Otto Warburg and his contributions to the screw pine family (Pandanaceae)

Otto Warburg (1859–1938) had a great interest in tropical botany. He travelled in South-East Asia and the South Pacific between 1885 and 1889 and brought back a considerable collection of plant specimens from this expedition later donated to the Royal Botanical Museum in Berlin. Warburg published the first comprehensive monograph on the family Pandanaceae in 1900 in the third issue of Das Pflanzenreich established and edited by Adolf Engler (1844–1930). The aim of this article is to clarify the taxonomy, nomenclature and typification of Warburg's contributions to the Pandanaceae. Considerable parts of Warburg's original material was destroyed in Berlin during World War II but duplicates survived, shared by Engler and Warburg with Ugolino Martelli (1860–1934). Martelli was an expert on the family and he assembled a precious herbarium of Pandanaceae that was later donated to the Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze. Warburg published 86 new names in Pandanaceae between 1898 and 1909 (five new sections, 69 new species, five new varieties, two new combinations and five replacement names). A complete review of the material extant in B and FI led to the conclusion that 38 names needed a nomenclatural act: 34 lectotypes, three neotypes and one epitype are designated here. Twenty new synonyms are also proposed. One Freycinetia name and six Pandanus names are considered as incertae sedis. A total of 21 names published by Warburg are accepted: 11 in Freycinetia and ten in Pandanus. In addition, four names published in Pandanus by Warburg serve as the basionyms of accepted names in the genus Benstonea

\u3cem\u3eAlectryon vitiensis\u3c/em\u3e: A New Species of Sapindaceae Endemic to Fiji

A new species of Alectryon Gaertn. (Sapindaceae) endemic to the Fijian archipelago is described as A. vitiensis Buerki, Lowry, Munzinger & Callm. based on morphological and molecular evidence. It can easily be distinguished from the two congeners currently known from Fiji by its smaller leaves, subsessile leaflets, apetalous flowers, and crested fruits. A phylogenetic analysis using ITS sequence data shows that the new species is closely related to two Australian endemics, A. diversifolius (F. Muell.) S. T. Reynolds and A. oleifolius (Desf.) S. T. Reynolds, but differs in having compound leaves covered with a golden indument. Moreover, the Australian taxa are associated with dry habitats, whereas the new species from Fiji is confined to evergreen humid forests. Among apetalous species (all of which belong to a well-supported clade), A. vitiensis morphologically most closely resembles the generic type, A. excelsus Gaertn., endemic to New Zealand, but they differ from one another in the type of indument covering their branches and leaves and the arrangement, shape, and nature of the indument on their leaflets; and they belong to different clades. The new species is provisionally assigned a conservation status of “Endangered” according to the IUCN Red List criteria

Identification of priority areas for plant conservation in Madagascar using Red List criteria: rare and threatened Pandanaceae indicate sites in need of protection

A major problem in establishing effective protocols for conserving Madagascar's biodiversity is the lack of reliable information for the identification of priority sites in need of protection. Analyses of field data and information from herbarium collections for members of the plant family Pandanaceae (85 spp. of Pandanus; 6 spp. of Martellidendron) showed how risk of extinction assessments can inform conservation planning. Application of IUCN Red List categories and criteria showed that 91% of the species are threatened. Mapping occurrence revealed centres of richness and rarity as well as gaps in Madagascar's existing protected area network. Protection of 10 additional sites would be required to encompass the 19 species currently lacking representation in the reserve network, within which east coast littoral forests are particularly under represented and important. The effect of scale on assessments of risk of extinction was explored by applying different grid cell sizes to estimate area of occupancy. Using a grid cell size within the range suggested by IUCN overestimates threatened status if based solely upon specimen data. For poorly inventoried countries such as Madagascar measures of range size based on such data should be complemented with field observations to determine population size, sensitivity to disturbance, and specific threats to habitat and therefore potential population decline. The analysis of such data can make an important contribution to the conservation planning process by identifying threatened species and revealing the highest priority sites for their conservatio

Malagasy Dracaena Vand. ex L. (Ruscaceae): an investigation of discrepancies between morphological features and spatial genetic structure at a small evolutionary scale

