Peter B. Phillipson

The endemic and non-endemic vascular flora of Madagascar updated

Background and aims - The Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar project aims to evaluate and enumerate the native and naturalized vascular plant flora of Madagascar. In light of the past two decades of intensive collecting and taxonomic work, all relevant published literature and available specimens are being reassessed in order to evaluate the taxonomic status and distribution of the native and naturalized taxa of vascular plants. Here we provide current figures for the total numbers of vascular plants and levels of endemism at the order, family, genus and species levels, comparing them to previous historical counts and analyzing the distribution of the non-endemic element of the flora. Key Results - At the time of writing (April 2010), more than a century after Baron first counted 4,100 species of vascular plants in Madagascar, the Madagascar Catalogue database had registered a total of 14,883 accepted names at all taxonomic levels (64 orders, 243 families, 1,730 genera, 11,220 species and 1,626 infraspecific taxa). Of the 11,220 species of vascular plants in Madagascar, 10,650 (95%) are angiosperms, of which 331 are naturalized introduced species. The remaining accepted indigenous angiosperm species total 10,319, of which 8,621 (84%) are endemic to Madagascar (82% endemism for all indigenous vascular plants). Among the 1,698 non-endemic species of indigenous angiosperms, a total of 1,372 (81%) also occur in Africa, of these 654 (39%) are present only in Africa and Madagascar.

Molecular Phylogenetic and Morphological Evidence Supports Recognition of Gereaua, a New Endemic Genus of Sapindaceae from Madagascar

Abstract A recent worldwide phylogeny of Sapindaceae inferred from nuclear and plastid DNA regions segregated the Malagasy Haplocoelum perrieri Capuron from the African Haplocoelum foliosum (Hiern) Bullock. Additional phylogenetic analyses conducted here (including material of Haplocoelum inopleum Radlk., the generic type) supported the result from the previous analysis and showed that maintaining a broad circumscription of Haplocoelum to include the Malagasy species would render the genus polyphyletic. To maintain monophyly, it is necessary to exclude H. perrkri, which we transfer to a new, monotypic genus, described here as Gereaua . This taxon is easily distinguished from the species retained in Haplocoelum by the following morphological characters: (1) sexually dimorphic inflorescences in racemules (vs. monomorphic inflorescences in fascicule of cymes); (2) 2-locular ovary (vs. 3-locular ovary); (3) rudimentary pistillode in staminate flowers (vs. no pistillode in staminate flowers); (4) corolla with 4 or 5 petals (vs. apetalous); (5) pubescent fruit (vs. glabrous fruit). Relationships between the new genus and its most closely related genera, included in the Macphersonia group, are discussed in light of molecular, morphological and biogeographic evidence. A preliminary threat assessment of Gereaua perrieri using the IUCN Red List criteria indicates a status of Least Concern.

The Genus Ophiocolea H. Perrier in Northern Madagascar with Description of Four New Species and Two Lectotypifications

Abstract Callmander, M. W., P. B. Phillipson, M. Razanajavoto & L. Nusbaumer (2011). The genus Ophiocolea H. Perrier in northern Madagascar with description of four new species and two new lectotypifications. Candollea 66: 133–145. In English, English and French abstracts. A recent review of Bignoniaceae for the “Catalogue of the vascular plants of Madagascar” has revealed new species in most of the genera present on the island. We provide descriptions of four new species in the genus Ophiocolea H. Perrier, a genus that is endemic to the Malagasy region: Ophiocolea ambrensis Callm. & Phillipson, Ophiocolea darainensis Callm., Phillipson & Nusb., Ophiocolea pauciflora Callm., Phillipson & Razan. and Ophiocolea ratovosonii Callm. & Phillipson. Field photographs and line drawings are provided for each of these four new species. Two species described previously, Ophiocolea decaryi H. Perrier and Ophiocolea velutina H. Perrier, are lectotypified. For all six treated species, we provide a short discussion on morphological affinities and eco-geography, and perform a conservation threat analysis based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF GOUANIA (RHAMNACEAE) IN MADAGASCAR AND THE OTHER ISLANDS OF THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN (THE COMORO AND MASCARENE ISLANDS, AND THE SEYCHELLES)

Abstract A taxonomic revision of the genus Gouania Jacq. (Rhamnaceae) is presented for Madagascar and the other western Indian Ocean islands. Seventeen species are recognized, of which nine are described and published as new (all endemic to Madagascar): G. ambrensis Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. callmanderi Buerki, G. cupreifolia Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. cupuliflora Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. gautieri Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. perrieri Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. phillipsonii Buerki, G. taolagnarensis Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., and G. zebrifolia Buerki, Phillipson & Callm. Sixteen species occur in Madagascar, of which 13 are endemic and three are common to Madagascar and one or more of the smaller Indian Ocean islands. The latter include G. laxiflora Tul., a species which is also present on mainland Africa. One species, G. mauritiana Lam., is endemic to Réunion Island. We recognize two subspecies within G. scandens (Gaertn.) R. B. Drumm.: G. scandens subsp. scandens and G. scandens subsp. glandulosa (Boivin ex Tul.) Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., the latter transferred from G. glandulosa Boivin ex Tul. Past confusion about the identity of this species is discussed. Five names are lectotypified: G. aphrodes Tul., G. glandulosa [= G. scandens subsp. glandulosa], G. laxiflora, G. lineata Tul., and G. tiliifolia Lam. Both lectotype and epitype are designated for G. mauritiana. Conservation assessments are provided for all species within their primary areas of occurrence.

