The spirurid nematode Thubunaea schukurovi Annaev, 1973 (Physalopteridae) is redescribed by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy from Ablepharus chernovi collected in Çamlıyayla, Turkey. This is the first record of the species from this host and the first record of the genus Thubunaea from Turkey. The taxonomic status of the species of the genus Thubunaea from the Palaeacrtic and Indomalayan realms is reviewed based on their original morphological descriptions; as a result, Thubunaea dessetae Barus & Tenora, 1976, a parasite of Saara hardwickii (Gray) (Agamidae) in Afghanistan, is transferred to the genus Pseudabbreviata as Pseudabbreviata dessetae (Barus & Tenora, 1976) n. comb. Several species described in India, that is, Thubunaea singhi Deshmukh, 1969 and Thubunaea brooki Deshmukh, 1969, both from Hemidactylus brookii Gray (Gekkonidae), and Thubunaea aurangabadensis Deshmukh, 1969 and Thubunaea syedi Deshmukh, 1969, both from Hemidactylus giganteus Stoliczka, are considered members of the genus Physalopteroides; therefore, the following new combinations are proposed: Physalopteroides singhi, Physalopteroides brooki, Physalopteroides aurangabadensis and Physalopteroides syedi. Thubunaea hemidactylae Oshmarin & Demshin, 1972 from Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril & Bibron in Vietnam is considered a member of the genus Physalopteroides as P. hemidactylae (Oshmarin & Demshin, 1972) n. comb.

The present study reviews Perinereis Group 2 species from the Eastern and South-eastern Asian seas based on morphological analysis of the types, non-types and original descriptions, and the use of molecular evidence (COI and 16S rDNA) from newly collected material. These species are characterized by having two bar-shaped paragnaths on pharyngeal area VI, which are often deemed conical when small and pointed, triggering misidentifications as to Neanthes species. New terminology and definition for this particular type of bars are proposed, and the generic position of some resembling Neanthes species is also re-assessed. Five species are transferred to Perinereis: Perinereis babuzai comb. nov., P. belawanensis comb. nov., P. kinmenensis comb. nov., P. shigungensis comb. nov. and P. vitabunda comb. nov. ‘Perinereis aibuhitensis’ species group is newly proposed by encompassing species having proximal dorsal ligule similar throughout the body, dorsal cirri short, and blades of heterogomph falcigers straight with long terminal tooth forming a distinct tendon. Perinereis belawanensis comb. nov., P. linea and P. vitabunda comb. nov. are redescribed. Perinereis linea is regarded as a senior synonym of Nereis (Neanthes) orientalis and Perinereis vancaurica tetradentata based on type material, whereas its exotic status in the Mediterranean Sea is questioned. An identification key to all currently valid species within Perinereis Group 2 is also provided.

A new combination in Vachellia is published for Acacia pennivenia. A summation of the current state of knowledge of this Socotran endemic species is presented, including a morphological description, a distribution map and an updated conservation assessment. Colour photographs and a black-and-white line drawing are presented.

Two new names and one new combination are created in the artificial Cynoglossum montanum group (Boraginaceae – Cynoglosseae): Cynoglossum natolicum (Bornm.) Sutorý and Cynoglossum brandii Sutorý from the Eastern Mediterranean, and Cynoglossum maghrebicum Sutorý from Morocco and Algeria. All taxa are discussed, their lectotypes are designated and their distributions are outlined.

The living species of the genus Retrophyllum C.N. Page (Podocarpaceae) are revised. A key to the six species recognised is given. Retrophyllum filicifolium (N.E.Gray) R.R.Mill comb. nov. from New Guinea and the Moluccas is recognised as a species distinct from R. vitiense (Seemann) C.N. Page, which is restricted to material from Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Additional characters are given by which to separate Retrophyllum piresii (Silba) C.N. Page (Brazil) from R. rospigliosii (Pilg.) C.N. Page (Andes). The six species fall into three species-pairs that differ in reproductive characters: one pair in Papuasia and Melanesia, a second on New Caledonia and a third in South America. In the New Caledonian species-pair, the adult leaves are flattened in four ranks with only minimal heterofacial twisting, whereas in the species-pair inhabiting Fiji, New Guinea and neighbouring areas, as well as the pair inhabiting South America, the adult leaves are arranged in two ranks with significant heterofacial twisting. The names Podocarpus filicifolius N.E.Gray and Nageia minor Carrière, respectively the basionyms of Retrophyllum filicifolium and R. minus, are lectotypified, and the typification of Nageia minor comprehensively discussed in an appendix. Adult female epitypes are additionally designated for Podocarpus filicifolius, which was originally based on juvenile foliage of Retrophyllum mixed with a detached seed of Nageia wallichiana, and for Nageia minor, which Carrière described on the basis of sterile material. Two other appendices provide a list of accepted names and synonyms, and a list of exsiccatae. Illustrations and distribution maps are provided for each species.

