Plant Ecology and Evolution
@plecevo.bsky.social
Diamond open access journal publishing about ecology and evolution of all plant groups, and with a particular interest in (sub)tropical African biodiversity. https://plecevo.eu/
New research on Zamia loddigesii reveals how vegetative and reproductive phenology varies across its wide range in Mexico. Reproduction is highly synchronized within populations but shifts geographically, driven by temperature.
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February 3, 2026 at 8:05 AM
New research on Zamia loddigesii reveals how vegetative and reproductive phenology varies across its wide range in Mexico. Reproduction is highly synchronized within populations but shifts geographically, driven by temperature.
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How does a plant species swarm coexist on an isolated mountain in northern Madagascar? Studying the Malagasy olive Noronhia on Montagne d’Ambre shows that environmental filtering and niche partitioning together shape community assembly across elevations.
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January 28, 2026 at 8:49 AM
How does a plant species swarm coexist on an isolated mountain in northern Madagascar? Studying the Malagasy olive Noronhia on Montagne d’Ambre shows that environmental filtering and niche partitioning together shape community assembly across elevations.
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The authors studied the pollination biology of Aristolochia sessilifolia and found that effective pollination depends on a match between floral dimensions and fly body size. Trap flowers, tiny flies, and a high fruit set reveal just how specific these interactions are.
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January 23, 2026 at 8:26 AM
The authors studied the pollination biology of Aristolochia sessilifolia and found that effective pollination depends on a match between floral dimensions and fly body size. Trap flowers, tiny flies, and a high fruit set reveal just how specific these interactions are.
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A new plant species has been described from Cameroon: Phragmanthera bidaultii (Loranthaceae), discovered along the Sanaga River. Found in threatened riverine forests, it has unique floral traits and a very restricted range, and is assessed as Endangered.
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January 19, 2026 at 8:32 AM
A new plant species has been described from Cameroon: Phragmanthera bidaultii (Loranthaceae), discovered along the Sanaga River. Found in threatened riverine forests, it has unique floral traits and a very restricted range, and is assessed as Endangered.
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A new orchid species was hiding in plain sight. Habenaria adamantina, discovered in the Espinhaço range of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described using morphological and DNA evidence, alongside a major update of the Habenaria checklist for Grão Mogol.
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January 15, 2026 at 8:50 AM
A new orchid species was hiding in plain sight. Habenaria adamantina, discovered in the Espinhaço range of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described using morphological and DNA evidence, alongside a major update of the Habenaria checklist for Grão Mogol.
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This study present taxonomic updates in Adenocalymma (Bignoniaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including a revised circumscription of A. acutissimum and the description of a new species, A. darwinii.
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January 8, 2026 at 7:50 AM
This study present taxonomic updates in Adenocalymma (Bignoniaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including a revised circumscription of A. acutissimum and the description of a new species, A. darwinii.
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This new study reveals that two Neotropical Malaxis orchids rely on cross-pollination by specialist fungus gnats. Both produce nectar and are self-incompatible, yet show high pollination efficiency, with M. excavata achieving notably higher fruiting success.
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December 8, 2025 at 9:56 AM
This new study reveals that two Neotropical Malaxis orchids rely on cross-pollination by specialist fungus gnats. Both produce nectar and are self-incompatible, yet show high pollination efficiency, with M. excavata achieving notably higher fruiting success.
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Myrcianthes spans a large ecological and geographic range, with late diversification, southern origins, and two major clades across the Americas. New insights into its biogeography and wood anatomy highlight a complex evolutionary history across lowlands and highlands.
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November 25, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Myrcianthes spans a large ecological and geographic range, with late diversification, southern origins, and two major clades across the Americas. New insights into its biogeography and wood anatomy highlight a complex evolutionary history across lowlands and highlands.
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New analyses of the neotropical palm Chamaedorea elatior (Arecaceae) show that its solitary and cespitose forms differ clearly in leaf morphology, consistently separating into two groups across multiple statistical tests. This suggests they may represent distinct species.
