Roy E. Gereau

Delimiting tropical mountain ecoregions for conservation

��������� � �� ���������� SUMMARY Ecological regions aggregate habitats with similar biophysical characteristics within well-defined boundaries, providing spatially consistent platforms for monitoring, managing and forecasting the health of interrelated ecosystems. A major obstacle to the implementation of this approach is imprecise and inconsistent boundary placement. For globally important mountain regions such as the Eastern Arc (Tanzania and Kenya), where qualitative definitions of biophysical affinity are well established, rulebased methods for landform classification provide a straightforward solution to ambiguities in region extent. The method presented in this paper encompasses the majority of both contemporary and estimated preclearance forest cover within strict topographical limits. Many of the species here tentatively considered ‘near-endemic’ could be reclassified as strictly endemic according to the derived boundaries. LandScan and census data show population density inside the ecoregion to be higher than in rural lowlands, and lowland settlement to be most probable within 30 km. This definition should help to align landscape scale conservation strategies in the Eastern Arc and promote new research in areas of predicted, but as yet undocumented, biological importance. Similar methods could work well in other regions where mountain extent is poorly resolved. Spatial data accompany the online version of this article.

Rubiacearum Americanarum Magna Hama Pars XXV: The Nocturnally Flowering Psychotria domingensis-Coussarea hondensis Group Plus Three Other Mesoamerican Psychotria Species Transfer to Palicourea

Abstract Several Neotropical shrubs and trees variously classified in Psychotria L. subg. Heteropsychotria Steyerm., Palicourea Aubl., and Coussarea Aubl. (Rubiaceae) share persistent stipules, apparently nocturnal flowers, well-developed white corollas with long tubes, and well-developed drupaceous fruits with two plano-convex pyrenes that generally have rather thin walls and are dorsally smooth or angled; additionally, most of these species have reduced stipules and relatively large fruits. The separation of Psychotria and Coussarea has been problematic at least in Central America, but removal here of six species from Coussarea leaves that genus characterized morphologically by 4-merous flowers and fruits with a single seed. Recent morphological and molecular surveys indicate that Palicourea and most species of Psychotria subg. Heteropsychotria comprise a single evolutionary group. These nocturnally flowering species all have the morphological features of Palicourea in this expanded circumscription and are here transferred to Palicourea along with three additional species from Mexico and Guatemala with relatively large, apparently hummingbird-pollinated flowers. Corresponding new combinations and names are published for several of these: Palicourea alajuelensis C. M. Taylor is based on Coussarea austin-smithii Standl.; Palicourea beachiana C. M. Taylor is based on Coussarea nigrescens C. M. Taylor & Hammel; Palicourea breedlovei (Lorence) Lorence is based on Psychotria breedlovei Lorence; Palicourea calidicola (C. M. Taylor) C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria calidicola C. M. Taylor; Palicourea chrysocalymma (L. O. Williams) C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria chrysocalymma L. O. Williams; Palicourea diguana (Standl. ex Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor is based on Cephaelis diguana Standl. ex Steyerm.; Palicourea eurycarpa (Standl.) C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria eurycarpa Standl.; Palicourea faxlucens (Lorence & Dwyer) Lorence is based on Psychotria faxlucens Lorence & Dwyer; Palicourea grandifructa (C. M. Taylor) C. M. Taylor is based on Coussarea grandifructa C. M. Taylor; Palicourea heydei (Standl.) Lorence is based on Psychotria heydei Standl.; Palicourea hondensis (Standl.) C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria hondensis Standl.; Palicourea mediocris (Standl. & Steyerm.) Lorence is based on Coussarea mediocris Standl. & Steyerm.; Palicourea megalantha (Lorence) Lorence is based on Psychotria megalantha Lorence; Palicourea nebulosa (Dwyer) C. M. Taylor is based on Coussarea nebulosa Dwyer; Palicourea neopurpusii C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria purpusii Standl.; Palicourea psychotrioides (C. M. Taylor & Hammel) C. M. Taylor is based on Coussarea psychotrioides C. M. Taylor & Hammel; Palicourea roseocremea (Dwyer) C. M. Taylor is based on Coussarea roseocremea Dwyer; Palicourea sousae (Lorence & Dwyer) Lorence is based on Psychotria sousae Lorence & Dwyer; Palicourea tetragona (Donn. Sm.) C. M. Taylor & Lorence is based on Cephaelis tetragona Donn. Sm.; Palicourea thornei (Lorence) Lorence is based on Psychotria thornei Lorence; Palicourea tutensis (Dwyer) C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria tutensis Dwyer; and Palicourea umbelliformis (Dwyer & M. V. Hayden) C. M. Taylor is based on Psychotria umbelliformis Dwyer & M. V. Hayden. The new species Palicourea pereziana C. M. Taylor is similar to these other nocturnally flowering species, and separated from Palicourea roseocremea by its smaller flowers and distribution in southern Costa Rica. Neotypes are designated for Palicourea domingensis (Jacq.) DC. (Psychotria domingensis Jacq.) and Palicourea gardenioides (Scheidw.) Hemsl. (Rhodostoma gardenioides Scheidw.).