Abstract Malagasy Dracaena (Ruscaceae) are divided into four species and 14 varieties, all of them showing a high level of morphological diversity and a putatively artefactual circumscription. In order to reveal relationships between those entangled entities, a span of Malagasy Dracaena were sampled and analyzed using cpDNA sequences and AFLP. The cpDNA analyses resolved three biogeographic clades that are mostly inconsistent with morphology, since similar phenotypes are found across the three clades. Bayesian inference clustering analyses based on the AFLP were not in accordance with the cpDNA analysis. This result might be explained by (1) a recent origin of the Malagasy species of Dracaena with an incomplete sorting of chloroplast lineages; (2) a high amount of hybridizations; (3) a complex migration pattern. Interestingly, when the AFLP are analyzed using the parsimony criterion, a trend towards a directional evolution of inflorescence types and ecological features was observed. This might be considered either as phenotypic plasticity and/or as the result of fast evolution in flower characters according to habitat preferences. Overall, our results point to the difficulty of defining evolutionarily significant units in Malagasy Dracaena, emphasizing the complex speciation processes taking place in tropical regions

Senecio marinae J. Calvo & Callm. 2023, sp. nov.

<i>Senecio marinae</i> J. Calvo & Callm., sp. nov. <p>(Figs 1; 2)</p> <p> Senecio marinae <i>sp. nov. can be distinguished by its scrambling or ascending habit with stems 1-4 m long, the oblanceolate to obtrullate, fleshy, glabrous leaves, usually somewhat tricuspidate apically, the synflorescences with subumbelliform divisions, the discoid capitula with 10-11 involucral bracts, and the glabrous achenes. It mostly differs from the similar species</i> S. francoisii <i>Humbert</i> <i>and</i> S. handiensis <i>Forssk. in having discoid capitula.</i></p> <p> TYPE. — <b>Madagascar</b>. Boeny Region [Prov. Mahajanga]: Bealanana, Mangindrano, Ambohimirahavavy, Antsahivo, W du campement 01, Matsabory, 14°24’12”S, 49°03’56”E, 1980 m, 20.X.2005, <i>Wohlhauser, Callmander & Buerki 785</i> (holo-, G [G00398286]!; iso-, MO [MO-3401237] image!; P [P02473236]!; TAN).</p> <p>PHENOLOGY. — The new species has been found in bloom in October and November.</p> <p> DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — <i>Senecio marinae</i>, sp. nov. is known at elevations of 1365-2375 m in Ambohimiravavy, Biempoko, Sorata, and Tsaratanana massifs. The new species grows on plateaux and ridges in open forests (chablis) rich in Bamboo in medium altitude moist evergreen forest and at the transition between these forests and the ericoid mountain thicket (<i>sensu</i> Gautier <i>et al.</i> 2018).</p> <p> ETYMOLOGY. — The epithet <i>marinae</i> honors Marina Rabarimanarivo, botanist at the Missouri Botanical Garden in Antananarivo who contributes immensely to the Madagascar Catalogue project (Madagascar Catalogue 2023) and understood that the collections from high altitudes in Northern Madagascar represented a new species when she evaluated the genus <i>Senecio</i> for the project in 2009.</p> <p> CONSERVATION STATUS. — <i>Senecio marinae</i>, sp. nov. has an estimated EOO of <i>c.</i> 1319 km ², an AOO of 24 km ², and five locations encompassed within the COMATSA Nord and Tsaratanana protected areas. Fires are known to occasionally enter pristine forests in those protected areas and are also known along pastures and summit zones (Goodman <i>et al.</i> 2018). Due to the plausible threats to its habitat for slash-and-burn agriculture and fires caused by lightning, <i>S. marinae</i>, sp. nov. is assigned to a preliminary risk of extinction status of “Vulnerable” [VU B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)] using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2012).</p> <p> ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — <b>Madagascar.