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Watuma BM, Kipkoech S, Melly DK, Ngumbau VM, Rono PC, Mutie FM, Mkala EM, Nzei JM, Mwachala G, Gituru RW, Hu GW, Wang QF. An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Taita Hills, Eastern Arc Mountain. PhytoKeys 2022; 191:1-158. [PMID: 35437383 PMCID: PMC8904431 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.191.73714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Taita Hills forests are an ecological island within the Tsavo plains and are the northern-most part of the Eastern Arc Mountains in southeast Kenya. They are highly fragmented forests embedded in a mosaic of human settlements and farms on the slopes and hilltops. Despite their intensive degradation, they exhibit a high degree of plant diversity and endemism, and therefore are regarded as a biodiversity hotspot. In spite of their distinct importance to the biodiversity of the region as well as supporting the livelihoods of the surrounding communities, floristic studies in these hills have been finite. Through repetitive floral expeditions, herbarium records from the East African Herbarium (EA), Global Biodiversity Information (GBIF), and the Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigbio) databases, as well as plant lists from literature and monographs, we provide a comprehensive checklist of 1594 taxa representing 159 families, 709 genera, 1530 species, 39 subspecies, 27 varieties, and 2 hybrids. Out of these, 75 are endemic or near-endemic, 59 are exotic, and 83 are listed as either endangered or near endangered as evaluated in the IUCN Redlist. Zehneriatuberifera G.W.Hu & Q.F.Wang, a new species to science, which has previously been described, was also discovered from the Ngangao forest fragment. Information on the habit(s), habitat(s), and altitudinal range of each taxon is provided in this study. This checklist is an updated inventory of the vascular plants of the Taita Hills. It confirms the high plant diversity of the hills and provides a clear baseline for strategic conservation and sustainable management of plant resources and diversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Muema Watuma
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
- Botany Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, KenyaKenya Forestry Research InstituteNairobiKenya
| | - Solomon Kipkoech
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
- Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), P.O Box 20412–00200 Nairobi, KenyaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
| | - David Kimutai Melly
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
- Bomet University College, P.O Box 701-20400. Bomet, KenyaBomet University CollegeBometKenya
| | - Veronicah Mutele Ngumbau
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 - 00100 Nairobi, KenyaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Peninah Cheptoo Rono
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
| | - Fredrick Munyao Mutie
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
| | - Elijah Mbadi Mkala
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
| | - John Mulinge Nzei
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
| | - Geoffrey Mwachala
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 - 00100 Nairobi, KenyaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Robert Wahiti Gituru
- Botany Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, KenyaKenya Forestry Research InstituteNairobiKenya
| | - Guang-Wan Hu
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
| | - Qing-Feng Wang
- Core Botanical Gardens/Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaWuhan Botanical GardenWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSino-Africa Joint Research CenterWuhanChina
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Melly DK, Kipkoech S, Muema BW, Kamau P, Malombe I, Hu G, Wang QF. An annotated checklist of the vascular flora of South and North Nandi Forests, Kenya. PhytoKeys 2020; 155:87-139. [PMID: 32863724 PMCID: PMC7428464 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.155.51966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We compiled a checklist of the flora of South and North Nandi forests based on literature, online databases, herbarium collections and floristic field surveys. A combination of general walk-over surveys and plotless landscape sampling for plant collection and sight observation was used. We recorded 628 plant species representing 118 families and 392 genera, which almost double the latest results of the previous most recent survey. We found 61 species of ferns and fern allies and 567 species of seed plants, representing 9.98% of the total plant species in Kenya. Herbs were the majority (50.2%) of life forms followed by shrubs (16.5%). We report unique populations of three species out of 19 species that are widespread in Africa, but restricted to Nandi and Kakamega Forests in Kenya. Four of the recorded species are threatened globally and 16 exotic plant species were found. The recent description of one new species and two new records for Kenya from these forests, together with the comprehensive checklist is of crucial importance to the conservation of these unique ecosystems. Our results are essential to forest managers, community forest associations, conservationists, students and research scientists in Kenya and globally for implementing critical decisions for the conservation of this vital biodiversity resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kimutai Melly
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Solomon Kipkoech
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Benjamin Watuma Muema
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peris Kamau
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Itambo Malombe
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Guangwan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Qing-Feng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
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Kipkoech S, Melly DK, Muema BW, Wei N, Kamau P, Kirika PM, Wang Q, Hu G. An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Aberdare Ranges Forest, a part of Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot. PhytoKeys 2020; 149:1-88. [PMID: 32549745 PMCID: PMC7286935 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.149.48042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The Aberdare Ranges Forest, located in the Central highlands of Kenya, is an isolated volcanic mountain in the East African Rift Valley with unique flora. Despite its refugial importance to rare and endemic plant species, the diversity of plants in the Aberdare Ranges Forest remains poorly understood. The checklist presented here is a collation of data obtained from multiple floristic surveys and from herbarium specimen collections from the forest. A total of 1260 vascular plants taxa representing 136 families, 613 genera, 67 subspecies and 63 varieties are documented. The ferns comprised 84 species, lycophytes seven, gymnosperms six and angiosperms were 1163 taxa. This represents 17.9% of the Kenyan taxa, 1.7% of the African taxa and 0.3% of all the vascular plants known in the world. A total of 18 taxa were endemic and 14 taxa were found to be threatened globally. The life form, voucher specimen(s), habitat and distribution range of each taxon and a brief analysis of taxa diversity is presented in this checklist. This is the first comprehensive inventory of vascular plants in the entire Aberdare Ranges, providing a solid basis for more sustainable management and improved conservation of this montane forest. The checklist is also an important contribution to the world checklist of plants required by the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Kipkoech
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - David Kimutai Melly
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Benjamin Watuma Muema
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Neng Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Peris Kamau
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Paul Muigai Kirika
