Eldis R. Bécquer

Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XI. A revision of Miconia sect. Calycopteris on Hispaniola

A new section, Miconia sect. Calycopteris, is described and characterized. It includes 15 species previously recognized within Calycogonium, Clidemia, Henriettella, Leandra, Miconia, and Ossaea. Species descriptions, nomenclatural information, specimen citations, and eco-geographical characterization for each of the eight species occurring on Hispaniola are presented, along with an identification key. Section Calycopteris likely represents a monophyletic group within the Caribbean clade of tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) and is restricted to Hispaniola and Cuba. The section is characterized by strongly 4-lobed ovaries and hypanthia, calyx teeth that are flattened parallel to the floral radii, and seeds with a distinctive, dark-colored and expanded raphe. The following new combinations and new names are presented: Miconia hispidula, M. calycopteris, M. tetragonoloba, M. formonensis, M. nanophylla, M. reticulato-venosa, M. vegaensis, and M. maculata.

Miconia cineana (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a New Species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

Abstract We describe a new species, Miconia cineana (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Although this species has been known from sterile collections since the early 1980s, its phylogenetic position was unknown, although it was presumed to be closely related to species of Pachyanthus s. l. The phylogenetic reconstruction presented here, based on a recent collection of the species, clearly places M. cineana in a clade comprised of Cuban species of the polyphyletic genera Tetrazygia s. l. and Pachyanthus s. l. Thus, M. cineana represents the sole Hispaniolan member of an otherwise Cuban clade, and an uncommon biogeographic pattern in melastomes. Miconia cineana, although described here from sterile specimens, is easily distinguished from the other species of this clade using vegetative morphology, as well as phylogenetic placement. This study highlights the utility of molecular data when coupled with morphology, allowing for the discovery of an unrecognized species in a region of high diversity and endemism, i.e. the Massif de la Hotte.

Miconia bullotricha and M. hirtistyla, two new species of Miconia sect. Lima (Miconieae, Melastomataceae) from eastern Cuba

Abstract We describe two new species in Miconia sect. Lima, Miconia bullotricha Bécquer & Majure and Miconia hirtistyla Majure & Judd, from eastern, Cuba. We also provide illustrations and distribution maps for the two species, as well as a key to members of the Lima clade on Cuba.

Evolution of the Sandpaper Clade (Miconieae, Melastomataceae)

Premise of research. The Sandpaper clade comprises a group of taxa endemic to the Greater Antilles and forms a subgroup of a larger Caribbean assemblage of Miconieae. Numerous species within this monophyletic group share striking morphological characters and thus traditionally have been considered close relatives. Recent phylogenetic work has shown that not all of these species are each other’s closest relatives, and they actually form three distinct clades: the Lima, Paralima, and Pseudolima clades. We reconstructed a phylogeny of these poorly known species to test patterns of morphological evolution and the biogeographic history of the clade. Methodology. We reconstructed a phylogeny of the Sandpaper clade using two plastid intergenic spacers (accD-psaI, psbK-psbL) and two nuclear ribosomal spacers (ITS, ETS) and then sequenced three more plastid spacers for the Lima clade (rpl32-trnL, trnV-ndhC, trnH-psbA) to provide better resolution among those species. The biogeographic history and the evolution of morphological traits were tested using maximum parsimony based on 12 mountain ranges in the Greater Antilles and 48 morphological characters, respectively. Pivotal results. The Sandpaper clade most likely originated in eastern Cuba, with subsequent dispersals to other parts of the island, as well as to Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. In general, morphological characters shared by the Lima, Paralima, and Pseudolima clades evolved independently. All subclades of the Sandpaper clade can be recognized by suites of characters; however, unique synapomorphies for clades are rare. Conclusions. Eastern Cuba formed the starting point for the diversification of the Sandpaper clade, likely as a result of the diverse topography and associated ecological diversity (e.g., serpentine soils). This clade represents only a moderate-sized radiation of the Caribbean clade; however, the convergent nature of character evolution and the lack of unique synapomorphies for subclades underscore the lability of morphological characters in this group and the difficulty in recognizing these clades from a purely morphological standpoint.

