Post by Melanie on Jan 15, 2019 1:17:41 GMT 1
Taxonomic and geographic novelties in the genus Plantago (Plantaginaceae) in Chile, including the description of a new species
GUSTAVO HASSEMER, ALEXEY B. SHIPUNOV, NINA RØNSTED, HEIDI M. MEUDT
Abstract
We present taxonomic and geographic novelties in the genus Plantago from Chile. More specifically, we describe P. nebularis, a new species endemic to Cerro Moreno, Antofagasta region, and propose P. zoellneriana, a new name for P. sericea subsp. araucana. We also lectotypify the name P. sericea, expand the recorded distribution of P. lanceolata and P. pachyneura to the Tarapacá region, and argue that the narrowly endemic species P. johnstonii, known only from the type which was collected in Taltal, Antofagasta region, is likely extinct.
Keywords
distribution extension; Plantago johnstonii; Plantago nebularis; Plantago sericea; Plantago zoellneriana; taxonomy; Eudicots
biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.340.2.3
GUSTAVO HASSEMER, ALEXEY B. SHIPUNOV, NINA RØNSTED, HEIDI M. MEUDT
Abstract
We present taxonomic and geographic novelties in the genus Plantago from Chile. More specifically, we describe P. nebularis, a new species endemic to Cerro Moreno, Antofagasta region, and propose P. zoellneriana, a new name for P. sericea subsp. araucana. We also lectotypify the name P. sericea, expand the recorded distribution of P. lanceolata and P. pachyneura to the Tarapacá region, and argue that the narrowly endemic species P. johnstonii, known only from the type which was collected in Taltal, Antofagasta region, is likely extinct.
Keywords
distribution extension; Plantago johnstonii; Plantago nebularis; Plantago sericea; Plantago zoellneriana; taxonomy; Eudicots
biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.340.2.3
Plantago johnstonii Pilger in Anonymous (1929: 767–768) Type: —CHILE. A NTOFAGASTA : Taltal: Aguada del Panul, in dry rocky stream-way in steep gulch above spring, ca. 24°47’ S, 4 December 1925, I.M. Johnston 5444 (lectotype [designated by Rahn 1983: 341] GH-00092255! [Fig. 8]; isolectotypes C!, GH-00092266!)
Extinct (EX). Despite a thorough search at the type locality, in the appropriate time
of the year (during summer, when the type was collected) no specimens of this species could be found. During our
exploration of the area (Figs. 9 and 10), we noticed that the spring mentioned in the labels on the type collections has
been drastically reduced by the draining of water to a small fig and pear plantation nearby, in what is an otherwise
desert area. It is likely this plantation was not present when Ivan Murray Johnston collected the type in 1925, otherwise
he probably would have mentioned it. We also failed to find other suitable habitats along the coast of the town of Taltal.
All things considered, we think it is highly improbable that P. johnstonii has survived the destruction of its habitat, and therefore we argue that this species is most probably extinct.
Extinct (EX). Despite a thorough search at the type locality, in the appropriate time
of the year (during summer, when the type was collected) no specimens of this species could be found. During our
exploration of the area (Figs. 9 and 10), we noticed that the spring mentioned in the labels on the type collections has
been drastically reduced by the draining of water to a small fig and pear plantation nearby, in what is an otherwise
desert area. It is likely this plantation was not present when Ivan Murray Johnston collected the type in 1925, otherwise
he probably would have mentioned it. We also failed to find other suitable habitats along the coast of the town of Taltal.
All things considered, we think it is highly improbable that P. johnstonii has survived the destruction of its habitat, and therefore we argue that this species is most probably extinct.
