Infraspecific Categories Research Articles

The Fabaceae in Northeastern Mexico (Subfamilies Caesalpinioideae (Excluding Tribe Mimoseae), Cercidoideae, and Detarioideae).

As part of the Fabaceae project of northeastern Mexico and based on field work, collection of botanical samples over the past 37 years, and reviewing botanical materials in national and international herbaria, the diversity of legumes of the subfamilies Caesalpinioideae (excluding tribe Mimoseae), Cercidoideae, and Detarioideae in northeastern Mexico has been recorded. New nomenclatural changes in tribes and genera of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae found in the new scientific bibliography are included. The subfamily Caesalpinioideae (excluding the tribe Mimoseae) includes five tribes: tribe Caesalpinieae, with eight genera (Caesalpinia, Coulteria, Denisophytum, Erythrostemon, Guilandina, Hoffmannseggia, Haematoxylum, and Pomaria) and 21 species; tribe Cassieae with three genera (Cassia, Chamaecrita, and Senna) and 28 species; tribe Ceratonieae with one genus (Ceratonia) and 1 species; tribe Gleditsieae with one genus (Gleditsia) and 1 species. The subfamily Cercidoideae includes two genera (Bauhinia and Cercis) and eight species, and the subfamily Detarioideae includes only one genus and one species (Tamarindus indicus). The total flora of these three subfamilies comprises 18 genera and 63 species, including 56 native species and 7 exotic ones: Bauhinia variegata, Cassia fistula, Ceratonia siliqua, Delonix regia, Erythrostemon gilliesii, Senna alata, and Tamarindus indicus. Endemism includes a total of 22 species and nine infraspecific categories.

A revision of the genus Malus Mill. (Rosaceae)

A revision of the wild species in the genus Malus Mill. (Rosaceae) is presented based on numerical analyses and specimens from herbaria around the world, while cultivated species such as Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. are not included because of their complicated domestication history. Infra- and interspecific morphological variation and species delimitation are clarified based on Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Cluster Analyses (UPGMA). We found that several morphological characters traditionally used to distinguish species have limited taxonomic value because of high phenotypic variation or plasticity. There is a substantial conflict between traditional morphological and genetic taxonomic concepts, and as a result species lineages are often morphologically indistinguishable. None of the analyses supports the recognition of infraspecific categories in Malus transitoria (Batalin) C.K.Schneid. and interspecific categories between Malus doumeri (Bois) A.Chev. and Malus leiocalyca S.Z.Huang. Based on our analyses, we recognize 26 wild species in the genus, and propose seven new synonymies.

Molecular phylogeny Of Nibung (Oncosperma tigillarium [Jack] Ridl.) inferred from trnL-F intergenic spacer sequences

Nibung (Oncosperma tigillarium [Jack] Ridl.) has a stronger wood quality and is resistant to tidal deformations. For centuries, the local people are traditionally using nibung for different purposes. However, its utilization is higher than its cultivation, causing a decrease in supply every year. Taxonomic data based on molecular markers are urgently needed in the nibung germplasm. We need to study their molecular characters to provide basic data for genetic diversity and conservation study purposes. The present study aims to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of seven accessions of nibung in Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia, based on molecular characters and to clarify the relationship among closely related infra-specific categories. The seven accessions of nibung were grouped by types of habitats i.e., lowland and highland areas. Accessions collected from the highland areas (Bukit Suligi) were very different from those collected from the lowland areas based on their genetic and evolutionary data. Based on Neighbor-Joining (NJ) analysis, it is estimated that the accession O. tigillarium from Bukit Suligi was more advanced than another accession. The present study has been able to compare more primitive and advanced accessions based on genetic distance. The studies also confirmed that the more advanced species are highly capable to survive in their in situ environment. Such type of genetic variability is very important for breeding and conservation studies and can be used in future generations of palm.

The genus Deschampsia and the epithet " alpina".

The epithet “alpina” has been recurrently used in the genus Deschampsia to name plants located in northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America, as a species (Deschampsiaalpina (L.) Roem. & Schult.), but also in infraspecific categories (Deschampsiacespitosasubsp.alpina Tzvel. and Deschampsiacespitosavar.alpina Schur.). The morphological and molecular available evidence suggests the existence of a single species, Deschampsiacespitosa (L.) P. Beauv., in which individuals belonging to the same morphological gradient have received different names in different taxonomic categories throughout its wide distribution range. An evaluation of the available names indicates that all uses of the epithet “alpina” are illegitimate. A new combination is proposed at the infraspecific level as Deschampsiacespitosasubsp.neoalpina Chiapella, Xue & Greimler.

