Open AccessTwo new species of Diospyros (Ebenaceae) from Central Africa
Author(s) -
Olivier Lachenaud,
George G.E. Schatz,
Gilles Dauby,
Tariq Stévart
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plant ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.422
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 2032-3921
pISSN - 2032-3913
DOI - 10.5091/plecevo.2017.1305
Subject(s) - diospyros , iucn red list , herbarium , conservation status , iucn protected area categories , endangered species , geography , critically endangered , taxonomy (biology) , biology , genus , botany , data deficient , ecology , habitat
Background and aims – Diospyros (Ebenaceae), a large genus with a mostly tropical distribution, includes 736 species worldwide, 104 of which occur in continental Africa. During recent field work in west-central Gabon, two new species of Diospyros were collected. They are described and illustrated here, and compared with their most similar relatives. Preliminary conservation status assessments are also provided. Methods – Normal practices of herbarium taxonomy were applied to study all available herbarium material, mainly from BR, BRLU, LBV, MO, P and WAG. The conservation status of both species was evaluated following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Key results – Diospyros cleistantha O.Lachenaud & G.E.Schatz occurs in the Atlantic regions of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon; it belongs to D. sect. Calvitiella and closely resembles D. zenkeri and D. iturensis. Diospyros subargentea O.Lachenaud, Dauby & G.E.Schatz is endemic to west-central Gabon; it belongs to D. sect. Noltia and most closely resembles D. soyauxii. The conservation status of the two species is assessed as Endangered and Vulnerable, respectively.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe