Revision of the Lima clade (Miconia sect. Lima, Miconieae, Melastomataceae) of the Greater Antilles

Abstract

Miconia sect. Lima is an entirely Greater Antillean clade that consists of 19 known species of shrubs and small trees, which were previously recognized under the polyphyletic genera Leandra and Ossaea. The highest species richness in the clade is represented on Cuba (10 species), followed by Hispaniola (8 species) and then Jamaica (1 species). Here we present a taxonomic revision of the clade based on the study of species in the field, herbarium specimens, as well as a DNA-based phylogeny reconstruction. The Lima clade most likely originated on Cuba and then spread to Jamaica once and Hispaniola multiple times. Species of this clade can be recognized by the well developed bulla-based hairs of the adaxial leaf surface, as well as the clavate-dendritic hairs produced along the primary, secondary and tertiary veins of the adaxial leaf surface, mostly towards the leaf base, terminal inflorescences, acute petal apices, slightly bulla-based hairs produced subapically along the petal abaxial surface, and anthers with a dorso-basal appendage and a single, dorsally oriented pore. Descriptions, synonymies, along with distribution maps and illustrations/figures, are given for each species. Miconia pagnolensis sp. nov. is newly described in this revision.

A revised circumscription and clarification of the taxonomic position of Miconia tetrazygioides (Melastomataceae: miconieae): an endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti

“…As part of an on-going systematic investigation of the species of Miconia (see Michelangeli et al 2018/19) of the Caribbean region (Bécquer et al 2008(Bécquer et al , 2017Ionta et al 2012;Judd 2007;Judd et al 2014aJudd et al , 2014bJudd et al , 2015Judd et al , 2018Majure et al 2014Majure et al , 2014Majure et al /15, 2015Majure et al , 2016Majure et al , 2018Michelangeli et al 2008;Penneys & Judd 2005;Skean et al 2018), especially the species of the Caribbean clade (Majure et al 2014(Majure et al , 2015(Majure et al , 2016(Majure et al , 2018, we had the opportunity to carefully assess the type material of the poorly understood Miconia tetrazygioides Urb. & Ekman, i.e., Ekman H10684, which was collected in the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti (Urban & Ekman 1929).…”

“…DNA nucleotide sequences of Miconia tetrazygioides (incl. M. cineana) indicate that the species is a member of the Caribbean clade (Majure et al 2014), a major radiation in the Caribbean region (Judd & Majure 2019;Majure et al 2015Majure et al . 2016Majure et al , 2018Michelangeli et al 2008) (Majure et al 2014).…”

Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XIV. Species of Miconia section Sagraea that occur in the Greater Antilles and additionally in the Lesser Antilles and/or continental regions

“…Majure & Judd (Majure et al 2014/15), sect. Lima Majure & Judd (Majure & Judd 2013;Majure et al 2016), and sect. Miconiastrum (Bonpl.…”