Skip to main content

Garagoa miconia (Miconia garagoana), rheophytic species from Andean riparian at 2100 meters of Colombia

Garagoa miconia (Miconia garagoana), rheophytic species from Andean riparian at 2100 meters of Colombia

NEWS - A new species, Garagoa miconia (Miconia garagoana), from riparian habitats in the northern Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, is the second species in rheophytic condition in the Colombian Andean forests and is characterized by stellate-lepidote trichomes, terminal inflorescences, 4-merous flowers, oblong-subulate anthers with apical pores and a 2-locular ovary.

The new species is so far only known from Colombia and the researchers propose Critically Endangered (CR). Differences with other rheophytic species in Colombia are noted and it is argued that this species is related to other Andean species with bluish-green ripe fruits such as M. squamulosa and M. symplocoidea.

M. garagoana shows distinctive morphological characteristics, recognized by its rheophytic condition and abundant branching, sometimes with plagiotropic main branches that lean under the influence of water currents. The species has stellate-lepidote trichome indumentum on distal branches, inflorescences and undersides of leaves.

Linear elliptical leaves are a distinguishing feature of the species inhabiting riverbanks and tributaries as an adaptation to withstand constant water flow. Other remarkable features include terminal inflorescences with few flowers (1-14), predominantly 4 flowers, oblong-subulate anthers with ventrally oriented pores and a 2-loculated ovary. Ripe fruits are bluish green and seeds are large and less than 20.

M. garagoana is similar to M. riparia and M. rheophytica, but grows below 1000 m elevation (vs. 2100 m in M. garagoana). Vegetatively similar to M. riparia, but has a deep red indumentum of pinoid trichomes on the stems (vs. stellate-lepidotes in M. garagoana), 5-merous flowers (vs. predominantly 4-merous) and dark purple or black fruits (vs. bluish green).

Similar to M. rheophytica, but this species has branches with a dense red indumentum of dendritic trichomes, ciliated leaf margins, dichasial axillary inflorescences, 5-merous flowers, yellow anthers, 3-locular ovaries, globose-subglobe fruits with bright indigo blue color and ovoid seeds with lateral symmetry planes and elliptical to elliptical-ovate antiraphal.

Based on the number of petals, M. garagoana can be attributed to the Ulmarioides complex. However, all species of this complex always have a 4-locular ovary and bright red or fuchsia anthers, so there is no complete certainty.

Probably the most closely related M. squamulosa (Sm.) Triana and M. symplocoidea Triana, since they share the stellate-lepidote trichome indumentum on the vegetative parts and flowers, the shape of the stamens and especially the bluish-green ripe fruits with angular ovoid seeds with a smooth testa.

The rheophytic condition is one of the characteristics of M. garagoana, which is resistant to flooding, which is limited to the beds of fast-flowing rivers and tributaries, growing there up to the flood level, but not beyond the reach of flash floods that occur regularly.

Melastomataceae has about 23 species of rheophytes, among which M. linearis (Gleason) Michelang, M. mulleola Wurdack, M. rheophytica, M. riparia and M. salicina (Ser. ex DC.) Mabb. However, there is a gap in information regarding the habitat, so it is not known for certain. On the other hand, some species recorded as rheophytes are not exclusive to riparian environments like M. mulleola.

In Santander, M. garagoana flowers in November, while in Boyacá it flowers between February and July. Fruiting occurs between April and August. At least in the Boyacá area, active flowering and fruiting events are thought to occur almost throughout the year.

The new species is endemic to Colombia in the Northern Eastern Cordillera, in relatively undisturbed Andean forests at elevations of 2000-2200 meters and usually on moderate to steep slopes with remnants of riparian vegetation in moist forests within a matrix of pastures for livestock grazing. The specific epithet refers to the municipality of Garagoa.

Original research

Mendoza-Cifuentes H, Ariza-Cortés W, Carvajal Rojas L (2024). Miconia garagoana - Melastomataceae: A new rheophytic species from the eastern Andes of Colombia. PhytoKeys 247: 145-154, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.247.119563

Dlium theDlium
Labels:

Popular Posts

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...
Read more

Takenoshin Nakai swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nakaianum) replaces V. magnificum and C. magnificum

NEWS - Researchers reported an erect herbaceous species distributed in the eastern part of Honshu Island, Vincetoxicum magnificum (Nakai) Kitag. based on Cynanchum magnificum Nakai, nomen nudum. Therefore, they named this species Takenoshin Nakai swallow-wort ( Vincetoxicum nakaianum K.Mochizuki & Ohi-Toma). Vincetoxicum Wolf (Asclepiadeae) is the third largest genus in the Asclepiadoideae consisting of about 260 species geographically extending from tropical Africa, Asia and Oceania to temperate regions of Eurasia. A total of 23 species are known from Japan, including 16 endemic species. Molecular phylogeny divides Japanese Vincetoxicum into four groups: the “Far Eastern” clade consisting of 11 endemic species and 4 more widespread species, 1 sister species to the “Far Eastern” clade, the “subtropical” clade consisting of 2 species and the “Vincetoxicum s. str.” clade consisting of 5 species. V. magnificum (Nakai) Kitag. (Japanese: tachi-gashiwa) is closely related to V. macro...
Read more

Red costate tiger moth (Aloa lactinea)

Red costate tiger moth ( Aloa lactinea ) is an animal species in the Erebidae, a moth with a wingspan of 40 mm, a yellow belly, black antennae with red basalt joints, dark red palpi on the sides and white below, black terminal joints, living in forests and agriculture in the lowlands to mountainous areas. A. lactinea has a white head with a red stripe on the back. Thorax is white. The wings are predominantly white in color with black dots on each corner of the cells and a red margin. The wings have branched pulse lines and a starchy surface. The wing-covered upper abdomen is black with large elliptical plots and is colored yellow forming cells. The lower abdomen is white and has fine hairs that fall out easily. A pair of antennas is black. The forelegs are red, white and black. The other legs are white on the top and black on the bottom. The final joints are white and black which form alternating rings. Tip and sole black all over. The larvae are black in color with a lateral crest ...
Read more