Taiwania

27/11/2025

The latest issue, 70(4), was published online on November 14, 2025, and hard copies were dispatched today. The upcoming volume 71 is planned for release in the next year.

Agapetes mingyuaniana, belonging to the Ericaceae family, has been recognized as a newly discovered species in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China. This species distinguishes itself among the Chinese Agapetes with its unique characteristics, including ridged branchlets and corollas measuring over 5.5 cm in length.

14/11/2025

𝘎𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 (Aeridinae; Orchidaceae): A new species from China based on molecular and morphological data
Peng-Yu Wu, Jiaxu Guo, Cheng-Yuan Zhou, Zi-Yang Wang, Qian-Tong Shan, Heng Yong, Yu-Tian Zhang
Published on: 14 November 2025
Page: 755 - 763
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.755
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2135

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.755-763

Abstract
The newly discovered orchid, 𝘎𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 (Aeridinae, Orchidaceae), found in Wenchuan, Sichuan of China, is described here based on the data of its morphology, phenology, ecology and distribution. This entity bears resemblance to 𝘎. 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴, 𝘎. 𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘎. 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘎. 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘎. 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 and 𝘎. 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘴, but can be distinguished by a distinctive vein on both the petals and sepals, as well as an epichile and hypochile that are devoid of spots or stripes. The molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and four plastid regions (atpI, matK, psbA, and trnL-F), supports the conclusion that 𝘎𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 is a new species and is sister to G. formosanus.

𝘎𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴, molecular phylogenetics, morphology, new species, sect. 𝘊𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘪

13/11/2025

Ethnobotanical knowledge and medicinal plant diversity in mountain region of district Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Sobia Sarwar, Shabnum Shaheen, Mushtaq Ahmad, Muhammad Waheed, Abeer Hashem, Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah
Published on: 13 November 2025
Page: 740 - 754
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.740
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2134

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.740-754

Abstract
Medicinal plant diversity and traditional ethnobotanical knowledge were investigated among marginalized populations inhabiting a transboundary border region. Despite their ecological richness and cultural depth, such areas remain understudied due to political sensitivities and restricted access, resulting in the loss of valuable knowledge about medicinal plants. The research focused on documenting wild medicinal plant diversity, recording traditional uses, and evaluating their relevance for conservation based on indigenous knowledge systems. Fieldwork was conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 across selected sites in the Samahni subdivision of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 133 medicinal plant species belonging to 58 families were documented. The most dominant families were Asteraceae (12 species), Fabaceae (9 species), and Lamiaceae (7 species). Herbs accounted for most growth forms (64%), followed by trees (18%), shrubs (15%), ferns (2%), and a single climber (1%). Leaves and whole plants were the most frequently used parts, and the infusion was the most common preparation method. Plants were used to treat 17 disease categories, with the highest number addressing digestive issues, respiratory problems, and liver ailments. Quantitative indices showed strong cultural consensus for some species, including 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘺𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 (L.) Schrad, 𝘡𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘫𝘶𝘣𝘢 Mill, and 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢 L, showing their ethnomedicinal consistency. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) values were most prominent for hypertension (0.89), pain (0.89), diabetes (0.88), and blood disorders (0.85), showing strong agreement among local knowledge bearers. The research concludes that mountain communities possess rich yet under documented ethnomedicinal knowledge, highly attuned to their environment and healthcare needs, and guided by informal conservation practices such as the selective use of aerial parts and minimal harvesting of roots to ensure plant sustainability.

consensus, , knowledge, plants,

11/11/2025

Functional response of female and male rove beetle 𝘗𝘢𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 (𝘏𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴) 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘴 Curtis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) preying on nymphs of brown planthopper 𝘕𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴 (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Shou-Horng Huang, Po-Yu Lai, I-Hsin Sung

Published on: 11 November 2025

Page: 733 - 741

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.733

2025 vol.70 no.4
pp.733-741

Abstract
𝘗𝘢𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘴 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) is a potential natural enemy of the brown planthopper 𝘕𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴 (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in rice fields. This study evaluated the s*x-specific functional responses of 𝘗. 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘴 to first-, third-, and fifth-instar nymphs using Rogers’ random predator equation. Logistic regression confirmed a type II functional response across all instars, indicating a decelerating rate of prey consumption with increasing prey density. Females exhibited a higher attack rate on first instars (a = 2.14436 h⁻¹) than males (a = 1.32626 h⁻¹) and a longer handling time on fifth instars (Th = 0.15024 h vs. 0.13574 h). These findings suggest that females may exert stronger predation pressure on early instars, while both s*xes contribute to pest suppression across nymphal stages. The study highlights the importance of considering predator s*x in the design of integrated pest management programs. Furthermore, results provide insights into optimizing the use of 𝘗. 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘴 in conservation- and augmentative-based biological control strategies, potentially enhancing the sustainability and effectiveness of rice pest management.

