Four new threatened species of Rinorea (Violaceae), treelets from the forests of Cameroon

Gaston Achoundong,Martin Cheek,Xander Van Der Burgt

doi:10.1007/s12225-021-09987-8

Gaston Achoundong, Martin Cheek + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09987-8

Copy DOI

Abstract

SummaryFour species of Rinorea are described as new to science; all four species are endemic to evergreen rain forest in Cameroon. Rinorea villiersii Achound. and R. amietii Achound are placed in Rinorea [unranked] Crassiflorae M.Brandt, while, R. dewildei Achound. and R. faurei Achound. fall in Rinorea [unranked] Dentatae Engl. The first species appears to be endemic to the Solé Forest Reserve northeast of Yabassi in Littoral Region. The second and the third species are found mainly in Littoral and South Regions, R. amietii extending to South West Region and R. dewildei extending to Central Region. The fourth species, R. faurei is an endemic of the Santchou Forest Reserve at the foot of Dschang Plateau in West Region. The taxonomic affinities of the four species are discussed, illustrations and a distribution map are provided, and their conservation status is assessed. All four species are threatened with extinction according to the 2012 IUCN categories and criteria.

Highlights

In the course of revising the species of Violaceae of Africa, mainly in preparation for the account of the Violaceae for the Flore du Cameroun, the first author has, with various collaborators, already published 13 new species to science for this group (Achoundong & Onana 1998; Achoundong & Bos 1999; Achoundong & Bos 2001; Achoundong 2003; Achoundong & Cheek 2003; Achoundong & Cheek 2005; Achoundong & Bakker 2006)
Other publications have used provisional names which are used for the new species published here (Achoundong 1996; Achoundong 1997; Amiet & Achoundong 1996; Achoundong 2000; Bakker et al 2006)
Herbarium material was examined with a Leica Wild M8 dissecting binocular microscope fitted with an eyepiece graticule

Summary

Introduction

In the course of revising the species of Violaceae of Africa, mainly in preparation for the account of the Violaceae for the Flore du Cameroun, the first author has, with various collaborators, already published 13 new species to science for this group (Achoundong & Onana 1998; Achoundong & Bos 1999; Achoundong & Bos 2001; Achoundong 2003; Achoundong & Cheek 2003; Achoundong & Cheek 2005; Achoundong & Bakker 2006). Other publications have used provisional names which are used for the new species published here (Achoundong 1996; Achoundong 1997; Amiet & Achoundong 1996; Achoundong 2000; Bakker et al 2006). Four such provisional species names are formally published to validate these names. The most recent studies of the phylogeny and classification of African Rinorea Aubl. The classification of Brandt (1914) has still not been formally replaced. The first two new species described below, R. villiersii Achound. Fall within Rinorea [unranked] Crassiflorae M.Brandt, while the second two species, R. dewildei Achound. The first two new species described below, R. villiersii Achound. and R. amietii Achound. fall within Rinorea [unranked] Crassiflorae M.Brandt, while the second two species, R. dewildei Achound. and R. faurei Achound. fall in Rinorea [unranked] Dentatae Engl

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion