Zhuxi hemipilia (Hemipilia zhuxiensis) closely related to H. henryi and H. crassicalcarata in section

NEWS - Zhuxi hemipilia (Hemipilia zhuxiensis sp. nov.) found in Shibali Long Canyon National Nature Reserve is morphologically similar to Hemipilia henryi Rolfe and Hemipilia crassicalcarata S.S.Chien, but differs in having an oval and simple labellum with a curved edge, a curved apex and a spur shorter than the ovary.

The genus Hemipilia Lindley sensu stricto includes about 13 species. In Hemipilia sect. Hemipilia, many species show morphological similarities, characterized by relatively small purplish-red flowers, a tongue-like rostellum and oval leaves with purple spots.

Many new species have been discovered in recent years. During a 2020 field investigation in the Wuling Mountains, Hubei, China, researchers found many small purple-flowered Hemipilia species. However, the literature does not show such characteristics in previously studied Hemipilia species.

The simple, oblong labellum with slightly volute margins and shorter spurs distinguish it from all known Hemipilia species. The researchers used H. henryi and H. crassicalcarata for morphological comparison, as they share common attributes and are the closest phylogenetically related.

However, the new species shows certain differences as it has oblong leaves with purple spots; 10 × 3–5 mm, single, oblong labellum; slightly volute labellum margin; upwardly curved labellum apex; and much shorter spurs compared to the ovary.

Nuclear (nrITS) and plastid (matK, psaB, psbA-trnH, rbcL and trnL-F concatenation) DNA sequence analyses confirmed H. zhuxiensis to be closely related to H. henryi and H. crassicalcarata supporting its recognition as a new species within H. sect. Hemipilia.

H. zhuxiensis is known to have two populations in the Shibali Long Canyon National Nature Reserve. The two populations are about 500 meters apart along the rock wall of the canyon. The new species grows on the rock wall together with H. henryi.

The canyon is a barren valley and many shrubs and mosses grow on the rock walls on both sides. The species flowers in June. The specific epithet refers to the name of the type locality in Zhuxi County. The Chinese name is “竹溪舌喙兰“.

Original research

Shen C-q, Lu G-H, Chen X-T, Yi L-S, Lan D-Q, Qin R, Liu H (2024). Hemipilia zhuxiensis (Orchideae, Orchidaceae), a new species from Hubei Province, China. PhytoKeys 247: 203-217, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.247.131618

Dlium theDlium

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...

Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia)

Bellyache bush ( Jatropha gossypiifolia ) is a species of plant in the Euphorbiaceae. It is a shrub, growing 2.5–4 meters tall. The leaves are three-lobed, up to 13 cm long and 13 cm wide, sticky, with spiny margins, purple when young and green as they mature. The petioles are up to 9 cm long, dark red to brown, and have yellow spikes. The flowers are small, fan-shaped, dark red with yellow centers. The fruit is ovoid; young fruits are green. Older fruits are brown, dry, and burst to release the seeds. Taxon: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Subfamily: Crotonoideae Tribe: Jatropheae Genus: Jatropha Species: Jatropha gossypiifolia Variety: Jatropha gossypiifolia var. elegans, Jatropha gossypiifolia var. gossypiifolia Publications: Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers. Balakrishnan, N.P. & Cha...

Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi)

The Javan hawk-eagle or Javanese eagle or Elang Jawa ( Nisaetus bartelsi ) is one of the endemic eagle species on Mount Merapi , medium to large, and slim with a length of up to 70 cm. The reddish-brown head (cadre) has a crest of 2 to 4 feathers for up to 12 cm long and a yellowish brown neck. Black crested with white ends, black crown and mustache, while back and wings are dark brown. The esophagus is whitish with a long black line in the middle. The chest has black streaks spread over the brownish yellow which eventually turn into a dense line pattern and red transverse above the whitish color of the abdominal and leg feathers. Feathers cover the legs to close to the base of the finger. A brownish tail with four dark lines and a wide cross is clearly visible on the lower side, and the tip of the tail is thin white striped. Females are similar in color, but have a slightly larger size. The iris is yellow and brownish, half-black, sera yellowish, and yellowish legs. Young birds ha...

Dlium