Erithalis

Abstract: Ernodea Swartz (Tribe Spermacoceae) and Erithalis P. Browne (Tribe Chiococceae) are two genera of Rubiaceae that are endemic to the Caribbean, composed of four and nine species, respectively. Molecular phylogenies were analyzed in a biogeographic context using Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA) and Fitch Parsimony methods. A geographic association of Cuba and Dominican Republic was supported by area cladograms generated by BPA for Erithalis and by the combined data matrix. Additionally, the two parts of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) appear in two different places on the cladogram suggesting that Hispaniola represents a composite of geological areas. Fitch analyses support a Greater Antillean origin for Erithalis, however, it was ambiguously resolved for Ernodea. Overall, biogeographic analyses explain the present-day distribution of Ernodea as a product of dispersal, whereas a combination of vicariance and dispersal events appears to be involved in Erithalis biogeographical history. In general, the study implies that trans-oceanic seed dispersal plays an important role in the distribution of these genera, in addition to Tertiary vicariance events for Erithalis.

Abstract: During our work on Rubiaceae for the project Repatriation of Kew Herbarium data for the Flora of Bahia, Brazil, funded by the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species, c. 250 taxa were registered for Northeastern Brazil (over 1900 specimens). These specimens were critically determined in order to maximize the value of the repatriated data and images, and to enhance the level of information in Kew's own collection of Rubiaceae for that region. The immediate taxonomic adjustments resulting from this process appear below. All cited material has been seen by the authors except where stated otherwise.

Abstract: Chiococca and Salzmannia are similar and related, but have not been well studied. A review of their morphology clarified their separation and found that some variation documented in Chiococca has been overlooked, and the corolla lobes of Salzmannia are narrowly imbricated, not valvate in bud, and its flowers are protandrous and homostylous, with the style markedly elongated after anthesis. Chiococca is represented in northeastern Brazil by four species, and their distinctions are clarified. The problematic species Erithalis insularis, of Fernando de Noronha Island, better agrees morphologically and biogeographically with Chiococca , and is here transferred to this genus with the new combination Chiococca insularis; Erithalis is therefore restricted to the Caribbean basin. Salzmannia is endemic to coastal eastern and northeastern Brazil, and comprises two species; S. arborea , described here, is found along the coast of Bahia and notable in its tree habit and dimorphic vegetative and reproductive stems.

Abstract: Exostema orbiculatum is transferred to the genus Erithalis based on morphology and ITS sequences, resulting in the new combination Erithalis orbiculata . This species, endemic to west-central Jamaica, is unique in Erithalis for its sessile, orbicular leaves, acuminately spinescent stipules, and sessile inflorescence and flowers.