Clarifying the Dioscorea buchananii Benth. species complex: a new potentially extinct subspecies for South Africa

By

Muasya, Muthama
Wilkin, Paul

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2015

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

48

Pages

51-72

Subjects

Africa , Conservation , Dioscorea , eMonocot scratchpad , South Africa , Species , steroids , taxonomy , vines , yam

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.48.6806

 

Abstract

The Dioscorea buchananii complex is shown to comprise three species, one of which is divided into two subspecies, based on morphological data. Two species, D. rupicola Kunth and D. multiloba Kunth, are endemic or subendemic to South Africa and of widespread occurrence in KwaZulu Natal. They differ markedly from each other in inflorescence and floral morphology and appear to be ecologically differentiated. The third species, D. buchananii Benth., is primarily found in southeastern tropical Africa, but a small number of specimens collected in South Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are placed in an endemic subspecies, D. buchananii subsp. undatiloba (Baker) Wilkin. The latter taxon is a high priority in terms of rediscovery and conservation. Keys, descriptions, supporting information and illustrations are provided and made available online through eMonocot biodiversity informatics tools. Three nomenclatural acts are undertaken: two names are placed in synonymy and a new combination made.