Abstract
BackgroundAlthough many new species to science have been discovered from thousands of specimens resulting from botanical inventories to support conservation management in Cameroon in recent years, additional species remain to be formally evaluated taxonomically and described. These include species from genera which have been taxonomically neglected for many decades in Africa, such as Microcos.MethodsThis study is based mainly on herbarium specimens and field observations made in Cameroon during a series of botanical surveys. Herbarium material was examined with a Leica Wild M8 dissecting binocular microscope fitted with an eyepiece graticule.Principal Findings Microcos magnifica Cheek (Malvaceae-Grewioideae or Sparrmanniaceae) is described as an Endangered (EN B2 ab(iii)) new tree species from the submontane forests of Cameroon. It is illustrated and described, and its conservation status and taxonomic affinities are assessed. It is the first new Microcos described from Africa in more than 90 years and is unique on the continent in having sculptured fruits.DiscussionA systematic revision, with a molecular phylogenetic study, of Microcos Burm. ex L. in Africa is necessary if the affinities of the species, including M. magnifica, are to be reliably established.
Highlights
During identification of specimens resulting from botanical surveys of Mt Kupe and the Bakossi Mts in SW Region, Cameroon, specimens of a remarkable undescribed Microcos Burm. ex L. (Linnaeus, 1753) came to light, which were designated as Microcos sp
An additional specimen was discovered in the forests of Ebo, Littoral Region. These specimens are formally named as Microcos magnifica Cheek, the first new species to science to be described in the genus for Africa for 90 years
The electronic version of this article in Portable Document Format (PDF) will represent a published work according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), and the new names contained in the electronic version are effectively published under that Code from the electronic edition alone
Summary
During identification of specimens resulting from botanical surveys of Mt Kupe and the Bakossi Mts in SW Region, Cameroon, specimens of a remarkable undescribed Microcos Burm. ex L. (Linnaeus, 1753) came to light, which were designated as Microcos sp. An additional specimen was discovered in the forests of Ebo, Littoral Region These specimens are formally named as Microcos magnifica Cheek, the first new species to science to be described in the genus for Africa for 90 years. Many new species to science have been discovered from thousands of specimens resulting from botanical inventories to support conservation management in Cameroon in recent years, additional species remain to be formally evaluated taxonomically and described. These include species from genera which have been taxonomically neglected for many decades in Africa, such as Microcos. A systematic revision, with a molecular phylogenetic study, of Microcos Burm. ex L. in Africa is necessary if the affinities of the species, including M. magnifica, are to be reliably established
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