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November 20, 2025 at 9:41 AM
New analyses of the neotropical palm Chamaedorea elatior (Arecaceae) show that its solitary and cespitose forms differ clearly in leaf morphology, consistently separating into two groups across multiple statistical tests. This suggests they may represent distinct species.
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This phylogenetic study of Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae) reveals that its current classification does not reflect true evolutionary relationships. It originated in East African and Malagasy rainforests about 43 mya and adapted repeatedly to Africa’s shifting dry biomes.
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Historical biogeography and character-mapping of Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae) evidence a revised infrageneric classification system and shifts in African biomes from the Eocene to the Miocene
Background and aims – Acridocarpus belongs to one of the seven Malpighiaceae lineages that dispersed from the Neotropics to the Paleotropical region, being by far the most widely diversified and distr...
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November 4, 2025 at 8:33 AM
This phylogenetic study of Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae) reveals that its current classification does not reflect true evolutionary relationships. It originated in East African and Malagasy rainforests about 43 mya and adapted repeatedly to Africa’s shifting dry biomes.
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New field data clarify the diversity of Pulsatilla in Kosovo, confirming five taxa and reporting the first records of P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea and P. vernalis. Misidentifications are corrected and threatened taxa are identified in the Balkans.
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October 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
New field data clarify the diversity of Pulsatilla in Kosovo, confirming five taxa and reporting the first records of P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea and P. vernalis. Misidentifications are corrected and threatened taxa are identified in the Balkans.
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Species distribution models predict Lippia turbinata and Salimenaea integrifolia (Verbenaceae) could expand their ranges by 2070 while Lippia alba may lose habitat. Contrasting responses show the need for species-specific conservation strategies to protect plant resources.
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October 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Species distribution models predict Lippia turbinata and Salimenaea integrifolia (Verbenaceae) could expand their ranges by 2070 while Lippia alba may lose habitat. Contrasting responses show the need for species-specific conservation strategies to protect plant resources.
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A new orchid, Telipogon villonacoensis, is described from the Andes. Once thought restricted to southern Ecuador, it is now known from Colombia to Peru, which is an unusually wide range for the genus. This discovery sheds light on the hidden diversity of miniature orchids.
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October 14, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A new orchid, Telipogon villonacoensis, is described from the Andes. Once thought restricted to southern Ecuador, it is now known from Colombia to Peru, which is an unusually wide range for the genus. This discovery sheds light on the hidden diversity of miniature orchids.
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A new species of carnivorous plant, Pinguicula panfetiae, has been described from eastern Cuba. Endemic to the slopes of the River Toa in the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, it differs from related species by its smaller white flowers and leaf shape.
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October 8, 2025 at 9:19 AM
A new species of carnivorous plant, Pinguicula panfetiae, has been described from eastern Cuba. Endemic to the slopes of the River Toa in the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, it differs from related species by its smaller white flowers and leaf shape.
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This taxonomic study of the genus Tragia (Euphorbiaceae) in Gabon recognizes 6 species in the country, including 2 newly described species, T. flagellata and T. sericea. The work also reports two species as new records for Gabon and provides updated identification tools.
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September 29, 2025 at 8:13 AM
This taxonomic study of the genus Tragia (Euphorbiaceae) in Gabon recognizes 6 species in the country, including 2 newly described species, T. flagellata and T. sericea. The work also reports two species as new records for Gabon and provides updated identification tools.
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A new set of 48 nuclear microsatellite markers (14 polymorphic) was developed for Cola acuminata, an important African food tree. Results indicate high genetic diversity, and the markers also proved transferable to C. nitida.
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September 24, 2025 at 8:06 AM
A new set of 48 nuclear microsatellite markers (14 polymorphic) was developed for Cola acuminata, an important African food tree. Results indicate high genetic diversity, and the markers also proved transferable to C. nitida.
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Hedgerows play a crucial ecological role in maintaining connectivity in the fragmented Atlantic Forest. This study showed hedgerows matched forest fragments in seed rain and litter, with even greater fruit richness, highlighting their role in biodiversity conservation.
