Discovery and conservation of Monanthotaxis bali (Annonaceae) a new Critically Endangered (possibly extinct) montane forest treelet from Bali Ngemba, North West Region, Cameroon.
Resource type
Journal article
Date published
July 11, 2023
Abstract
is the only known, solely montane (occurring solely above 2000 m alt.) species of the genus. It joins (Rwanda) and (Tanzania), two other species that can also occur above 2000 m alt. is an addition to the small number (28) of the tree species of the surviving montane forests of the Cameroon Highlands of which only eight other species are endemic. Due to its supra-axillary inflorescences, and petals arranged in one whorl but with the outer petals overlapping the inner petals distally, and rounded flower buds, the new species is placed in clade B of Hoekstra The new species is unusual in having the largest outer petals in clade B, in being a treelet in a predominantly lianescent genus, and in lacking the glaucous underside of the leaf-blades that usually characterises the genus. takes the number of continental African species of the genus to 80, and makes Cameroon, with 30 species, the most species-diverse country for the genus. is known only from the Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve, a forest remnant under great pressure of degradation and clearance in the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon. The case for protecting Bali Ngemba for its unique plant biodiversity is made. may already be extinct due to logging and agricultural activities. Here it is described, illustrated, mapped and assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) using the IUCN 2012 criteria.
Project(s)
Priority 4: Accelerated Taxonomy
Cameroon TIPAs (Tropical Important Plant Areas)
Funder
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Journal title
Kew Bulletin
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Place of publication
Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany
ISSN
0075-5974
eISSN
1874-933X
Date accepted
January 13, 2023
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright
Additional information
IF = 0.833 (2022-2023)