biological control, functional response, brown planthopper, rice, rove beetle

10/11/2025

Identification and functional analysis of ammonium transporter family in potato
Wan Li, Zilin Zhang, Ziyu Zhou
Published on: 10 November 2025
Page: 721 - 732
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.721
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2132

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.721-732

Abstract
In order to understand the characteristics and functions of ammonium transporters ( ) family, bioinformatics and molecular biology research methods were used to systematically identify and analyze potato AMT family members ( ) in this study, and preliminarily studied the functions of StAMTs in Arabidopsis thaliana. The results showed that there were 8 StAMTs in potato, which were divided into two subfamilies and distributed on different chromosomes. The amino acid residues of 8 StAMTs ranged from 460 to 512, the molecular weight ranged from 49.66 kDa to 55.11 kDa, the phosphorylation sites ranged from 34 to 55, the aliphatic indexes were all greater than 89, and the grand average of hydropathicity was all greater than 0. The 8 StAMTs had 11 transmembrane domains, and all of them were expressed on the cell membrane. The isoelectric point of most members was less than 7, the instability index was less than 40, and there was no signal peptide. The analysis results of the phylogenetic tree, motif composition, gene structure and GO annotation showed that 8 StAMTs had different functions. The results of expression pattern analysis under different treatments showed that StAMT1.1 may be a low affinity protein and StAMT2.5 may be a high affinity protein. In addition, the functions of StAMTs were studied in 𝘈𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢. The results showed that different genes had different effects on survival rate, root length, fresh weight and ammonium nitrogen content. Under normal and NH4+ sufficiency conditions, the survival rate, root length and fresh weight of the transgenic lines overexpressing StAMT2.3 or StAMT2.5 were significantly lower than those of wild type Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia-0) or had no significant change. However, under NH4+ deficiency condition, the survival rate of the transgenic lines overexpressing StAMT2.3 or StAMT2.5 showed no significant change, but the root length (about 33%-37% or 15%-27%) and fresh weight (about 87%-105% or 84%-97%) were significantly higher than those of Columbia-0, indicating that StAMT2.3 and StAMT2.5 may be high-affinity proteins. In summary, for StAMT2.5, the results of expression pattern analysis in potato and function analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana were consistent, it may promote the utilization efficiency of NH4+ in potato under NH4+ deficiency environment, so StAMT2.5 can be used as a candidate gene for further study. The results of this study are conducive to further understanding the function of potato StAMTs, and provide a reference for studying the molecular mechanism and mechanism of potato absorption and utilization of NH4+.

Keyword: Ammonium nitrogen, Ammonium transporters, 𝘈𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘮 𝘵𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘮

08/11/2025

𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴 (Gesneriaceae), a newly recorded genus in India, based on a new species - 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘪 from Arunachal Pradesh, India
Krishna Chowlu, Akshath Shenoy, Althaf Ahamed Kabeer
Published on: 08 November 2025
Page: 717 - 720
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.717
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2131

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.717-720

Abstract
𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘪 Chowlu & A.Shenoy, a new species of , is described and illustrated. The species was discovered in the Eastern Himalayas in 2025 during a botanical survey in Arunachal Pradesh, India. 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘪 differs from 𝘊. 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘪 with its lobed to cordate leaf base, green pedicel and calyx with white flowers, ellipsoid green o***y and linear glabrous capsule. A detailed description, coloured photo-plate, phenology and distribution as well as a comparison table with morphologically close species is presented as easy aid for its identification. The new species is assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’ according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

, Eastern , Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), IUCN, Leptoboeinae, West Siang

07/11/2025

Two new species of 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 (Ericaceae) from Yunnan, China
Bin Yang, Hong-Bo Ding, Jian-Wu Li, Ma-Mai Yue, Qiang-Bang Gong, Fa-Wang Yin, Yun-Juan Zuo, Bing-Mou Wang, Yun-Hong Tan
Published on: 07 November 2025
Page: 710 - 716
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.710
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2130