First record of Juncus articulatus subsp. articulatus (Juncaceae) for the Southern Cone flora

Background and aims: Juncus is the largest and most diverse genus of Juncaceae, distributed mainly in the temperate zones of both hemispheres. The Southern Cone flora contains ca. 38 Juncus species (44 taxa including 12 infraspecific categories). Sixteen of those species belong to the section Ozophyllum. As a part of our ecologic studies in wetlands of Patagonia (Argentina) we collected specimens of Juncus that did not match any of the species currently known to the Southern Cone. The aim of this contribution is to report for the first time the presence of Juncus articulatus subsp. articulatus for the Southern Cone flora. M&M: Classical methods in taxonomy were employed. Living and herbarium material, original descriptions, and type material of Juncus articulatus subsp. articulatus were studied. Collected materials were deposited in the herbarium ARC of the Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Results: Juncus articulatus subsp. articulatus is here described. A distribution map, photos, and a key to the Southern Cone species of Juncus belonging to the section Ozophyllum are provided. Also, some ecological and distributional features are discussed. Conclusions: The naturalization of Juncus articulatus subsp. articulatus is reported here for the first time in the Southern Cone. From now on, Juncus contributes 39 species to the Southern Cone flora, and 17 to Juncus section Ozophyllum.

La subtribu Plucheinae (Inuleae, Asteraceae) en México: taxonomía, diversidad y distribución

Antecedentes y Objetivos: La subtribu Plucheinae es un grupo escasamente representado en México y por ello no debería presentar problemas taxonómicos. Sin embargo, esto no es así, pues se han confundido taxones con hábitos de crecimiento contrastantes como Pluchea carolinensis y P. odorata. Además, se ha reportado la presencia de especies de otros países debido a identificación errónea, de ahí la necesidad de generar un tratamiento taxonómico actualizado. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una sinopsis taxonómica actualizada de las Plucheinae mexicanas, incluyendo claves de identificación y descripciones de géneros y especies.Métodos: Se hizo una revisión de trabajos florístico-taxonómicos de las tribus Inuleae y Plucheeae realizados previamente en México, para generar un listado actualizado de especies mexicanas que posteriormente se cotejó con ejemplares herborizados depositados en las colecciones científicas mexicanas ENCB, FCME, IEB y MEXU, además de herbarios en línea de los Estados Unidos de América.Resultados clave: En México, Pluchea es el género más diverso de la subtribu Plucheinae y de distribución más amplia, agrupa ocho especies y dos categorías infraespecíficas, se encuentra en 27 estados. Oaxaca y Veracruz concentran el mayor número de especies, y la menor diversidad está en Aguascalientes, Ciudad de México y Durango, donde se registra únicamente un taxón. Las Plucheinae ocurren en elevaciones desde el nivel del mar hasta 3100 m s.n.m. y tienen afinidad por ambientes con humedad elevada.Conclusiones: El agrupamiento de las cabezuelas y el tipo de indumento en los filarios han sido caracteres útiles para diferenciar taxones mexicanos del complejo P. foetida; sin embargo, es necesario realizar estudios anatómicos y micromorfológicos en este complejo para corroborar su separación.

Inventario florístico de los cerros La Cantera y Delgado, Jantetelco, Morelos, México

Antecedentes y Objetivos: A pesar del intenso trabajo florístico y taxonómico que se ha realizado en el estado de Morelos, aún hay áreas poco exploradas. En este estudio se presenta el inventario florístico de las plantas vasculares que crecen en los cerros La Cantera y Delgado, localizados dentro de la zona arqueológica de Chalcatzingo, municipio Jantetelco, Morelos, México. Métodos: Para la realización del trabajo, durante los años 2014 a 2017 se hicieron salidas de campo para recolectar ejemplares fértiles, los cuales fueron secados y posteriormente identificados con claves especializadas. La determinación taxonómica se verificó con material de herbario, y en algunos casos fue confirmada por especialistas. Resultados clave: En total se registraron 85 familias, 285 géneros, 434 especies con 27 categorías infraespecíficas de plantas vasculares. Las eudicotiledóneas fueron el grupo más diverso con 66 familias, 210 géneros y 305 especies, seguidas por las monocotiledóneas con diez familias, 57 géneros y 100 especies, las pteridofitas con ocho familias, 15 géneros y 25 especies y las magnoliides con tres familias, tres géneros y cuatro especies. También se reportan nueve nuevos registros a nivel específico para el estado. Conclusiones: La zona de estudio alberga 42.7% de las familias, 26.6% de los géneros y 12.4% de las especies registradas hasta el momento para Morelos, lo que confirma la importancia no solo cultural, sino también biológica del sitio, y pone de manifiesto la necesidad de continuar con la exploración botánica en esta parte de Morelos.