Spirobolbolaimus undulatus sp. nov. is described in intertidal sandy sediment from the East China Sea. The new species is characterized by six jointed outer labial setae much thicker and longer than the four slender cephalic setae, anterior and posterior pharynx bulbs, sclerotized multispiral amphid fovea, eight longitudinal rows of postamphideal setae, gubernaculum apophysis and many precloacal supplements. The new species differs distinctly from the type species Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis in the presence (vs absence) of jointed outer labial setae, eight additional small teeth, gubernaculum apophysis and many precloacal supplements and eight (vs six) rows of postamphideal setae. It differs from the other known congener Spirobolbolaimus boucherorum in the jointed outer labial setae (vs setae with smooth outline), three main teeth with eight additional small teeth (vs only three main teeth) and many distinct precloacal supplements (vs seven tiny papillate ones). We emend the diagnosis of the genus Spirobolbolaimus based on the description. Microlaimus pecticauda and Microlaimus spirifer possess two opposed reflexed ovaries, and thus are transferred from the family Microlaimidae to Molgolaimus of the family Desmodoridae: Molgolaimus pecticauda comb. nov. and Molgolaimus spirifer comb. nov.

The genus Astrodia (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Asteronychidae) was revised based on 34 specimens including two syntypes of Asteronyx excavata, two syntypes of Asteronyx plana and two syntypes of Ophiocreas abyssicola. We proposed a transfer of Ophiocreas abyssicola (Euryalidae) to the genus Astrodia. Consequently, Astrodia now includes four species, Astrodia abyssicola, A. excavata, A. plana and A. tenuispina. These four species are all redescribed. A taxonomic key to the species of the genus Astrodia is also provided.

An endemic species of Renealmia (Zingiberaceae) was treated under the illegitimate name R. sylvestris in Flora Neotropica (Maas, 1977). The new combination Renealmia striata (Stokes) Govaerts ex Maas is published for this species.

Recent studies of the large cheilostome bryozoan genus Scrupocellaria have shown a greater degree of taxonomically informative morphological variation in zooids, opesia, and polymorphic structures than previously recognized. Only one subgenus has been named within the genus, Retiscrupocellaria d'Hondt, 1988, erected for Scrupocellaria jolloisii. In this work we further analyse S. jolloisii and its related species, resurrecting an earlier genus name, Licornia van Beneden, 1850 for Licornia jolloisii, and nine relatives, L. annectens, L. cervicornis, L. cyclostoma, L. diadema, L. ferox, L. gaspari, L. longispinosa, L. macropora, and L. prolata. Licornia jolloisii was originally described from the Red Sea, and most species of the genus occur in the Indo-Pacific region. The species, however, has now been found in the Western Atlantic, in the Florida Keys, US, and in Bahia de Todos Santos, Brazil.

Stenogiffardia Evans, 1977 is considered the senior synonym of Pratura Theron, 1982 syn. nov. and Doraturella Emeljanov, 2002 syn. nov., resulting in four new combinations. Duraturopsis Melichar, 1908 syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Chiasmus Mulsant and Rey, 1855, resulting in one new combination. Figures of the ovipositor of Stenogiffardia parvula (Kirkaldy) are provided for the first time, and habitus images of S. parvula and Chiasmus katonae (Melichar) comb. nov. are provided.

Pedicularis ser. Tenuirostres Maxim. (Orobanchaceae) is demonstrated to be the correct name for the group usually referred to as P. ser. Pectinatae Prain. The series is here revised and 12 species are accepted. Its species are centred in the NW Himalaya, particularly Pakistan where there is much local infraspecific variation. Two species are excluded from the series: Pedicularis rhynchotricha P.C.Tsoong from China (Xizang) is placed in P. ser. Rhynchotrichae R.R.Mill and P. birmanica Bonati is confirmed as a member of P. ser. Brevifoliae (Prain) Bonati. One new species of Pedicularis ser. Tenuirostres is described: P. yamazakiana R.R.Mill from Nepal, which was formerly confused with P. pectinata subsp. palans Prain. Pedicularis jainii Aswal & Mehrotra is demonstrated to be a superfluous name for P. pyramidata Royle ex Benth. Pedicularis kashmiriana var. ornata Pennell is considered to be indistinguishable from P. pyramidata although P. kashmiriana var. kashmiriana is a recognisable taxon. An IUCN conservation assessment is proposed for Pedicularis rhynchotricha and for each taxon within P. ser. Tenuirostres.

