Nothodissotis (Melastomataceae), a new genus from Atlantic Central Africa, including the new species N. alenensis from Equatorial Guinea

By

Veranso-Libalah, Marie Claire
Lachenaud, Olivier
Stone, Robert Douglas
Kadereit, Gudrun

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

118

Pages

89-103

Subjects

Africa , Dissotis , Equatorial Guinea , Melastomataceae , Morphology , new species , Nothodissotis , Phylogeny , Plant conservation , Vulnerable species

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.118.31572

 

Abstract

Based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence, a new genus of Melastomataceae (Melastomateae), Nothodissotis Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, gen. nov., is described from Atlantic Central Africa. Nothodissotis is distinguished from other African Melastomateae genera by its calyx-lobes that are notched at apex and asymmetrical (vs. entire and symmetrical). Nothodissotis includes two species: the type species N.barteri (Hook.f.) Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, comb. nov. (syn. Dissotisbarteri Hook.f.), and the new species N.alenensis Veranso-Libalah & O. Lachenaud, sp. nov., described and illustrated here. Both species are restricted to open vegetation on rock outcrops within the forested region of Atlantic Central Africa. Nothodissotisbarteri has a scattered distribution in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Príncipe Island, while N.alenensis is endemic to the Monte Alén massif in Equatorial Guinea, an area where N.barteri does not occur. Nothodissotisalenensis differs from N.barteri by its hypanthium bearing sessile appendages with penicillate hairs (vs. stalked stellate appendages) and its staminal appendages that are much smaller in antepetalous than in antesepalous stamens (vs. subequal in all stamens). The conservation status of both N.barteri and N.alenensis is assessed as Vulnerable in accordance with IUCN criteria.