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Qingfeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guangwan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaNational Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Ngumbau VM, Luke Q, Nyange M, Wanga VO, Watuma BM, Mbuni YM, Munyao JN, Oulo MA, Mkala EM, Kipkoech S, Itambo M, Hu GW, Wang QF. An annotated checklist of the coastal forests of Kenya, East Africa. PhytoKeys 2020; 147:1-191. [PMID: 32476978 PMCID: PMC7237506 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.147.49602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The inadequacy of information impedes society's competence to find out the cause or degree of a problem or even to avoid further losses in an ecosystem. It becomes even harder to identify all the biological resources at risk because there is no exhaustive inventory of either fauna or flora of a particular region. Coastal forests of Kenya are located in the southeast part of Kenya and are distributed mainly in four counties: Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Tana River County. They are a stretch of fragmented forests ca. 30-120 km away from the Indian Ocean, and they have existed for millions of years. Diversity of both fauna and flora is very high in these relicts and the coastal forests of Eastern Africa, extending along the coast from Somalia through Kenya and Tanzania to Mozambique, are ranked among the priority biodiversity hotspot in the world. In spite of the high plant species richness and their importance towards supporting the livelihoods of the communities that live around them, floristic studies in these forests have remained poorly investigated. Hence, based on numerous field investigations, plant lists from published monograph/literature, and data from BRAHMS (Botanical Records and Herbarium Management System) database at East African herbarium (EA), we present a detailed checklist of vascular plants recorded in this region. Our results show that Kenyan coastal forests play an essential role in the flora of Kenya and the plant diversity of the coastal forests of East Africa. The checklist represents 176 families, 981 genera, 2489 species, 100 infraspecific taxa, 90 endemic plants species, 72 exotic species, and 120 species that are included in the current IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as species of major concern. We also discovered three new species to the world from these relicts. Thus, Kenyan coastal forests present a remarkable and significant center of plant diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronicah Mutele Ngumbau
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Quentin Luke
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mwadime Nyange
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vincent Okelo Wanga
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Benjamin Muema Watuma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuvenalis Morara Mbuni
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacinta Ndunge Munyao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Millicent Akinyi Oulo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Elijah Mbandi Mkala
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Solomon Kipkoech
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Malombe Itambo
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Guang-Wan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Qing-Feng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
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Wei N, Zhong ZX, Melly DK, Kipkoech S, Watuma BM, Ngumbau VM, Kamau P, Hu GW, Wang QF. Zehneria grandibracteata (Cucurbitaceae), an overlooked new species from western Kenyan forests. PhytoKeys 2020; 165:85-98. [PMID: 33192148 PMCID: PMC7642130 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.165.57399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Zehneria grandibracteata, a new species of Cucurbitaceae from western Kenya, is described here, based on morphological and molecular data. It has long been misidentified as the widely-distributed species Z. scabra. However, it differs by its ovate leafy probract at the base of the inflorescences, subglabrous condition of the entire plant, shorter receptacle-tube and filaments, as well as denser and sessile inflorescences. Furthermore, the molecular phylogenetic analysis of Zehneria, based on nrITS sequences, further supports the argument that Z. grandibracteata should be segregated from Z. scabra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CN-100049, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
| | - David Kimutai Melly
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CN-100049, China
| | - Solomon Kipkoech
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CN-100049, China
| | - Benjamin Muema Watuma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CN-100049, China
| | - Veronicah Mutele Ngumbau
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CN-100049, China
- East Africa Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 451660-0100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peris Kamau
- East Africa Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 451660-0100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Guang-Wan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
| | - Qing-Feng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, CN-430074, China
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Kipkoech S, Melly DK, Mwema BW, Mwachala G, Musili PM, Hu G, Wang Q. Conservation priorities and distribution patterns of vascular plant species along environmental gradients in Aberdare ranges forest. PhytoKeys 2019; 131:91-113. [PMID: 31582887 PMCID: PMC6760195 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.131.38124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Distribution patterns of biodiversity and the factors influencing them are important in conservation and management strategies of natural resources. With impending threats from increased human population and global climatic changes, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of these patterns, more so in species-rich tropical montane ecosystems where little is known about plant diversity and distribution. Vascular species richness along elevation and climatic gradients of Aberdare ranges forest were explored. A total of 1337 species in 137 families, 606 genera, 82 subspecies and 80 varieties were recorded. Correlations, simple linear regression and Partial least square regression analysis were used to assess richness and diversity patterns of total plants, herbs, shrubs, climbers, arboreal and endemic species from 2000-4000 m above sea level. Total plant species richness showed a monotonic declining relationship with elevation with richness maxima at 2000-2100 m a.s.l., while endemic species richness had a positive unimodal increase along elevation with peaks at 3600-3700 m a.s.l. Herbs, shrubs, climbers and arboreal had significant negative relationships with altitude, excluding endemism which showed positive relations. In contrast, both air and soil temperatures had positive relationships with taxa richness groups and negative relations with endemic species. Elevation was found to have higher relative influence on plant richness and distribution in Aberdare ranges forest. For effective conservation and management of biodiversity in Aberdare, localized dynamic conservation interventions are recommended in contrast to broad and static strategies. Establishment of conservation zones and migration corridors are necessary to safeguard biodiversity in line with envisaged global climatic vicissitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Kipkoech
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaEast African Herbarium, National Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - David Kimutai Melly
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaEast African Herbarium, National Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Benjamin Watuma Mwema
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaEast African Herbarium, National Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Geoffrey Mwachala
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Paul Mutuku Musili
- East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166 00100, Nairobi, KenyaSino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Guangwan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaEast African Herbarium, National Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qingfeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaEast African Herbarium, National Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing 100049, ChinaWuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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