Abstract
SummaryThree new species of Inversodicraea (Podostemaceae), I. senei from the Memv’ele falls of the Ntem River, Cameroon, I. tanzaniensis from the Ruhudji River near Lupembe, Southern Highlands, Tanzania, and I. botswana from the Kasane rapids on the Chobe River, Botswana, are described and illustrated. All three species are known from single sites. All three are assessed as Critically Endangered using the IUCN standard. With 35 species, Inversodicraea is the most species-diverse genus of Podostemaceae in continental Africa, to which it is endemic. Four species of Inversodicraea are now known to be sympatric and point endemics at Memv’ele Falls in Cameroon where a hydro-electric dam is being constructed, threatening them with global extinction. Equally, I. tanzaniensis is threatened by proposed hydro-electric projects in Tanzania. In contrast, I. botswana is threatened by sewage discharge and also by bridge construction.
Highlights
Inversodicraea Engl. has been resurrected to accommodate those species previously included in Ledermanniella subg
I. tanzaniensis is threatened by proposed hydro-electric projects in Tanzania
I. botswana is threatened by sewage discharge and by bridge construction
Summary
Inversodicraea Engl. has been resurrected to accommodate those species previously included in Ledermanniella subg. Inversodicraea is distinguished from Ledermanniella by the presence of scale-leaves (absent in Ledermanniella), and by having terete or laterally compressed leaf petioles (in Ledermanniella canaliculate or dorsiventrally compressed) (Cheek et al 2017a). This paper builds on the recent synoptic account of Inversodicraea which recognised 30 species (Cheek et al 2017a). Two more species were discovered, Inversodicraea tassing Cheek, and I. koukoutamba Cheek (Cheek et al 2019b). Material collected in Cameroon, Tanzania and Botswana represents three additional new species which are described in this paper as I. senei Cheek, I. tanzaniensis Cheek and I. botswana Cheek respectively. This increases to 35 the number of species in Inversodicraea, the most species-diverse genus of Podostemaceae in Africa, ahead of Ledermanniella Engl. This increases to 35 the number of species in Inversodicraea, the most species-diverse genus of Podostemaceae in Africa, ahead of Ledermanniella Engl. which has 30 species
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