Abstract

BackgroundThe flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines. In a joint expedition to the island, botanists from Taiwan and the Philippines found three unknown Begonia species and compared them with potentially allied species.ResultsThe three species are clearly assignable to Begonia sect. Baryandra which is largely endemic to the Philippines. Studies of literature, herbarium specimens, and living plants support the recognition of the three new species: Begonia culasiensis, B. merrilliana, and B. sykakiengii. Somatic chromosomes at metaphase were determined to be 2n = 30 for B. culasiensis and 2n = 28 for both B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii, congruent with those of most species in sect. Baryandra. Molecular phylogenetic evidence is consistent with B. culasiensis being a relict from the late Miocene and B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii being younger species of Pleistocene origin.ConclusionThe continuing discovery of endemic Philippine species means the remaining fragments of both primary and secondary native vegetation in the archipelago are of increasing value in terms of natural capital. A secure future for the species could be realized through ex situ conservation collections and raising awareness with community groups.

Highlights

  • The flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines

  • Begonia culasiensis was compared to B. rubrifolia; B. merrilliana to B. obtusifolia; and B. sykakiengii to B. nigritarum

  • The continuing discovery of endemic Philippine species means the remaining fragments of both primary and secondary native vegetation are of increasing value in terms of natural capital for the Philippines

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Summary

Introduction

The flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines. In a joint expedition to the island, botanists from Taiwan and the Philippines found three unknown Begonia species and compared them with potentially allied species. Elmer Merrill was the first to explore Begonia in Panay Island, describing six new species, B. collisiae Merr., B. lancilimba Merr., B. obtusifolia Merr., B. panayensis Merr., B. rubrifolia Merr., and B. serpens Merr. There were no further reports on the begonias of Panay since (Rubite and Madulid 2010). After securing the necessary permits, a joint expedition to Panay was conducted by botanists from the University of the Philippines Manila, West Visayas State University, and Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica.

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