Four new species in the endemic genus Rhodocolea Baill. (Bignoniaceae) from Madagascar

ABSTRACT A recent review of the Malagasy Bignoniaceae for the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar has enabled us to discover new species in most genera in the family. In this part of a series of publications detailing the necessary taxonomic changes, we provide descriptions of four new species in the endemic Malagasy genus Rhodocolea: R. humbertii Callm. & Phillipson, R. magnifica Callm. & Phillipson, R. parvifoliolata Callm. & Phillipson and R. ranirisonii Callm., Phillipson & L.Gaut. Each of the new species is provided with line drawings, a discussion of its morphological affinities and a conservation threat analysis based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Novelties from the Northern Mountains Complex of Madagascar. III. Two new species of Turraea L. (Meliaceae)

ABSTRACT Two new species of Turraea L. are described from northern Madagascar, T. andriamiarisoana Callm., Phillipson & Lowry, sp. nov. and T. buerkii Callm., Phillipson & Lowry, sp. nov., both endemic to a region bounded by four relatively well-studied protected areas (Tsaratanana, Manongarivo, Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud). The region harbors extensive low to high elevation humid forest that was botanically virtually unknown until recently. The new species differ from each other and from other members of the genus in Madagascar by leaf features, flower colour, length of the staminal appendices, and the shape and the pubescence of the ovary. Line drawings are provided for both of the new taxa, along with discussions of their morphological affinities and preliminary risk of extinction assessments.

Phylogenetic Reconstruction of the Myrrh Genus, Commiphora (Burseraceae), Reveals Multiple Radiations in Madagascar and Clarifies Infrageneric Relationships.

Abstract Commiphora (Burseraceae) is the most species-rich genus in the frankincense and myrrh family, whose widespread and often remote distribution in seasonally dry tropical forests globally has impeded efforts to resolve its taxonomy and investigate its systematic biology. Here we focus on establishing the origin and evolution of Commiphora species native to Madagascar, all of which are endemic. Recent work has uncovered 16 new Malagasy species, bringing the total number of island endemic species to 44 and comprising nearly 25% of the genus. Previous phylogenetic studies of Commiphora have indicated that Malagasy lineages immigrated to and radiated within the island twice. We test this biogeographic hypothesis more thoroughly using a nearly comprehensive sampling of species from Madagascar, an expanded sampling of Commiphora species native to other regions, and a greater depth of DNA sequence data from the nuclear (nrETS, nrITS) and chloroplast (psbA-trnH, ndhF-rpl32, and trnD—trnT) genomes. Results from this expanded phylogenetic analysis include strong support for seven infrageneric clades within a monophyletic Commiphora, which we refer to as the ‘Lasiodisca,’ ‘Granulifera,’ ‘Saxicola,’ ‘Gariepensis,’ ‘Spinescens,’ ‘Arafy,’ and ‘Rhynchocarpa’ clades. Malagasy species comprise four distantly related lineages, including one species sister to all other Commiphora species (C. lasiodisca), the species-rich ‘Arafy,’ and ‘Rhynchocarpa’ clades, and one species embedded within the predominantly East African ‘Spinescens’ clade (C. simplicifolia). We describe the morphological and geographic affinities of each infrageneric and Malagasy lineage and identify priorities for future systematic study of the genus.

Additions to the genus Barleria in Madagascar

Summary. Three new species of Barleria L. (Acanthaceae) are described from the Antsiranana region of northern Madagascar: B. speciosa I. Darbysh., B. glandulostamina I. Darbysh. and B. microcalyx I. Darbysh. Two subspecies are recognised in the second of these, subsp. glandulostamina and subsp. pseudohumilis I. Darbysh. The sectional placement and species affinities of each of the new species are discussed and the conservation status of each taxon is assessed: all are considered to be globally threatened.

Peltiera (Fabaceae), the coming and going of an “extinct” genus in Madagascar

ABSTRACT Peltiera Du Puy & Labat is a Malagasy genus of two described species thought probably to be extinct at the time of its publication in 1997, when it was known only from a total of three pre-1950 collections. However, recent field work in east-central Madagascar has resulted in the discovery of still extant populations, and therefore it is now possible to reconsider the phylogenetic position and status of the genus and its two species. Phylogenetic analyses based on molecular (chloroplast trnK and nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences) and morphological data corroborate the close relationship between Peltiera and Ormocarpopsis R. Vig., a genus of six species, also endemic to Madagascar. Peltiera differs from Ormocarpopsis mainly by having articulated, dehiscent fruits, and the two genera together are, in turn, sister to the widespread but mainly African Ormocarpum P. Beauv. Morphological, distributional and habitat data gathered from the new collections show that only a single species of Peltiera can be recognized, and as this species shares important synapomorphies with all species of Ormocarpopsis, it is transferred to this genus as O. nitida, comb. nov. A distribution map and photographs of O. nitida comb. nov. are presented, and a conservation threat analysis of the species is provided. The name Ormocarpopsis is lectotypified and an amended description of the genus with its new circumscription is given.

Two new species of Colea Bojer ex Meisn. (Bignoniaceae) endemic to Madagascar

ABSTRACT A recent review of the Malagasy Bignoniaceae for the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar has enabled us to discover new species in most genera in the family. We provide the description of two new species of Colea Bojer ex Meisn., a genus endemic to the Malagasy region (C. labatii Callm. & Phillipson, sp. nov and C. unifoliolata Callm. & Phillipson, sp. nov). The new species are provided with illustrations, a discussion of their morphological affinities and a conservation threat analysis based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.