Machaerina ascendens (Cyperaceae), a rare new species from the far south-west of Western Australia, and a new combination for Schoenus abbreviatus Nees

We here describe Machaerina ascendens R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson as a new species from swamps within forests in the far south-west of Western Australia. The new species is readily identifiable by its scrambling habit and compressed, multi-noded culms, features which separate it from all other Australian species. The clearly distichous glumes, few hypogynous scales fused at the base into a ring and prominently stipitate nutlets are also unusual features in Machaerina Vahl. Machaerina ascendens is highly range-restricted by its specific habitat and appears to qualify for listing as Endangered. Study of all names applicable to the current concept of Machaerina revealed an earlier name for the eastern Australian species Machaerina nuda (Steud.) J.Kern, and a new combination is provided here for Schoenus abbreviatus Nees as Machaerina abbreviata (Nees) R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson

Hiding in plain sight, Ficus desertorum (Moraceae), a new species of rock fig for Central Australia

A new species of lithophytic fig, Ficus desertorum B.C.Wilde & R.L.Barrett, endemic to arid Central Australia, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from other species in Ficus section Malvanthera Corner by having stiff lanceolate, dark green, discolorous leaves; many parallel, often obscure lateral veins; petioles that are continuous with the midrib; with minute, usually white hairs and non- or slightly sunken intercostal regions on the lower surface. Previously included under broad concepts of either Ficus platypoda (Miq.) Miq. or Ficus brachypoda (Miq.) Miq., this species has a scattered distribution throughout Central Australia on rocky outcrops, jump-ups (mesas) and around waterholes. This culturally significant plant, colloquially referred to as the desert fig, grows on elevated landscapes in central Australia, including Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), three of Central Australia’s best-known natural landmarks. Evidence is provided to show these plants are geographically and morphologically distinct from Ficus brachypoda, justifying the recognition of F. desertorum as a new species. Taxonomic issues with F. brachypoda and F. atricha D.J.Dixon are also discussed. Lectotypes are selected for Urostigma platypodum forma glabrior Miq. and Ficus platypoda var. minor Benth

Lechenaultia peregrina, a new species of Goodeniaceae from northern Australia, New Guinea and the Moluccas

Morphological studies of Lechenaultia filiformis R.Br. have determined that more than one taxon is presently included under that name. We here recognise disjunct populations from north-east Queensland, north-east Northern Territory, New Guinea and the Moluccas as a new species, Lechenaultia peregrina R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett. This is the third tropical species of Lechenaultia currently recognised, however further studies are required to assess the status of about five additional entities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia currently included in L. filiformis s.l. Seed article morphology is critical for species delimitation in tropical Lechenaultia, but seed articles are often absent from collections, or only immature, as they fall quickly once ripe

Bush Blitz collections and iNaturalist observations assist the recognition of a new species from New South Wales, Lomandra briggsiana (Asparagaceae)

A new species of Lomandra Labill., Lomandra briggsiana R.L.Barrett & T.C.Wilson, is described from the Great Dividing Range and Western Slopes of New South Wales. The new species has affinity to the widespread south-eastern Australian species Lomandra multiflora (R.Br.) Britten, and to L. decomposita (R.Br.) Jian Wang ter & A.R.Bean and Lomandra ramosissima Jian Wang ter from Queensland. It has previously been included under L. multiflora as a ‘terete-leaved’ form in the Flora of New South Wales and recognised as Lomandra sp. Oxley Wild Rivers (T.M. Collins 924) on PlantNET. While the taxon has been known for some time, many of the existing collections are sterile or have only immature or old inflorescences present, and all but one of the collections represent only a single sex. Formal description has been prompted by the collection of fertile material during a Bush Blitz expedition in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and good-quality photographs of flowering material posted on iNaturalist

Review of nomenclature for Actinidiaceae in Australia

A lectotype is chosen for Australia’s only native species of Actinidiaceae, Dillenia andreana F.Muell. A case is made for Saurauia andreana (F.Muell.) Oliv. ex F.Muell. to be treated as a new combination based on Dillenia andreana rather than as the name of a new taxon. Notes are provided on the classification of Yang-tao (Chinese Gooseberry or Kiwifruit), Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa (A.Chev.) A.Chev., a taxon occasionally naturalised in Australia, for use on the online Flora of Australia

