[Botany • 2019] Sabal lougheediana (Arecaceae) • A Critically Endangered, Endemic Palm Species from Bonaire

Sabal lougheediana M.P.Griff. & Coolen

in Griffith, Coolen, Barros & Noblick. 2019. 

Bonaire Palm  ||  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.420.2.1

Abstract 

A new palm species, Sabal lougheediana, is described and illustrated. This critically endangered island endemic, native solely to Bonaire, is characterized by a compact crown of leaves, erect leaf segments, distinctive leaf scars, and frequently vascularized fiber bundles in leaflet transection. Detail on history, morphology, range, habitat, and conservation status is presented, along with a diagnostic key. 

Key words: anatomy, Coryphoideae, critically endangered, single-island endemic, Palmae, palms, Southern Caribbean

FIGURE 2. Sabal lougheediana, Bonaire, showing uniformly erect leaf segments and infructesence (white arrow) occluded by foliage

(photograph: Coolen).

FIGURE 1. Sabal lougheediana. A. Habit. B. Detail of leaf scar. C. Leaf.

(illustration: Barros)

Sabal lougheediana M.P.Griff. & Coolen, sp. nov. 

Type:—BONAIRE. Lima, limestone terrace pavement west of Lac Bay, north of the solar salt works, and south of Kaya Rudolph Statius von Eps. 5 m elev., ..., 11 January 2017, Griffith 392 (holotype NY!, isotype FTG!). 

Diagnosis:— This new species is most similar to Sabal antillensis in leaf morphology and inflorescence structure, but differs by the much taller overall height (7 m vs. 5 m) and more slender-trunked (less than 40 cm vs. greater than 40 cm) habit, the conspicuous, textured trunk scars, the uniformly erect leaf segments unlike the pendescent segments in S. antillensis, and the more frequently vascularized fiber bundles.

...

Distribution:— This species is currently limited to a very small range on the island of Bonaire (de Frietas et al. 2019) in the Southern Caribbean. The plants are found in the southern part of the island (Lima), west of Lac Bay and north of the solar salt factory. 

Habitat:— The plants are found in the Coccoloba–Melocactus Middle Terrace landscape type (de Freitas et al. 2005), on flat limestone pavements, at elevations near 5 m. Vegetation cover in the range of S. lougheediana is very sparse, and there is evidence that the current vegetation is greatly reduced from its potential density via introduced herbivores (Coolen, 2015; Roberts et al. 2018). 

Etymology:— The name honors Dr. Lin Lougheed, author, explorer, and patron of botanic gardens. 

Common Names:— The plant is called Sabalpalm on Bonaire. We also propose an additional common name “Bonaire Palm” to highlight its single-island endemism, and distinguish from its nearest geographic neighbor on Curaçao also called Sabalpalm.

M. Patrick Griffith, Quirijn Coolen, Michelle Barros and Larry R. Noblick. 2019. Sabal lougheediana (Arecaceae), A Critically Endangered, Endemic Palm Species from Bonaire. Phytotaxa. 420(2); 95–101. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.420.2.1

[Botany • 2019] Aiphanes suaita (Arecaceae) • A New, Overlooked Species of Aiphanes from Santander, Colombia

Aiphanes suaita R. Bernal, Sanín & Castaño

in Bernal, Castaño & Sanín, 2019.

  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.405.2.5 

 facebook.com/RodrigoBernal54

Abstract

The new species Aiphanes suaita, from the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, is described and illustrated. Previous specimens of this species had been mistaken for Aiphanes simplex, but a molecular phylogeny revealed that it is actually more closely related to Aiphanes leiostachys, from the Central Cordillera, prompting a reexamination of the specimens. The new species differs in its solitary stem, lack of yellowish spines, pinnae strongly plicate along secondary veins, spicate inflorescences, staminate flowers with the axis perpendicular to the spike axis, and triad bracts short, with smooth margin. Based on IUCN criteria, it is categorized as Endangered.

Keywords: cryptic species, endangered species, palms, South America, Monocots

Aiphanes suaita. A. Habit ( Castaño et al.2050 ), El Carmen de Chucurí, Santander, Colombia. B. Leaf apex and infructescence. C. Detail of pinnae (Bernal et al. 4815), San José de Suaita, Santander, Colombia.

Aiphanes suaita. A. Detail of spike, with staminate flowers at anthesis. B. Immature fruits (Bernal et al. 4815 ). San José de Suaita, Santander, Colombia.

Aiphanes suaita R. Bernal, Sanín & Castaño, sp. nov.

 Diagnosis :— Aiphanes suaita resembles Aiphanes simplex in its small size, short, cuneate pinnae, and spicate inflorescence. However, it differs from that species in its solitary stem, 3 cm diam. (vs. stems densely cespitose, up to 20 per plant, 1−2 cm diam.), the dark brown spines on the leaf sheath and the petiole (vs. yellowish spines), and the arrangement of the staminate flowers on the inflorescence axis. 

....

Etymology :— The epithet suaita is a noun used in apposition. It is the name of the municipality where the new species was first located, the same name that the aboriginal village of the Guane Indians had at the time of the Spanish invasion (Pita Pico 2013).

