02683nas a2200193 4500008004100000245014800041210006900189300001200258490000800270520195900278100001302237700001702250700001502267700001602282700001502298700001802313700002102331856013702352 2016 eng d00aPhylogeography of the genus Podococcus (Palmae/Arecaceae) in Central African rain forests: Climate stability predicts unique genetic diversity.0 aPhylogeography of the genus Podococcus PalmaeArecaceae in Centra a126-1380 v1053 a

The tropical rain forests of Central Africa contain high levels of species diversity. Paleovegetation or biodiversity
patterns suggested successive contraction/expansion phases on this rain forest cover during the
last glacial maximum (LGM). Consequently, the hypothesis of the existence of refugia e.g. habitat stability
that harbored populations during adverse climatic periods has been proposed. Understory species are
tightly associated to forest cover and consequently are ideal markers of forest dynamics. Here, we used
two central African rain forest understory species of the palm genus, Podococcus, to assess the role of past
climate variation on their distribution and genetic diversity. Species distribution modeling in the present
and at the LGM was used to estimate areas of climatic stability. Genetic diversity and phylogeography
were estimated by sequencing near complete plastomes for over 120 individuals. Areas of climatic stability
were mainly located in mountainous areas like the Monts de Cristal and Monts Doudou in Gabon, but
also lowland coastal forests in southeast Cameroon and northeast Gabon. Genetic diversity analyses
shows a clear North–South structure of genetic diversity within one species. This divide was estimated
to have originated some 500,000 years ago. We show that, in Central Africa, high and unique genetic
diversity is strongly correlated with inferred areas of climatic stability since the LGM. Our results further
highlight the importance of coastal lowland rain forests in Central Africa as harboring not only high species
diversity but also important high levels of unique genetic diversity. In the context of strong human
pressure on coastal land use and destruction, such unique diversity hotspots need to be considered in
future conservation planning

1 aFaye, A.1 aDeblauwe, V.1 aMariac, C.1 aRichard, D.1 aSonké, B.1 aVigouroux, Y.1 aCouvreur, T.L.P. uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/phylogeography-genus-podococcus-palmaearecaceae-central-african-rain-forests-climate01362nas a2200133 4500008004100000245007100041210006600112300001200178490000700190520089200197100001501089700001801104856010601122 2016 eng d00aTwo new species of Oxyanthus D.C. (Rubiaceae) from Central Africa.0 aTwo new species of Oxyanthus DC Rubiaceae from Central Africa a173-1800 v713 a

Two new Rubiaceae species from Central Africa, Oxyanthus doucetii Sonké & O. Lachenaud and Oxyanthus lewisii
Sonké & O. Lachenaud, are described and illustrated. Oxyanthus doucetii is endemic to Cameroon and is closely related
to Oxyanthus unilocularis Hiern, from which it differs in the minute calyx teeth, the stems with glabrous internodes, the
dorsally glabrous stipules, the flower buds with a shorter head, and the corolla lobes not or hardly acute at apex. Oxyanthus
lewisii is sparsely distributed from Cameroon to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and is characterised by narrow
fusiform fruits, glabrous stems, and leaves lacking domatia but sparsely pubescent on the nerves beneath. Both new
species are assessed as “Vulnerable” according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

1 aSonké, B.1 aLachenaud, O. uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/two-new-species-oxyanthus-dc-rubiaceae-central-africa03328nas a2200313 4500008004100000245010800041210006900149300001400218490000800232520226700240653002202507653001402529653002202543653002302565653002402588653001402612653002602626653001402652653002202666100002902688700002402717700002302741700002202764700002202786700002302808700002602831700002002857856013702877 2016 eng d00aMorphometrics and molecular phylogenetics of Angraecum section Dolabrifolia (Orchidaceae, Angraecinae).0 aMorphometrics and molecular phylogenetics of Angraecum section D a1027-10450 v3023 a

