Asunción Cano

Phylogenetic relationships of the monotypic Peruvian genus Laccopetalum (Ranunculaceae)

Laccopetalum giganteum (Ranunculaceae) is a rare endemic buttercup from the montane regions of the Peruvian Andes. The systematic position of this monotypic genus within Ranunculaceae was investigated using cpDNA matK sequence data. Our findings indicate that L. giganteum forms a highly supported clade together with Krapfia. Several morphological characters are shared by these genera; large subglobose and fleshy flowers, presence of androgynophore with a separated staminal and carpellate region and many tiny achenes. The Laccopetalum-Krapfia clade is sister to the core Ranunculus group with a high bootstrap support. The number of sepals and similar characteristics of achene morphology support an affinity of Laccopetalum with Ranunculus s.s tr.

Englerocharis dentata and Eudema peruviana (Brassicaceae), Two New Species from Peru

Abstract. The new species Englerocharis dentata and Eudema peruviana are described, illustrated, and their relationships to nearest relatives are discussed. The former is readily distinguished from its other congeners by it broadly spatulate, 7–9-dentate leaves (vs. narrower, entire leaves). Eudema peruviana is the smallest plant in the genus and is hardly 1 cm tall and with linear, glabrous leaves, unbranched caudex without leaf remains, persistent sepals, and broadly globose, angustiseptate fruits. Keys to species of Englerocharis and to the Peruvian species of Eudema are given.

Molecular phylogenetics of tribe Eudemeae (Brassicaceae) and implications for its morphology and distribution.

Tribe Eudemeae comprises a morphologically heterogeneous group of genera distributed along the Andes of South America from Colombia southward into southern Chile and Argentina. The tribe currently includes seven genera: Aschersoniodoxa, Brayopsis, Dactylocardamum, Delpinophytum, Eudema, Onuris, and Xerodraba, and exhibits a wide morphological diversification in growth habit, inflorescences, and fruits. However, little is known about the phylogenetic relationships and evolution of the tribe. We present here a molecular phylogeny of representative sampling of all genera, utilizing sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal ITS region and chloroplast regions trnL-F, trnH-psbA, and rps16. Additionally, climatic niches of the tribe and its main lineages, along with the evolution of diagnostic morphological characters, were studied. All analyses confirmed the monophyly of Eudemeae, with the exception of Delpinophytum that was included with genera of the lineage I of Brassicaceae. Eudemeae is divided into two main lineages differentiated by their geographical distribution and climatic niche: the primarily north-central Andean lineage included Aschersoniodoxa, Brayopsis, Dactylocardamum, and Eudema, and the Patagonian and southern Andean lineage included Onuris and Xerodraba. Finally, ancestral-state reconstructions in the tribe generally reveal multiple and independent gains or losses of diagnostic morphological characters, such as growth form, inflorescence reduction, and fruit type. Relevant taxonomic implications stemming from the results are also discussed.

New species of Brayopsis, Descurainia, Draba, Neuontobotrys and Weberbauera (Brassicaceae) from Peru

SummarySix new species of Brassicaceae (Brayopsis chacasensis Al-Shehbaz & A. Cano, Descurainia canoensis Al-Shehbaz, Draba canoensis Al-Shehbaz, Trinidad, Ed. Navarro & D. Rodr.-Paredes, D. punoensis Al-Shehbaz, Ed. Navarro, Trinidad & A. Cano, Neuontobotrys camanaensis Al-Shehbaz & A. Cano, and Weberbauera ayacuchoensis Al-Shehbaz, A. Cano & Trindad) are described and illustrated, and their distinguishing characters from nearest relatives are discussed. Brief notes on the diversity of these five genera in South America, especially Peru, are discussed.

Aschersoniodoxa peruviana (Brassicaceae), a remarkable new species from Peru and a synopsis of the genus

SummaryA synopsis of the South American genus Aschersoniodoxa Gilg & Muschl. is presented, and the new species A. peruviana Al-Shehbaz, Eduardo Navarro & A. Cano is described and illustrated. An updated generic description of Aschersoniodoxa, a discussion of its tribal placement, and a key to its four species are given.

Englerocharis ancashensis (Brassicaceae), a new species from Peru and a synopsis of the genus

SummaryA synopsis of the largely Peruvian genus Englerocharis Muschl. is presented, and the new species E. ancashensis Al-Shehbaz, A. Cano & Trinidad is described and illustrated. An updated generic description of Englerocharis and a key to its four species are given. The generic differences between Englerocharis and Brayopsis Gilg & Muschl. are discussed.

Four New Species of Ribes (Grossulariaceae), Primarily from the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone in Northern Peru

Abstract Four new species of Ribes L. (Grossulariaceae) are described from Peru, three from the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone and one from the eastern slopes of the Andes in central Peru. Ribes chachapoyense Weigend & Breitkopf, R. tumerec Weigend & Breitkopf, and R. huancabambense Weigend & Breitkopf from the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone represent close allies of Ecuadorian species and underscore both the floristic connections of this region to Ecuador and its high levels of floristic distinctness and endemism. With these three new species, the species total for the Peruvian part of the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone now reaches 10, nearly half the species present in Peru. Ribes frankei Weigend & Breitkopf is possibly the most aberrant species of Ribes—it is a small, cushion-forming dwarf-shrub to 30 cm tall, with erect inflorescences that are virtually immersed in the leafy cushions. It is the smallest species of Ribes known so far and has been collected on vertical rock faces in the high Andes of Pasco in central Peru. The species total for Peruvian Ribes now reaches 23, which is nearly twice the number of species known for any other individual South American country, indicating that Peru, and especially the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone, represents the center of diversity of the genus in South America. Three of the newly described species are already at the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction (overgrazing, burning, mining, forest clearing: R. tumerec, R. frankei, R. huancabambense) and have to be considered as Critically Endangered. The fourth species, R. chachapoyense, has a slightly wider range and can be considered as only Endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria.

Krapfia grace-servatiae (Ranunculaceae), a New Species from the High Andes of Peru

Abstract. Krapfia grace-servatiae Trinidad & W. Mend. (Ranunculaceae), a new species from the Andes of southern Peru, is described and illustrated. It is readily distinguished from the closely related K. macropetala by having wingless (vs. conspicuously winged) petioles of basal leaves. A key to Peruvian Krapfia with undivided basal leaves is presented.

Dactylocardamum polyspermum (Brassicaceae), a Second Remarkable New Species from Peru

Abstract. Dactylocardamum polyspermum Al-Shehbaz, A. Cano & Trinidad, the second species of a previously monospecific Peruvian genus, is described and illustrated, its similarities to and distinguishing characters from the generic type, D. imbricatifolium Al-Shehbaz, are discussed, and the generic limits of Dactylocardamum Al-Shehbaz are expanded to accommodate the new species. The novelty is known from a single locality in Ancash Department, and its IUCN conservation status is determined as Data Deficient.

Weberbauera incisa (Brassicaceae), a New Species from Southern Peru

Abstract.  Weberbauera incisa Al-Shehbaz, P. Gonzáles & A. Cano (Brassicaceae), a new species from southern Peru, is described and illustrated. It differs from the closely related W. spathulifolia (A. Gray) O. E. Schulz by being completely glabrous and by having incised leaves, flattened and papery petioles of basal leaves, and torulose fruits.