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| Utricularia elephanthoides J.R. Grande, in Grande Allende, 2022. |
Abstract:
Background and Aims: Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) includes ca. 240 carnivorous species of cosmopolitan distribution. The Guayana Shield has 48 species, about 20% of the world total. Of the 35 groups into which the genus is divided, Utricularia sect. Orchidioides is one of the best known and studied, as it usually has large and striking flowers. In this paper, the identity of one of the species in this section, present in the Guayana Shield, is clarified. Methods: The taxonomic literature, herbarium material, and photographs of cultivated plants from the study area (Bolívar and Amazonas states of Venezuela, in the central portion of the Guayana Shield) available on the internet, were reviewed. Additionally, and for comparative purposes, material from the most closely related species (Utricularia asplundii, U. jamesoniana and U. uxoris) was also reviewed.
Key results: Utricularia elephanthoides sp. nov., which is characterized by the photosynthetic organs with an acute apex, upper lip of the corolla shallowly tetralobulate, applied to the lower lip, and spur ≤1.5 times the length of the lower lip of the corolla, is described and illustrated. This new species, together with Utricularia asplundii, U. jamesoniana and U. uxoris, forms a natural group with relatively small flowers and deeply trilobulate lower corolla lobe, which is named here “U. jamesoniana complex”. A table of morphological characters, a key and two maps are presented, by means of which these four species can be compared and differentiated.
Conclusions: The Guayanan populations of Utricularia sect. Orchidioides with a deeply trilobulate lower corolla lip and a spur with basal (conical) and apical (subulate) portions of similar length should be assigned to the new concept (U. elephanthoides), so far only known from Venezuela. This species is part of the “Utricularia jamesoniana” complex, which is monophyletic and widely distributed in the Neotropics.
Key words: Guayana, Pantepui, tepui, Utricularia sect. Orchidioides, Venezuela.
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| Utricularia elephanthoides J.R. Grande. A. habit; B. flower at anthesis; C. upper lip of corolla; D. lower lip of corolla; E. calyx; F. spur; G. trap or utricle; H. bract (center) and bracteoles (left and right); I. scale of the peduncle. (A and G-I: based on the holotype; A (flower) and B: based on Welge and Teichert, 2003-2004; C-F: based on F. Cardona 851 (VEN)). |
Utricularia elephanthoides J.R. Grande, sp. nov.
Etymology: the epithet “elephanthoides” (from Greek ἐλέφας, elephant; ἄνθος, flower; -ειδής, similar) alludes to the curious morphology of the flowers, which resemble the head of a proboscis.
José Ramón Grande Allende. 2022. Utricularia elephanthoides (Lentibulariaceae), especie nueva del Escudo Guayanés. [Utricularia elephanthoides (Lentibulariaceae), A New Species from the Guayana Shield]. Acta botánica mexicana. 129[Epub 30-Jun-2022]. DOI: 10.21829/abm129.2022.2049
