Acorus shannai (Acoraceae), a new species from Southern China

Acorus shannai (Acoraceae) is a commonly used seasoning in southern China. It was previously misidentified as A. macrospadiceus (Yamam.) F. N. Wei & Y. K. Li before. Through comparison of morphological characteristics, distribution locations, and type specimen, we determined that the elevation of A. gramineus var. macrospadiceus Yamam to species status was incorrect. Therefore, we propose a formal description of a new species following nomenclature regulations. Based on morphological and plastid genomic data, this study formally describes and illustrates Acorus shannai, distributed in the Qiandongnan area of Guizhou Province and its surroundings, confirming it as a new species within the genus Acorus. This species is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from other members of the A. gramineus group. Key distinguishing features include a strong fennel odor (vs. aromatic in “A. tatarinowii” and A. gramineus), fruit with prominent dorsal sutures (vs. inconspicuous dorsal sutures in “A. tatarinowii” and A. gramineus), and a leaf-shaped spathe that is about 2–3 times as long as the spadix (vs. more than 3 times in “A. tatarinowii”). Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. shannai is closely related to the other species in the A. gramineus group. The recognition of A. shannai is not only important for the species diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Acorus, but also can avoid the drug safety caused by using other Acorus species as A. shannai to eat and promote the conservation of A. shannai resources

Application of a theoretical simulator to the optimisation of risk-based invasive species surveillance

Early detection and rapid response are critical to the successful management of non-indigenous species (NIS) and rely on effective surveillance programmes. Risk-based surveillance, where surveillance targets high risk locations, is the most efficient form of NIS surveillance. However, further research is required on the impact of different levels of emphasis on risk, in sampling designs and on surveillance efficacy. This study implements a theoretical surveillance simulator to model the relative merit of different surveillance strategies with different levels of focus on NIS risk for NIS detection at one or more sites. Three potential surveillance scenarios were modelled: random, risk-based and heavy risk-based surveillance, each with three distributions of combined NIS risks of introduction and establishment: exponential, random and uniform. An example analysis using model derived NIS risk data is also provided. Sensitivity and elasticity analyses were conducted to identify variables which influence model outputs. The interaction between sampling method detection probability and changes in NIS abundance was modelled. It was found that NIS risk distribution influences the relative performance of different surveillance strategies and that risk- and heavy risk-based surveillance have lower times to detections and, generally, higher surveillance probabilities of detection compared to random surveillance at more skewed NIS risk distributions. However, there was a trade-off between short detection time and detection failure in risk-based and particularly heavy risk-based surveillance. Therefore, an over-emphasis on risk-based surveillance could provide suboptimal NIS detection. Sensitivity and elasticity analysis showed that the number of NIS seed sites, mean site visit rate and method detection probability had the largest effects on detection time, highlighting the complexity of designing surveillance programmes. In conclusion, the optimal surveillance strategy is conditional on the risk distribution and this study highlights the value of model-based simulators to guide decision-making in the design of NIS surveillance programmes

Three new species of Dicephalospora (Leotiomycetes, Helotiales) from Northern Thailand and Southwestern China

Dicephalospora is a discomycetous genus belonging to the family Helotiaceae (Helotiales). The genus currently comprises 19 species. Among them, 17 species have been reported from Asia, of which 14 were reported from China. During a survey of Leotiomycetes, we collected six specimens of Dicephalospora species from southwest China and northern Thailand. The samples were examined based on the phylogenetic analyses of LSU and ITS sequence data, along with morphological characterization, and our results demarcate three new Dicephalospora species, viz., D. tengyueica, D. maetaengica and D. menghaica. Dicephalospora tengyueica sp. nov. formed a distinct clade closely related to D. rufocornea, D. irregularis and D. sagerae, whereas D. maetaengica sp. nov. clustered closer to D. menghaica sp. nov. with 100% ML and 1.00 BIPP statistical support. All three species have similar apothecia sizes but differ in their coloration. Dicephalospora tengyueica has aseptate ascospores, while D. menghaica and D. maetaengica have 7-septate ascospores. The paraphyses in D. menghaica are branched, while they are unbranched in the other two species. An updated key to the known species of Dicephalospora is also provided

New taxa and a combination in Glomerales (Glomeromycota, Glomeromycetes)

