Abstract
A new species, Reldia longipedunculata (Gesneriaceae, tribe Beslerieae), is described from the Mache-Chindul Mountains near the border of the Bilsa Biological Research Station in northwestern Ecuador (province of Esmeraldas). The new species differs from all other species of Reldia by the presence of erect peduncles to 10 cm long and narrowly obovate leaves. An updated checklist and key are provided for the seven currently recognized species of Reldia. A previous infraspecific variety is recognized at the species rank as Reldia veraguensis. The presence of pedunculate inflorescences is discussed as a common character in five of the seven species of Reldia.
Resumen
Se describe una nueva especie, Reldia longipedunculata (Gesneriaceae, tribe Beslerieae), de las montañas de Mache-Chindul en cercanías a la Estación de Investigación Biológica Bilsa, noroccidente de Ecuador (provincia de Esmeraldas). La nueva especie se diferencia de las otras especies de Reldia por la presencia de pedúnculos erectos de hasta 10 cm de largo y hojas estrechamente obovadas. Se presenta un listado de especies actualizado y una clave para la identificación de las siete especies actualmente reconocidas en Reldia. Reldia veraguensis, considerada previamente como variedad, se reconoce como especie. Se discute la presencia de inflorescencias pedunculadas como un carácter común en cinco de las siete especies de Reldia.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support was provided by the National Science Foundation (DEB-841958 and DEB-0949169). I thank Anton Weber (W) for facilitating the interpretation of inflorescence architecture in Reldia and Laura Clavijo (UNA) for providing the Spanish translation of the abstract. Alain Chautems, Laurence E. Skog, and Christian Feuillet are gratefully acknowledged for providing helpful comments on the manuscript. Sue Blackshear is acknowledged for providing the botanical illustration (Fig. 1). The botanical inventory of the Bilsa Biological Station was initiated when the author served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer (1994–1997). Additional funding for floristic work was provided through a Research and Exploration grant from The National Geographic Society (5857-97). The type collection was made during a one-year Fulbright Graduate Study and Research Abroad Scholarship (2002–2003). Field assistants (Bobby Fleiss, Heide Heinhorst, and Jennifer Koslow) and park guards (esp. Felipe Gurumendi) are gratefully acknowledged.
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Clark, J.L. Reldia longipedunculata (Gesneriaceae), a new species from the Mache-Chindul Mountains of Northwestern Ecuador and an updated checklist of Reldia for the Neotropics. Brittonia 67, 284–291 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-015-9380-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-015-9380-6