Brett Jestrow

Molecular Systematics of Threatened Seed Plant Species Endemic in the Caribbean Islands

A review of available Caribbean Island red-lists species (CR and EN categories based on the IUCN guidelines from 2001, and E category established according to the IUCN guidelines from 1980) is presented. A database of over 1,300 endemic species that are either Critically Endangered or Endangered sensu IUCN was created. There are molecular systematic studies available for 112 of them. Six of these species (in six genera) are the only members of early divergent lineages that are sister to groups composed of a large number of clades. Seven of the species (in seven genera) belong to clades that have a small number of taxa but are sister to species/genus-rich clades. Ten of the species (in six genera) are sister to taxa restricted to South America or nested in clades endemic to this region. Fifty-seven of the species (in 35 genera) are sister to Caribbean Island endemic species. Erigeron belliastroides, an Endangered (EN) Cuban endemic, is sister to the Galapagos genus Darwiniothamnus. The phylogenetic placement of four of the threatened species resulted in changes in their taxonomic placement; they belong to polyphyletic or paraphyletic genera.

Molecular phylogenetics of the palm subtribe Ptychospermatinae (Arecaceae)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY We examined the phylogeny and intergeneric relationships among the 12 genera of the palm subtribe Ptychospermatinae. While many of these taxa are familiar, cultivated ornamental palms in warm areas of the world, the monophyly of the subtribe and its component genera required testing. We also examined the biogeographic relationships of this lineage, which has a significant radiation east of Wallaces Line. METHODS Phylogenetic analyses were based on maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of nucleotide sequences of two low-copy nuclear genes: intron 4 of phosphoribulokinase and intron 23 of RNA polymerase II. Biogeographical reconstructions were explored using S-DIVA. KEY RESULTS The two-gene, combined analysis yielded a monophyletic subtribe with six major clades. The biogeographical analysis suggests that the subtribe originated in New Guinea. CONCLUSIONS The phylogenetic hypotheses support the monophyly of the subtribe. The genera Drymophloeus, Ponapea, and Veitchia, as presently circumscribed, are not monophyletic. The resurrection and expanded circumscription of the genus Ponapea are supported. A newly discovered species of Adonidia is confirmed as sister species to Adonidia merrillii. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that the Ptychospermatinae diverged into six major clades with repeated radiations into Australia and the western Pacific. The presence of Adonidia to the west of Wallaces Line is likely to be the result of long-distance dispersal. The following new combinations are made to restore monophyly to Veitchia and Ponapea: Veitchia pachyclada, V. subisticha, V. lepidota, and Ponapea hentyi.

Conservation and genetics of two Critically Endangered Hispaniolan palms: genetic erosion of Pseudophoenix lediniana in contrast to P. ekmanii

The palm species Pseudophoenix ekmanii (endemic to the Dominican Republic) and P. lediniana (endemic to Haiti) are the only Critically Endangered species (sensu IUCN) of the genus. Results are presented of recent field research and population genetic studies targeting P. lediniana. The field research confirmed that wild plants of P. lediniana are restricted to a single population found along almost inaccessible and unstable limestone cliffs along a ravine in southern Haiti, near Jacmel in the Province of Ouest. The population is composed of six fragments with approximately 71 adults and 2 juveniles. No seedlings were located, and the population is under severe extinction threat because of landslides during the raining season, massive forest clearance, and burns for charcoal extraction and cropping of subsistence staple crops. Seven DNA microsatellite (SSR) loci were used to generate estimates of genetic variation of this species. Approximately one-third of all wild plants (21 individuals) were sampled. Only four of these SSR loci were polymorphic and population genetic coefficients showed that the population is highly inbred. Population genetics results for P. lediniana were compared with those previously published for P. ekmanii. Levels of genetic variation were quantified by number of polymorphic loci and observed heterozygosity. These values were much lower in P. ledinana than in P. ekmanii. The latter species is officially protected in a national park and has several populations, some much larger than that of the P. lediniana population. Differences concerning in situ conservation protection and population size might explain differences for levels of genetic variation between these two Critically Endangered species. Ex situ and in situ strategies for conservation are proposed.