The new taxa Pedicularis L. series Bicornutae R.R.Mill, Pedicularis series Rhynchotrichae R.R.Mill, Pedicularis bicornuta Klotzsch var. adenocalyx R.R.Mill, Pedicularis murreeana R.R.Mill & R.Bone and Pedicularis staintonii R.R.Mill (Orobanchaceae) are described. Pedicularis series Klotzschianae R.R.Mill is proposed as a replacement name for the illegitimate Pedicularis [unranked] Macranthae that has often been treated as ‘series Macranthae Prain’. The new combination Pedicularis bipinnatifida (Pennell) R.R.Mill is made and four names are lectotypified. An epitype is designated for Pedicularis bicornuta.

Adelocaryum Brand (Boraginaceae – Cynoglosseae) is shown to be the correct name for Paracaryopsis (H.Riedl) R.R.Mill, and the new combination Adelocaryum lambertianum (C.B.Clarke) R.R.Mill is made. The new species Adelocaryum nebulicola R.R.Mill is described from Oman and its affinities with the Indian species A. coelestinum (Lindl.) R.R.Mill are discussed. A synopsis of and revised key to the entire genus is provided as well as a revised description of Adelocaryum coelestinum. As circumscribed here Adelocaryum is restricted to tall mesophytic herbs lacking long glochidiate spinules on the wing-like margin of the nutlets. The desert annual or biennial Brandella erythraea is here excluded from Adelocaryum. The new combination Brandella erythraea forma subexalata (H.Riedl) R.R.Mill is made. Lindelofia spectabilis Lehm., for which the current correct name is L. longiflora (Benth.) Baill., is designated lectotype of the genus Lindelofia Lehm.

Parmeliella zeylanica is described as a new species in the P. mariana group, although it differs from all known species in the group by not having radiating marginal lobes resting on a distinct mat of rhizohyphae. It is as yet known only from the highlands of Sri Lanka. The new combination Parmeliella leiostroma (Nyl.) P. M. Jørg. is made for a closely related species from the same region, and it is shown that Parmeliella endomilta var. achromatica Makhija & Adawara falls within the variation of Parmeliella mariana (Fr.) P. M.Jørg. & D. J. Galloway, and is not closely related to P. endomilta.

A comparative review of 57 Lepraria species and 2 varieties is provided together with species descriptions and a key. Lecanora leuckertiana is transferred to Lepraria. In addition some putative taxa by different authors are discussed.

In the present paper, based on the rearing of nymphs in the field, we present for the first time the description of the adult stage of Rivudiva Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty and of its type species, R. minnatena Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty. Adults of Rivudiva can be distinguished from the other genera of Baetidae by the following combination of characters: (1) hindwings present or absent, when present with two longitudinal veins and with costal projection pointed, placed in the basal fourth of anterior margin; (2) forceps three-segmented, segment III long, about 2× as long as wide; (3) distal margin of subgenital plate with small pointed projection. Besides that, R. coveloae (Traver, 1971 [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Washington, 73, 58–63]), new combination, and R. venezuelensis (Traver, 1943 [Bol. Entomol. Venezolana, 2, 79–98]), new combination, are proposed based on the characteristics listed above, specially the distal margin of subgenital plate with a small pointed projection. Comments on the biology of the nymphs are also provided.

Pinochia, a new neotropical genus of Apocynaceae, subfamily Apocynoideae, is segregated from Forsteronia, described and illustrated. Four new combinations and a key to the species are provided.

Two species of Halecania from Asia, H. lobulata van den Boom & Elix and H. pakistanica van den Boom & Elix are described as new to science. In addition, the new combination Halecania pepegospora (H. Magn.) van den Boom is made. The ecology, distribution and chemistry of some selected species are discussed and a key to the fifteen species known worldwide is given.

Details are given of several morphological characters that separate the Vietnamese endemic Begonia balansana from the more widespread south Asian B. handelii, with which it is often confused. Begonia prostrata is reduced to a variety of B. handelii. Descriptions are provided for B. balansana and for B. handelii and the closely affiliated and poorly known B. burkillii. Begonia balansana is illustrated. Begonia handelii var. prostrata is recorded as new to Vietnam, Laos and Thailand and B. burkillii as new to Myanmar.

A study of the fruit structure of Annesorhiza filicaulis Eckl. & Zeyh. has shown that only the four commissural ribs are expanded, resulting in a fruit wing configuration characteristic of the genus Peucedanum. Hysteranthous or seasonal leaves, as present in A. filicaulis, are not unique to Annesorhiza but are also encountered in Chamarea Eckl. & Zeyh. and in Peucedanum sulcatum Sond. and related species. The correct generic delimitation of Peucedanum (one or several genera) is one of the last challenges in the alpha taxonomy of southern African Apiaceae, and A. filicaulis complicates the matter even further. Nevertheless, A. filicaulis is clearly a misfit in Annesorhiza and should be included in future studies of Peucedanum sensu lato, even though the latter may prove not to be monophyletic. Annesorhiza filicaulis is formally transferred to Peucedanum, and the correct nomenclature, typification and known geographical distribution of this poorly known species is presented.