Rodrigo Bernal, Felipe Castaño and  María José Sanín. 2019. A New, Overlooked Species of Aiphanes (Arecaceae) from Santander, Colombia. Phytotaxa. 405(2); 101–105. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.405.2.5

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[Botany • 2019] Pinanga schwanerensis (Arecaceae) • A New Species of Palm from Kalimantan, Indonesia

Pinanga schwanerensis A.Randi, Hikmat & Heatubun

in Randi, Hikmat & Heatubun, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.402.2.6

Abstract 

A new species of palm, Pinanga schwanerensis, is described and illustrated here. This is the third species of Pinanga to have been described from Kalimantan since the description of P. salicifolia Blume and P. albescens Becc. A discussion of its morphological characters, distribution, ecology, habitat and conservation status is provided. 

Keywords: Arecaceae, palms, Pinanga, Kalimantan, taxonomy

Figure 2. Pinanga schwanerensis.
 A. Clustering habit. B. Irregular divided leaf blade, upper surface. C. Undivided young leaf blade, below surface. D. Stem and crownshaft. E-F. Interfoliar inflorescence with persistent prophyll. G. Staminate flower. H-I. Mature fruit, epicarp and mesocarp. J. Endocarp and seed.

 Scale bar : A = 60 cm; B-C = 10 cm; D = 30 cm; E = 3 cm; F = 5 cm; 

G = 9 mm; H-J = 17 mm. All photos by A. Randi.

Pinanga schwanerensis A.Randi, Hikmat & Heatubun, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:— This taxon is similar to Pinanga jambusana C.K.Lim in general habit and inflorescence appearance, but can be distinguished by a combination of the following characters: the leaf pinnate or divided irregularly into 2–3 leaflets each side, rarely entire, with petiole to 120 cm long, ligule present; inflorescence interfoliar, bursting out among marcescent leaf sheaths; prophyll leathery and persistent; stamens 15–18; fruits broadly ellipsoid, colored dull white with dark purple at the tip and turning dark purple entirely when mature.

Distribution:— Pinanga schwanerensis is known only from the Schwaner mountains, which include the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park at the border of West and Central Kalimantan of Indonesia. It has been recorded from five localities so far, two localities from West and three from the Central Kalimantan (Figure 1).

 Habitat:— Pinanga schwanerensis grows in primary lowland Dipterocarp forest, on undulating land and slopes at an elevation of 150–550 m asl. It seems to prefer humid areas covered by dense forest canopy in narrow valleys and/or at the side of small rivers between ridges, usually growing on soil with a thick litter layer. 

 Etymology:— From Schwaner Mountain in the border of West and Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.  

Agusti Randi, Agus Hikmat and Charlie D. Heatubun. 2019. Pinanga schwanerensis, A New Species of Pinanga (Arecaceae) from Kalimantan, Indonesia. Phytotaxa. 402(2); 121–125. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.402.2.6

[Entomology • 2019] Bothryonopa sahyadrica • An Atypical New Species of Bothryonopa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) from south India

Bothryonopa sahyadrica 

Shameem, 2019

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4545.2.9 

Abstract

Bothryonopa sahyadrica n. sp., an atypical new species of the genus from southern Western Ghats biodiversity hot-spot in India is described and illustrated. The new species lacks ventral spine on all femora, in contrast to majority of the members of the genus, including the type species. Pronotum is anteriorly distinctly narrower than posteriorly with evenly curved anterolateral corners in the new species, while pronotum in the typical species is widest medially and not distinctly narrowed anteriorly. Host plant of B. sahyadrica n. sp. is Calamus gamblei Becc. & Hook. f. (Arecaceae).

Keywords: Coleoptera, Bothryonopa sahyadrica n. sp., Arecaceae, Calamus, India

K. M. Shameem. 2019. An Atypical New Species of Bothryonopa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Bothryonopini) from south India. Zootaxa. 4545(2); 293–300. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4545.2.9

[Botany • 2017] More New Rattans (Calamus, Arecaceae) from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Calamus pintaudii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.305.2.1

Abstract

As part of current research on the taxonomy of the palms (Arecaceae or Palmae) of New Guinea, ten new species of the rattan genus Calamus are described and illustrated here: Calamus baiyerensis, Calamus capillosus, Calamus erythrocarpus, Calamus heatubunii, Calamus jacobsii, Calamus katikii, Calamus kostermansii, Calamus papyraceus, Calamus pintaudii and Calamus superciliatus. An eleventh species, Calamus novae-georgii, from the neighbouring Solomon Islands is also included here. The palm flora of New Guinea now includes 62 species of Calamus, 34 of which have been described since 2002, demonstrating the remarkable scale of botanical discovery on the island. 

Key words: Calamoideae, Indonesia, lianas, Palmae, palms, Papua New Guinea, Papuasia, South-East Asia

FIGURE 1. Calamus baiyerensis. A. Leaf sheath with ocrea. B. Leaf apex. C. Mid-leaf portion. D. Primary branch of staminate inflorescence. Scale bar: A = 3 cm; B, C = 6 cm; D = 4 cm. All from Zieck NGF 36252. Drawn by Lucy T. Smith. 

Taxonomic treatment 

1. Calamus baiyerensis W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:—PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Western Highlands Province: Baiyer River Subdistrict, Rouna River (Baiyer River valley) near Kambukom village, 1160 m, 23 July 1971, Zieck NGF 36252 (holotype CANB!, isotypes BH, LAE). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the very robust, clustering habit, the sparsely armed sheath with patchy dark indumentum, the ocrea encircling the stem that disintegrates into fibres and the very robust inflorescence with robust rachillae with funnel-shaped bracts.

Etymology:— The species epithet reflects the type locality in the Baiyer River valley.  

Distribution:— Known only from the type locality in the Baiyer River valley, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.

2. Calamus capillosus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:— INDONESIA. West Papua Province: surroundings of Ayawasi, ca. 450 m, 28 July 1995, Ave 4048 (holotype L!, isotype BO). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the sheaths densely armed with very fine, hair-like spines, the regularly pinnate leaves with numerous bristles on veins and margins, the very long flagelliform inflorescences, the long, unbranched peduncle, the lax primary branches, and the staminate inflorescence branched to only two orders. 

Etymology:— The species epithet refers to the very hairy appearance of the leaf sheaths, due to the abundance of fine, hair-like spines, and the numerous hair-like bristles on the leaflets.

Distribution:—Known only from the type locality near Ayawasi in the Bird’s Head Peninsula.

3. Calamus erythrocarpus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:— PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Central Province: Sogeri Subdistict, near Jawarere (Subitana), 450 m, 3 September 1968, Zieck NGF 36176 (holotype LAE!, isotype BH, L!) 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the moderately robust, clustering habit, the subcirrate leaf with few broadly lanceolate, cucullate leaflets, the longest leaflets at the base of the leaf, the leaf apex bearing a vestigial leaflet pair remnant or a short cirrus, the leaf sheaths armed only with few, minute spines, the short inflorescences lacking peduncular bracts, the rachis bracts significantly exceeding the primary branches and splitting to the base (not tattering), and the rounded red fruit covered with unchannelled, erose-margined scales.

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the red colour of the fruit. 

Distribution:— Known from many gatherings at a single locality in hills 35 km east of Port Moresby, Central Province. 

Habitat:— Rain forest on lower slopes and bottom of a creek valley, ca. 460 m.

  

FIGURE 8. Calamus novae-georgii. A. Leaf sheath. B. Leaf apex. C. Mid-leaf portion. D. Infructescence apex with primary branch. E. Staminate rachilla. F. Staminate flower bud in longitudinal section. G. Staminate flower bud. H. Fruit attached to pisillate rachilla, showing stalk-like first bracteole. I. Seed whole and in longitudinal section.
Scale bar: A, D = 3 cm; B, C = 4 cm; E = 5 mm; F, G = 2.2 mm; H, I = 7 mm.
A–D, H, I from Qusa 124; E–G from Qusa 123. Drawn by Lucy T. Smith. 

4. Calamus heatubunii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:— INDONESIA. West Papua Province: Kota Sorong, Klasaman km 14, Klasagan, 50 m, 2 February 2013, Baker et al. 1392 (holotype K!, isotypes AAU!, BO!, BRI!, L!, MAN!). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the few, broad, leathery leaflets, typically arranged in a single, divaricate group, the well-developed, purple-brown ocrea armed with numerous, solitary triangular spines, and the short, erect inflorescences lacking a flagelliform tip with compact, but not congested branching.

Etymology:— Calamus heatubunii is named for our friend and long-time collaborator in New Guinea palm research, Prof. Charlie D. Heatubun of Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Indonesia.
Distribution:— Recorded from several localities near to Sorong and from Waigeo in the Raja Ampat Islands in far western New Guinea.
Habitat:— Lowland forest, including secondary, hill and swamp forest, 45–180 m.

 5. Calamus jacobsii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov.

 Type:— PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Morobe: south-east of Lae on the coast, opposite Lasanga Island, 500–600 m, 11 November 1973, Jacobs 9561 (holotype L!, isotypes LAE). 
Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the leaves and leaf sheaths drying brown, the unarmed leaf sheath, the very short petiole, the few, subregularly arranged, elliptic leaflets, and the non-flagelliform staminate inflorescence that is branched to 4 orders.

Etymology:—The species is named for Marius Jacobs (1929–1983), a senior botanist of the Rijksherbarium, Leiden and collector of the type specimen. Jacobs died at the age of 53, unexpectedly cutting short his career in plant taxonomy and conservation in Malesia (Kalkman 1983).
Distribution:— Known from two localities in mountains south of Lae, Papua New Guinea.
Habitat:— Primary forest at an elevation of 500–600 m.

6. Calamus katikii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:—PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Morobe Province: Wau Subprovince, Kodama Range, Mount Walker, Korpera River, 1829 m, 16 November 1981, Katik LAE 74954 (holotype LAE!, isotypes NSW, USF). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the slender habit, ecirrate leaves with very few (ca. 4 pairs) grouped leaflets, the sparsely armed, flagellate leaf sheaths, the short inflorescence with flagelliform tip and large fruit relative to the size of the plant.

Etymology:— This species is named for Paul Katik, renowned botanist, formerly of the Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute, and collector of the type specimen.
Distribution:— Known only from a single collection from the Kodama Range, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
Habitat:— Montane, mossy forest at ca. 1800 m.

