Abstract Detail

Systematics

Snow, Neil [1].

Systematics of Gossia (Myrtaceae) in New Caledonia.

Gossia N. Snow & Guymer is a baccate genus of Myrtaceae that ranges from New Guinea and eastern Australia east to Vanuatu. Its two major centers of distribution are Australia and New Caledonia (NC). The NC taxa have never been treated taxonomically in a single publication. Revisionary work nearing completion presently suggests ca. 20–25 species for NC, of which 8–9 will be proposed as new. Of these, all but one species appears to be endemic to NC. Gossia aphthosa has three subspecies, the two non-nominal ones of which remain to be described. Up to several additional taxa in the Gossia clusioides complex may warrant taxonomic recognition following additional field studies, most of which also are unnamed. These forms are based primarily on differences of leaf size and shape, and laminar surface features (flat vs. bullate). Many species have pronounced substrate preferences (ultramafic or non-ultramafic). Only three species of Gossia are somewhat widespread across Grande Terre. One newly proposed species probably is extinct, and several others likely will merit designations of Critically Endangered or Endangered (following IUCN criteria) given the paucity of collections overall, or because of their highly restricted distributions. Summing across the genus after publication of the NC material, Gossia will comprise approximately 45 species with as few as three, and up to ten subspecies. Further fieldwork is needed to more fully assess the conservation status of many taxa. In NC Gossia ranks third in species diversity among Myrtaceae following Syzygium and Eugenia, each with additional taxa to be described.

1 - Pittsburg State University, Department of Biology, T.M. Sperry Herbarium, Pittsburg, KS, 66762, USA

Keywords:
Myrtaceae
New Caledonia
Gossia
new species.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Systematics
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSY018
Abstract ID:176
Candidate for Awards:None