</b> Diana Region [Prov. Antsiranana]: Marotolana, Ambanja, Tsaratanana massif, S slopes, 14°02’53”S, 48°57’04”E, 2211-2365 m, 5.XI.2000, <i>Antilahimena et al. 653</i> (G!, K, MO [MO798854] image!, P [P02473228]!, TAN image!); Tsaratanana, XI.1966, <i>Morat 2256</i> (TAN image!); Manambato, à 10 km à vol d’oiseau du fkt. Antsahavalany, [Sorata], 13°43’28”S, 49°22’43”E, 1559 m, 25.X.2007, <i>Randriambololomamonjy et al. 103</i> (MO [MO3401222] image!, P [P04276661]!, TAN). — Sava Region [Prov. Antisranana]: 22 km à l’E de Bealanana, montagne de Beampoko, 14°13’41”S, 49°08’14”E, 1991 m, 17.XI.2005, <i>Randrianarivelo et al. 329</i> (MO, P [P02473238]!, TAN); plateau entre Beampoko et Ambohimirahavavy, 14°12’07”S, 49°07’05”E, 2220 m, 9.XI.2005, <i>Randrianarivony et al. 74</i> (G!, MO, P [P02473237]!, TAN); Andrafainkona, forêt dense humide de Sorata, 1.X.2007, 13°40’57”S, 49°26’33”E, 1364 m, <i>Razakamalala et al. 3634</i> (MO [MO3185014] image!, P [P04276663]!, TAN).</p> <p>DESCRIPTION</p> <p> Suffrutescent subshrub, scrambling or ascending, 1-4 m tall. Stem terete, smooth, fistulous (at least upper parts), glabrous, with leaves only on upper part as plant ages. Leaves alternate, simple, pseudopetiolate; laminas oblanceolate to obtrullate, usually somewhat tricuspidate apically, 6-13 × 2.3-5.5 cm, base attenuate, apex acute, margins entire, glabrous on both faces, with venation barely noticeable, fleshy, shiny in living plants; pseudopetioles 1-2.5 cm long, glabrous.Synflorescences corymbiform in overall shape, with divisions subumbelliform; synflorescence bracts linear-subulate. Capitula discoid on peduncles 6-10 mm long with 1-3 bracteoles. Involucres cylindrical, 8-9 × 4-5 mm, glabrous; receptables flat, somewhate fimbrillate; involucral bracts 10-11, linear-oblong, 5.8-7.4× 0.6-1 mm, glabrous; supplementary bracts (calyculus) 3-5, linear-subulate, 1.5-2.3 × <i>c.</i> 0.3 mm, glabrous. Florets <i>c.</i> 22, hermaphrodite; corollas 5.7-6.2 mm long, tubular, limbs <i>c.</i> 2.7 mm long, 5-lobed, yellow; filament collars balustrifrom; anthers 1.5 mm long (including appendage), bases caudate, a half as long as the filament collar, yellowish, appendages <i>c.</i> 0.3 × 0.2 mm; style branches truncate with a crown of sweeping trichomes, yellowish. Achenes cylindrical, <i>c.</i> 1.7 × 0.3 mm (immature), <i>c.</i> 9-ribbed, glabrous; pappus 5.8-6.2 mm long, barbellate, white.</p> <p>NOTES</p> <p> In its habit and leaf morphology, <i>Senecio marinae</i>, sp. nov. presents morphological affinities with both <i>S. francoisii</i> Humbert and <i>S. hadiensis</i> Forssk. [synonym of <i>S. petitianus</i> A. Rich.]. These species are characterized by having a scrambling or ascending habit, fleshy, pinnatinerved leaves, and radiate capitula. Humbert (1963) treated them as the only members of his informal <i>Senecio</i> group XIV. The new species, however, clearly differs in having discoid capitula. In addition, <i>S. marinae</i>, sp. nov. differs from <i>S. francoisii</i> in stem length (1-4 m vs 0.2-0.3 m in <i>S. francoisii</i>), leaf size (6-13× 2.3-5.5 cm vs 3-8 × 1.2-2.5 cm in <i>S. francoisii</i>), and involucral bract length (5.8-7.4 mm vs 5-5.4 mm in <i>S. francoisii</i>). With respect to <i>S. hadiensis</i>, the new species further differs in the involucral bract length (5.8-7.4 mm vs 3.7-4.2 mm in <i>S. hadiensis</i>). The variety with discoid capitula described from Comoros under the name <i>S. petitianus</i> subvar. <i>discoideus</i> Humbert, can be also differentiated by the remarkable shorter involucral bracts; it has not been recorded in Madagascar. It is interesting to note that <i>S. francoisii</i>, the Malagasy populations of <i>S. hadiensis</i>, and the new species display caudate anther bases.</p> <p> The new species seems to be restricted to the northern mountains of Madagascar, whereas <i>S. francoisii</i> is distributed through the central-east Madagascar and <i>S. hadiensis</i> in the centre and south-east part of the island. Their distributions areas do not overlap.</p>Published as part of <i>Calvo, Joel & Callmander, Martin W., 2023, Novelties from the Northern Mountains Complex of Madagascar VII: A new species of Senecio L. (Compositae), pp. 279-283 in Adansonia (3) (3) 45 (16)</i> on pages 280-283, DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2023v45a16, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8109269">http://zenodo.org/record/8109269</a&gt