Taxonomic revision of Miconia sect. Calycopteris (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) in Cuba

Miconia sect. Calycopteris consists of 13 species endemic to Cuba and Hispaniola. In this work, we give updated descriptions, nomenclatural information, geographic distributions, citation of all specimens examined, as well as habitat descriptions for each of the six species that occur on Cuba, five of which are endemic and one shared with Hispaniola. We also provide a key for all species of the section including the seven species endemic to Hispaniola. One new name, Miconia charleswrightii, and two new combinations are provided in Miconia, M. clementeana and M. heterophylla. Seven names are typified: Calycogonium heterophyllum Naudin, Calycogonium productum C. Wright, Clidemia barbeyana Cogn., Clidemia clementeana Britton, Clidemia wrightii Griseb., Melastoma calycopteris Rich. and Miconia pterosepala Urb.ResumenMiconia sect. Calycopteris posee 13 especies endémicas de Cuba y la Española, en este trabajo se ofrece la descripción actualizada, información nomenclatural, especímenes revisados, distribución geográfica y hábitat de las seis especies que habitan en Cuba, cinco de ellas endémicas y una compartida con la Española. Además, una clave de identificación de todas las especies de la sección que incluye las siete especies endémicas de la Española. Se presentan un nuevo nombre, Miconia charleswrightii, y dos nuevas combinaciones en Miconia, M. clementeana y M. heterophylla. Se tipifican siete nombres: Calycogonium heterophyllum Naudin, Calycogonium productum C. Wright, Clidemia barbeyana Cogn., Clidemia clementeana Britton, Clidemia wrightii Griseb., Melastoma calycopteris Rich. y Miconia pterosepala Urb.

Two new species of Henriettea (Melastomataceae, Henrietteeae) for the flora of the Greater Antilles

Two new species of Melastomataceae are described and illustrated: Henriettea sierrae from the mountains of eastern Cuba, and Henriettea multigemma from the Sierra de Bahoruco in the Dominican Republic, Hispaniola. Both species belong to the complex of squamous Henriettea species endemic to the Greater Antilles. Henriettea sierrae is distinguished by its ciliate leaves, foliose bracteoles at the base of the flowers, and lanceolate petals with lateral teeth in their apical third. Henriettea multigemma is distinguished by its fascicles of numerous flowers that are borne of suberose protuberances formed by multiple flower buds in the leafless nodes of the stems, and by the presence of leaves with apical domatia.ResumenSe describen e ilustran dos nuevas especies de Melastomataceae, Henriettea sierrae de las montañas del este de Cuba y Henriettea multigemma de la Sierra de Bahoruco, Republica Dominicana, La Española. Ambas pertenecen al “complejo de especies escamosas” de Henriettea endémicas de las Antillas Mayores. Henriettea sierrae se distingue por sus hojas ciliadas, bractéolas foliosas en la base de las flores y pétalos lanceolados con dientes laterales en el tercio apical. Mientras que H. multigemma se distingue por sus fascículos de numerosas flores que nacen sobre protuberancias suberosas, formadas por las multiples yemas florales en los nudos defoliados y la presencia de hojas con domacios apicales.

Nomenclatural novelties in Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae)

The Miconieae (Melastomaceae) are a strictly Neotropical group comprising over 1900 species. The tribe is characterized by inflorescences that are terminal or axillary, but not cauliflorous (except a few species of Charianthus, Clidemia, and Mecranium), flowers subtended by only one pair of bracteoles (or none at all), with anthers that lack a pedoconnective, leaves without long acicular raphides, and berry fruits. Generic delimitations within the Miconieae have been notoriously complex, and phylogenetic analyses have shown that Miconia is paraphyletic with many other genera embedded within it. These nested genera include Anaectocalyx, Calycogonium, Catocoryne, Charianthus, Clidemia, Conostegia, Killipia, Leandra, Maieta, Mecranium, Necramium, Ossaea, Pachyanthus, Pleiochiton, Sagraea, Tetrazygia, and Tococa. In the absence of a workable solution that allows the subdivision of the tribe into smaller, morphologically recognizable and monophyletic genera, it has been previously proposed that only one genus be recognized in the tribe. Here we present the necessary taxonomic and nomenclatural changes necessary to recognize Miconia as the sole genus within Miconieae.