A contribution to Bontoc ethnobotany

AbstractThis paper presents the basic data gathered in a study of plant names, uses, folklore, and cultivation practices among the residents of Tukukan in the central Bontoc region of the northern Philippines. Scientific names and phytogeographic statuses are provided for 325 specimens representing 265 genera and 109 families. In addition to expanding our knowledge of Bontoc ethnobotany, the study has provided insights into past plant use with important implications for understanding agricultural evolution in the region. Una Contributión a la Etnoboténica Bontoc. Presentamos en este articulo los datos recopilados en un estudio de los nombres, usos y cultivo de las plantas y su papel en las tradiciones orales de los residentes de Tukukan en la región Bontoc central en el norte de las Filipinos. Indicamos los nombres cientificos y las categorias fitogeogréficas de 325 ejemplares de herbario que representan 265 góneros en 109 familias. Ademés de aumentar nuestros conocimientos de la etnoboténica bontoc, este estudio nos permite profundizar en el conocimiento del antiguo uso de las plantas y sus implicaciones en la evolución agricola de la region.

Exploring the floristic diversity of tropical Africa

BackgroundUnderstanding the patterns of biodiversity distribution and what influences them is a fundamental pre-requisite for effective conservation and sustainable utilisation of biodiversity. Such knowledge is increasingly urgent as biodiversity responds to the ongoing effects of global climate change. Nowhere is this more acute than in species-rich tropical Africa, where so little is known about plant diversity and its distribution. In this paper, we use RAINBIO – one of the largest mega-databases of tropical African vascular plant species distributions ever compiled – to address questions about plant and growth form diversity across tropical Africa.ResultsThe filtered RAINBIO dataset contains 609,776 georeferenced records representing 22,577 species. Growth form data are recorded for 97% of all species. Records are well distributed, but heterogeneous across the continent. Overall, tropical Africa remains poorly sampled. When using sampling units (SU) of 0.5°, just 21 reach appropriate collection density and sampling completeness, and the average number of records per species per SU is only 1.84. Species richness (observed and estimated) and endemism figures per country are provided. Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Liberia appear as the botanically best-explored countries, but none are optimally explored. Forests in the region contain 15,387 vascular plant species, of which 3013 are trees, representing 5–7% of the estimated world’s tropical tree flora. The central African forests have the highest endemism rate across Africa, with approximately 30% of species being endemic.ConclusionsThe botanical exploration of tropical Africa is far from complete, underlining the need for intensified inventories and digitization. We propose priority target areas for future sampling efforts, mainly focused on Tanzania, Atlantic Central Africa and West Africa. The observed number of tree species for African forests is smaller than those estimated from global tree data, suggesting that a significant number of species are yet to be discovered. Our data provide a solid basis for a more sustainable management and improved conservation of tropical Africa’s unique flora, and is important for achieving Objective 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011–2020.

The Genus Carapichea (Rubiaceae, Psychotrieae)1

Abstract The Neotropical species that have been included in Psychotria L. comprise a heterogeneous group, morphologically and systematically. Carapichea Aubl. (Rubiaceae, Psychotrieae) was separated from Psychotria based on molecular analyses to include C. affinis (Standl.) L. Andersson, C. guianensis Aubl., and C. ipecacuanha (Brot.) L. Andersson; two more species were later included based on morphological characters, C. ligularis (Rudge) Delprete and C. lucida J. G. Jardim & Zappi. Here Carapichea is reviewed morphologically and circumscribed to include 23 Neotropical species found from Nicaragua to southeastern Brazil that share characters of the stipules and inflorescence arrangement. The genus is diagnosed mainly by its distinctive stipules, while pyrene characters, previously considered characteristic for the genus, actually vary widely. A revised morphological description of the genus includes more variation than previously documented, which is outlined in the key to species. Seven informal species groups are separated and characterized, and the following new nomenclatural combinations are made here: Carapichea adinantha (Standl.) C. M. Taylor, based on Retiniphyllum adinanthum Standl. and the sole species of Stachyococcus Standl., which fully synonymizes Stachyococcus with Carapichea; Carapichea altsonii (Sandwith) C. M. Taylor, based on Cephaelis altsonii Sandwith; Carapichea araguariensis (Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. araguariensis Steyerm.; Carapichea crebrinervia (Standl.) C. M. Taylor, based on Cephaelis crebrinervia Standl.; Carapichea fimbriflora (Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. fimbriflora Steyerm.; Carapichea franquevilleana (Müll. Arg.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. franquevilleana Müll. Arg.; Carapichea klugii (Standl.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. klugii Standl.; Carapichea maturacensis (Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. maturacensis Steyerm.; Carapichea necopinata (Standl.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. necopinata Standl.; Carapichea nivea (Sandwith) C. M. Taylor, based on Cephaelis nivea Sandwith; Carapichea pacimonica (Müll. Arg.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. pacimonica Müll. Arg.; Carapichea panurensis (Müll. Arg.) C. M. Taylor, based on Mapouria panurensis Müll. Arg.; Carapichea sandwithiana (Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor, based on Cephaelis sandwithiana Steyerm.; Carapichea tillettii (Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. tillettii Steyerm.; Carapichea urniformis (Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor, based on P. urniformis Steyerm.; and Carapichea vasivensis (Müll. Arg.) C. M. Taylor, based on Mapouria vasivensis Müll. Arg. Newly described here is Carapichea verrucosa C. M. Taylor of Amazonian Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, which is notable for its relatively large, abaxially (i.e., dorsally) verrucose pyrenes.

