Wednesday, February 12, 2020

[Botany • 2019] Zamia stenophyllidia (Zamiaceae) • Disentangling the Identity of Zamia from Mexican Pacific Seaboard, with A Description of A New Species


Zamia stenophyllidia Nic.-Mor., Mart.-Domínguez & D.W. Stev.

in Nicolalde‐Morejón, Martínez‐Domínguez, Stevenson & Vergara‐Silva, 2019. 

Abstract
We present a revision based on qualitative and quantitative morphological comparisons including all populations of Zamia from the coastal plain of Pacific Mexico. We recognize four species in this area: Z. paucijuga, Z. herrerae, Z. spartea and the new species Zamia stenophyllidia which is described from Michoacán, Mexico. Zamia stenophyllidia has is distinct with respect to both vegetative and reproductive structures; namely, linear, lanceolate, papyraceous and narrow leaflets (up to 0.8 cm wide), robust and short prickles (up to 2 mm), and ovoid, yellowish, ovulate strobili. The description of this species implies a recircumscription of Z. paucijuga; on this basis, an epitype for Z. paucijuga is designated here. We also introduce a key for all species of Zamia from Mexico. Biogeographically, the new species is interesting for its sympatry with Dioon stevensonii, a species that has been a model for the study of the formation of modern Neotropical forests.

Keywords: Balsas depression, circumscription typification, Zamia paucijuga

Zamia stenophyllidia, adult plant showing leaves. 

Zamia stenophyllidia Nic.-Mor., Mart.-Domínguez & D.W. Stev., sp. nov.

Etymology The specific epithet is derived from the Greek (stenós arrow”) a d all des to the restricted width of the leaflets.


Zamia paucijuga Wieland, American Fossil Cycads 2: 212. 1916.
Etymology: The specific epithet alludes to few leaflet pairs per leaf.


Zamia herrerae Calderón & Standl., Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci. 14(4): 93. 1924. 
Etymology: The specific epithet honors Hector Herrera, a scientist from El Salvador, in recognition of his scientific contributions. 


Zamia spartea A. DC., Prodr. 16 (2): 539. 1868.
Etymology: The epithet is from the broom genus Spartium L. (Fabaceae), in reference to the narrow and tapered leaflets of this species.


Fernando Nicolalde‐Morejón, Lilí Martínez‐Domínguez, Dennis Wm. Stevenson and Francisco Vergara‐Silva. 2019. Disentangling the Identity of Zamia from Mexican Pacific Seaboard, with A Description of A New Species. Nordic Journal of Botany. 37(9) DOI: 10.1111/njb.02430