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Xavier
Haro
Research Training Program, 2004
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Introduction
Seventeen species of Critoniopsis, a group of neotropical Vernonieae composed of shrubs or trees, were previously described from Ecuador, nine of them endemic. In order to make a key for the country, the Ecuadorian species were carefully reviewed.
A herbarium analysis was performed using optical, dissecting, and scanning electronic microscopy techniques to find diagnostic characters, sort the species, and make a key.
A nine level key was made (figure1.) Different characters were founded diagnostic to separate the species (Figure2). Leaf characteristics (Figure2 A, B) were more useful to sort the species into first groups. Differences in the type of hairs, pubescence, and in the flower (Figure2 C,D, E) were used in subsequent divisions, and the apex, reticulation of the leaf undersurface, and characteristic of the involucral bract, as well as other reproductive structures, were used in the final steps (Figure2 F, G, H). In the process of reviewing and keying out the specimens, a northern Peruvian species, C. jelskii, was newly recorded for the country. Two of the species cited for the country have been withdrawn. Critoniopsis bogotana, recorded for one collection, has been re-identified under C. floribunda, a well represented Ecuadorian species. Critoniopsis elbertiana has been withdrawn because the specimens identified under this name exhibit considerable differences from the type collection. Four species are currently being proposed as new. Two specimens previously identified as C. elbertiana are being proposed as a new species, as well as two others, one closely related to C. pycnantha, and one to C. sevillana. Additionally, a new sample acquired in the US collection during the period of this project has been identified as new.
A key, including
all the newly proposed species, is presented, and the number of Ecuadorian
Critoniopsis is expanded to twenty. Seven species remain
known only from the type collection, and the genus in general is poorly
represented in the Herbaria, so more studies in the field are necessary
in order to better understand their taxonomic status, distribution and
endemism category. This study constitutes an important contribution for further treatments of the Vernonieae in the Flora of in Ecuador.
This research was
supported by a grant to the NMNH Research Training Program from the
Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Fund.
Cuatrecasas, J. 1956. Neue Vernonia-Arten und Synopsis der andien Arten der Sektion Critoniopsis. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 77: 52-84. Robinson, H. 1980. Re-establishment of the genus Critoniopsis (Vernonieae: Asteraceae). Phytologia 46: 437-442 Robinson H. 1993.
A review of the genus Critoniopsis in Central and South America
(Vernonieae: Asteraceae). Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 106(3): 606-627. Want to ask a question? Visit the Message Board Virtual
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