Background and aims – Recent molecular studies suggest the polyphyly of Angraecum and the
unnaturalness of some of its sections, as exemplified by sect. Pectinaria, which has species in two wellseparated
clades, one in Madagascar and the other in continental Africa. However, species delimitation
among the five continental African members remained problematic due to morphological variability. In
preparation for the taxonomic revision of this group, we used morphological and molecular data to re-assess
the circumscription of each species, and to evaluate their monophyly and relationships to one another.
Methods – A total of 59 alcohol-preserved specimens were used to perform multivariate analyses on 37
morphological characters. DNA sequences from one nuclear (ITS-1) and five plastid regions (matK, rps16,
trnL–F, trnC–petN and ycf1) were analyzed using Parsimony and Bayesian methods.
Key results – The morphometric study revealed five distinct morphospecies that correspond to the concepts
of the currently recognized species. Angraecum doratophyllum and A. subulatum are the most distinct
morphologically, whereas A. atlanticum, A. gabonense and A. pungens are most similar to one another.
Phylogenetic analyses using a combined data set of the six markers yielded highly resolved, congruent
trees with strong branch support. The polyphyly of A. sect. Pectinaria is confirmed, with continental
African members appearing to be most closely related to sect. Dolabrifolia, found exclusively in Africa.
The multiple accessions of A. doratophyllum, A. gabonense, A. pungens and A. subulatum each formed a
well-supported clade. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses placed A. atlanticum and A. pungens in a subclade
within which samples of A. pungens were nested but those of A. atlanticum formed a grade. These two
species can be easily distinguished morphologically by leaf dimensions and flower length, but broader
sampling in continental Africa is needed to test whether individuals recognized as A. atlanticum might
represent two distinct taxa.
 

10aAngraecoid orchid10aAngraecum10aBayesian analyses10acontinental Africa10amolecular phylogeny10amonophyly10amorphometric analyses10aparsimony10asect. Pectinaria.1 aSimo-Droissart, Murielle1 aSonké, Bonaventure1 aDroissart, Vincent1 aMicheneau, Claire1 aLowry, Porter, P.1 aHardy, Olivier, J.1 aPlunkett, Gregory, M.1 aStévart, Tariq uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/morphometrics-and-molecular-phylogenetics-angraecum-section-dolabrifolia-orchidaceae01958nas a2200181 4500008004100000245017500041210006900216300001200285490000800297520118800305100001801493700002001511700002401531700002901555700002401584700002301608856014501631 2016 eng d00aSynoptic revision of the genus Cyrtorchis Schltr. (Angraecinae, Orchidaceae) in Central Africa, with the description of a new species restricted to submontane vegetation.0 aSynoptic revision of the genus Cyrtorchis Schltr Angraecinae Orc a165-1860 v2673 a

As a preliminary step to the taxonomic revision of the genus Cyrtorchis, a synoptic revision of the species occurring in Central
Africa was undertaken. Based on a detailed examination of 1,039 herbarium specimens, including nomenclatural types,
we have recognized 14 species in Central Africa (one of which is divided into two subspecies), including one new species
that the study brought to light, described here as Cyrtorchis submontana. The new species closely resembles C. guillaumetii
and C. brownii in general aspect, but differs from them in having thinner, small elliptic leaves and shorter, fewer-flowered,
more lax inflorescences with shorter bracts. The species is restricted to submontane vegetation of Central Africa and is assessed
as Endangered following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Cyrtorchis latibracteata and C. subcylindrifolia
are lectotypified, and the latter is placed as a synonym under C. henriquesiana. Many new records are reported, and for each
taxon the distribution, habitat and ecology are given. An identification key for the Central African taxa is also provided.

1 aAzandi, Laura1 aStévart, Tariq1 aSonké, Bonaventure1 aSimo-Droissart, Murielle1 aAvana, Marie-Louise1 aDroissart, Vincent uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/synoptic-revision-genus-cyrtorchis-schltr-angraecinae-orchidaceae-central-africa-description02610nas a2200157 4500008004100000245009900041210006900140520195900209100001602168700002902184700002702213700002002240700002402260700002802284856014002312 2016 eng d00aPhylogenetics and diversification history of African rattans (Calamoideae, Ancistrophyllinae).0 aPhylogenetics and diversification history of African rattans Cal3 a

Even though African rain forests display high levels of local species diversity and endemism, their lower
continental species diversity when compared with the Neotropics and Asia is paradoxical. This disparity is
mainly thought to be linked to either important extinction events during the Pleistocene or at the Eocene–
Oligocene boundary. African rattans or climbing palms are one of the most diverse clades of palms in Africa,
representing one-third of all known species. Here, we reconstruct the phylogeny and temporal evolution of
African rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae: Lepidocaryeae: Ancistrophyllinae) to test the two main hypotheses of
palm evolution in Africa. We constructed a near-complete, dated species-level phylogenetic tree for subtribe
Ancistrophyllinae using plastid and nuclear markers. The generic relationships between Ancistrophyllinae were
fully resolved and species-level relationships are well to weakly supported. Ancistrophyllinae diversified during
the Eocene with most species originating during the late Miocene after 10 Mya. This result is in agreement with
several other studies suggesting a pre–Pleistocene origin of the extant African flora. Ancistrophyllinae display an
anti-sigmoidal lineage-through-time plot with a moderate overall extinction fraction. Our simulations suggest
important roles for an ancient extinction event at the Oligocene–Eocene boundary. In contrast, the hypothesis of
an important extinction event in palms during the late Pliocene at 3 Mya is not supported. We suggest that the
evolutionary history of African rattans has undergone a constant diversification rate punctuated by one or
several important extinction events during the first part of the Cenozoic with most species diversity accumulating
during the late Miocene and Pliocene.

