Newly discovered / described species 2014

Crotalaria trifoliolata (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), a previously incompletely known Ethiopian endemic rediscovered after 120 years

Abstract

The incompletely known Crotalaria trifoliolata Baker f. (Leguminosae subfam. Papilionoideae) has been rediscovered in the field. For 120 years, it has been known only from a fragmentary holotype with uncertain collecting locality. The habit and height of the plant, the pods and the seeds are here described for the first time. The new information confirms that C. trifoliolata belongs to sect. Hedriocarpae Wight & Arn. subsect. Hedriocarpae. Within that subsection it is similar to a small number of other species of Crotalaria from the Somalia-Masai floristic region (C. leucoclada Baker, C. rhynchocarpa Polhill, C. saltiana Andrews, C. thomasii Harms) in having the inside of the pod densely packed with long, white hairs. C. trifoliolata was observed at the edge of and in glades inside dry Juniperus-Olea forest, in which the canopy is dominated by J. procera Endl. and the undergrowth by Barbeya oleoides Schweinf. and other species characteristic of dry Afromontane forest and bushland. The species is found only in a limited area near the eastern Ethiopian escarpment at Sheik Hussein. It is documented with images and maps, its potential distribution is modelled and a conservation assessment is provided, suggesting that C. trifoliolata is Endangered (E).

Friis, I. and Weber, O. (2014). Crotalaria trifoliolata (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), a previously incompletely known Ethiopian endemic rediscovered after 120 years. Kew Bulletin 69:9536. [Abstract]
 
Rediscovery of the Critically Endangered Tarantula Poecilotheria metallica Pocock, 1899 from Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India


Abstract

Abstract: The genus Poecilotheria is known to occur only in India and Sri Lanka. The genus is represented by 8 species in India and 7 in Sri Lanka. Since August 2011 onwards, we are carrying out a detailed biodiversity inventory of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Chittoor and Kadapa districts Andhra Pradesh. During one of our biodiversity surveys we sighted a dead specimen of Theraphosid spider in Kapilatheertham, forest complex (13°34’N; 79°21’ E) of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve on 29th January 2013 and we sighted a live same specimen in Mamandur north beat (SVNP Tirupati Range), Sri Venkateswara National Park, part of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve on 17 August 2013. Poecilotheria metallica is ranked by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. Further research with reference to ecology, threats and conservation of biodiversity in the area is in progress. So far many rare species recorded in this area, the present record reveal that the area is very rich in biodiversity and there is an urgent need to adapt conservation policies.

Source:

Guptha, M. Bubesh et al. (2014). Rediscovery of the Critically Endangered Tarantula Poecilotheria metallica Pocock, 1899 from Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India. World Journal of Zoology 9(4): 235-238.
 
Rediscovery of Malaxis nana (Orchidaceae: Malaxideae) in Costa Rica, with an updated description

Abstract

Malaxis nana C. Schweinf. is known from two herbarium specimens collected in 1925 in San Ramón, Alajuela province, and three additional specimens without detailed locality data collected in the late 1800’s, all of them in Costa Rica. This species had not been registered since. Malaxis nana is hereby first reported for Las Cruces Biological Station, Puntarenas province, in southern Costa Rica. An updated description, illustration, photographs and distribution map for this taxon are provided.

Source:

Pérez-Escobar, Oscar A. and Blanco, Mario A. (2014). Rediscovery of Malaxis nana (Orchidaceae: Malaxideae) in Costa Rica, with an updated description. Lankesteriana 14(2): 109-114.
 
Cool thread! I didn't know that so many species have been "rediscovered" after such long periods of time. Almost makes me get my hopes up that the Caribbean monk seal is still out there. Almost...
 
TheMightyOrca said:
Cool thread! I didn't know that so many species have been "rediscovered" after such long periods of time. Almost makes me get my hopes up that the Caribbean monk seal is still out there. Almost...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the monk seal isn't as easily overlooked and its range wasn't in a poorly studied area.

Like I'm doing some work now on a species of bird that has a very large range and is probably pretty common in large parts of that range. Even though everything we know about the species can be summarized on one page. So it is not a surprise that many species with a much smaller range are "rediscovered".
 
Like I'm doing some work now on a species of bird that has a very large range and is probably pretty common in large parts of that range. Even though everything we know about the species can be summarized on one page. So it is not a surprise that many species with a much smaller range are "rediscovered".[/QUOTE]

Which species are you working with if I may ask ?
 
DDcorvus said:
Unfortunately the monk seal isn't as easily overlooked and its range wasn't in a poorly studied area.

Like I'm doing some work now on a species of bird that has a very large range and is probably pretty common in large parts of that range. Even though everything we know about the species can be summarized on one page. So it is not a surprise that many species with a much smaller range are "rediscovered".
Click to expand...

Yeah, plus since the seals go out on land, they'd be easily spotted.
 
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