Two new records of palm species for Gabon: Sclerosperma profizianum Valk. & Sunder. and Eremospatha quiquecostulata Becc.

Thomas Couvreur,Paul Henri Bourobou Bourobou,Yves Issembe,Raoul Niangadouma

doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e10187

Thomas Couvreur, Paul Henri Bourobou Bourobou + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.4.e10187

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Abstract

BackgroundGabon is an important center of biodiversity in Central Africa. The country contains to date 27 species of palms. However, palms are generally poorly collected as these massive plants are hard to press and curate. Thus, our understanding remains incomplete, especially in Central Africa.New informationWe report three new records of two palm species for Gabon: Sclerosperma profizianum Valk. & Sunder. and Eremospatha quiquecostulata Becc.. The former species was collected in southeast Gabon, near Ndindi, while the later was collected in the Massif du Chaillu and Monts de Cristal National Park (Crystal Mountains National Park). The total number of palm species for Gabon is now 29, making it an important centre of palm diversity in Central Africa.

Highlights

We report three new records of two palm species for Gabon: Sclerosperma profizianum Valk. & Sunder. and Eremospatha quiquecostulata Becc
The former species was collected in southeast Gabon, near Ndindi, while the later was collected in the Massif du Chaillu and Monts de Cristal National Park (Crystal Mountains National Park)
Only 270.000 km2 in size, the Central African country of Gabon is an important center of botanical biodiversity for the continent

Summary

Background

Gabon is an important center of biodiversity in Central Africa. The country contains to date 27 species of palms. Palms are generally poorly collected as these massive plants are hard to press and curate. Our understanding remains incomplete, especially in Central Africa. We report three new records of two palm species for Gabon: Sclerosperma profizianum Valk. The former species was collected in southeast Gabon, near Ndindi, while the later was collected in the Massif du Chaillu and Monts de Cristal National Park (Crystal Mountains National Park). Number of palm species for Gabon is 29, making it an important centre of palm diversity in Central Africa

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