RAINBIO: a mega-database of tropical African vascular plants distributions

Abstract The tropical vegetation of Africa is characterized by high levels of species diversity but is undergoing important shifts in response to ongoing climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures. Although our knowledge of plant species distribution patterns in the African tropics has been improving over the years, it remains limited. Here we present RAINBIO, a unique comprehensive mega-database of georeferenced records for vascular plants in continental tropical Africa. The geographic focus of the database is the region south of the Sahel and north of Southern Africa, and the majority of data originate from tropical forest regions. RAINBIO is a compilation of 13 datasets either publicly available or personal ones. Numerous in depth data quality checks, automatic and manual via several African flora experts, were undertaken for georeferencing, standardization of taxonomic names and identification and merging of duplicated records. The resulting RAINBIO data allows exploration and extraction of distribution data for 25,356 native tropical African vascular plant species, which represents ca. 89% of all known plant species in the area of interest. Habit information is also provided for 91% of these species.

Typification of Names in Ancistrocladus Wallich (Ancistrocladaceae)

Details of typification are presented for 25 of the 27 existing binomials in Ancistrocladus Wallich (Ancistrocladaceae). Holotypes are indicated for A. carallioides Craib, A. congolensis J. L&onard, A. ealaensis J. LIonard, A. extensus Wallich ex Planchon, A. griffithii Planchon, A. guineensis Oliver, Wormia hamata Vahl [= A. hamatus (Vahl) Gilg, A. vahlii Arnott], A. harmandii Gagnepain, A. heyneanus Wallich ex J. Graham, A. korupensis D. W. Thomas & Gereau, A. letestui Pellegrin, A. likokoi J. Leonard, A. pachyrrhachis Airy Shaw, A. pinangianus Wallich ex Planchon, A. robertsoniorum J. Lionard, Bembix tectoria Loureiro [A. tectorius (Loureiro) Merrill], A. thwaitesii Tieghem, A. uncinatus Hutchinson & Dalziel, and A. wallichii Planchon. Previously designated lectotypes are indicated for A. abbreviatus Airy Shaw and A. barteri Scott-Elliot, lectotypes are newly designated for A. attenuatus Dyer and A. cochinchinensis Gagnepain, and the probable need for neotypification of A. hainanensis Hayata is discussed. Two names, A. pentagynus Warburg and A. sagittatus Wallich ex Planchon, are excluded from the genus. Ancistrocladus Wallich (Ancistrocladaceae) is a genus of approximately 20 known species, 9 in tropical Asia and 11 in tropical Africa (Thomas & Gereau, 1993). Twenty-seven binomials have been published in the genus, but subsequent to the synopsis presented by Gilg (1925), no overview of Ancistrocladus throughout its range has appeared. In anticipation of the monograph of the genus now in progress, details of typification of 25 binomials in Ancistrocladus are provided, while 2 binomials are excluded from the genus. Although references to published taxonomic synonymy of some of the Asian species are included in the discussions of individual names, no attempt is made to elucidate taxonomic relationships in the present work. Although the genus Ancistrocladus is conserved as a nomen novum published by Wallich (18281849), the binomials first proposed in that work were not validated by descriptions and are thus nomina nuda unless they were subsequently effectively and validly published (de Candolle & Radcliffe-Smith, 1981: 345). In a number of cases, type specimens have been indicated in the following for-

Ecological and social outcomes of a new protected area in Tanzania.