This article presents the results of morphological studies, as well as comparisons and phylogenetic analyzes of sequences of four arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, phylum Glomeromycota): Dominikia indica, Dominikia indica strain 211, Isolate 517, and Isolate 524. Dominikia indica strain 211 was previously characterized only by sequences of the 45S nuc rDNA region (= 18S, partial, ITS-1-5.8S-ITS2, 28S, partial) and the rpb1 gene (without any morphological data) that were deposited in GenBank under the incorrect name “Dominikia indica strain 211”. Its 45S sequences differed from the original D. indica sequences and, consequently, resulted in erroneous phylogenetic classification of this species. Isolate 517 and Isolate 524 slightly differed in morphology from Macrodominikia compressa (formerly D. compressa) and Microkamienskia perpusilla (formerly Kamienskia perpusilla), respectively. Microkamienskia perpusilla was originally found in a maritime dune site of Italy in 2009 and not yet reported from any other habitat in the world. Our sequence comparisons and analyses showed that D. indica represents a new genus, here created under the name Delicatispora gen. nov. with De. indica comb. nov., and Dominikia indica strain 211 is a new species, described as Dominikia paraminuta sp. nov. These analyses also indicated that Isolate 517 is conspecific to M. compressa and confirmed the correctness of the transfer of D. compressa by other AMF researchers to Macrodominikia gen. nov. with M. compressa comb. nov. Morphological studies of our M. compressa specimens grown in culture showed that the original description of this species is incomplete and, therefore, the description was emended. Phylogenetic analyses of Isolate 524 proved its conspecificity to Mk. perpusilla and thus revealed its second site of occurrence, i.e., the coastal dunes of the Hel Peninsula in northern Poland

Fungal fairy rings: history, ecology, dynamics and engineering functions

Fungal fairy rings (FFR) are fascinating natural phenomena that have intrigued people and scientists for centuries. These patterns, often represented by circular distributions of altered vegetation, are found in grasslands and forest habitats. Fairy rings occur when fungi grow radially in the soil, raising from a central point, progressively degrading organic matter and thus affecting vegetation. The observation of such spatial patterns allows mycologists to conduct an in-depth analysis of the role of fungi in ecosystems. This review presents the current knowledge and scientific advancement of the studies of FFRs. An historical appraisal from the most representative pioneer studies until recent works is presented in different scientific fields, including microbiology, chemistry, botany and ecology. Based on a deep analysis of bibliographic data, we synopsised different aspects of FFRs: i) history of studies, ii) taxonomy, iii) ecology (environmental conditions and biogeography), iv) classification of vegetation patterns, v) spatial dynamics, vi) role as ecosystem engineer (impact on soil chemistry, plants and microbiota). In conclusion, beside still open research areas requiring further investigation, a schematic functional model of fungal fairy rings is proposed, in which on one hand the dynamics of the fungal mycelium is explained by self-DNA accumulation and the build-up of autotoxicity. On the other hand, the effects of fungi on plants are related to the intermingled and differently spatially distributed effects of hydrophobicity, phytotoxicity and phytostimulation

Tabanidae (Diptera) holotypes in the KwaZulu-Natal Museum collection: Part 2. Diachlorini and Tabanini

All primary (name-bearing) and secondary types (paratypes) of Bartolomeudiasiella, Cydistomyia and Limata within the tribe Diachlorini and Hybomitra, Tabanus and Therioplectes within the tribe Tabanini, deposited in the KwaZulu-Natal Museum (NMSA) are documented: Cydistomyia (Amanella) cooksoni Usher, 1965; Cydistomyia (Amanella) grayi (Oldroyd, 1957), comb. nov.; Cydistomyia (Amanella) ignota Usher, 1965; Cydistomyia (Amanella) ingridina Usher, 1965; Cydistomyia (Amanella) shaka Usher, 1970; Cydistomyia (Amanella) zimbiti Usher, 1970; Limata kuhnelti Usher, 1967 [now Bartolomeudiasiella kuhnelti (Usher, 1967)]; Limata miranda Usher, 1968; Limata parafacialis Oldroyd, 1957; Tabanus crocodilinus Austen, 1912; Tabanus flavicoxa Usher, 1954; Tabanus nefas Usher, 1971; Tabanus postacutus Oldroyd, 1947; Tabanus saxicolus Usher, 1965 [now Hybomitra saxicolus (Usher, 1965)]; Therioplectes zumpti (Dias, 1956). The reference to the original publication, including the original name, the type locality and the collector, is provided for each species. In addition, brief remarks and colour photographs are provided. This is the second in a series of publications on the primary types of the Tabanidae of the KwaZulu-Natal Museum

Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses revealed four new species (Basidiomycota) in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China

