The rise of Cynometra (Leguminosae) and the fall of Maniltoa: a generic re-circumscription and the addition of 4 new species

Abstract

Cynometra L. is a genus of ca. 85 species of shrubs to large trees. It is amongst the largest genera in the legume subfamily Detarioideae and one of the few with a pantropical distribution. Perhaps due to this wide distribution and high diversity, systematists and taxonomists have struggled with the classification of Cynometra and its close ally, the genus Maniltoa Scheff. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown that many of the African species are more closely related to other genera and that the genus Maniltoa is nested within a clade of Indo-Pacific Cynometra. Here, I present an emended circumscription of Cynometra that excludes the African species defined by jointed pedicels and dehiscent fruits and includes the species formerly recognised in Maniltoa. New combinations in Cynometra are also provided for those species that require them. Additionally, four new species of Neotropical Cynometra are described and illustrated: Cynometracerebriformissp. nov. from the lower Rio Trombetas in Brazil; Cynometradwyeriisp. nov. from the Darien gap region of Panama; C.tumbesianasp. nov. from the dry tropical forests of Ecuador and Peru; and C.steyermarkiisp. nov. from the foothills of the western Cordillera de la Costa in Venezuela.

First evidence of a monodominant (Englerodendron, Amherstieae, Detarioideae, Leguminosae) tropical moist forest from the early Miocene (21.73 Ma) of Ethiopia

“…Other members in the Berlinia Clade, particularly genera in the ‘bambjit’ clade ( Brachystegia , Aphanocalyx , Michelsonia , Bikinia , Icuria , Tetraberlinia ) and Microberlinia possess asymmetrical leaflets [ 37 , 38 , 43 ] ( S5 and S6 Files), have a major basal vein or ‘fan’ of veins, and often have retuse or emarginate leaflet apices, all of which are absent from the fossil taxon. These characteristics commonly occur in a number of other Amherstieae taxa as well, and so taxa such as Cynometra clade A, Cynometra clade B, Hymenostegia , Plagiosiphon , Scorodophloeus , and Talbotiella can be eliminated as potential candidates for the fossil taxon [ 38 , 44 – 46 ] ( S5 and S6 Files). The presence of twisted pulvinate petiolules is a relatively rare character and can only be found in a handful of Amherstieae genera including Crudia , Berlinia , Englerodendron , Gilbertiodendron , Librevillea , Oddoniodendron , Paramacrolobium , and Isoberlinia .…”

New and Noteworthy Records of Angiosperms from Pacific Biogeographical Region at Department of Chocó in Colombia, Including Four New Records for the Country

“…specimens from the Chocó department were consulted in the herbarium HUA, along to review of digital images of representative specimens at the herbaria COL, F, MEXU, MO, NY, U, UDBC and US, acronyms according to Thiers [16]. For each species, the taxonomy at genus and species level follows their respective taxonomic literature [17][18][19][20][21][22][23], along to review of their heterotypic synonyms and similar species through the Tropicos Data Base (tropicos.org), type specimens and protologues in Jstor Global Plants Project, protologues, and respective virtual herbaria when available. For first records were checked their absence of records for the country in the above mentioned herbaria, as well as in the ongoing checklist of Bernal et al [24].…”

“…Flowers unknown. Fruits up to 4.7 cm diam., surface of valves rugulose, globose, indehiscent, 1-seeded [18].…”

“…Distribution and habitat: Panamá in the Darién region [18]. In Colombia it is recorded from the Darién region, in the municipality of Acandí (Fig.…”

“…3), inhabiting lowland rainforest nearly to the sea level, under equatorial rainforest climate type (Af). Cynometra dwyerii is easily recognized vegetatively by its small leaflets with numerous glands between the margin and midvein in the acroscopic side and its blade indumentum [18]. Fruits samara 14-16 × 4.5-5.5 cm, laterally compressed [19].…”