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ເອນອ້າຂຸນກອງແລງ |  Melastoma calcicolum Souvann. & Tagane sp. nov.ເອນອ້າເພັດຊົມພູ |  M. souladethianum Souvann. & Nob.Tanaka, sp. nov.in So... Read more ເອນອ້າຂຸນກອງແລງ |  Melastoma calcicolum Souvann. & Tagane sp. nov.ເອນອ້າເພັດຊົມພູ |  M. souladethianum Souvann. & Nob.Tanaka, sp. nov.in Souvannakhoummane, Tanaka, Souladeth, Tagane, Dang, Yamamoto, Yamazaki, Pham, Phonepaseuth, Vongthavone, Phengmala, Kongxaisavath et Sengthong, 2026.  DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3141AbstractTwo new species, Melastoma calcicolum Souvann. & Tagane sp. nov. and M. souladethianum Souvann. & Nob.Tanaka sp. nov. (Melastomataceae), are described from limestone karst habitats in Khammouane Province, central Laos. Descriptions, photographs, distribution, habitat, phenology, and initial conservation statuses of both newly described species are given. A key to the species of Melastoma in Laos including currently reported species is provided. These discoveries result from extensive fieldwork conducted between 2022 and 2025 in protected areas including Phou Hin Poun National protected area and Phou Pha Marn area. M. calcicolum sp. nov. is distinguished from M. saigonenese by its terete twigs, narrow lanceolate leaves, spaced penicillate emergences on the hypanthium, stalk of emergences on hypanthium shorter, glabrous sepals, and longer styles, while M. souladethianum sp. nov. differs from M. pellegrinianum by its terete branches, small inflorescences with 2–4 flowers, and sparsely bristled hypanthium with strigose hairs. Both species are currently known only from their type localities, occurring in exposed limestone areas, and are preliminarily assessed as Endangered and Critically Endangered based on IUCN criteria due to their restricted distributions and small population sizes. These findings highlight the high botanical diversity and endemism of Laos’s limestone ecosystems and underscore the importance of continued botanical exploration in the region.Keywords: Limestone flora, Myrtales, new description, new taxa, Southeast Asia Melastoma calcicolum Souvann. & Tagane sp. nov. A. Habit. B. Abaxial leaf surface. C. Close-up of flower bud showing the penicillate emergences. D. Horizontal cross-section of ovary. E. Lateral view of flower. F. Top view of flower. G. Vertical cross-section of flower bud. H. Flower bud. I. Vertical cross-section of the flower with petals removed. J. Petals. K. Long stamens. L. Short stamens. M. Pistil. N. Bottom view of hypanthium showing the 5 sepals.Photos from holotype (Tagane et al. Z1704) A, C by S. Tagane; B, D, G–N by K. Souvannakhoummane and E–F by P. Phonepaseuth.Melastoma calcicolum Souvann. & Tagane sp. nov.Diagnosis: Similar to Melastoma saigonense (Kuntze) Merr., but differs in its terete young twigs  (vs.  (sub)quadrangular), narrower leaves (ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, length/width ratio 2.8–4.1 vs. ovate to elliptic, length/width ratio 1.8–2), penicillate emergences spaced apart (vs. densely covered by penicillate emergences), stalk of emergences on hypanthium 1–1.5 mm long (vs. 3–5 mm long), glabrous sepals except for ciliate margins (vs. outer surface densely covered with bristles), and longer styles (20–25 mm long vs. 15–20 mm long).Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the limestone habitat.Vernacular name: ເອນອ້າຂຸນກອງແລງ En R Khoun Kongleng (meaning: ʻKhoun Kongleng's Melastomaʼ).Melastoma souladethianum Souvann. & Nob.Tanaka, sp. nov.A. Habit. B. Abaxial leaf surface. C–D. Flowers. E. Petals. F. Hypanthium & pistil. G. Vertical cross-section of hypanthium showing ovary. H. Flower bud. I. Lateral view of young fruits. J. Top view of young fruit. K. Short stamens. L.  Long stamens. M. Lateral view of mature dry fruit. N. Top view of mature dry fruit. O. Vertical cross section of mature dry fruit.C–L from holotype (Tagane et al. Z1213) and A–B; M–O paratype (Tagane et al. Z1915)Photos by K. Souvannakhoummane.Melastoma souladethianum Souvann. & Nob.Tanaka sp. nov. Diagnosis: Similar to Melastoma pellegrinianum (H.Boissieu) Karst.Mey., but it differs in having terete young branches (vs. quadrangular in M. pellegrinianum), inflorescences with 2–4 flowers (vs. more than 15), hypanthia sparsely covered in bristles with sparse strigose hairs (vs. bristles without strigose hairs).Etymology: The specific epithet honors Dr. Phetlasy Souladeth, curator of the FOF herbarium of the National University of Laos, who led our field trips and is an excellent plant taxonomist. She has greatly contributed to elucidating the flora of Laos and has described more than 30 new species and recorded over 100 species to Laos’ flora.Vernacular name: ເອນອ້າເພັດຊົມພູ En R Phetsomphou (meaning: purple diamond’s Melastomaʼ).Keooudone SOUVANNAKHOUMMANE, Nobuyuki TANAKA, Phetlasy SOULADETH, Shuichiro TAGANE, Van-Son DANG, Takenori YAMAMOTO, Kaito YAMAZAKI, Quoc Trong PHAM, Phongphayboun PHONEPASEUTH, Thyraphon VONGTHAVONE, Kajonesuk PHENGMALA, Deuanta KONGXAISAVATH and Anousone SENGTHONG. 2026. Two New Species of Melastoma L. (Melastomataceae) from Limestone Karst, Khammouane Province, central Laos. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1034(1); 1-13. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3141 [2026-01-08]facebook.com/PhetlasySouladeth/posts/25405484335746080 Show less

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[A–D] Caridina maeklongensis     Macharoenboon, Manonai & Jeratthitikul. 2024[E, F] C. sumatrensis  De Man, 1892RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 72Abstr... Read more [A–D] Caridina maeklongensis     Macharoenboon, Manonai & Jeratthitikul. 2024[E, F] C. sumatrensis  De Man, 1892RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 72Abstract. A newly discovered landlocked shrimp, Caridina maeklongensis, new species, is described from the Mae Klong Basin, western Thailand. The morphology of the new species resembles C. sumatrensis, from which it differs in possessing a shorter rostrum with fewer dorsal teeth, a small number of very large-sized eggs, and a greatly reduced posteromedian projection on the distal end of the telson. The molecular evidence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene also supports the species status of the newly described species. This is the fifth endemic species of Caridina known from Thailand. Key words. crustacean, landlocked freshwater shrimp, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy, Southeast AsiaLiving habitus specimens of Caridina species from the Mae Klong Basin.A–D, Caridina maeklongensis, new species: A, paratype male, MUMNH-CAR064-4; B, paratype female, MUMNH-CAR064-1; C, paratype female, MUMNH-CAR064-15; and D, paratype female, MUMNH-CAR064-13. E, F, C. sumatrensis: E, male, MUMNH-CAR706-P2; and F, female, MUMNH-CAR706-P1.Family Atyidae De Haan, 1849 Genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 Caridina maeklongensis, new speciesEtymology. The specific name is from its type locality, the Mae Klong Basin.Kongkit Macharoenboon, Varitsara Manonai and Ekgachai Jeratthitikul. 2024. Caridina maeklongensis, A New landlocked freshwater Shrimp Species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from the Mae Klong Basin, Thailand. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 72: 450–468. Show less