Kenneth R. Wood

A review of the conservation status of the endemic Pritchardia palms of Hawaii

The conservation status of 23 Hawaiian endemic palms, Pritchardia spp., is reviewed. Field survey reports, recovery plans, herbaria holdings and observations have been utilized to assess each taxons current range and status. Eleven species are categorized as Critically Endangered, nine Endangered, two Vulnerable and one as Data Deficient when subject to the IUCN Red List criteria. Conservation management options are discussed. A large proportion of this genus is on the verge of extinction and will continue to decline in the wild without active conservation management. Recommendations involving long-term management include maintaining and protecting the existing wild populations, establishment of effective ex situ populations, reintroduction into the wild, and the establishment of procedures to deal with invasive plants and animals.

Historical biogeography of the fern genus Deparia (Athyriaceae) and its relation with polyploidy

The wide geographical distribution of many fern species is related to their high dispersal ability. However, very limited studies surveyed biological traits that could contribute to colonization success after dispersal. In this study, we applied phylogenetic approaches to infer historical biogeography of the fern genus Deparia (Athyriaceae, Eupolypods II). Because polyploids are suggested to have better colonization abilities and are abundant in Deparia, we also examined whether polyploidy could be correlated to long-distance dispersal events and whether polyploidy could play a role in these dispersals/establishment and range expansion. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions were based on a four-region combined cpDNA dataset (rps16-matK IGS, trnL-L-F, matK and rbcL; a total of 4252 characters) generated from 50 ingroup (ca. 80% of the species diversity) and 13 outgroup taxa. Using the same sequence alignment and maximum likelihood trees, we carried out molecular dating analyses. The resulting chronogram was used to reconstruct ancestral distribution using the DEC model and ancestral ploidy level using ChromEvol. We found that Deparia originated around 27.7Ma in continental Asia/East Asia. A vicariant speciation might account for the disjunctive distribution of East Asia-northeast North America. There were multiple independent long-distance dispersals to Africa/Madagascar (at least once), Southeast Asia (at least once), south Pacific islands (at least twice), Australia/New Guinea/New Zealand (at least once), and the Hawaiian Islands (at least once). In particular, the long-distance dispersal to the Hawaiian Islands was associated with polyploidization, and the dispersal rate was slightly higher in the polyploids than in diploids. Moreover, we found five species showing recent infraspecific range expansions, all of which took place concurrently with polyploidization. In conclusion, our study provides the first investigation using phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses trying to explore the link between historical biogeography and ploidy evolution in a fern genus and our results imply that polyploids might be better colonizers than diploids.

Coprosma kawaikiniensis (Rubiaceae) a new species from the Dubautia-Sadleria shrubland-fernland community on Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands

Abstract Coprosma kawaikiniensis K.R. Wood, Lorence & Kiehn (Rubiaceae), a rare endemic tree from Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated along with a previously undescribed endemic plant community, the Dubautia-Sadleria shrubland-fernland (DSSF). The new species differs from Hawai‘i congeners by its combination of opposite, long, elliptic to narrowly elliptic or ovate-elliptic leaves with revolute margins; caducous stipules 7–10 mm long, externally glabrous, densely hirtellous-pilose near the margins of the inner surface; unbranched inflorescences with peduncles 20–28 mm long; flowers 6–8 per cluster; and persistent calyx tube with 4–8 irregular dentate lobes. Known only from the windward slopes and ridges of southeastern Kaua‘i below the Kawaikini summit, Coprosma kawaikiniensis falls into the IUCN Critically Endangered (CR) Red List category.

Taxonomic Revision of the Endangered Hawaiian Red-Flowered Sandalwoods (Santalum) and Discovery of an Ancient Hybrid Species

Abstract The Hawaiian Islands are home to a quarter of the named diversity of sandalwoods in the genus Santalum. There has been considerable confusion on how to best interpret the variation patterns of the red-flowered Hawaiian sandalwoods, S. freycinetianum and S. haleakalae, and particularly of the endangered S. freycinetianum var. lanaiense in an appropriate taxonomy. In this study, nrDNA (ITS, ETS) and cpDNA (3′ trnK intron) sequence, microsatellite, and morphological data are integrated to appropriately revise the taxonomy of this group by better understanding the genetic and morphological diversity within and between populations. Results reveal that populations of S. freycinetianum from O‘ahu are genetically distinct from populations on Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, and Maui. Santalum freycinatianum is now considered only to occur on O‘ahu. The East Maui endemic S. haleakalae intergrades morphologically and is not genetically distinct from populations of S. freycinetianum var. lanaiense based on the sequence and microsatellite data gathered thus far. We combine them here into a single species, S. haleakalae, with two varieties (var. haleakalae and var. lanaiense, comb nov.). Lastly, examination of populations of S. freycinetianum var. pyrularium suggest it is best treated at specific rank as S. pyrularium. Some populations that are sympatric with S. pyrularium and S. ellipticum in the coastal cliffs and valleys of northern Kaua‘i, are morphologically similar to S. pyrularium but are more closely related to the white-flowered S. ellipticum clade according to both nrDNA and cpDNA data. However, at least three synapomorphic sites in the nrDNA data indicate that its origin may have been the result of an ancient hybridization event with the red-flowered clade. The morphological characteristics of this inferred ancient hybrid lineage appear to correspond with the species S. involutum described by H. St. John.