7. Calamus kostermansii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:— INDONESIA. Papua Province: Fak-Fak, Timika, sago swamp, between Timika and port, km 23, 10 m,16 February 1998, Baker et al. 848 (holotype K!, isotypes BO!, MAN!, BH!, L!). 

Diagnosis:— Similar to Calamus longipinna, but differs in the dense chocolate brown caducous indumentum on sheaths, short triangular spines on sheaths, tough ocrea that disintegrates into fibres at the margin and the more elongate and short-spiny rachis bracts.

Etymology:— This species is named for A.J.G.H. Kostermans (1906–1994), the celebrated Dutch-Indonesian botanist whose specimen drew our attention to the existence of this species.
Distribution:— Known from only two localities in central and western Indonesian New Guinea.
Habitat:— Riverine and swamp habitats, ca. 10 m elevation.

8. Calamus novae-georgii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:—SOLOMON ISLANDS. New Georgia: MundaNoro Road, 12 September 1991, Qusa 124 (BSIP 22101) (holotype K!). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the sheaths with dense chocolate-brown indumentum and abundant straw-coloured spines, the long, slender, flagelliform inflorescence, the fine, zig-zag rachillae and the stalk-like first bracteole in the dyad of the pistillate inflorescence.

Etymology:— The species epithet reflects the type locality on New Georgia Island. 

Distribution:— Known only from New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands.
Habitat:— Primary, lowland forest on hills, ridges and flat plains

9. Calamus papyraceus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:— PAPUA NEW GUINEA. East Sepik Province: WewakAngoram area, Maprik Subdistrict, Prince Alexander Range, SE side of Mt. Turu above Ambakanja village, 600 m, 19 August 1959, Pullen 1506 (holotype CANB!, isotype LAE). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the slender habit, the regularly pinnate leaves, the leaf sheaths with collars of fine, caducous spines, the long, disintegrating papery ocrea armed with fine spines, the erect, congested inflorescence lacking a flagelliform tip with dry, papery bracts, erect primary branches and short pistillate rachillae, and typically conventional calamoid sympodial floral clusters producing a single fruit per cluster in the pistillate plant.

Etymology:— The species epithet refers to the papery texture of the ocrea and of the inflorescence bracts.
Distribution:— Known from a single locality near Mt. Turu in the Prince Alexander Range in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea.

Calamus pintaudii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.

A. Leaf sheath with tattering ocrea. B. Leaf apex. C. Mid-leaf portion D. Primary branch of pistillate inflorescence. E. Staminate rachilla. F. Fruit on rachilla. G. Fruit. H. Seed in two views. I. Seed in longitudinal section. 

Scale bar: A, F = 3 cm; B–D = 4 cm; E = 1.5 cm; G–I = 1.5 cm.
A, D from Zieck NGF 36189; B, C, E–I from Pintaud et al. 671. Drawn by Lucy T. Smith.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.305.2.1

 10. Calamus pintaudii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov.
Type:— PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Chimbu Province: Kundiawa, Daman Nanga (Sino Pass) Village, 2200 m, 30 October 2012, Pintaud et al. 671 (holotype K!, isotypes LAE, P, Binatang-RC). 

Diagnosis:—Distinguished by the robust, clustering habit, the sheath drying orange-brown with dense indumentum, densely armed with needle-like spines, the papery, fragile ocrea almost encircling the sheath, but soon disintegrating, and the robust inflorescence with robust rachillae with funnel-shaped bracts.

Etymology:— The species epithet honours our friend and colleague, the late Jean-Christophe Pintaud (1970– 2015), French palm biologist and collector of the type specimen (see Anthelme et al. 2016).
Distribution:— Recorded from three widely separated localities in the eastern end of the central mountain chain of Papua New Guinea between Mt. Wilhelm and Mt. Suckling.
Habitat:— Primary montane forest, 600–1400 m

11. Calamus superciliatus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf., sp. nov. 

Type:— INDONESIA. West Papua Province: Tambrouw Regency, Fef District, forest above Fef, 730 m, 24 January 2013, Baker et al. 1370 (holotype K!, isotypes BO!, MAN!, L!). 

Diagnosis:— Distinguished by the leaf sheaths densely armed with fine, planar spines that form a tuft of longer spines at the sheath mouth, the relatively few leaflets (9–12 pairs) arranged in few, divaricate groups, and the lax, flagelliform inflorescence with few primary branches (1–3).

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the fine, prolonged, erect spines that emerge around the mouth of the leaf sheath.
Distribution:— Known from two localities near Fef in the Tamrau mountains.
  Habitat:— Lower montane forest at 700–900 m.

  

William J. Baker and John Dransfield. 2017. More New Rattans from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (Calamus, Arecaceae).   Phytotaxa. 305(2); 61–86.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.305.2.1

[Botany • 2017] Sabal antillensis • A New Palmetto Species (Arecaceae) from the Leeward Antilles

Sabal antillensis M.P.Griff.

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.303.1.4 

Abstract

A new species of palmetto, Sabal antillensis, native to Curaçao and Bonaire, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by a pachycaulous habit, a compact crown of leaves, large seeds, and frequent fiber bundles in leaflet transection. Details on history, morphology, distribution, habitat, and conservation status are provided.