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.710-716

Abstract
𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘱𝘦𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 Bin Yang & Y.H.Tan and 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 H.B.Ding, Bin Yang & Y.H.Tan, two new species of Ericaceae from Yingjiang County, western Yunnan Province, China, are described and illustrated. 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘱𝘦𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 is morphologically similar to 𝘈. 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 but differs in having dark red corollas in the late flowering stage, longer corollas and stamens, and anthers without spurs. It is one of only two Chinese 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 species possessing dark red corollas and strongly reflexed corolla lobes in the late flowering stage. 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 is morphologically similar to 𝘈. 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 but differs in having ridged branchlets, shorter pedicels, longer corollas, stamens and styles, and anthers without spurs. It is unique among Chinese 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 species in combining ridged branchlets and corollas longer than 5.5 cm. Detailed descriptions, color plates and notes on these two new species are provided.

Keyword: 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘱𝘦𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, floristics, Yingjiang

05/11/2025

Studies on 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 (Araceae — Areae) of Thailand V: Two new species from Eastern Thailand
Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Khant Zaw Hein, Thawatphong Boonma, Sarayut Rakarcha, Khamfa Chanthavongsa
Published on: 05 November 2025
Page: 703 - 709
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.703
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2129

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.703-709

Abstract
As part of our ongoing revision of the genus #𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 in Thailand, 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘹 K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk & Saensouk and 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, two species new to science from Roi Et Province, and Ubon Ratchathani Province, Eastern Thailand, respectively, are described and illustrated. With the addition of these species, the total number of 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 species recorded in Thailand increases to 43, although the actual diversity is likely underestimated. A complete taxonomic account of the two new species is provided, including detailed morphological descriptions, distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, and discussion of their taxonomic affinities.

, Cretaceous sandstone, , tropical dry deciduous forest, 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘹, 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮

31/10/2025

The Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (IEEB) within the College of Life Sciences (CLS) at National Taiwan University (NTU) is inviting applications for a faculty position in the field of 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 or 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 at the assistant professor level. Applicants are required to submit the following materials: a cover letter highlighting their qualifications, a detailed curriculum vitae including a list of publications, a statement describing future teaching and research plans, proof of their Ph.D. degree along with transcripts, and PDF copies of all publications published on or after August 1, 2019. All application documents should be sent by email to Miss C.Y. Lin at IEEB ([email protected]) no later than January 4, 2026. For detail, please download the file: In English or Chinese.

21/10/2025

𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘢 𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘦, a new lichenicolous fungus from India
Yogesh Joshi, Sunita Bisht, Pooja Bansal
Published on: 21 October 2025
Page: 699 - 702
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.699
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2128

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.699-702

Abstract
A new species of lichenicolous fungus from India – 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘢 𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘦, colonising the thallus of 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘢 is described from the alpine region of Central Himalaya. The taxon is characterized by warty ascomata bearing 4-spored asci having uniseriately arranged 3-septate hyaline ascospores measuring (15–)18–23(–25) × (5–)7–8(–8.5) µm with a brown granular perispore.

#𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘢, , , new taxon, #𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘢,

18/10/2025

Beccarinda nhatii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Lao Cai, northwest Vietnam

Van Thanh Bui, Khang Sinh Nguyen, Che Wei Lin
Published on: 18 October 2025
Page: 694 - 698
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.694
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2127

Taiwania 2025 vol.70 no.4: pp.694-698

Abstract
𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘪, a newly discovered species from Lao Cai Province in Northwest Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It exhibits morphological similarities to 𝘉. 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘢, including elliptic-ovate leaf blades that are covered with subappressed strigose hairs abaxially, ovate bracts, a purple-tint corolla, and glabrous pistil. However, it can be distinguished from 𝘉. 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘢 by its entire leaf margin (vs. crenate to dentate or serrate), glabrous upper leaf surface except for the margin, which features a narrow (ca. 1 mm) zone densely covered with subappressed, curved strigose (vs. whole covered with spreading strigose), and a completely glabrous corolla (vs. sparsely pubescent on the outside). The global conservation status of this new species was tentatively proposed here as Critically Endangered (CR B2ab(iii,V;D)).

#𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘢, 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, endemism, Gesneriad conservation, plant taxonomy

17/10/2025