Four new fungi, viz. Clavulinopsis wumengshanensis (Clavariaceae, Agaricales), Henningsomyces bambusae (Porotheleaceae, Agaricales), Xenasma bisterigmatae, and X. guttulata (Xenasmataceae, Russulales), from Yunnan Province in China, are proposed, based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using a combined dataset of internal transcribed space and nuclear ribosomal RNA large subunit sequences. The ITS+LSU analysis showed that Clavulinopsis wumengshanensis sp. nov. groups with C. aurantiocinnabarina, Henningsomyces bambusae sp. nov. forms a sister group with H. candidus, Xenasma bisterigmatae sp. nov. is clustered with X. rimicola, and X. guttulata sp. nov. is clustered with X. pruinosum. The morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses confirmed the placement of the four new taxa. Clavulinopsis wumengshanensis is distinguished by buff-yellow to straw-yellow basidiomata, clavate to subcylindrical basidia with four sterigmata, and subglobose basidiospores with several guttules (7–8.5 × 6–7.5 µm); Henningsomyces bambusae is characterized by white to cream basidiomata with short cylindric to tubular colonies, cylindrical to subcylindrical basidia with two sterigmata and globose to subglobose basidiospores (6.5–8.5 × 6.5–8.5 µm); Xenasma bisterigmatae can be characterized by its membranaceous and ash-grey basidiomata, clavate to subcylindrical basidia with two sterigmata and ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores (10–12.5 × 8–10.5 µm); X. guttulata is distinguished by membranaceous and white to cream basidiomata, clavate to subcylindrical basidia with two sterigmata and ellipsoid to narrowly ellipsoid basidiospores (7–9 × 5.5–7.5 µm)

A historical checklist of the orchid flora (Orchidaceae) of Quito, Ecuador

We compile a species inventory of orchid species collected at Quito, Ecuador, between 1790 and 2018 and compare it with the orchid species observed in the field between 2018 and 2021. Historical herbarium records include 52 orchid species in Quito. During our field campaigns, we found 29 of these previously collected species in herbaria and an additional 11 species which we newly report from Quito, bringing the total number of orchid species in Quito to 63 species. However, we were unable to find 23 species during our field campaigns. Our study shows that even in one of the largest Ecuadorian cities, several orchid species are still present, and among them, species not previously reported. Urgent conservation actions are needed in urban areas to preserve urban diver‑ sity and native ecosystems in Quito

Portuguese terrestrial mammals in Portuguese Natural History Collections: an assessment of their taxonomic, geographic and temporal patterns

Natural History Collections (NHCs) constitute the world’s largest repositories of long-term biodiversity datasets and are fundamental in tackling the questions of modern science, amongst which is species conservation. To do so, NHCs rely on specimen collection and voucher deposition, which, in recent decades, have seen a drastic decline. As part of an ongoing project to review the Portuguese zoological collections in the country’s NHCs, mammal data from its three major museums and smaller collections were compiled and analysed to understand the coverage and representation of the different taxa extant in Portugal. We found that the collections are not taxonomically, geographically or temporally complete. Approximately 86% of Portuguese mammalian species are represented in the country’s NHCs, but more than two-thirds of the taxa are represented by less than 50 specimens. Geographically, the collections cover little over 40% of the country’s territory and more than half the occurring taxa have less than 10% of their known distributions represented in the collections. A third of the taxa represented in the collections is considered threatened, yet only accounts for 15% of all specimens. A review on the status of Portuguese mammal collections is presented here, as well as a call to attention on the implications of incomplete collections towards fundamental research

Predictive abilities of acculturation for differences in self-rated health among international medical students from Medical University – Sofia

Despite the various theoretical frameworks of acculturation, the mechanisms by which acculturation affects health and well-being remain unclear. This cross-sectional study explores the role of acculturation in self-rated health (SRH) among international medical students. The study was conducted in 2024 at the Medical University – Sofia and included 326 participants. The Stephenson Multigroup Acculturation Scale (SMAS) was employed to assess cultural influences from both the host and home countries, focusing on two dimensions: Ethnic Society Immersion (ESI) and Dominant Society Immersion (DSI). SRH was measured using a five-category Likert scale. Covariates included perceived stress, social support, and health behaviour factors. Logistic binary regression was applied for analysis. The findings revealed that most international medical students rated their health as good (56.4%). Poor health was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with lower ESI (Mdn = 3.4), higher stress levels (Mdn = 22), and a lack (31.9%) or insufficiency (54.2%) of physical activity (PA). ESI emerged as a significant predictor of good health (Exp(B) = 0.403; p = 0.004). The impact of DSI on poor SRH was mediated by PA (Exp(B) = 4.629 and Exp(B) = 2.699, p < 0.05 for both risk groups). The results of this study can be useful in planning health and social services for international students, considering their specific needs