Keywords: anatomy, Coryphoideae, Christoffelpark, Palmae, palms, Southern Caribbean, Monocots

FIGURE 2. Sabal antillensis, Christoffelpark, Curaçao, showing pachycaul trunk habit, and most leaves held at an angle ascending from the trunk axis (photograph: Griffith). 

Sabal antillensis M.P.Griff., sp. nov.

Diagnosis:— This new species is most similar to Sabal causiarum in leaf morphology and inflorescence structure, but differs in the pachycaul habit, the petioles less than half the total leaf length giving a distinctive densely foliated crown, the smaller and less persistent ligules, the more divided leaf segments and leaf segment apices, the frequent adaxial fiber bundles between most secondary minor leaf segment veins, the inflorescences not pendant below the leaves, the abaxially lepidote sheathing inflorescence bracts, the lower density of flowers on the rachilla, the tubular to cupulate calyx, the larger fruits and the larger seeds. 

 Distribution:— This species occurs on the islands of Bonaire and Curaçao. On Bonaire, the plants are found in the southern part of the island, west of Lac Bay and north of the solar salt factory. On Curaçao, the plants are within and to the west of Christoffelpark, on the western side of Christoffelberg.

 Habitat:— On Bonaire, the plants are found in the Coccoloba–Melocactus Middle Terrace landscape type (de Freitas et al. 2005), on limestone pavements, at elevations near 5 m. On Curaçao, the plants are found in the Bromelia– Schomburgkia Hills landscape type (Beers et al. 1997), on cherty mudstones, at elevations between 140–260 m.

Local Names:— The plant is called Cabana or Sabalpalm in the Dutch Caribbean. 

Etymology:— The name honors the Dutch Antilles, where the species is endemic. 

M. Patrick Griffith , John De Freitas , Michelle Barros and Larry R. Niblick. 2017. Sabal antillensis (Arecaceae): A New Palmetto Species from the Leeward Antilles.
 Phytotaxa. 303(1);  56–64. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.303.1.4

[Botany • 2017] Endemic Palm Species (Allagoptera spp.) shed light on Habitat Shifts and the Assembly of the Cerrado and Restinga Floras

 Highlights

• Inter-specific relationships within Allagoptera are revealed.

• Recent origin of Cerrado and Restinga species.

• Specialization to dry habitats over time.

• Morphological adaptation to dry habitats found.

Abstract

Species expansions into new habitats are often associated with physiological adaptations, for instance when rain forest lineages colonize dry habitats. Although such shifts have been documented for the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), little is known about the biogeographic origin of species occupying an extreme South American habitat type, the coastal dunes (Restinga). We examined the formation of this poorly known, endangered habitat by reconstructing the evolutionary history of two endemic species. Due to the proposed recency and uniqueness of this habitat, we hypothesized that Restinga species of the palm genus Allagoptera to be recently evolved and to present derived morphological characters. To detect habit shifts in absolute time, we used one plastid and nine nuclear genes to reconstruct the phylogenetic and biogeographic history of Allagoptera. We used light microscopy and stable isotope analysis to explore whether morphological adaptations occurred concomitantly with habitat shifts. Phylogenetic relationships were well supported and we found ancestral lineages of Allagoptera to be widely distributed throughout habitats that are currently occupied by extant species. Over the last ca. 7 Ma Allagoptera has shifted its preference to increasingly dry habitats. Coincident with the colonization of the Cerrado and Restinga, morphological adaptations also evolved, including subterranean stems that are fire-resistant and long underground stem and root systems that facilitate water access. We did not find differences in metabolic pathway or modifications to pollen morphology when compared to other palm lineages. Assuming that the evolutionary history of Allagoptera is indicative of the habitat in which it occurs, our results infer a recent origin for Cerrado species. Although little is known about the formation of the Restinga habitat, our results also suggest a longer history than currently proposed; with an origin of Restinga habitats dating back to the Late Pliocene.

Keywords: Allagoptera; Arecaceae; Attaleinae; Cerrado; diversification; Palmae; Restinga; South America

Christine D. Bacon, Monica Moraes R., Carlos Jaramillo and Alexandre Antonelli. 2017. 

Endemic Palm Species shed light on Habitat Shifts and the Assembly of the Cerrado and Restinga Floras.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.   DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.03.013

[Botany • 2017] A Revision of the Genus Syagrus (Arecaceae)

Abstract

Presented here is a taxonomic revision of the Neotropical palm genus Syagrus (Arecaceae, Arecoideae, Cocoseae, Attaleinae), which is mostly from South America and primarily from Brazil. The history of the genus is reviewed. The revision includes a key, a complete list of synonymy, species descriptions, a list of specimens, distribution maps, color plates, and a conservation assessment of each species. Included herein are 65 species, 2 subspecies, and 14 natural hybrids. Of these palms, one is new (Syagrus pimentae); three are new combinations (S. cataphracta, S. elata, S. × dickensonii); and two have changed their status (S. graminifolia subsp. graminifolia and S. graminifolia subsp. glazioviana). Of the fourteen naturally occurring hybrids, eleven have hybrid names and three do not. This revision is an important contribution to the taxonomy and identification of Syagrus species from South America and the Caribbean, and is the culmination of many years of lab and fieldwork.

Keywords: morphology, Palmae, Monocots, South America, Brazil

 Syagrus pimentae Noblick sp. nov. 

