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| Nasa katjae T.Henning, J.P.Allen & R.H.Acuña, Henning, Allen, Montesinos-Tubeé, Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Peña et Acuña-Castillo, 2025. |
Abstract
A new species of Nasa ser. Alatae (Urban & Gilg) Weigend from Northern Peru is described and illustrated. Nasa katjae sp. nov. was at first encountered by an observation on iNaturalist and subsequently collected in the humid Andean forests near Colasay in the province of Jaén (Cajamarca, Peru). Whilst comparing the new species with closely related Nasa loxensis (Kunth) Weigend, a taxon widespread in Southern Ecuador (and tentatively adjacent Peru), a reevaluation of the status of earlier synonymized Loasa calycina Benth. became necessary. Consequently, Nasa calycina comb. nov. is rehabilitated at species level and Nasa loxensis is redefined.
Key words: Amotape-Huancabamba Zone, Andes, Cajamarca, cloud forest, Cornales, iNaturalist, Loasoideae, narrow-endemic
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| Lankester Composite Dissection Plate (LCDP) of Nasa katjae A Flower, fronto-lateral view B flower, lateral view, sepals lifted C frontal view in late anthesis D inflorescence, not the elongated sepals on the young fruits E nectar scale, dorsal view F nectar scale lateral view with free inner staminodes G leaf adaxial surface H leaf abaxial surface I seed. Credit: A–H J. P. Allen I Y. Malkowsky. |
Nasa katjae T.Henning, J.P.Allen & R.H.Acuña, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. The new species is morphologically most similar to Nasa calycina comb. nov. (see below) and differs from it in its very elongated stems, subscandent habit, proportionately broader leaf blades with a conspicuously deeply cordate base, sepals and petals almost twice as long (to 4 cm and 4.5 cm respectively), sepals and petals of equal length and nectar scales with 3 conspicuous apical dorsal threads up to 5 mm long.
Etymology. The new species is named after Katja Lohse, beloved partner of the first author, mother of their children and steady supporter of his scientific endeavors.
Tilo Henning, Joshua P. Allen, Daniel Montesinos-Tubeé, Eric F. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, José Luis Marcelo Peña and Rafael Acuña-Castillo. 2025. No end to endemism – Contributions to the difficult Nasa Weigend Series Alatae (Loasaceae). A New Species from Peru and the Rehabilitation of “ Loasa” calycina Benth. PhytoKeys. 252: 163-186. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.141635
Resumen: Describimos e ilustramos una nueva especie de Nasa ser. Alatae (Urban & Gilg) Weigend del norte de Perú. Nasa katjae sp. nov. fue inicialmente encontrada gracias a la plataforma de ciencia ciudadana iNaturalist y posteriormente recolectada en los bosques húmedos andinos cerca de Colasay en la provincia de Jaén (Cajamarca, Perú). Al comparar la nueva especie con Nasa loxensis (Kunth) Weigend, un taxón estrechamente relacionado y ampliamente distribuido en el sur de Ecuador (y posiblemente en Perú adyacente), fue evidente que una reevaluación del estado de Loasa calycina Benth., anteriormente sinonimizada, era necesaria. En consecuencia, proponemos la rehabilitación de Nasa calycina comb. nov. a nivel de especie y redefinimos a Nasa loxensis basados en la evidencia acumulada.