Renaud Paulian et le programme du CNRS sur les hautes montagnes à Madagascar : étage <i>vs</i> domaine

Le programme intitulé « Étude des écosystèmes montagnards dans la région malgache » (RCP 225/CNRS ; responsable : Recteur Renaud Paulian) avait pour ambition de dégager leurs caractères généraux, l’origine des éléments constitutifs et de tester la validité d’un Domaine malgache des Hautes Montagnes proposé par Humbert dès 1951. De 1970 à 1973, trois campagnes (Andringitra ; Chaînes anosyennes et Ankaratra ; Itremo, Ibity et Marojejy) ont permis une caractérisation écologique des milieux particuliers ainsi que des analyses de systématique sur certains taxa connus pour leur intérêt biogéographique. La succession altitudinale des formations végétales, définies par des critères physionomiques et structuraux, est précisée par massif. Le dernier étage caractérisé par le fourré éricoïde et ses groupements associés ne correspond pas à l’Étage des Hautes Montagnes de l’Est africain. Des groupes de la faune (invertébrés hexapodes : Collemboles et Dermaptères) indiquent une disjonction entre les massifs du Nord (Tsaratanana, Marojejy), ceux du Centre et du Sud ; des éléments de la flore (Pandanaceae, Araliaceae, Asteraceae) sont en cours d’analyse dans le même sens. Le Domaine des Hautes montagnes à Madagascar est une réalité écologique mais ne peut être défini floristiquement ; chaque massif montagneux est une entité phytogéographique d’étages de végétation interdépendants inclus dans les différents Sous-Domaines du Centre. Les groupes peu mobiles de la faune indiquent globalement une dépendance trophique et bioclimatique (effet tampon du climat intraforestier) vis-à-vis des étages de végétation, mais peuvent réagir à des microclimats locaux par des décalages à leurs limites.The project entitled “Study of montane ecosystems in the Malagasy region” (RCP 225/CNRS, directed by Renaud Paulian) aimed to elucidate the general features of these ecosystems and the origin of their constituent elements, and to test the validity of the High Mountain Domain proposed by Humbert in 1951. From 1970 to 1973, three expeditions (to the Andringitra, Anosy, Ankaratra, Itremo, Ibity and Marojejy massifs) provided informations to characterize the ecology of these particular environments and to analyse systematically certain groups well-known for their biogeographic interest. The altitudinal succession of plant formations, defined by physiognomic and structural criteria, were detailed for each massif. The highest belt, characterized by an ericoid bush and related associations, does not correspond to the High Mountain formation of East Africa. Data on several faunal groups, including invertebrates (Hexapoda: Collembola and Dermaptera), indicate a disjunction between the northern montane massifs (Tsaratanana and Marojejy) and the remainder in the Center and South; several floristic groups (Pandanaceae, Araliaceae and Asteraceae) are currently being analyzed in a similar manner. Madagascar’s High Mountain Domain is an ecological reality, but it can not be defined floristically, as each massif represents a separate phytogeographic entity with interdependent vegetation belts included within the various sub-domains of the island’s Central Domain. Faunal groups with limited mobility broadly indicate a trophic and bioclimatic dependence (buffer effect of the intra-forest climate) with regard to vegetation belt, but can respond to local microclimates by a shift at the limits of their ranges.</p