Balancing ecological and social outcomes of conservation actions is recognized in global conservation policy but is challenging in practice. Compensation to land owners or users for foregone assets has been proposed by economists as an efficient way to mitigate negative social impacts of human displacement from protected areas. Joint empirical assessments of the conservation and social impacts of protected area establishment involving compensation payments are scarce. We synthesized social and biological studies related to the establishment of the Derema forest corridor in Tanzanias biodiverse East Usambara Mountains. This lengthy conservation process involved the appropriation of approximately 960 ha of native canopy agroforest and steep slopes for the corridor and monetary compensation to more than 1100 claimants in the surrounding villages. The overarching goals from the outset were to conserve ecological processes while doing no harm to the local communities. We evaluated whether these goals were achieved by analyzing 3 indicators of success: enhancement of forest connectivity, improvement of forest condition, and mitigation of negative impacts on local peoples livelihoods. Indicators of forest connectivity and conditions were enhanced through reductions of forest loss and exotic species and increases in native species and canopy closure. Despite great efforts by national and international organizations, the intervention failed to mitigate livelihood losses especially among the poorest people. The Derema case illustrates the challenges of designing and implementing compensation schemes for conservation-related displacement of people.

Two ‘Extinct’ Trees Rediscovered Near Kilwa, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Preliminary botanical explorations in the little-known Namatimbili-Ngarama forest block located some 35 km inland of Kilwa in south-east Tanzania have rediscovered and further confirmed the presence of two tree species, Erythrina schliebenii Harms and Karomia gigas (Faden) Verde., that were previously thought to have become extinct. Both trees are endemic to the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa hotspot and to the Swahilian Regional Centre of Endemism.

Rubiacearum Americanarum Magna Hama Pars XXVI: New Species of Hoffmannia (Hamelieae) and More Comments on the Genus

Abstract.  Species of Hoffmannia Sw. (Rubiaceae, Hamelieae) are concentrated in premontane and montane areas of Central America and southern Mexico and are notably variable morphologically, but are here treated as less variable than some previous authors have concluded. In particular, corolla shape and color and fruit shape are here considered species-level characteristics, and leaf shape and inflorescence size and position are considered less variable than previously posited. Fourteen species new to science have been discovered by recent exploration in Central and South America and are described here. One group of species includes Hoffmannia plants from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and northwestern Colombia with paired ant vesicles (i.e., formicaria) at the base of each leaf blade. These plants have recently been all included in one species, H. vesiculifera Standl., but two other previously described species are recognized here, H. morii Dwyer and H. kirkbridei Dwyer, along with five newly described species and all the Hoffmannia species with ant vesicles are keyed here. The newly described Hoffmannia species with ant vesicles on their leaves are: H. formicaria C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica and western Panama, which differs from H. morii by its pedunculate inflorescences, pedicellate flowers, and white, greenish yellow, or pink corollas; H. limonensis C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica and western Panama, which differs from H. vesiculifera by its corollas with the acute to acuminate lobes longer than the tube; H. pseudovesiculifera C. M. Taylor of western Panama, which differs from H. vesiculifera by its scorpioid inflorescences and corollas with the lobes longer than the tube and in general unusually long within the genus; H. subcapitata C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica, which differs from H. kirkbridei by its shorter petioles, subcapitate pedunculate inflorescences, and longer broader calyx lobes; and H. veraguensis C. M. Taylor of western Panama, which differs from H. formicaria by its shorter calyx lobes and smaller corollas. The remaining Hoffmannia species newly described here lack ant vesicles on the leaves: H. barbillana C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica differs from H. longipetiolata Pol. in its sessile leaves that are rounded at the base and its epiphytic habit; H. boliviana C. M. Taylor of Bolivia and Peru differs from H. obovata (Ruiz & Pav.) Standl., H. latifolia (Bartl. ex DC.) Kuntze, and H. pearcei Rusby in its longer petioles, broader leaves, and smaller flowers; H. coriacea C. M. Taylor of central Peru is distinguished within Hoffmannia by its narrow leathery leaves and corolla with the tube longer than the lobes; H. costaricensis C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica differs from H. valerioi Standl. in its shorter calyx lobes and oblanceolate leaves; H. micrantha C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica differs from H. hammelii C. M. Taylor by its orange, brown, or purple corollas that are acute in bud; H. pacifica C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica is distinguished from H. hammelii by its subsessile leaves that are rounded to cordulate at the base; H. rivalis C. M. Taylor of lowland Peru is distinguished by its rheophytic habit, densely pubescent stems, narrow leaves, and small flowers; H. tilaranensis C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica differs from H. nicotianifolia (M. Martens & Galeotti) L. O. Williams in its larger red to purple flowers and larger leaves; and H. turrialbana C. M. Taylor of Costa Rica is distinguished from H. pittieri Standl. by its subsessile leaves that are truncate to cordulate at the base and have numerous secondary veins plus its few-flowered racemiform inflorescences.