Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon
This is the first revision in more than 100 years of the African genus Pseudohydrosme, formerly considered endemic to Gabon. Closely related to Anchomanes, Pseudohydrosme is distinct from Anchomanes because of its 2-3-locular ovary (vs. unilocular), peduncle concealed by cataphylls at anthesis and f...
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PeerJ Inc.
2021-02-01
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| author | Martin Cheek Barthélemy Tchiengué Xander van der Burgt |
| author_facet | Martin Cheek Barthélemy Tchiengué Xander van der Burgt |
| author_sort | Martin Cheek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This is the first revision in more than 100 years of the African genus Pseudohydrosme, formerly considered endemic to Gabon. Closely related to Anchomanes, Pseudohydrosme is distinct from Anchomanes because of its 2-3-locular ovary (vs. unilocular), peduncle concealed by cataphylls at anthesis and far shorter than the spathe (vs. exposed, far exceeding the spathe), stipitate fruits and viviparous (asexually reproductive) roots (vs. sessile, roots non-viviparous), lack of laticifers (vs. laticifers present) and differences in spadix: spathe proportions and presentation. However, it is possible that a well sampled molecular phylogenetic analysis might show that one of these genera is nested inside the other. In this case the synonymisation of Pseudohydrosme will be required. Three species, one new to science, are recognised, in two sections. Although doubt has previously been cast on the value of recognising Pseudohydrosme buettneri, of Gabon, it is here accepted and maintained as a distinct species in the monotypic section, Zyganthera. However, it is considered to be probably globally extinct. Pseudohydrosme gabunensis, type species of the genus, also Gabonese but probably extending to Congo, is maintained in Sect. Pseudohydrosme together with Pseudohydrosme ebo sp.nov. of the Ebo Forest, Littoral Region, Cameroon, the first addition to the genus since the nineteenth century, and which extends the range of the genus 450 km north from Gabon, into the Cross-Sanaga biogeographic area. The discovery of Pseudohydrosme ebo resulted from a series of surveys for conservation management in Cameroon, and triggered this article. All three species are morphologically characterised, their habitat and biogeography discussed, and their extinction risks are respectively assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct), Endangered and Critically Endangered using the IUCN standard. Clearance of forest habitat for logging, followed by agriculture or urbanisation are major threats. Pseudohydrosme gabunensis may occur in a formally protected area and is also cultivated widely but infrequently in Europe, Australia and the USA for its spectacular inflorescences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:33:51Z |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:33:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-3693711dd45b43e7844176db1b9891112023-12-03T11:00:46ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592021-02-019e1068910.7717/peerj.10689Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, CameroonMartin Cheek0Barthélemy Tchiengué1Xander van der Burgt2Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, UKInstitute of Agronomic Research and Development, Herbier National Camerounais, Yaoundé, Centrale, CameroonIdentification & Naming, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKThis is the first revision in more than 100 years of the African genus Pseudohydrosme, formerly considered endemic to Gabon. Closely related to Anchomanes, Pseudohydrosme is distinct from Anchomanes because of its 2-3-locular ovary (vs. unilocular), peduncle concealed by cataphylls at anthesis and far shorter than the spathe (vs. exposed, far exceeding the spathe), stipitate fruits and viviparous (asexually reproductive) roots (vs. sessile, roots non-viviparous), lack of laticifers (vs. laticifers present) and differences in spadix: spathe proportions and presentation. However, it is possible that a well sampled molecular phylogenetic analysis might show that one of these genera is nested inside the other. In this case the synonymisation of Pseudohydrosme will be required. Three species, one new to science, are recognised, in two sections. Although doubt has previously been cast on the value of recognising Pseudohydrosme buettneri, of Gabon, it is here accepted and maintained as a distinct species in the monotypic section, Zyganthera. However, it is considered to be probably globally extinct. Pseudohydrosme gabunensis, type species of the genus, also Gabonese but probably extending to Congo, is maintained in Sect. Pseudohydrosme together with Pseudohydrosme ebo sp.nov. of the Ebo Forest, Littoral Region, Cameroon, the first addition to the genus since the nineteenth century, and which extends the range of the genus 450 km north from Gabon, into the Cross-Sanaga biogeographic area. The discovery of Pseudohydrosme ebo resulted from a series of surveys for conservation management in Cameroon, and triggered this article. All three species are morphologically characterised, their habitat and biogeography discussed, and their extinction risks are respectively assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct), Endangered and Critically Endangered using the IUCN standard. Clearance of forest habitat for logging, followed by agriculture or urbanisation are major threats. Pseudohydrosme gabunensis may occur in a formally protected area and is also cultivated widely but infrequently in Europe, Australia and the USA for its spectacular inflorescences.https://peerj.com/articles/10689.pdfApomixisCross-Sanaga intervalDisjunctionExtinctionOrnamentalVivipary |
| spellingShingle | Martin Cheek Barthélemy Tchiengué Xander van der Burgt Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon PeerJ Apomixis Cross-Sanaga interval Disjunction Extinction Ornamental Vivipary |
| title | Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon |
| title_full | Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon |
| title_fullStr | Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon |
| title_short | Taxonomic revision of the threatened African genus Pseudohydrosme Engl. (Araceae), with P. ebo, a new, critically endangered species from Ebo, Cameroon |
| title_sort | taxonomic revision of the threatened african genus pseudohydrosme engl araceae with p ebo a new critically endangered species from ebo cameroon |
| topic | Apomixis Cross-Sanaga interval Disjunction Extinction Ornamental Vivipary |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/10689.pdf |
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