Reinstatement of Goodenia pritzelii Domin (Goodeniaceae) from the north Kimberley and description of G. oenpelliensis as a new species from the Northern Territory

Goodenia pritzelii Domin is reinstated as a poorly known species from the north Kimberley region of Western Australia. Known only from four collections including the type, G. pritzelii is clearly allied to G. arachnoidea Carolin with which it is known to be sympatric at one location. A new species, Goodenia oenpelliensis R.L.Barrett related to G. kakadu Carolin is described, known only from the type collection from Oenpelli in the Northern Territory

Netrostylis, a new genus of Australasian Cyperaceae removed from Tetraria

A new genus, Netrostylis R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson is described for Australasian species previously known as Tetraria capillaris (F.Muell.) J.M.Black (Cyperacea tribe Schoeneae). The genus is restricted to southern and eastern Australia, and the North Island of New Zealand. Two new combinations are made: Netrostylis capillaris (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson and Netrostylis halmaturina (J.M.Black) R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson. Netrostylis is a member of the Lepidosperma Labill. Clade

Reinstatement and revision of the genus Chaetospora (Cyperaceae: Schoeneae)

Three species are recognised in a new circumscription of the genus Chaetospora R.Br. Chaetospora is lectotypified on C. curvifolia R.Br. A new combination, Chaetospora subbulbosa (Benth.) K.L.Wilson & R.L.Barrett is made for Schoenus subbulbosus Benth. Lectotypes are also selected for Chaetospora aurata Nees, Chaetospora curvifolia R.Br., Chaetospora turbinata R.Br., Elynanthus capitatus Nees, Schoenus subbulbosus Benth., Schoenus subg. Pseudomesomelaena Kük. and Schoenus sect. Sphaerocephali Benth. Two species are endemic to south-western Australia, while the third is endemic to south-eastern Australia. Full descriptions, illustrations and a key to species are provided. All species have anatomy indicative of C3 photosynthetic-type

MADAM Protein Decreases Microsporidia Attachment to Host Cells

Microsporidia are an obligate, intracellular fungal pathogen that can cause devastating, disseminating infections in the immunocompromised. Because of the limitations of current medications, microsporidia’s abundant presence in the environment, and an increasing number of at-risk populations, investigation into decreasing microsporidia infectivity is needed. As an intracellular pathogen, microspridial attachment is a vital first step to infection, and if attachment is reduced, previous work shows that infectivity is mitigated. An in silico analysis of Encephalitozoon intestinalis revealed a predicted protein similar in sequence to ADAM (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase) proteins. This predicted protein is termed microsporidia ADAM or MADAM. ADAM proteins contain an integrin binding region, which is well known to bind to integrin proteins. Integrins are important receptors for attachment and cell signaling, and several pathogens utilize host integrins as a receptor to aid in attachment during infection. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrates that MADAM protein is found on the plasma membrane, anchoring disk, and polar tube of E. intestinalis spores. Our hypothesis is that MADAM is involved in the key role of host cell attachment. To this end, a 17 amino acid long section of the MADAM protein was generated that surrounded the integrin binding domain. During spore adherence assays, pretreating host cells with this small peptide protein, significantly decreased E. intestinalis spore attachment to host cells as compared to control samples. These results suggest E. intestinalis cleverly exploits host integrins as a means to bind to host cells before infection

Taxonomic revision of Corynotheca (Hemerocallidaceae / Asphodelaceae)

The genus Corynotheca F.Muell. ex Benth. is revised and Corynotheca borealis R.L.Barrett, Keighery & T.Macfarlane is described as a new species from the east Kimberley region of Western Australia and the adjacent Northern Territory. Corynotheca dichotoma (F.Muell.) F.Muell. ex Benth. is reinstated for a species growing on yellow sands in the Mid west of Western Australia. The taxonomic and geographic limits of varieties of C. micrantha (Lindl.) Druce are reconsidered and all are recognised at specific rank. Four new combinations are made: Corynotheca divaricata (R.J.F.Hend.) R.L.Barrett & T.Macfarlane, Corynotheca elongata (R.J.F.Hend.) R.L.Barrett & T.Macfarlane, Corynotheca gracilis (R.J.F.Hend.) R.L.Barrett & T.Macfarlane and Corynotheca panda (R.J.F.Hend.) R.L.Barrett & T.Macfarlane. All are illustrated and a revised key to the thirteen species of Corynotheca recognised is provided