1 aFaye, Adama1 aPintaud, Jean-Christophe1 aFls, William, J. Baker1 aVigouroux, Yves1 aSonké, Bonaventure1 aCouvreur, Thomas, L. P. uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/phylogenetics-and-diversification-history-african-rattans-calamoideae-ancistrophyllinae02356nas a2200193 4500008004100000245012200041210006900163300001200232490000800244520161100252100001801863700002701881700002401908700002101932700002301953700002301976700002001999856014302019 2016 eng d00aPhylogenetics of tribe Sabiceeae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) revisited, with a new subgeneric classification for Sabicea.0 aPhylogenetics of tribe Sabiceeae Ixoroideae Rubiaceae revisited  a551-5800 v1823 a

Tribe Sabiceeae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) has undergone recent taxonomical changes with the incorporation of the
related genera Ecpoma, Pseudosabicea and Stipularia into the type genus Sabicea. We use phylogenetic analysis
and morphological data to verify the relationships among members of the tribe, including the most
comprehensive taxon sampling of the tribe to date with 74 of 145 species. Sequence data from the nuclear
internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and three plastid markers (petD, rps16, trnT–F) were used to infer relationships
among the members of the tribe. Individual analyses using maximum likelihood, parsimony and Bayesian
approaches reveal several supported clades: the former genus Stipularia is resolved as a monophyletic unit, but
Ecpoma is monophyletic only if Sabicea urbaniana and Sabicea xanthotricha are included (corresponding to
Sabicea subgenus Stipulariopsis sensu Wernham). Pseudosabicea is biphyletic, with one clade corresponding to
section Anisophyllae of Halle (1964) and the other one to the other sections (Floribundae and Sphaericae) of the
genus. Eleven morphological characteristics were recorded for all species studied and seven have been mapped
onto the phylogenetic tree to study their evolution in the group and assess their value for the classification of
Sabicea s.l. Finally, our study shows that a combination of diagnostic characteristics should be used to
differentiate each group and we propose to recognise four subgenera in Sabicea.

1 aZemagho, Lise1 aLiede-Schumann, Sigrid1 aSonké, Bonaventure1 aJanssens, Steven1 aLachenaud, Olivier1 aVerstraete, Brecht1 aDessein, Steven uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/phylogenetics-tribe-sabiceeae-ixoroideae-rubiaceae-revisited-new-subgeneric-classification01945nas a2200181 4500008004100000245013700041210006900178300001300247490000800260520121100268100002901479700002401508700002301532700002401555700002201579700002001601856014201621 2016 eng d00aA taxonomic revision of Angraecum section Dolabrifolia (Orchidaceae, Angraecinae), with the description of a new species from Gabon.0 ataxonomic revision of Angraecum section Dolabrifolia Orchidaceae a81–1150 v2803 a

Despite a paucity of material available from continental Africa, previous morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies
have suggested that Angraecum, the largest genus of the angraecoid orchids, is polyphyletic. A recent study based on
broad sampling from the region confirmed the monophyly of section Dolabrifolia and a clear delimitation of four of its five
members, one of which represents a new species. Based on these results, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Angraecum
sect. Dolabrifolia is presented here. It includes an identification key and a detailed description of each species, along with
color photographs, distribution maps, information on habitat and phenology, and a preliminary risk of extinction assessment
according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Species richness in the section is highest in Atlantic Central Africa
and around the Albertine Rift. The new species, A. biteaui, is described and illustrated with line drawings. It most closely
resembles A. aporoides in general aspect but differs in both foliar and floral characters, and is only known from lowland
forests in Gabon.

1 aSimo-Droissart, Murielle1 aSonké, Bonaventure1 aDroissart, Vincent1 aGeerinck†, Daniel1 aLowry, Porter, P.1 aStévart, Tariq uhttps://rubiaceae-africa.myspecies.info/content/taxonomic-revision-angraecum-section-dolabrifolia-orchidaceae-angraecinae-description-new