Cyrtandra argentii, a new species of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) from the Philippines, and a review of the C. villosissima group

Jay Edneil C Olivar,Hannah Atkins,Frank Hauenschild,Alexandra N Muellner-Riehl

doi:10.5852/ejt.2020.676

Abstract

Cyrtandra argentii Olivar, H.J.Atkins & Muellner sp. nov., endemic to the Philippines and named after George Argent, is herein described and illustrated. Collections associated with this new species are often confused with three other species, namely C. ferruginea Merr., C. villosissima Merr., and C. hirtigera H.J.Atkins & Cronk. Distinguishing characters including keys, updated descriptions, distribution maps, and photos of live specimens are provided to aid identification of the four species. Following the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, C. argentii sp. nov. is considered to be Near Threatened (NT) due to its distribution in a zone susceptible to anthropogenic pressure and the lack of any formal protection.

Highlights

Cyrtandra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Forster & Forster 1775) is the largest genus of ca 800 spp. in the family Gesneriaceae Rich. & Juss
Our study aims at clarifying the differences between these species through keys and photographs, and provides a description and diagnosis for a new species often misidentified as either C. ferruginea, C. villosissima, or C. hirtigera
Cyrtandra argentti sp. nov. is distinct among the three species by having a white indumentum, and C. ferruginea is distinct by having pronouncedly anisophyllous leaves

Summary

Introduction

Cyrtandra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Forster & Forster 1775) is the largest genus of ca 800 spp. in the family Gesneriaceae Rich. & Juss. (de Candolle 1816). Several studies (Wagner et al 2001; Bramley et al 2003; Atkins 2004; Bramley 2005; Lorence & Perlman 2007; Bone & Atkins 2013; Johnson 2017; Kartonegoro et al 2018; Atkins et al 2019; Nishii et al 2019) have led to an increase in numbers of species of Cyrtandra. These studies emphasized the urgency to document and understand the biodiversity of cyrtandras before they succumb to anthropogenic pressures. Understanding species boundaries of members from these areas is becoming increasingly important for examining biological trends of adaptation and speciation, and facilitating ecosystem and species conservation assessments

Methods

Results

Conclusion