Type:— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Rondonópolis, BR: 163, km: 90, Habitat: Cerrado; solo: argissolo vermelho-amarelo. Elevation ca. 220 m, –16.66, –54.68; 21 August 2010, Ricardo Pimenta & Antonio Campos-Rocha s.n. (holotype HPL! [HPL-13801], isotypes FTG!, K, RB) 

Syagrus romanzoffiana 

 Larry R. Noblick. 2017. A Revision of the Genus Syagrus (Arecaceae).

 Phytotaxa. 294(1); 1–262. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.294.1.1

[Botany • 2016] Areca jokowi • A New Species of Betel Nut Palm (Arecaceae) from Western New Guinea

Areca jokowi Heatubun

‘Pinang Jokowi’  |  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.288.2.8 

Abstract

A new species of betel nut palm, Areca jokowi, is described and illustrated here. This is the third species of Areca to have been described recently from New Guinea that is closely related to the widespread, economically important species A. catechu, the cultivated betel nut palm. A discussion of its morphological characters, distribution, ecology, habitat, uses and conservation status is provided, as well as a new identification key for western New Guinean Areca.

Key words: Arecaceae, Palmae, palms, New Guinea, taxonomy

Taxonomic Treatment 

Areca jokowi Heatubun, sp. nov. 

Type:— CULTIVATED. Indonesia, West Papua Province. Kaimana Regency, Yamor District, Yamor Lake, Gariau (Urubika) village, 106 m elev., 06 June 2015, Heatubun et al. 1252 (holotype MAN!, isotype BO!, K!) 

FIGURE 2. Areca jokowi Heatubun.
A. Slender habit with irregular crown shape. B. Leaf and inflorescence held by Christian Anggua for scale. C. Inflorescence-a strongly divaricate panicle with crowded rachillae. D. Pistillate flowers, striking in their white colour. E. Close up of pistillate flower at anthesis showing stigma. F. Young fruit in section. 

A–E photos were taken from the holotype specimen (Heatubun et al. 1252), F from voucher collected by Ekspedisi NKRI Koridor Papua Barat 2016. Photos: A, F (Lt. Ardiansyah), B–E (Charlie D. Heatubun). 

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.288.2.8 

Diagnosis:— This new species is similar to Areca catechu L., Areca mandacanii Heatubun and Areca unipa Heatubun in habit and inflorescence structure, but differs by the inflorescence branched to four orders, the rachillae crowded, borne very close together and not expanding widely, sinuous especially in the distal two thirds, the floral clusters uniseriate in arrangement (although distichous near the tip of the rachilla), complete floral triads (comprising two staminate and one pistillate flower) always solitary at the base of rachillae, but absent from many rachillae, the remaining floral clusters consisting of dyads of staminate flowers, or solitary staminate flowers near the rachilla tip, and the pistillate flowers with striking white calyx at anthesis. Solitary, slender palm to 15 m. Stem 7–8 cm diam.; internodes 30–34 cm. Leaves 9 in 

Distribution:— Known only from two individuals palms cultivated in Gariau (Urubika) village, on the SW shore of Yamor Lake in Yamor District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia. These palm were grown from the seeds brought from hill forest at Kepala Air Kali Ima (headwaters of Ima river) in Gunung Daweri (Mt. Daweri), near Kewo village on the border of Nabire Regency of Papua Province.

 Habitat:— Based on information gathered from the person who brought the seeds and planted this betel nut palm, the species grows in hill forest at an elevation of about 300 m altitude on soils derived from sandstones.

 Local names:— Siaku’ (Yamor dialect, Kamoro language).

 Uses:— The fruits are chewed as a betel nut substitute. However, the palm has potential as an ornamental.

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the acronym the President of Republic Indonesia, His Excellency Joko Widodo-Jokowi. This new species is dedicated to Mr. Joko Widodo for his exemplary leadership, his simplicity, and more importantly for his concern for the development of Tanah Papua (the Indonesian Provinces of Papua and West Papua). The common name “Pinang Jokowi” is suggested here.

  Charlie D. Heatubun. 2016. Areca jokowi: A New Species of Betel Nut Palm (Arecaceae) from Western New Guinea.  Phytotaxa. 288(2); 175-180. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.288.2.8

[Botany • 2014] Jailoloa halmaherensis, Manjekia maturbongsii & Wallaceodoxa raja-ampat • Three New Genera of Arecoid Palm (Arecaceae) from eastern Malesia

Fig. 7. Wallaceodoxa raja-ampat Heatubun & W. J. Baker.
A crown; B inflorescence, inset showing congested floral triads; C indumentum on petiole base; D close-up of indumentum; E fruit; F endocarp.

Photos: C.D. Heatubun |  DOI: 10.1007/S12225-014-9525-X

ABSTRACT

 Recent botanical exploration in eastern Malesia has resulted in the discovery of three spectacular palm taxa that have proved difficult to assign to genus. New evidence from molecular phylogenetic research indicates that these taxa should now be recognised as three monotypic genera. Here, we describe these genera as new to science, all of which are members of subtribe Ptychospermatinae (Areceae: Arecoideae). Jailoloa Heatubun & W. J. Baker is restricted to ultramafic vegetation in a single site in Halmahera and is Critically Endangered due to nickel mining. Manjekia W. J. Baker & Heatubun is scattered throughout the limestone vegetation of Biak Island, east of the Bird's Head Peninsula of New Guinea, and is Endangered, although parts of its distribution fall within a protected area. Wallaceodoxa Heatubun & W. J. Baker, named to mark the centenary of Alfred Russel Wallace's death, is found on Gag and Waigeo, two of the Raja Ampat Islands west of the Bird's Head Peninsula, where it is Critically Endangered due to its small and rapidly reducing population. Full morphological descriptions are provided with detailed comparisons with related genera, alongside a revised key to the genera of Ptychos-permatinae. These new genera are unexpected additions to the palm flora of Malesia, and demand urgent conservation attention.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Eastern Indonesia, Maluku, Moluccas, New Guinea, Palmae

Jailoloa halmaherensis (Heatubun) Heatubun & W. J. Baker

Manjekia maturbongsii (W. J. Baker & Heatubun) W. J. Baker & Heatubun

Wallaceodoxa Heatubun & W. J. Baker
Wallaceodoxa raja-ampat Heatubun & W. J. Baker sp. nov. 

named to mark the centenary of Alfred Russel Wallace's death, is found on Gag and Waigeo, two of the Raja Ampat Islands west of the Bird's Head Peninsula, where it is Critically Endangered due to its small and rapidly reducing population. 

Type: Indonesia, Raja Ampat Islands Regency, Waigeo Island, Waisai, Kelurahan Warmasen, behind Kantor Bupati, forest on right side of road to Pari Convention Centre Building (tanjakan gedung Pari), 15 April 2011, Heatubun et al. 1126 (holotype MAN!; isotypes BO!, K!).

ETYMOLOGY. The generic name commemorates Alfred Russel Wallace, the great English naturalist and codiscoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection, who visited Waigeo in the Raja Ampat Islands in 1860 during his celebrated Malay Archipelago travels (Wallace 1869; van Wyhe 2013). This eponymy marks the centenary of his death on 7 November 1913. The generic name is derived by suffixing Wallace’s surname with the Greek word (-doxa) to mean “to the glory of Wallace”

Charlie D. Heatubun, Scott Zona and William J. Baker. 2014.  Three New Genera of Arecoid Palm (Arecaceae) from eastern Malesia.
 Kew Bulletin. 69(3):9525. DOI: 10.1007/S12225-014-9525-X

ResearchGate.net/publication/264976063_Three_new_genera_of_arecoid_palm_(Arecaceae)_from_eastern_Malesia

http://www.kew.org/discover/blogs/kew-science/discovering-plant-diversity-%E2%80%93-are-we-speed

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/43125-palm-taxonomy-update-1-new-species-3-new-genera-adonidia-monotypic-again/

Charlie D. Heatubun. 2011. A New Species of Ptychosperma from Halmahera, North Moluccas . Palms. 55(4); 183–189. https://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2011/vol55n4p183-189.pdf

[Botany • 2016] Species Limits, Geographical Distribution and Genetic Diversity in Johannesteijsmannia (Arecaceae)

Figure 1. Map of Malesia (A) with the distribution of Johannesteijsmannia drawn in green, following Dransfield et al. (2008). (B) The beautiful leaves of J. magnifica are pictured in the upper left–hand corner (Photograph: John Dransfield). Sampling localities for all species (C).

  DOI: 10.1111/boj.12470 

Four species are recognized in the understorey palm genus Johannesteijsmannia (Arecaceae), all of which occur in close geographical proximity in the Malay Peninsula. We hypothesize that overlapping distributions are maintained by a lack of gene flow among species and that segregation along morphological trait or environmental axes confers ecological divergence and, hence, defines species limits. Although some species have sympatric distributions, differentiation was detected among species in morphological and genetic data, corroborating current species delimitation. Differences in niche breadth were not found to explain the overlapping distribution and co-existence of Johannesteijsmannia spp. Four species formed over the last 3 Mya, showing that diversity accumulated within a short time frame and wide range expansion has not occurred, potentially due to a lack of time for dispersal or the evolution of traits to facilitate movement. An assessment of genetic diversity is presented and, as expected, the widest distribution in the genus harbours the highest genetic diversity.

Keywords: Malesia; niche; Palmae; phylogenetics; speciation

Christine D. Bacon, Su Lee Look, Natalia Gutiérrez–Pinto, Alexandre Antonelli, Hugh T. W. Tan, Prakash P. Kumar, Saw Leng Guan, John Dransfield and William J. Baker. 2016. Species Limits, Geographical Distribution and Genetic Diversity in Johannesteijsmannia (Arecaceae).  Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 182(2) [Special Issue: Palms – emblems of tropical forests];  318–347. DOI: 10.1111/boj.12470 

http://antonelli-lab.net/pdf/Bacon_et_al-2016-Botanical_Journal_of_the_Linnean_Society_2.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/306943826_Species_limits_geographical_distribution_and_genetic_diversity_in_Johannesteijsmannia_Arecaceae

[Botany • 2016] A Revision of Rhapis (Arecaceae)

Rhapis kebangensis Henderson sp. nov.

