A new species of Catha (Celastraceae) from southern Natal and Pondoland

Catha abbottii Van Wyk & Prins, a tree endemic to the southern Natal/Pondoland sandstone region is described. It occurs in ravine forest and is presently known from a small area between the Umtamvuna and Mzamba Rivers. C. abbottii is of phylogenetic significance in combining characters of the other two species of Catha Forssk. ex Scop. In capsule morphology it resembles C. edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl., the species on which the genus was originally based. Its wingless seeds in particular, but also other characters, suggest a closer affinity to C. transvaalensis Codd, the species on which the genus Lydenburgia N.K.B. Robson (subsequently reduced to the synonymy of Catha) was established. It can easily be separated from C. transvaalensis by its scaly bark, fewer leaf crenations, 4–6 pairs of principal lateral veins, erose-fimbriate petal margins, strongly recurved stamens and oblong capsules with a prominent septal ridge on the inner surface of the valves

Two new species of Apodytes (Icacinaceae) from southern Africa

Apodytes abbottii Potgieter & Van Wyk and A. geldenhuysii Van Wyk & Potgieter, two new species from southern Africa, are described, illustrated and compared with the other African members of the genus. A. abbottii is a shrub or small tree endemic to rocky sandstone outcrops in southern Natal and north-eastern Transkei (Pondoland Centre). It is probably allied to the widespread A. dimidiata E. Mey. ex Arn. subsp. dimidiata, with which its range overlaps. Diagnostic characters of A. abbottii include its robust though often stunted habit, thick and rigid blue-green leaves which are rounded, erect terminal inflorescences and glabrous ovaries. A. geldenhuysii is a rare multistemmed shrub or small slender tree confined to a small area in the mountains of the south-western Cape. It is a very distinctive species without any close relatives. The few-flowered axillary racemes, unusual pale green and translucent colour of the ripe fruit appendage, intercellular pectic protuberances in the mesophyll of the leaf lamina, and fibres (in addition to sclereids) in the secondary phloem, immediately distinguish it from all other African members of the genus. Other diagnostic characters include the relatively small ovate to ovate-elliptic leaves with retuse apices, blunt-tipped cylindrical flower buds, glabrous ovaries and narrowly oblong off-white petals which are strongly recurved with markedly incurved apices

A taxonomic revision of Elaeodendron Jacq. (Cassinoideae: Celastraceae) in Africa

The heterogeneous genus, Cassine L. s.l. is subdivided into smaller, more natural genera, following new evidence from macromorphology, palynology and anatomy. Elaeodendron Jacq., one of the segregate genera, is here revised for Africa. The redefined genus Elaeodendron is cosmopolitan, with consists of 30 to 40 species of shrubs and trees distributed in Africa, Asia, Australasia and central America. Eight species of Elaeodendron are recognized in Africa. A new combination, E. transvaalense (Burtt Davy) R.H. Archer (= Cassine transvaalensis) is proposed. The other species are Elaeodendron aquifolium (Fiori) Chiov., E buchananii (Loes.) Loes., E. croceum (Thunb.) DC., E. matabelicum Loes., E. schlechterianum (Loes.) Loes. and E. zeyheri Spreng. ex Turcz. The correct application of the previously misapplied and confused name E. croceum is discussed

Systematic studies in subfamily Celastroideae (Celastraceae) in southern Africa: The genus Putterlickia

The genus Putterlickia Endl. is confined to the moister eastern coastal parts of southern Africa, from the Western Cape in the south to southern Mozambique in the north, with one disjunct species in the arid interior of the Northern Cape. Four species are recognised: P. pyracantha (L.) Szyszyl., P. verrucosa (E. Mey. ex Sond.) Szyszyl., P. retrospinosa Van Wyk & Mostert and P. saxatilis (Burch.) M. Jordaan. The nomenclature, including concise synonymy and typification, descriptions of the genus and species, key for identification, notes on habitat and relationships, history and distribution maps, as well as notes on leaf anatomy are supplied for each species. An illustration of P. verrucosa is provided

Floral development in Greyia flanaganii with notes on inflorescence initiation and sympodial branching

The aerial parts of Greyia flanaganii H. Bolus consist of a system of superposed monochasial shoots. The mature lateral inflorescences of this evergreen and probably most primitive species of Greyia Hook. & Harv. are primarily terminal. The flowers are adapted to ornithophily, basically diplostemonous and inclined to haplostemony. The 5 floral whorls essentially develop acropetally and alternately, but in flower buds with less than 10 stamens the carpels are epipetalous. The multilayered endothecium-like tissue and additional inner parenchyma form the criteria for considering the anther of Greyia as phylogenetically primitive. Similarities in floral morphogenesis of the Greyiaceae and Saxifragaceae sensu lato are discussed

Ovule, seed and seedling characters in Acharia (Achariaceae) with evidence of myrmecochory in the family

An investigation of mature seed structure in Guthriea capensis and ovule-to-seed development in Acharia tragodes indicate that the two species are herbaceous myrmecochores with similar adaptations for seed dispersal and germination. The development and structure of the modified seed tissues, namely a sarcotestal elaiosome, a fringe layer in the mesotesta, endotestal-exotegmic mechanical layers and a chalazal seed lid are described. Additional embryological similarities between the two taxa include, amongst others, sessile ovules, distally lobed outer integuments, zigzag micropyle canals formed by both integuments, bisporic Allium Type embryo sacs, suspensorless embryos belonging to the Penaea Variation of the Asterad Type, and small embryos in the mature seed. In Acharia intraseminal embryo growth occurs before radicle emergence, germination is epigeal and seedlings belong to the Macaranga Type

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century