Two new species of Currant Bush Coprosma (Rubiaceae) from an endemic radiation on Lord Howe Island.
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boaf112.pdf
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
December 28, 2025
Abstract
Molecular and morphological evidence provide support for the description of two new species of Coprosma (Rubiaceae) from Lord Howe Island, a remote oceanic island in the Tasman Sea. The first species, C. savolainenii sp. nov., was discovered during a plant survey, whereas the second species, C. ptotopetra sp. nov., was identified using DNA fingerprinting. Confirmation of both is currently being obtained through high-throughput sequencing. We provide detailed descriptions of each new species, alongside an updated description of C. putida, a species with similar morphology to C. ptotopetra sp. nov.. We also provide phenological, distribution, and conservation data for each species. This description goes beyond a traditional species account, as it represents a unique endemic radiation occurring in sympatry on an isolated island of global conservation significance. It may also represent a rare botanical example of the syngameon hypothesis, where hybrid speciation accelerates evolutionary radiation.
Project(s)
Priority 4: Accelerated Taxonomy
Priority 2: Trait Diversity and Function
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Natural Environment Research Council, United Kingdom | The Botanical Research Fund |
Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, United Arab Emirates | |
Royal Society, United Kingdom | Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship |
Oak Spring Garden Foundation, United States | Sabbatical award |
Journal title
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
Article number
boaf112
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Place of publication
Oxford, UK
ISSN
0024-4074
eISSN
1095-8339
Date accepted
November 14, 2025
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright
Additional information
IF = 2.2 (2024)