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Taxonomic revision of Zamia in Mega-Mexico

Brittonia volume 61, Article number: 301 (2009) Cite this article

Abstract

The genus Zamia is revised for Mega-Mexico, with 22 species recognized and described. The study presents a taxonomic clarification for the genus in Mesoamerica, a contribution that provides the foundation for a future monograph for Zamia in the Neotropics. The largest proportion of species richness and endemism for the genus is concentrated in southeastern Mexico, among the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Veracruz, an area that is considered highly diverse in floristic terms. Distribution maps and a key to species are also provided, as well as complete descriptions of the specimens examined, including information on nomenclatural types, habitats, synonymies, and etymologies. A lectotype is designated for Zamia loddigesii, and neotypes for Z. galeottii, Z. leiboldii var. angustifolia, and Z. variegata. Zamia spartea is illustrated for the first time, and chromosome numbers for Z. herrerae are reported and illustrated. Finally, scanning electron micrographs of leaflet trichome character states are presented, along with a discussion of their systematic implications within the group.

Resumen

El género Zamia es revisado para Mega-México, con 22 especies descritas y una species dubia. El estudio está orientado al esclarecimiento taxonómico del género en Mega-México, una contribución que siente los fundamentos para una futura monografía para Zamia en el Neotrópico. La mayor riqueza y endemismo para el género se concentra en el sureste de México, entre los estados de Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco y Veracruz, área de alta biodiversidad florística. Mapas de distribución y una clave para las especies son presentadas, como también descripciones completas, tipos, hábitat, sinónimos, etimología y especimenes examinadas. Se designa un lectotipo para Zamia loddigesii, y neotipos para Z. galeottii, Z. leiboldii var. angustifolia y Z. variegata. Zamia spartea es ilustrada por primera vez y números cromosómicos para Z. herrerae son presentados. Finalmente, se presentan fotografías de tricomas al microscopio electrónico y una discusión de sus implicaciones en la sistemática del grupo.

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Acknowledgments

The first author thanks the Red Latinoamericana de Botánica for the award of a Ph. D. fellowship (RLB-06-D2; Systematics Program, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Mexico) and the Mellon Foundation for a stipend for a six months residence at the New York Botanical Garden during 2002. This research was supported partially by CONACyT-SEMARNAT grant No. 2002-CO1–0183 to AV and NSF Grants BSR-8607049 and EF-0629817 to DWS. The authors thank Francisco Vergara Silva, Jorge González Astorga, and Victoria Sosa for their comments on a previous version of this manuscript, and Pablo Carrillo-Reyes, Eduardo Ruiz for their comments on the diagnostic key to species of Zamia, Carlos Iglesias for assistance and guidance in the field, and Edmundo Saavedra for the illustrations of Zamia spartea. We thank the Curators and staffs of the herbaria mentioned for making their collections available for study, as well as the staff of the Jardín Botánico Fco. J. Clavjiero of the Instituto de Ecología, A.C. for access to the living specimens of the Mexican National Cycad Collection. Finally, the authors would like to thank Roy Osborne for his salient discussions and diligence in reviewing this manuscript throughout the preparation of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A. C. km 2.5 Antigua Carretera a Coatepec No. 351, Xalapa, 91070, Veracruz, Mexico

    Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón & Andrew P. Vovides

  2. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, 10458-5120, USA

    Dennis W. Stevenson

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  1. Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón
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  2. Andrew P. Vovides
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  3. Dennis W. Stevenson
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Correspondence to Dennis W. Stevenson.

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Nicolalde-Morejón, F., Vovides, A.P. & Stevenson, D.W. Taxonomic revision of Zamia in Mega-Mexico. Brittonia 61, 301 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-009-9077-9

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Key Words

  • Endemism
  • Mexico
  • gymnosperms
  • cycads
  • floristic richness
  • Zamia