Ridleyandra merohmerea (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract Ridleyandra merohmerea, a new species of Gesneriaceae, is described and illustrated. It is endemic in Peninsular Malaysia and known from a few populations along the Tuang River in the lowland dipterocarp forest of the Ulu Galas Forest Reserve in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. Its conservation status is assessed as Critically Endangered.


Introduction
Ridleyandra is a genus of Gesneriaceae with 31 species distributed from Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo (Weber and Burtt 1998, Kiew 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, Siti-Munirah 2012. In Peninsular Malaysia, 23 species are recognized and all of them are endemic. This new species, Ridleyandra merohmerea was first noticed and discovered by second author, Mr Zaharil Dzulkafly, a professional nature photographer, in January 2017 with a small population growing along the riverbank of Sungai Tuang. As a result of further examination at the site by the authors, this species appears to be new to science for its notable striking large trumpet-shaped flowers with bright red corolla tube and much darker red lobes and inner surface of the tube that are almost black. Diagnosis. In its leaf shape and flower lobe colour, Ridleyandra merohmerea most resembles R. iminii Siti-Munirah but it differs in its leaves that are flat above and not wavy (glossy above and wavy), petiole 1-2 cm long (1-4 cm), oblanceolate and falcate lamina (lamina lanceolate oblong and not falcate), peduncle 8-13 cm long with green to dark purple (5-8 cm, pale green), pedicels 1-2 cm long (2.5-3 cm). In flower colour also is similar to R. iminii but differs in the sepal dark purple outer surface (sepals light green), corolla tube completely bright red outside (fully white outside).
Ecology. Occurs on the river bank, steep slope and some on rocks just beside the river (Figure 1), mostly in under shaded conditions. All populations occurred at about 260-300 m above sea level (asl).
Etymology. From the local dialect of Kelantanese people, 'merohmerea' means 'merah terang' in Malay and bright red in English. This name was chosen in the hope it will attract more Kelantanese to be more interested, concerned and aware of the importance of forest biodiversity in Kelantan especially since recently there are so many controversies and issues about disturbance to forests in Kelantan that in some cases might result in destruction of this new unique discovery. Hopefully, this name will attract more stake-   holders to understand the importance of protecting and conserving the forest and this beautiful species and to realise that yet more new species are waiting to be discovered.
Conservation status. CR B2ab(ii,iii). Following the 2012 IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, (IUCN 2012) this species is assessed as critically endangered because it is only known from only one locality. Furthermore, only about 150 individuals were counted scattered along the river from the three populations found, currently it is being threatened all three populations are exposed by the rubber tree plantation project, which is currently ongoing within the forest reserve (or compart- ments). Although the three Ridleyandra populations lie within the Ulu Galas Forest Reserve, unfortunately the status of the forest is uncertain because the area had been approved for timber latex clone (TLC) rubber tree plantation and will soon be converted to plantation ('Projek Ladang Hutan'). None of the populations in Ulu Galas FR is in a Totally Protected Area.
Note. Based on lobed margin leafs, R. merohmerea also close to R. morganii (Franch.) A. Weber, however, in other character, including the inflorescence it is totally different (Figure 4, Table 1). In addition, phytogeography also different when referring to R. iminii Siti Munirah which endemic to Gunung Benom (Pahang) on upper hill dipterocarp forest, R. merohmerea endemic to Galas FR (Kelantan) in lowland diptero- carp forest, while R. morganii is quite wide distribute on central main range at many on montane forest such as Gunung Brinchang, Pahang (Map 1). Ridleyandra merohmerea is a distinctive species among Ridleyandra species in its flower color ( Figure 5). Indeed, the only other Ridleyandra species with a red flower is R. iminii, however the corolla outer surface of R. iminii is white, while in R. merohmerea is completely red.