Taxonomic Studies of Diospyros (Ebenaceae) from the Malagasy Region. VIII. New Species from the Littoral Forests of Eastern Madagascar

Abstract

Eleven new species of Diospyros L. (Ebenaceae) (D. falyi G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. fasimainty G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. littoralis Capuron ex G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. mandenensis H. N. Rakouth, G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. orbicularis G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. pseudolanceolata G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. rabehevitrae G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. ramisonii G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. ratovosonii H. N. Rakouth, G. E. Schatz & Lowry, D. retusa H. N. Rakouth, G. E. Schatz & Lowry, and D. tampolensis H. N. Rakouth, Lowry & G. E. Schatz), which are present in the littoral forests along the east coast of Madagascar, are described, along with notes on their distribution and vernacular names, and their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Given the diminished area of the Malagasy littoral forest ecosystem, and continuing threats from exploitation for firewood and charcoal production, forest clearing for agriculture, and mining, nine of the 11 new species are assessed as threatened: one Critically Endangered (D. tampolensis), three Endangered (D. falyi, D. rabehevitrae, and D. retusa), and five Vulnerable (D. fasimainty, D. orbicularis, D. pseudolanceolata, D. ramisonii, and D. ratovosonii), whereas two species are assessed as Near Threatened (D. littoralis and D. mandenensis).