Description of a new Pseudostaurosira based on “Fragilaria virescens f. parva” from Erbario Crittogamico Italiano

ABSTRACTNormally thought of as a cosmopolitan species, Fragilariforma virescens (Ralfs) D.M.Williams & Round has been recorded widely, its occurrence noted in many regional floras. Since its description in 1843, the species has been sub-divided a number of times, yielding over 80+ names of varieties and forms that have been recorded in various printed and online catalogues of diatom names. Some of the names in these catalogues are inadvertent duplicates, or obvious synonyms, etc., but once redundancy is excluded, one must presume that the remaining infra-specific names were invoked to represent some quantifiable deviation from the nominate species – at least as understood on the part of the investigator who created the name. What these names might be, what they might represent, irrespective of the vague nature of the meaning behind many of infra-specific categories, is worth exploring. Resolution might be achieved, to a certain degree at least, by examining any type specimens attached to each of these apparent infra-specific names, should the specimens still be available. Is it worth the effort? Avoiding a direct answer to that question here, one outcome of these kinds of searches, along with discovering new and undocumented taxa, is to throw up various nomenclatural problems. One is highlighted herein.

Riqueza de especies, clasificación y listado de las gramíneas (Poaceae) de México

Antecedentes y Objetivos: En 2006 se dio a conocer el catálogo de las gramíneas de México, pero desde entonces tanto la clasificación como la aparición de especies nuevas cambiaron las cifras de esta familia en México y en el mundo. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue actualizar la lista de taxa en México, reuniendo el mayor número posible de bases de datos en línea. Otros objetivos incluyeron la comparación de la riqueza de especies de la familia Poaceae entre los países con mayor diversidad, así como analizar la riqueza de sus taxa a nivel estatal y por categorías taxonómicas.Métodos: Se consultaron bases de datos en línea, tanto nacionales como extranjeras, que incluían ejemplares de referencia de México, se descargaron y se curaron, además de una confirmación visual de la identidad de un gran porcentaje de ejemplares. Se extrajeron los nombres de las especies, estados donde fueron colectadas y los acrónimos de los herbarios. La base resultante se complementó solo con bibliografía a partir de 2006 y la no incluida en el catálogo que mostraba ejemplares de respaldo.Resultados clave: Se revisaron 227,973 registros que contabilizaron, en total, 1416 taxa, que incluyen 215 géneros, 1312 especies y 214 categorías infraespecíficas. Del total de especies, 1092 se consideran nativas y 224 introducidas (cultivadas y/o malezas). Las especies endémicas de México son 304 (27.83%) o 311 (28.10%) si se consideran categorías inferiores. Las subfamilias más diversas en México son Panicoideae, Chloridoideae y Pooideae, que en conjunto suman 183 géneros y 1175 especies; el resto de las subfamilias poseen una cantidad menor de taxa.Conclusiones: De forma nominal, a nivel mundial México ocupa el 5° lugar en riqueza de especies; sin embargo, si se considera la extensión geográfica, México asciende al 1er lugar con la mayor riqueza de especies de gramíneas por km2, tanto nativas como introducidas, en todo el mundo. A nivel estatal, los estados más pequeños son los más ricos en especies.