Pandanus letocartiorum Callm. & Buerki, spec. nova

Pandanus letocartiorum Callm. & Buerki, spec. nova (Fig.1, 5, 6). Typus: NEW CALEDONIA : Tchamba, Napoé, 20°59’51”S 165°18’58”E 15 m, 29.IX. 2009, fr., Munzinger & al. 5889 (holo-: P [P02604869, P02604870 carpo]!; iso-: G [G0036 8574]!, MO!, NOU!, P!). Haec species inter congeneros novacaledonicos habitu arbusculae erectae pauciramosae usque ad 6 m altae, syncarpio oblongo-ellipsoideo plerumque 9-13 × 6-8 cm atque drupa 2-2.8 × 2-3.5 cm cicatricibus pallide brunneisbrevibus parallelispilei atrobrunnei ex apice ad latus patentitbus notata distinguitur. Erect and little-branched small treelet, 2-4(-6) m tall, 3-5 cm in diam.; prop roots slender, rather many, forming an open cone up to 4 m high. Leaves linear-attenuate, (80-)90- 150(-190) cm long, (1.4-) 2-2.5 cm wide, apex abruptly attenuate on the ca. 5 distal cm, somehow acute; dry leaves thin but firm coriaceous, abaxial face dark green, adaxial paler green in vivo; longitudinal veins visible on both surfaces, evident toward leaf apex; marginal prickles borne from 4-8 cm above base to apex, antrorse, 0.5-1 mm long in the lower third, mostly 1-4 mm apart, up to 0.5 mm long in the mid third, 1-2 mm apart, mostly> 0.5 mm long in the distal third, 0.5-1 mm apart; midrib near base unarmed up to about the middle; near the middle with prickles ca. 0.5 mm long, 1.5-5 mm apart; near apex, with prickles similar to those of marginal margins; distal ventral pleats sometimes prickly, with minute appressed prickles. Infructescence terminal, the solitary syncarp oblongellipsoid, mostly 9-13 cm long, 6-8 cm wide, on a peduncle about 10-13 cm long, at apex 15 mm thick; lower bracts foliaceous; upper bracts navicular. Drupes ca. 80, connate in the mature syncarp, ca. 2.0- 2.8 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide, 0.8- 1.3 cm thick, (2-)4-7(-10)-celled, 5-6-angled, obovoid compressed, truncate; pileus convex, 1/4 to 1/5 superior portion free, low convex to subconcave at apex; pileus dark brown, with short parallel light brown scars spreading from the apex on its side. Stigma 4-7, 1.5-2.5 mm wide, erect to oblique, or plane on apical phalanges and strongly antrorsely deflected on basal phalanges. Endocarp supramedian, dense, to 10 mm long; proximal mesocarp to 12 mm long, fibrous-fleshy mesocarp fibromedullar, distal mesocarp up to 5 mm long. Seed locule to 7 mm long. Staminate flower unknown. Etymology. – This new species is named in honour of Irène and Daniel Letocart who have a great interest in the New Caledonian flora and accompanied the authors to several places on the Island. Along with Jérôme Munzinger and Pete Lowry, they organized a memorable tour around the island in 2009 where we collected the type specimen in the Tchamba valley, their home region in northeastern New Caledonia. Distribution and ecology. – Pandanus letocartiorum is known in lowland dense humid forest between 30-600 m on grauwacks, schist and serpentine (Fig. 1). Conservation status. – With an EOO of 768 km 2, an AOO of 45 km 2, and 3 subpopulations, one of which is situated within a protected area (Aoupinié), Pandanus letocartiorum is assigned a preliminary status of Endangered (EN B1ab [iii]; B2ab [iii]) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN, 2001). Notes. – Several collections with rather small leaves and syncarps have been determined by H. St. John and B. C. Stone as P. neocaledonicus. Now that the taxonomy of this species and P. decumbens and P. reticulatus has been clarified (see above), it has become obvious that these collections pertain to a different undescribed species. Pandanus letocartiorum is the third species known in New Caledonia with fruit less than 15 cm in length, the two other species being P. decumbens and P. reticulatus. Pandanus letocartiorum can be easily distinguished from P. reticulatus, described above, by its leaves, generally smaller and narrower (mostly 90-150 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide vs 75-80 cm long, and 1.2-1.4 cm wide in P. reticulatus); its larger syncarp (9-13 cm long and 6-8 cm wide vs ca. 5.5 cm long and ca. 2.5 wide); and the number and orientation of the stigmas (4-7 and erect to oblique, vs solitary and plane) (Fig. 5, 6). The new species is morphologically closer to P. decumbens, both species having similar sized leaves and syncarp. Nevertheless, P. letocartiorum can be distinguished by its habit (erect and little-branched small treelet to 6 m tall vs slender-stemmed branched or not shrub with the stem usually decumbent in P. decumbens); numbers of drupe per syncarp (ca. 80 vs ca. 100-180 in P. decumbens), longer and wider (ca. 2.0- 2.8 cm long and 2-3.5 cm wide vs 1.5-2.5 cm long, 1-2 cm wide) and the short parallel light brown scars spreading from the apex on the side of the dark brown pileus (vs absent). Paratypi. – Vallée de l’Amoa, [20°56’26”S 165°13’24”E], ca. 100 m, 14.I.1963, fr., MacKee 9989 (BISH, P [P02095733]); Houaïlou, Hô, [21°10’36”S 165°31’12”E], 50 m, 29.IV.1973, y. fr., MacKee 26656 (G, NOU [NOU048339, NOU048471], P [P0209 5734, carpo]); Touho, Ponandou, [20°49’12”S 165°13’45”E], 30- 100 m, 15.V.1973, fr., MacKee 26721 (G, FI, K, MO, NOU [NOU048 475], P [P02139395, carpo], PH); Ponérihouen, Pente E Mt. Aoupinié, [21°10’36”S 165°18’30”E], 600 m, 16.V.1973, fr., MacKee 26750 (G, NOU [NOU048338, NOU048472, NOU048473], P [P02095731, carpo], PH); Ponérihouen, Mt. Aoupinié, [21°10’46”S 165°18’12”E], 700 m, 18.VIII.1981, fr., MacKee 39467 (G, NOU [NOU048474], P [P02095729], PH); Inédete, [20°52’17”S 165°06’49”E], ca. 500 m, 25.VI.1969, fr., Veillon 1962 (BISH, NOU [NOU04 8477, NOU048 476], P [P02095726, P02095727, carpo]).Published as part of Callmander, Martin W. & Buerki, Sven, 2013, Notes on New Caledonian Pandanaceae: identity and typifications of Pandanus decumbens (Brongn.) Solms and Pandanus reticulatus Vieill., with the new species Pandanus letocartiorum Callm. & Buerki, pp. 51-60 in Candollea 68 (1) on pages 57-59, DOI: 10.15553/c2013v681a4, http://zenodo.org/record/573636

