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| Funastrum saganii M.G. Chávez, Lozada-Pérez & L.O. Alvarado, in Chávez-Hernández, Lozada-Pérez et Alvarado-Cárdenas, 2021. |
ABSTRACT
A new species of Funastrum is described from Veracruz, Mexico. Although Funastrum saganii sp. nov. is morphologically similar to F. elegans and F. lindenianum, there are differences in leaf and flower morphology and geographic distribution. Descriptions, illustrations and the geographic distribution of this species are provided, and its conservation status discussed. Morphological leaf analysis was performed using geometric morphometrics. This discovery highlights Mexico as center of diversity for the genus Funastrum, with 14 of its 19 species located in the country. This finding is important because it is the first new species of Funastrum to be described from Mexico in 127 years.
Keywords: Apocynaceae; endemism; Funastrum; geometric morphometrics; Oxypetalinae; Veracruz; Mexico
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| Funastrum saganii M.G. Chávez, Lozada-Pérez & L.O. Alvarado. A and B. Branch with leaves and an inflorescence; C. Flower; D. Detail of the sparsely ciliate margin in the corolla lobes; E. Corona and gynostegium; F. Pollinarium; G. Branch with leaves and a fruit. |
Funastrum saganii M.G. Chávez, Lozada-Pérez & L.O. Alvarado sp. nov.
Funastrum saganii is morphologically similar to F. elegans and F. lindenianum in the flower size and their ovate corolla lobes but differs from those taxa by its ovate leaves with a convergent base and by presenting more than 12 flowers per inflorescence. Also, the geographical distribution and altitude are different (Figs. 3, 4, 5).
Distribution and habitat: Funastrum saganii is distributed in the state of Veracruz, in tropical dry forest and perturbed areas derived thereof, growing from 500 to 550 m a.s.l. (Fig. 5).
Etymology: The name honors Carl Edward Sagan (1934 – 1996), who was an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, science disseminator, and science communicator in astronomy and other natural sciences.
María Guadalupe Chávez-Hernández, Lucio Lozada-Pérez and Leonardo Osvaldo Alvarado-Cárdenas. 2021. Funastrum saganii (Apocynaceae; Asclepiadoideae; Asclepiadeae; Oxypetalinae), A New Species endemic to Veracruz, Mexico. Acta Bot. Bras. 35(3); DOI: 10.1590/0102-33062020abb0372