Conocimiento taxonómico de la familia Poaceae en México

Antecedentes La clasificación de la familia Poaceae ha cambiado a lo largo de los años, por la evolución de distintas áreas del conocimiento de la sistemática, tanto en sus aspectos teóricos como prácticos. La morfología y anatomía siguen siendo fuentes importantes de información taxonómica en las gramíneas. Sin embargo, en los últimos 20 años, los trabajos moleculares que buscan inferir la filogenia de los diferentes taxa, han dominado el escenario de la sistemática de la familia, lo que ha derivado en cambios y re-arreglos a todos los niveles taxonómicos. Objetivo: Realizar la revisión y actualización de la información taxonómica y geográfica de las Poaceae de México, presentando un listado de especies, en el que se señalan los taxa nativos, introducidos y endémicos, los logros alcanzados en el conocimiento del grupo, así como los retos que se habrán de enfrentar en el futuro para adelantar en el conocimiento de las gramíneas de México.Métodos: Se tomó como base de referencia el trabajo de Dávila et al . (2006). Se revisó tanto la literatura especializada disponible de 2006 a la fecha y distintas bases de datos nomenclaturales y taxonómicas. El trabajo también incluye la revisión de ejemplares de 29 herbarios entre 2006-2017. La lista de las especies se presenta con base en la clasificación de Soreng et al . (2015).Resultados: Se registran en México 11 subfamilias, 205 géneros, 1,216 especies y 207 categorías infraespecíficas. Se presenta el listado alfabético de las especies, resaltando su distribución a nivel estatal y en particular las endémicas e introducidas. Se incluye también la distribución de las especies a nivel estatal. Asimismo, se presentan los avances alcanzados en relación a los estudios de las diferentes subfamilias con diversos enfoques de estudio, tanto metodológicos como conceptuales, y los retos que se habrán de enfrentar en los próximos años.

Endemic vascular plants of the Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico

To aid in formulating conservation strategies for protection of species in mountainous regions, we studied the distribution of endemic vascular plants of northeastern Mexico’s Sierra Madre Oriental physiographic province, a massive mountain system in which different types of climate, vegetation, topography, and sedimentary soil converge. The information used in our five-year study was gathered from databases of national and international herbaria, as well as from botanical studies and floristic inventories conducted in the study area. We corroborated the nomenclature and geographical distribution of each species in the databases. A total of 1,135 species of endemic vascular plants from 369 genera and 88 families, including 177 infraspecific categories and one hybrid, were recorded in this study. The families with the most species and genera are Asteraceae (232 species, 75 genera), Cactaceae (170, 26), Fabaceae (66, 19) and Lamiaceae (66, 10). The genera with the most species are Mammillaria (43), Turbinicarpus (40), Agave (20), Salvia (20), Sedum (20) and Pinguicula (19). The families with the largest number of endangered species are Cactaceae, Zamiaceae, Pinaceae, and Fagaceae. Endemic species were most abundant in vegetation of temperate regions (554 endemic species) and in zones with dry climates or chalky soils (a total of 380 species for the two types of zones combined). The principal endemism-promoting attributes of the Sierra Madre Oriental may be its location, climate, physiography, soil types, geological age, karstic landscape, and wide range of elevations.

A taxonomic account of Ranunculus section Batrachium (Ranunculaceae)

In a new taxonomic account of Ranunculus section Batrachium 30 species are recognized. We present a key to the species based on morphological characters of diagnostic value. Taxonomic descriptions including information on chromosome counts, geographic range and ecological preferences are provided. For all species synonyms are listed, allowing access to the relevant taxonomic and floristic literature including taxonomic databases worldwide. Information on types and type localities is provided wherever possible. Reported and confirmed hybrids are listed and assigned to their putative parental species. Infraspecific categories such as subspecies and varieties are not recognized. Unresolved taxonomic problems are discussed for each species and for the section as a whole.

Molecular analyses of genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship in Indian soap nut (Sapindus L.) and closely related taxa of the family Sapindaceae

Molecular differentiation and phylogenetic relationships of Indian Sapindus and its closely allied taxa of the family Sapindaceae was studied using nuclear ribosomal DNA of internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Evolutionary divergence over sequence pairs between the tribes of the family Sapindaceae was estimated, and maximum divergence (0.20) was observed between the tribes, Paullinieae and Harpullieae, whereas the lowest (0.06) was found between Sapindeae and Lepisantheae. Phylogenetic tree based on maximum likelihood method revealed the separation of all three species of the Sapindus in different clusters. S. delavayi a Japanese species, showed a close affinity to the S. mukorossi with high bootstrap support (99%). There is a significant distinction between S. emarginatus and S. trifoliatus with high (99%) bootstrap support in the clade. It clearly indicates that both the species are distinct and no infra-specific categories existed among these taxa. ITS region has shown a reliable marker to differentiate different taxa considered in the present study. Furthermore, studies on comparative phylogenomics of different taxa might provide useful insight to understand the phylogeny of the family Sapindaceae in a more comprehensive way.

Insights into the plastid diversity of Daphne blagayana Freyer (Thymelaeaceae)

AbstractDaphne blagayana is a small decumbent bush from the family Thymelaeaceae with a fragmented distribution range, comprising the Balkan Peninsula and the southern Romanian Carpathians. Due to its rarity it is protected by national legislation in almost all countries within its range. The aim of this work was to assess the plastid diversity of Daphne blagayana from 21 locations throughout its distribution range using the chloroplast intergenic regions psbA‐trnH and trnK–matK with the gene matK. Moreover, we tried to determine with DNA and morphometric characters whether the division of the species into subspecies and varieties, which were mentioned in some literature (subsp. lerchenfeldiana, var. kellereri, subsp. zogovićii), reflects its phylogeographic structure. The results suggest the existence of three clusters: the northwestern cluster (ESU1), including Slovenian and Italian populations, the southern cluster (ESU2), including populations from Macedonia, Montenegro and some populations from southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the central cluster, including the remaining populations (Bulgaria, Romania and rest of the populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina). The results of the genetic as well as morphometric study do not support the existence of subsp. lerchenfeldiana and var. kellereri as distinct infraspecific categories of D. blagayana, thus we suggest that ESU's should be used instead in planning conservation actions.

Flora of the core zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico: composition, geographical affinities and beta diversity

Background: Knowing the floristic composition of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve is a critical piece of information necessary for its conservation.
 Question/Hypothesis: i) How many plant species (total and endemic to Mexico) are found in the core zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR)? ii) What are the most frequent growth forms found in this reserve? iii) What is the species diversity for the different types of vegetation? and iv) What is the floristic similarity among the core zones?
 Studied species/ Data description/ Mathematical model : Ferns, Gimnosperms and Angiosperms.
 Study site and years of study: The three core zone (Cerro Altamirano, Cerro Pelón and Chincua-Campanario-Chivati) of the MBBR were studied from 2000 to 2006.
 Methods: A total of 49 field trips were conducted over three years (2004 to 2006) to the core zones, and previously collected specimens (2000-2003) were revised in the IEB herbarium. Beta diversity among the core zones was estimated by calculating Jaccard index (JI).
 Results: A total of 97 families, 337 genera, 694 species and 20 infraspecific categories were inventoried. Asteraceae (147 species) and Fabaceae (37), as well as Salvia (23), Quercus (12) and Stevia (12) were the most diverse taxa. Herbaceous plants were the predominant growth form (ca. 75 %). The vegetation types with the greatest number of species were forests dominated by Quercus (427) and by Abies (329). About 38 % of species documented are endemic to Mexico. The core zones show high beta diversity values (Jaccard index 0.03 to 0.11); more of the half of the total number of species documented (66.3 %) was found exclusively in one core zone.
 Conclusions: The core zones are complementary in terms of plant conservation purposes and require similar conservation resources in order to secure important long-term maintenance of the biodiversity and forest cover that serve as winter refuges of the migrant Monarch butterfly populations.

Listado florístico de la familia Poaceae en el estado de Morelos, México

Se realizó una revisión de algunos herbarios nacionales y extranjeros para la obtención del listado florístico de la familia Poaceae para el estado de Morelos, México. La familia está representada por 104 géneros, 306 especies y 10 categorías infraespecíficas, perteneciendo a ocho subfamilias siendo las Chloridoideae, Panicoideae y Pooideae, las más ricas en especies. El estado se reubica del 20º al 13º estado más diverso para la familia a nivel nacional. Se realizó un breve análisis del estado de conocimiento de la familia en Morelos, por municipios, así como el esfuerzo de colecta que se ha realizado a través de los años. Se registran siete especies de malezas nocivas listadas en la normatividad mexicana.

