A taxonomic study was conducted on a marine benthic cyanobacterium, collected from Shizuoka and Wakayama Prefectures, and it was identified as Cyanoplacoma micrococca based on detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Until now, no molecular data had been available for C. micrococca, and morphological descriptions were also limited. The specimens of this species based on their yellowish-brown, sac-like thalli; outer layer cells enveloped by a yellowish-brown sheath; inner layer cells smaller than outer layer; and occurrence on rocks in the supralittoral zone. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed this species clustering (Cyanoplacoma clade) with the related taxa C. adriatica. All members of the Cyanoplacoma clade share pseudoparenchymatous colonies composed of rows of cells. The present findings therefore provide the first molecular characterization of this species and offer new insights into the taxonomy of the genus Cyanoplacoma.

The genus Tabularia currently comprises 20 accepted diatom species, among which T. sinensis was first described from Poyang Lake, China. In this study, we re-examined Japanese specimens of T. sinensis using scanning electron microscopy, focusing on the structure of the valvocopula. In our previous report, we described the valvocopula of T. sinensis as open at one end. However, the present observations confirmed that it is closed at both ends. This feature has not been reported in other Tabularia species and is considered characteristic of the genus Ulnaria. The previously observed open-ended structures were likely artifacts caused by sample preparation damage. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that some species currently placed in Tabularia may require taxonomic reassessment. Morphologically, T. sinensis exhibits intermediate features between Tabularia and Ulnaria, suggesting a complex taxonomic position. (Continued from J. Jap. Bot. 95: 291–296, 2020)

Many Japanese bladed species in Bangiales (Rhodophyta), that were originally classified in the genus Porphyra C.Agardh, have been transferred to other genera based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. The generic placement of six species, currently placed in Porphyra, has not been confirmed with sequence data. One of these, Porphyra akasakae A.Miura is distributed along the Sanriku coast, northern Honshu, Japan. Morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the nrSSU and rbcL genes of this species resolved it was an independent species within the genus Pyropia J.Agardh. Therefore, we propose a new combination: Pyropia akasakae (A.Miura) N.Kikuchi, Shot.Suzuki, Tamaki & Ta.Abe.

Literature by C. J. Maximowicz: ‘Diagnoses (breves) plantarum novarum Japoniae et Mandshuriae I–XX’ and ‘Diagnoses plantarum novarum asiaticarum I–VII’ were published in ‘Bulletin de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg’ and reprinted in ‘Mélanges Biologiques Tirés du Bulletin Physico-Mathématique du Bulletin de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St.-Pétersbourg’. However, on reexamining these publication dates, I found that the reprinted versions of ‘Diagn. Pl. Nov. Jap. et Mands. XVI’ and ‘Diagn. Pl. Nov. Asiat. IV’ were published a month earlier than the original versions, at the end of the previous year. The scientific names in these sources were validly published in the reprinted version, with the publication year being one year earlier. Additionally, ‘Diagn. Pl. Nov. Asiat. VIII’ was not published in either of these two journals but published separately. Furthermore, the dates attached to the titles of his papers, which might be the date of (oral) presentation, have often been mistaken for the date of publication. It should also be noted that many of the publication dates are written in the Julian calendar. The factors mentioned above should be considered when quoting Maximowicz’s scientific names and their valid publications.

Two naturalized species of Nassella (Poaceae), N. entrerriensis and N. neesiana, are newly reported from Osaka Pref., Japan, with their descriptions and figures. Distinguishing characters of these species are discussed. A key to all species of the genus occurring in Japan is also provided.

We provided further explanation on the application of Art. 41.5 Note 1 of ICN (Madrid Code), specifically clarifying the meaning of “coextensive with the protologue”. The new combination Dichanthium jainii published in 2023 and 2024 is considered to be a later isonym and disregarded on account of the previously available name D. jainii published in 1981 by Deshpande, which is validly published and legitimate, complying with Art. 41.5 of ICN.

During a taxonomic study of the genus Astragalus in Pakistan, we discovered two species. Astragalus monophyllus, belonging to section Trachycercis, and A. saratagius, belonging to section Pseudammotrophus, which are newly recorded for the family Fabaceae in the flora of Pakistan. These were collected during field expeditions conducted between 2007 and 2009 in the Shimshal Valley, Hunza District of Gilgit-Baltistan in the northern Pakistan. This study provides descriptions with illustrations and a distribution map of these newly recorded species.

In 2021, Dasiphora fruticosa var. mandshurica was discovered in the Okutano area of Ueno-mura, Tano-gun, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. This variety is the first record in Gunma Prefecture. As with many other documented localities, its habitat is located in limestone areas around the subalpine zone, where the species grows on the cliffs and rock faces. This species is considered to be one of the most endangered species in Gunma Prefecture due to its narrow distribution (range) and small population (size). This newly found population, along with the one in neighboring Saitama Prefecture across the border ridge, is considered to mark the northern limit of the distribution range in Japan.