Phong Nga-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, VIETNAM

  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.258.2.3

 Abstract

A revision of the Asian palm genus Rhapis is given based on study of 167 herbarium specimens of wild origin from A, AAU, BH, BK, BKF, GH, HN, HNU, HPNP, IBSC, K, KUN, L, MO, NY, P, SYS, US and application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept to a database comprising 13 qualitative and 16 quantitative variables. Eleven species are recognized, including two new ones. Two species are divided into subspecies.

Keywords: dioecy, Palmae, Vietnam, China

Introduction

Rhapis is the name given to small, clustering, fan-leaved, dioecious palms that can form large colonies by rhizomes in the understory of tropical and subtropical Asian forests, often on limestone soils. The species are distributed from southern China through Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, with an outlying population in western Sumatra. The first revision of the genus was that of Beccari (1931), where five species were recognized. Bailey (1939) recognized nine species, and in the most recent revision, Hastings (2003) recognized eight species. 

..............

Rhapis Linnaeus f. in Aiton (1789)

1. Rhapis evansii Henderson sp. nov.

Type:— LAOS. Vientiane: Vangvieng district, Ban Nathong, Tham Poukham, 250–350 m,
1 August 1999, T. Evans 56 (holotype K!, barcode K000462531). (Fig. 1)

2. Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry in Rehder (1930: 153).

Chamaerops excelsa Thunberg (1784: 130).
Trachycarpus excelsus (Thunberg) Wendland in Gay (1861: 429).

Lectotype (designated by Hastings 2003):— JAPAN. No locality, no date, C. Thunberg sheet number 24386 (lectotype UPS n.v., UPS image!)

3. Rhapis gracilis Burret (1930: 883).

Lectotype (here designated):— CHINA. Prov. Kwangtung: Win Foo, 180 m, 3 October 1928, S. Sin 5338 (lectotype IBSC!) (the holotype at B was destroyed)

4. Rhapis humilis Blume (1836: 54).

Lectotype (designated here):— JAPAN. No locality, no date, C. Thunberg sheet number 24385 (lectotype UPS n.v., UPS image!)

5. Rhapis kebangensis Henderson sp. nov.

Type:—VIETNAM. Quang Binh: Ba Trach district, Phong Nga-Ke Bang National Park.
20 October 2015, A. Henderson & Nguyen Quoc Dung 4048 (holotype FIPI!, isotype NY!). (Fig. 3)

6. Rhapis laosensis Beccari (1910: 225).

Lectotype (designated by Hastings 2003):—LAOS. Saraburi, no date, C. Thorel 3154 (lectotype P!, isolectotype FI!)

6a. Rhapis laosensis subsp. laosensis 

6b. Rhapis laosensis subsp. macrantha (Gagnepain) Henderson comb. & stat. nov.

 Basionym: Rhapis macrantha Gagnepain (1937: 160). 

Type:—VIETNAM. Nord-Annam, Province de Nghe-An (Vinh), Réserve forestière de Co Ba (Ke-Nhe), 15 May 1914, F. Fleury 32535 (holotype P!)

7. Rhapis micrantha Beccari (1910: 220). 

Lectotype (designated by Hastings 2003):—VIETNAM. Dong Ban mountains, Kien Khe 19 April 1884, H.-F. Bon 2345 (lectotype P!, isolectotype FI!)

8. Rhapis puhuongensis Trudgen, Tran Thi Phuong Anh & Henderson (2008: 182). 

Type:—VIETNAM. Nghe An: Quy Hop district, Pu Huong Nature Reserve, behind Reserve office, 300 m, 19°20’N, 105°10’E, 18 March 2007, X. P. Vu, V. D. Nguyen, H. Q. Bui, C. T. Nguyen R. de Kok, T. Utteridge, A. Moore, M. Briggs, M. Trudgen, V. C. Nguyen & D. D. Tran HNK 1748 (holotype HN n.v., isotypes AAU!, K!, NY!, P!)

9. Rhapis robusta Burret (1937: 587).

Lectotype (here designated):— CHINA. Kwangsi: Lungchow, 7 July 1935, S. Ko 55429 (lectotype IBSC!)(the holotype at B was destroyed)

10. Rhapis subtilis Beccari (1910: 227). 

Type:— LAOS. Lakon, 1866–1868, C. Thorel 3099 (holotype P!, isotype FI!)

10a. Rhapis subtilis subsp. subtilis 

10b. Rhapis subtilis subsp. siamensis Henderson comb. & stat. nov. 

Basionym: Rhapis siamensis Hodel (1997: 19). 

Type:—THAILAND. Phatthalung: 13 km N of Phatthalung and 5 km E of main road along side road to coast, 25 April 1997, D. Hodel & P. Vatcharakorn 1652 (holotype BK n.v., isotypes BH!, MO!)

 11. Rhapis vidalii Averyanov, Nguyen Tien Hiep & Phan Ke Loc (2006: 12). 

Type:—VIETNAM. Hoa Binh: Mai Chau district, Van Mai municipality, highway 7, 15 km post, between 20°35’N, 105°02’E and 20°34’N, 105°02’E, 300–350 m, 12 December 2002, D. Harder, N. T. Hiep, L. Averyanov, DKH 8123 (holotype HN n.v., isotype LE n.v.)

Andrew HENDERSON. 2016. A Revision of Rhapis (Arecaceae). Phytotaxa. 258(2): 137–152. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.258.2.3