Summary
Nassauvia falklandica (Compositae: Mutisieae: Nassauviinae), a new endemic herbaceous sub-shrub from the Falkland Islands, is described, illustrated and its conservation status assessed. N. falklandica is unique within the genus in possessing a row of pits towards the apex of the abaxial surface of its leaves; stomata and stiff white hairs are confined to these pits. This adaptation most likely reduces water loss in the sparsely vegetated feldmark habitats exposed to strong and drying winds in which it occurs. Its apparent restricted habitat preference contrasts in particular to the wide distribution of one of the other two Falkland endemic Nassauvia species, N. gaudichaudii. N. falklandica has an estimated world population of fewer than 250 mature individuals and is currently only known from two sites on West Falkland c. 34 km apart. Both sites are located on hill summits between 400 and 500 m altitude. The subpopulations are severely fragmented and at risk from genetic erosion, damage by livestock and stochastic events. N. falklandica is assessed as Critically Endangered B1ab(iii), B2ab(iii).
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Acknowledgements
The authors (RU and CC) would like to thank Critta and Becky Lee for being so welcoming and allowing us to survey on their land. Thanks also to Richard Lewis and Brian Bond for assisting on the first collecting field trip. In addition special thanks to Neil Clark for making a second collection trip feasible. The authors would like to thank Margaret Tebbs for the black and white illustration of the new species and Dr Tom Gregory for preparation of specimens and technical assistance for scanning electron microscopy. Thanks to Robin Woods for additional comments on the manuscript.
Funding for Falklands Conservation’s Native Plants Programme was provided by the UK Government’s Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP).
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Upson, R., Clubbe, C. & Hind, D.J.N. Nassauvia falklandica (Compositae: Mutisieae: Nassauviinae), a new endemic species for the Falkland Islands. Kew Bull 68, 317–324 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-013-9446-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-013-9446-0