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A revision of Meriania (Melastomataceae) in the Greater Antilles with emphasis on the status of the Cuban species

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Abstract

The genus Meriania is represented in the Greater Antilles by nine species. Each species is endemic to only one island with five present in Hispaniola, two in Jamaica and two in Cuba. Meriania is absent from Puerto Rico. The two species in Cuba have been traditionally considered as a distinct variety or subspecies of a species also found in Jamaica (M. leucantha), but this study concluded that both deserve status as separate species. Careful examination of the types showed that the most commonly collected Meriania in Cuba had never been formally recognized as a distinct taxon, and it is here described as Meriana albiflora. The other Cuban taxon is here given species status as Meriania angustifolia. We provide a key to species of Meriania in the Greater Antilles, along with complete descriptions and updated nomenclatural and taxonomic notes. Lectotypes are designated for Meriania angustifolia, Meriania bullifera, and Meriania purpurea.

Resumen

El género Meriania está representado en las Antillas Mayores por nueve especies. Cada especie es endémica a sólo una isla, con cinco presentes en La Española, dos en Jamaica y dos en Cuba. Meriania no se encuentra en Puerto Rico. Las dos especies en Cuba habían sido consideradas hasta este estudio como subespecies o variedades de una especie que se encuentra en Jamaica (M. leucantha), pero aquí concluimos que ambas merecen ser consideradas como especies distintas. Es más, la inspección de los materiales tipo de las especies jamaiquinas, así como de los especímenes cubanos reveló que la especie más común en Cuba no ha sido descrita hasta el momento, por lo cual se describe aquí como Meriania albiflora. La segunda especie de Cuba es elevada de variedad a especie como Meriania angustifolia. También se provee una clave para todas las especies de Meriania en las Antillas, así como descripciones completas y notas actualizadas sobre la nomenclatura y taxonomía del grupo. Se designan lectotipos para Meriania angustifolia, Meriania bullifera, y Meriania purpurea.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Logan Kistler, the National Geographic Society, and the University of Pennsylvania for logistical support for WC visits to the NYBG. Eldis Bécquer Granados provided invaluable assistance in the field, comments and help locating specimens in Cuban herbaria. Walter S. Judd, Gretchen M. Ionta and J. Dan Skean Jr. provided live photographs of the species from Jamaica and Hispaniola. This research was partially funded by the National Science Foundation (DEB-0818399), and the MacArthur foundation. Line drawings were masterfully prepared by Bobbi Angel. We are also grateful to J. Dan Skean Jr. and an anonymous reviewer for their comments and suggestions that greatly helped in improving this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA

    Fabián A. Michelangeli & Karla Sosa

  2. Jardín Botánico de Holguín, Holguín, Cuba

    Wilder Carmenate Reyes

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  1. Fabián A. Michelangeli
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  2. Wilder Carmenate Reyes
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  3. Karla Sosa
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Correspondence to Fabián A. Michelangeli.

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Michelangeli, F.A., Carmenate Reyes, W. & Sosa, K. A revision of Meriania (Melastomataceae) in the Greater Antilles with emphasis on the status of the Cuban species. Brittonia 67, 118–137 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-015-9366-4

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