Stenogyne Kauaulaensis (Lamiaceae), A New Species from Maui, Hawaiian Islands

ABSTRACT Stenogyne kauaulaensis K. R. Wood & H. Oppenheimer (Lamiaceae), a narrow endemic from Kaua‘ula, West Maui, Hawai‘i, U.S.A., is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other known species of Stenogyne Bentham by its combination of flowers raised on a common peduncle, broadly campanulate calyx with large foliaceous teeth, strongly falcate corolla, and exserted stamens. Known from approximately 15 naturally occurring individuals, S. kauaulaensis easily falls into the Critically Endangered IUCN Red List category and is successfully cultivated for conservation.

Reduction of the Hawaiian genus Platydesma into Melicope section Pelea (Rutaceae) and notes on the monophyly of the section

Abstract Platydesma, an endemic genus to the Hawaiian Islands containing four species, has long been considered of obscure origin. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have unequivocally placed Platydesma within the widespread genus Melicope as sister to the rest of the Hawaiian species of Melicope. This makes submerging Platydesma into Melicope necessary. We make the necessary new combinations: Melicope cornuta (Hillebr.) Appelhans, K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner, M. cornuta var. decurrens (B.C.Stone) Appelhans, K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner, M. remyi (Sherff) Appelhans, K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner, and M. rostrata (Hillebr.) Appelhans, K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner. An additional species that has been recognized within Platydesma should now be recognized under its original name M. spathulata A. Gray. All Hawaiian species belong to Melicope section Pelea. Our molecular phylogenetic studies also showed that in addition to merging Platydesma into section Pelea, five species described from New Caledonia need to be excluded from the section in order to achieve monophyly of section Pelea.

Melicope stonei, section Pelea (Rutaceae), a new species from Kaua'i, Hawaiian Islands: with notes on its distribution, ecology, conservation status, and phylogenetic placement.

Abstract Melicope stonei K.R. Wood, Appelhans & W.L. Wagner (section Pelea, Rutaceae), a new endemic tree species from Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated with notes on its distribution, ecology, conservation status, and phylogenetic placement. The new species differs from its Hawaiian congeners by its unique combination of distinct carpels and ramiflorous inflorescences arising on stems below the leaves; plants monoecious; leaf blades (5–)8–30 × (4–)6–11 cm, with abaxial surface densely tomentose, especially along midribs; and very long petioles of up to 9 cm. Since its discovery in 1988, 94 individuals have been documented and are confined to a 1.5 km2 region of unique high canopy mesic forest. Melicope stonei represents a new Critically Endangered (CR) single island endemic species on Kaua‘i.

Athyrium haleakalae (Athyriaceae), a new rheophytic fern species from East Maui, Hawaiian Islands: with notes on its distribution, ecology, and conservation status

Abstract Athyrium haleakalae K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner (Athyriaceae), a small lithophytic fern from East Maui, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated. Notes on its distribution, ecology, and conservation status are also presented. The new species appears to be an obligate rheophyte, preferring sites of fast moving water along concave walls of streams and waterfalls. Athyrium haleakalae differs from the only other known Hawaiian Athyrium, Athyrium microphyllum (Sm.) Alston, in having rhizomes 1–3 cm long and lanceolate blades 1- to 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, 3–8(–11) × 1–3(–4) cm, as compared to Athyrium microphyllum having rhizomes (10–)15–30 cm long and ovate to ovate-triangular blades 3-pinnate-pinnatifid to 4-pinnate, 30–82 × 20–50 cm.

Melicope balgooyi Appelhans, W.L. Wagner & K.R. Wood, a new species and new record in Melicope section Melicope (Rutaceae) for the Austral Islands

Abstract Melicope balgooyi, a new species of Melicope (Rutaceae) is described. It is known only from the Austral Islands in the South Pacific (French Polynesia). However, it is not closely related to the other two species previously known from the Austral Islands, which are part of Melicope section Vitiflorae. The new species belongs to Melicope section Melicope and is most closely related to species from New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands, and the Society Islands. The new species has alternate to sub-opposite leaves, which is a very rare arrangement in Melicope and has only been described for two other species of the genus so far.

Psychotria kosraensis (Rubiaceae), a New Species from Kosrae, Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Abstract.  Psychotria kosraensis Lorence & K. R. Wood (Rubiaceae, Rubioideae), a narrow endemic from Kosrae, Caroline Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other known species of Psychotria L. in Micronesia by its combination of narrowly obovate-elliptic or narrowly elliptic leaves with long-acuminate apex and abaxially barbate leaf axils, pseudoaxillary fasciculate inflorescences with very short peduncles ca. 1 mm, flowers with a long calyx tube with narrowly triangular lobes, and villosulous fruits crowned with the persistent well-developed calyx tube and lobes. Known from a single population of five individuals, P. kosraensis easily falls into the IUCN Red List category of Critically Endangered (CR).