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Tuesday, June 14th, 2016
| Time | Event | ||||
| 5:27a | [Botany • 2016] The Andean Paepalanthus pilosus complex (Eriocaulaceae): A Revision with Three New Taxa
Abstract A herbarium-based revision is provided for Paepalanthus pilosus and allies, five commonly confused species of cushion plants native to Andean paramo. These are placed in the recircumscribed Paepalanthus subsect. Cryptanthella Suess. The group includes P. pilosus, P. dendroides, and P. lodiculoides. An additional two species and one variety are newly described: Paepalanthus caryonauta, P. huancabambensis, and P. pilosus var. leoniae. The latter two are Peruvian endemics, while P. caryonauta is known from four countries, and has long been confused with other species. An additional, possibly undescribed taxon is noted from the Serrania de Perijá, Colombia. Five new synonyms and three lectotypes are proposed, and the common misapplication of some names is noted. Within the P. pilosus complex, species differences were found in timing of peduncle elongation, sex ratio, and leaf, perianth, diaspore and nectary morphology. Ecological differences are suggested by specimen data and a review of ecological literature. Descriptions, photographs and maps are provided for all species, as is a key to the groups of eriocaulaceous cushion plants from Andean South America. Keywords: Andes, cushion plants, diaspores, leaf anatomy, nectaries, new species, paramo, taxonomy
Nancy Hensold. 2016. The Andean Paepalanthus pilosus complex (Eriocaulaceae): A Revision with Three New Taxa. PhytoKeys. 64: 1-57. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.64.6864 | ||||
| 5:38a | [Botany • 2015] Arquita grandiflora • A New Cryptic Species in A New Cryptic Genus in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) from the seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys of South America
Abstract The generic affiliation of the Andean species Caesalpinia trichocarpa, C. mimosifolia, and their close relatives has remained uncertain in all recent studies of Caesalpinia s.l. (Leguminosae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae). A new densely sampled phylogeny based on four DNA sequence regions (rps16, trn D-trnT, ycf6- psbM, ITS) strongly supports the monophyly of an Andean clade. We propose that despite the lack of obvious diagnostic morphological synapomorphies, this Andean group should be considered as a distinct genus, here described as the new genus Arquita. Phylogenetic analyses also suggest a problem with species delimitation in this group. Within C. trichocarpa, accessions from disjunct geographic areas in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru each form a robustly supported, unresolved clade that includes C. mimosifolia. The morphological and genetic cohesiveness of the C. trichocarpa complex is investigated using morphometric phenetic analyses of qualitative and quantitative flower and leaf traits, and reconstruction of a densely sampled phylogeny using three plastid and one nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence loci. Our results suggest that the most geographically isolated of these clades, narrowly endemic to two inter-Andean valleys in central-north Peru and separated by ∼1350 km, and extensive high Andean cordilleras above 4000 m, from the nearest populations in Bolivia, represents a genetically highly distinct and morphologically cryptic lineage here described as a new species (Arquita grandiflora). A full taxonomic account of the new genus Arquita and its component species is provided, with a distribution map and a key to the species. Keywords: Andes; Caesalpinia ; Caesalpinioideae; Cryptic species; Generic delimitation; Leguminosae; morphological analysis; phylogenetic analysis; seasonally dry thorn scrub   Edeline Gagnon, Colin E. Hughes, Gwilym P. Lewis and Anne Bruneau. 2015. A New Cryptic Species in A New Cryptic Genus in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) from the seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys of South America. Taxon. 64(3):468-490. DOI: 10.12705/643.6 Kew's successful year of discoveries http://www.kew.org/discover/blogs/kew-sc New plant species discovered in 2015 - in pictures http://gu.com/p/4jv6p Five amazing plants new to science http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/05/f | ||||
| 6:08a | [Botany • 2015] Oberholzeria etendekaensis • A New Monotypic Legume Genus (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae) from north-western Namibia
Abstract Oberholzeria etendekaensis, a succulent biennial or short-lived perennial shrublet is described as a new species, and a new monotypic genus. Discovered in 2012, it is a rare species known only from a single locality in the Kaokoveld Centre of Plant Endemism, north-western Namibia. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular sequence data from the plastid matK gene resolves Oberholzeria as the sister group to the Genisteae clade while data from the nuclear rDNA ITS region showed that it is sister to a clade comprising both the Crotalarieae and Genisteae clades. Morphological characters diagnostic of the new genus include: 1) succulent stems with woody remains; 2) pinnately trifoliolate, fleshy leaves; 3) monadelphous stamens in a sheath that is fused above; 4) dimorphic anthers with five long, basifixed anthers alternating with five short, dorsifixed anthers, and 5) pendent, membranous, one-seeded, laterally flattened, slightly inflated but indehiscent fruits. Taxonomic Treatment Oberholzeria Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk, gen. nov. [urn:lsid:ipni.org: names: 77145129–1] (Figs. 1, 5 and 6). Type:— Oberholzeria etendekaensis Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk, here designated. Oberholzeria etendekaensis Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk, sp. nov. [urn:lsid:ipni.org: names: 77145130–1] (Figs. 2–4). Type:— NAMIBIA. Kunene Region: Etendeka Mountains, 32 km NNW of Puros, 1812 (–DB), 850 m, 3 May 2012, Swanepoel 316 (HOLOTYPE: WIND; ISOTYPE: PRE).
Distribution, habitat and ecology: Oberholzeria etendekaensis is known from a single population (comprising two small subpopulations) in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, a biogeographical region rich in restricted-range plants and animals [32], in north-western Namibia (Fig. 2). Its only known locality is from the Great Escarpment, in the Etendeka Mountains, on the watershed between the Khumib and Hoarusib Rivers, ± 50 km from the Atlantic coast at elevations ranging from 850–950 m. Average annual rainfall is around 100 mm and the substrate is derived from basalt of the Etendeka Group, Karoo Supergroup [33]. Oberholzeria etendekaensis is rare and has only been found in one location. It grows in two south-facing ravines (two subpopulations), approximately 500 m apart, in association with another succulent, Euphorbia pergracilis Meyer [34], also a restricted-range species. It is found on stony soil and scree in small colonies of usually less than ten plants each, in full sun (Fig. 1). Flowering occurs in April and May; this follows the end of the main rainy season (late summer). Conservation status: Although rare and localised, O. etendekaensis does not appear to be threatened at present. No signs of browsing by livestock or game were noticed and plants seem to be healthy and occur in an area unpopulated or sparsely populated by humans. Etymology: Johanna Allettha Oberholzer [1965–], beloved and venerated wife of the first author, is commemorated in the genus name. Known as Hannelie, she proposed that this specific part of the Etendeka Mountains be explored, accompanied the expedition during which the new species was discovered and first saw and brought the plants to the attention of one of us (WS). The specific epithet refers to the Etendeka Mountains, the type locality of the new species.   Wessel Swanepoel, M. Marianne le Roux, Martin F. Wojciechowski and Abraham E. van Wyk. 2015. Oberholzeria (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae), A New Monotypic Legume Genus from Namibia. PLoS ONE. 10(3): e0122080. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122080 |
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