The last plant hunting expedition of David Fairchild: Venezuela and Colombia (March–April 1948)

In March and April 1948, David Fairchild undertook a plant hunting expedition to Venezuela and Colombia. His wife, Marian, accompanied him on this, his last official plant exploration endeavor. A total of 62 plant samples (41 from Venezuela and 21 from Colombia) were collected. In addition, 55 photographs (41 from Venezuela and 14 from Colombia) were taken during this trip. A review of the objectives and results of this expedition is provided, based primarily on archival documents found in Miami (the Archives and Library of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden). The Swiss tropical botanist Henri François Pittier was instrumental in the development of field activities in Venezuela. There, David Fairchild extensively interacted with Pittier’s disciples and with several foreign naturalists who were working for the Venezuelan government in agriculture and natural resource programs. The Colombian component of this expedition had a more limited scope, among other reasons because the visit coincided with major street demonstrations following the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, who was running as a candidate for the country’s presidency.ResumenEn marzo y abril de 1948, David Fairchild realizó actividades de exploración vegetal en Venezuela y Colombia. Su esposa, Marian, le acompañó en la que fue su última campaña oficial botánica de recolección. Durante este viaje se obtuvieron un total de 62 muestras de plantas (41 de Venezuela y 21 de Colombia). Además se tomaron 55 fotografías (41 de Venezuela y 14 de Colombia). En este trabajo se hace una revisión de los objetivos y resultados de esta expedición. El mismo se basa principalmente en documentos de archivo que se encuentran en Miami (el Archivo y Biblioteca del Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden). El botánico tropical suizo Henri François Pittier fue instrumental en el desarrollo de las actividades de campo en Venezuela. En este país, David Fairchild interactuó de forma amplia con los discípulos de Pittier y con varios naturalistas extranjeros que trabajaban para el gobierno de Venezuela en programas de agricultura y recursos naturales. La labor de campo en Colombia tuvo un alcance más limitado, entre otras razones porque la visita coincidió con manifestaciones y protestas callejeras que sucedieron tras el asesinato de Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, quien se postulaba como candidato a la presidencia del país.

Conservation and taxonomic updates for the Jamaican endemic genus Dendrocousinsia (Euphorbiaceae)

The nomenclature of Dendrocousinsia (Hippomaneae, Euphorbiaceae) is revised and we present four new taxonomic combinations within the genus. It comprises six species and one variety. Extensive field surveys were conducted and conservation assessments are presented based on the IUCN redlist system for threatened species. Three of the species are Critically Endangered as each of them has a very restricted distribution. The other three species are Vulnerable. There has been a long debate pertinent to the taxonomic placement of Dendrocousinsia. Until extensive phylogenetic studies are performed within the Hippomaneae we propose to maintain this group as a distinct genus and not as a section within Sebastiania. This study highlights Dendrocousinsia as restricted to Jamaica with a high conservation priority because of its uniqueness and the Critically Endangered status of half of its species.

Volatile constituents of five species of Portlandia (Rubiaceae)

Portlandia (Rubiaceae) is a genus endemic to Jamaica. The volatile organic constituents of P. albiflora, P. coccinea, P. grandiflora, P. latifolia and P. proctorii were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with capillary mass spectrometry. The main constituents detected in these species are 1-penten-3-one, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, linalool, borneol and methyl salicylate. All species are rich in aliphatic aldehydes, mainly represented by (E)-2-hexenal, that range from 17% (P. latifolia) to 90% (P. coccinea) of total volatiles. The high content of aldehydes is characteristic to Portlandia species and may serve as a chemical marker to differentiate Portlandia from related genera within the Rubiaceae.

The Bahamian Flora: Plant Exploration, Living Collections, and DNA – A Journey Started in 1963

Dr. John Popenoe was Director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG) between 1963 and 1989. Dr. Popenoe was a strong supporter of the Bahamian flora, and in 1963 he obtained extramural funds to develop a living collection focusing on Bahamian plants that was established in FTBG. During his tenure FTBG supported the publication of the latest comprehensive flora of this archipelago. A project initiated by the first FTBG herbarium curator, William Gillis, but published by Donovan and Helen Correll (with illustrations of Priscilla Fawcett) in 1982. This living collection of Bahamian plants has supplied plant material for molecular phylogenetic studies worldwide. There are DNA phylogenies for only 10 of the 89 Bahamian endemics; most of the material of these phylogenies came from plants from these collections (three species) and/or from fragments of herbarium specimens collected by Donovan Correll (six species). Only two of the species included in these phylogenies are from collections unrelated to FTBG. Excluding species restricted to the Bahamas, material from 14 Caribbean Island endemics that are part of these collections has been used in phylogenetic studies. The available molecular phylogenies show that the Bahamian endemics are closely related to species from the West Indies or continental areas of the Caribbean Basin. There is also a paucity of population genetic studies based on DNA markers focusing on Bahamian plants. Only two of the four available population genetic studies are for a Bahamian endemic taxon.

