Corresponding author: David Kenfack (
Academic editor: Thomas L.P. Couvreur
Kenfack D, Nguema DE (2019) A new species of
In 2010, we established a 25-ha permanent plot in the rainforest of south-western Gabon to study the long-term dynamics of this forest (
Comparison of discriminant characters amongst
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Indumentum of young branches | Puberulous | Puberulous | Glabrous |
Shape of young branches | Not angular | Angular | Not angular |
Lamina length (cm) | 7–20 | 18–28 | 15–18 |
Lamina width (cm) | 3–9 | 8–12 | 8–10 |
Pedicel length (mm) | 5–7 | 4–5 | 3 |
Pedicel articulation | 1 mm below the calyx | about 1 mm below the calyx | Directly below the calyx |
Calyx margin | Entire | 6–10 lobed | Entire |
Calyx shape | Cupuliform | Cupuliform | Flattened patelliform |
Pseudocorolla length (mm) | 3–5 | 7–8 | 8 |
Number of ovules per locule | 1 | 2 or 3 | Many |
Fruit surface | Smooth | Ridged | Smooth |
Fruit diameter (mm) | 15–20 | 10–12 | 15 |
1 | Leaf lamina exceeding 18 cm long and 10 cm wide |
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– | Leaf lamina up to 18 cm long and 10 cm wide |
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2 | Ovary conical, pedicel 3—5 mm long, placentation axile |
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– | Ovary dome-shaped, pedicel 8–10 mm long, placentation apical |
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3 | Leaf base cuneate, slightly decurrent onto petiole |
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– | Leaf base rounded |
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4 | Young branches glabrous, petiole 5—7 mm long, ovary loci multi-ovulate |
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– | Young branches puberulous, petiole 2—4 mm long, ovary loci uni-ovulate |
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GABON. Ogooué Maritime, 25-ha Rabi Forest plot,
Flowering August–October, Fruiting September–December.
Type locations of
GABON. Ogooué Maritime: Rabi, 25-ha permanent plot, 24 m elev.,
The conservation status of
We are grateful to the Government of Gabon through the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CENAREST) for granting us permission to conduct the study and the Compagnie des bois du Gabon (CBG) for permission to establish the plot in their forest concession. The bulk of the financial and logistical support that led to the discovery of this new species was provided by Shell Gabon and Assala Energy, through the Center for Conservation and Sustainability of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Additional funding and technical support was provided by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute through the Forest Global Earth Observatory. We thank the personnel of the Institut de la Recherche en Écologie Tropicale (IRET) and the Herbier National du Gabon for their great support and contribution to the success of this work. We greatly appreciate the contribution of Gauthier Moussavou, Etienne Moumoulossi, Landry Tchignoumba, Prince Biessemou, Wilfried Mbading-Mbading, Gorky Villa and all other technicians who were involved in fieldwork. Special thanks to Alfonso Alonso, Lisa Korte, Hervé Memiaghe and Pulchérie Bissengou for their leading role in this project, to Alice Tangerini of the Smithsonian NMNH for the marvellous illustration of the new species and to Dr Duncan Kimuyu for the location map. This is contribution #190 of the Gabon Biodiversity Program.