Ochna louvelii Callm. & Phillipson

Ochna louvelii (H. Perrier) Callm. & Phillipson, comb. nova Ξ Diporidium louvelii H. Perrier in Not. Syst. (Paris) 10: 35. 1941. Typus: MADAGASCAR. Prov. Toamasina: Centre Est, Analamazaotra, s.d., Louvel 25 (holo-: P [P00048443]!). Observations. – Ochna louvelii seems to be a narrow endemic known only from a couple of collections from the humid montane forests around Moramanga on the eastern escarpment. This species differs from O. polycarpa Baker, which occurs in the same region but extends southwards on the highlands to near Fianarantsoa, by its lax inflorescence (vs. contracted in O. polycarpa) with c. 10-20 minute flowers with sepals> 5 mm (vs. 1-5 larger flowers with sepals 8- 10mm),and from O. thouvenotii by itssmaller leaves (1-2 × 0.8-1.5 cm vs. 3-4.5 cm × 1-2.5 cm) and its many-flowered inflorescences (10-20 vs. 1-5 flowers).Published as part of Callmander, Martin, W. & Phillipson, Peter B., 2012, Notes on the genus Ochna L. (Ochnaceae) in Madagascar, pp. 142-144 in Candollea 67 (1) on page 143, DOI: 10.15553/c2012v671a14, http://zenodo.org/record/578905