Solomon Islands, being replaced eastwards by P. vanuatuensis. In addition, new nomenclatural combinations are made for Phlegmariurus australis, a species from Polynesia and for Phlegmariurus copelandianus, a species from Malesia.

Keywords: Phlegmariurus, Lycopodiaceae, Vanuatu, Oceania

Figure 1. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis ARF1140: A habit, leaf arrangement and fertile spikes B close up of sterile leaf arrangement showing subopposite decussate leaf arrangement and ovate-oval leaves C close up of fertile spike showing scale like sporophylls and a sporangium.

Scale bar: 10 cm (A); 1 cm (B, C). Illustration by A.R.Field.

Figure 2. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius ARF0002: A basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement B medial region of shoot showing adpressed leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view C distal region of shoot showing abrupt transition to sporophylls and filiform fertile spikes.

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis ARF1140
D basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement E medial region of shoot showing divergent leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view F distal region of shoot showing gradual transition to sporophylls and funiform-filiform fertile spikes.

Photos by A.R.Field

Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis A.R.Field, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis is similar to Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius but differs in having acutely spreading non-flattened sterile leaves (compared with adpressed and imbricate leaves flattened in on plane in P. nummulariifolius), thicker pale green-brown stem bases 3.5–5.5 mm diameter in P. vanuatuensis (compared to thinner dark black-brown stem bases 1.5–3.5 mm diameter in P. nummulariifolius) and a gradual transition to thicker less ramified fertile spikes 2–5.5 mm diameter in P. vanuatuensis (compared to an abrupt transition to slender ramified fertile spikes 1–2.5 mm in P. nummulariifolius).

Distribution, habitat and ecology: Endemic to Vanuatu where it occurs as an uncommon epiphyte on the bark of tree trunks and branches in the canopy to subcanopy of mature trees in lowland to montane primary tropical rainforest.

Etymology: Named for the origin of this species in Vanuatu. Vanuatu is a composition of the Austronesian words ‘Vanua’ meaning home or land and ‘Tu’ meaning stand.

Ashley Raymond Field. 2018. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) A New Species from Vanuatu, Re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and New Combinations in Phlegmariurus. PhytoKeys. 109: 53-66. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.109.29359