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September 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Hedgerows play a crucial ecological role in maintaining connectivity in the fragmented Atlantic Forest. This study showed hedgerows matched forest fragments in seed rain and litter, with even greater fruit richness, highlighting their role in biodiversity conservation.
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The allohexaploid genus Campeiostachys (StYH) originated from natural hybridization between tetraploid Roegneria (StY) and diploid Hordeum (H), with Roegneria as the maternal donor. The study also shows that C. purpuraristata belongs in the C. dahurica complex.
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September 12, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The allohexaploid genus Campeiostachys (StYH) originated from natural hybridization between tetraploid Roegneria (StY) and diploid Hordeum (H), with Roegneria as the maternal donor. The study also shows that C. purpuraristata belongs in the C. dahurica complex.
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Wild Vigna marina shows remarkable salt tolerance, surviving up to 20,000 ppm NaCl, outperforming commercial Vigna radiata varieties. Populations differ widely, making their conservation crucial for breeding salt-tolerant crops in a changing climate.
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September 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Wild Vigna marina shows remarkable salt tolerance, surviving up to 20,000 ppm NaCl, outperforming commercial Vigna radiata varieties. Populations differ widely, making their conservation crucial for breeding salt-tolerant crops in a changing climate.
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Symmetry vs structure in naviculoid diatoms. This review shows how SEM & wall morphogenesis studies reshaped our understanding: structure, not symmetry, underpins true relationships. Valve shape and symmetry still matter but beware of overemphasising single traits.
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Symmetry and structure re-visited: is symmetry still over-emphasised as a taxonomic character for naviculoid diatoms?
Background and aims – Over 40 years ago, I explored the use of symmetry and structure as taxonomic criteria for naviculoid diatoms, arguing that structure was the more informative character. This pape...
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September 1, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Symmetry vs structure in naviculoid diatoms. This review shows how SEM & wall morphogenesis studies reshaped our understanding: structure, not symmetry, underpins true relationships. Valve shape and symmetry still matter but beware of overemphasising single traits.
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An endemic Uvariopsis (Annonaceae) is described from Gabon with distinct foul-smelling, cauliflorous flowers attracting rove beetles.
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August 28, 2025 at 8:05 AM
An endemic Uvariopsis (Annonaceae) is described from Gabon with distinct foul-smelling, cauliflorous flowers attracting rove beetles.
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Neotropical litter-gathering Rubiaceae: taxonomic novelties in Faramea from Brazil and French Guiana, and notes on other litter-gathering taxa (e.g. Rudgea, Psychotria, Palicourea).
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August 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Neotropical litter-gathering Rubiaceae: taxonomic novelties in Faramea from Brazil and French Guiana, and notes on other litter-gathering taxa (e.g. Rudgea, Psychotria, Palicourea).
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Morphological, phylogenetic, and breeding system analyses of the Vanilla chamissonis clade delimit its constituent species and support recognizing V. argentina as a separate taxon.
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August 21, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Morphological, phylogenetic, and breeding system analyses of the Vanilla chamissonis clade delimit its constituent species and support recognizing V. argentina as a separate taxon.
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This paper takes us to the montane forests of Central Africa where a new endemic orchid was described. The authors distinguish it from two other, similar Rhipidoglossum species in the area.
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August 18, 2025 at 7:46 AM
This paper takes us to the montane forests of Central Africa where a new endemic orchid was described. The authors distinguish it from two other, similar Rhipidoglossum species in the area.
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After decades of mix-ups, Ouratea crassinervia (Ochnaceae) is confirmed as a unique Atlantic Forest species in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It has the typical "dracenoid" habit but can be recognized by its terminal inflorescences and large flowers.
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August 12, 2025 at 8:57 AM
After decades of mix-ups, Ouratea crassinervia (Ochnaceae) is confirmed as a unique Atlantic Forest species in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It has the typical "dracenoid" habit but can be recognized by its terminal inflorescences and large flowers.
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