Brother Marie-Victorin in the Canary Islands in 1929

Abstract Brother Marie-Victorin (1885–1944) was a member of the Roman Catholic congregation of the La Salle Brothers and one of the most important figures in the botanical history of Canada. In 1929, he undertook a 7-month trip across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. During this journey he visited the islands of Gran Canaria (26–27 June) and Tenerife (28 June to 3 July), where he took 118 photographs. The travelogue for this trip (447 pages) is an unpublished document, 26 pages of which are devoted to the Canaries. We provide English and Spanish translations for the portion of this travelogue devoted to the Canary Islands and a catalogue of the photos taken there. Botanical highlights of this visit include accounts for: (1) the Botanic Garden of La Orotava and its Head Gardener, Juan Bolinaga; (2) landmark specimens of Dracaena draco in Tenerife; (3) hybrids between the endemic Phoenix canariensis and the introduced Phoenix dactylifera; (4) an historical individual of Pinus canariensis found in Buen Paso (Icod municipality); and (5) endemic and invasive plants. This travelogue shows that Marie-Victorin had an interest in social, ethnobotanical and historical aspects of the Canaries.

A conservation framework for the Critically Endangered endemic species of the Caribbean palm Coccothrinax

With 30 threatened species (14 categorized as Critically Endangered and 16 as Endangered, sensu IUCN), Coccothrinax (c. 54 species) is the flagship palm genus for conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot. Coccothrinax has its centre of taxonomic diversity in these islands, with c. 51 endemic species. We present a conservation framework for the 14 Critically Endangered species, found in Cuba, Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Only two species ( C. jimenezii , C. montana ) occur in more than one country (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Immediate threats include oil drilling and nickel mining, intrusion of saline water into soil, urban and agricultural development, low population recruitment, uncontrolled fires, interspecific hybridization, and unsustainable ethnobotanical practices. Coccothrinax bermudezii , C. borhidiana , C. crinita ssp. crinita , C. leonis and C. spissa are not conserved in protected areas. Coccothrinax bermudezii , C. jimenezii , C. leonis and C. nipensis are not part of ex situ collections. Based on results from a conservation project targeting C. jimenezii , we recommend international cooperation between the three range states to implement integrative conservation management plans, plant exploration initiatives, taxonomic revisions, outreach, and fundraising. The ultimate aim of this review is to provide baseline information that will develop conservation synergy among relevant parties working on Coccothrinax conservation in Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Such collaborations could also benefit through partnerships with botanists working in other countries.

David Fairchild's Expedition to Jamaica on Board Utowana1

Abstract David Fairchild (1869–1954) was one of the most important plant explorers and collectors from the USA. His documents, letters, and photographs are housed at the Archives and Library of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (ALFTBG). Between 1925 and 1933, Fairchild mostly performed his plant hunting activities on board the research yacht Utowana. The last of these expeditions took place in 1933, when he collected in the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, the Colombian islands of Providencia and San Andrés, and Panama. During this trip, he visited Jamaica (March 5–11), where he made 33 collections of plant material and took 45 photographs (37 of them were located at ALFTBG). In Jamaica, he was hosted by Edward John Downes (1893–1957), Frank Cundall (1858–1937), and M. S. Goodman. He mostly focused on procuring germplasm from the three historical botanic gardens of this island (Bath, Castleton, and Hope). The visit of Fairchild to Jamaica happened a few years after two of the most important botanists who worked on that island, William Harris (1860–1920) and William Fawcett (1851–1926), passed away. It appears that, during this period in Jamaica, there was a decline in botanical studies and activities, which continued until George Proctor (1920–2015) and Charles Adams (1920–2005) started working for Jamaican institutions in 1952 and 1959, respectively.