Biodiversidad de líquenes en México

Mexican lichen species richness is not known with certainty. It is estimated, for example, that 3 600 species could occur only on its tropical parts, which is half of the total estimated for the Neotropics. Considering Mexico’s climate and non-tropical vegetation diversity, the number of lichen species, as some authors estimate, may reach 5 000. Therefore, the country would be only second to Brazil (4 900 lichen species in its tropical parts) among the Neotropical countries and it could harbor between 18-37% of the 13 500 to 20 000 estimated species worldwide. We consider that only near 50% of the Mexican lichen species have been recorded. The goal is to present an updated account of the known lichen species for Mexico. Herein, 2 722 species and 111 infraspecific categories grouped in 2 divisions, 2 subdivisions, 6 classes, 21 orders, 84 families, and 64 genera are recorded. Ninety percent of the species are chlorolichens and the remaining 10% cyanolichens. Crustose lichens are the most frequent growth form (62%), followed by foliose (28%), and fruticose forms (11%). The most common substrate is bark (46%), followed by rocks (34%), leaves (11%) and soil (10%). Temperate forest is the species richest type of vegetation (947 species), followed by xerophytic scrubland (544), tropical humid forest (391), seasonal dry forest (386) and humid mountain forest (230). The states with higher number of lichen species are Baja California (710), Veracruz (700), Sonora (518), Chihuahua (515) and Baja California Sur (511), and those with less species are Campeche (17), Aguascalientes (2) and Tabasco (1). However, these figures reflect more the disparity in the number of studies conducted in each state than real differences in lichen diversity among states.

A report on Lecanidae (Rotifera: Monogononta) from Andhra Pradesh, India, including six new distribution records with notes on their contemporary taxonomic nomenclature

The Lecane-species complex taxonomy the world over, witnessed a state of flux, causing confusion and controversies, among world taxonomists over the treatment of various subgenera, taxa and sub and or infraspecific categories of the species rich genus Lecane Nitzsch 1827, on the basis of structure/shape of key, morphological features like foot/toes, lorica, etc. The taxonomic scenario in India, relying heavily on the classical, divergent taxonomic approaches presented a picture of more chaos/confusion, following poor accessibility to contemporary revisionary studies until the recent past. Despite revisionary studies across the world, a few notable Indian studies continued to be burdened with old nomenclature. This short communication reports for the first time ever, 33 valid species of lecanid rotifers (Lecanidae), including six new distributional records from Greater Hyderabad region and the entire state of Andhra Pradesh too with comments on their current nomenclature. Further, limnobiological correlation between five physicochemical parameters and rotifer associations revealed, L. bulla, L. closterocerca, L. hamata, L. ludwigi, L. luna and L. papuana as euryokous species, showing tolerance to a wide range of abiotic factors and habitats too.

A revision of Calvoa Hook. f. (Melastomataceae)

Abstract A revision of the genus Calvoa Hook. f. (Melastomataceae) is presented. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Cluster Analyses (UPGMA) were performed to elucidate three cases of difficult species delimitation and infraspecific variation, with the following results. (1) The separation between C. crassinoda Hook. f. and C. grandifolia Cogn. was clear in the results obtained with both methods. (2) The group of the West-Central African species Calvoa angolensis A. Fern. & R. Fern C. calliantha Jacq.-Fel C. monticola A. Chev C. pulcherrima Gilg ex Engl C. sapinii De Wild C. seretii De Wild C. sinuata Hook. f. and C. subquinquenervia De Wild. proved difficult to resolve with either analysis, but the Cluster Analysis produced results which are more consistent with the identification of the specimens. (3) Neither of the two analyses supported the recognition of infraspecific categories in Calvoa orientalis Taub. Eighteen species are recognized in the genus. The new species Calvoa jacques-felixii E. Figueiredo is described and the new combination Calvoa seretii subsp. wildemaniana (Exell) E. Figueiredo is made. Four lectotypes are designated. The conservation status of some taxa is discussed. Six species are considered rare and possibly under threat.

A revision of Calvoa Hook. f. (Melastomataceae)

A revision of the genus Calvoa Hook. f. (Melastomataceae) is presented. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Cluster Analyses (UPGMA) were performed to elucidate three cases of difficult species delimitation and infraspecific variation, with the following results. (1) The separation between C. crassinoda Hook. f. and C. grandifolia Cogn. was clear in the results obtained with both methods. (2) The group of the West-Central African speciesCalvoa angolensis A. Fern. & R. Fern C. calliantha Jacq.-Fél C. monticola A. Chev C. pulcherrima Gilg ex Engl C. sapinii De Wild C. seretii De Wild C. sinuata Hook. f. and C. subquinquenervia De Wild. proved difficult to resolve with either analysis, but the Cluster Analysis produced results which are more consistent with the identification of the specimens. (3) Neither of the two analyses supported the recognition of infraspecific categories in Calvoa orientalis Taub. Eighteen species are recognized in the genus. The new speciesCalvoa jacques-felixii E. Figueiredo is described and the new combination Calvoa seretii subsp.wildemaniana (Exell) E. Figueiredo is made. Four lectotypes are designated. The conservation status of some taxa is discussed. Six species are considered rare and possibly under threat.