Coprosma temetiuensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence, 2011

Wagner, Warren L. & Lorence, David H., 2011, Revision of Coprosma (Rubiaceae, tribe Anthospermeae) in the Marquesas Islands, PhytoKeys 4, pp. 109-124 : 115-116

Coprosma temetiuensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence sp. nov. Figs 3 4E, F

Type.

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa.Along trail from Atuona to Mt. Temetiu, moist forest, 700 m, 29 January 2003, D. H. Lorence, L. Dunn, & J. Price 8931(Holotype: PTBG!; Isotypes: BISH!, P!, PAP!, US!).

Foliis tenuiter coriaceis, 5.1 - 9.1 × 2.1 - 3.6 cm, petiolis 0.3 - 0.8 cm longis, stipulis 1.5 - 3 mm longis.

Description.

Shrubs 4-6 m tall; young stems short-pilose. Leaves opposite, thinly coriaceous, blades 5.1-9.1 × 2.1-3.6 cm, elliptic, pinnately veined with 8-9 pairs of veins, higher level venation conspicuously reticulate, both surfaces glabrous, domatia small, usually somewhat elongate, located along midrib near juncture of secondary veins, apex acuminate, base cuneate; petioles 0.3-0.8 cm long; stipules ca. 1.5-3 mm long, connate 4/ 5 of length, both surfaces glabrous, margins glabrous and dentate with a few small colleters, apex obtuse to a conspicuous appendage. Inflorescences axillary with 3(-7) flowers, with 1-3 nodes, the uppermost with a 3-flowered cymule, the others with usually only 1-2 flowers developing on each, these 5-merous, the peduncles 0-4 mm long, finely short-pilose. Flowers: male flowers unknown; female flowers with calyx short-tubular, 0.25-0.3 mm long, the teeth ca. 0.2 mm long, glabrous, corolla narrowly funnelform, the tube 0.3 mm long, the lobes 2.2-2.5 mm long, glabrous, the styles 5.5-7 mm long. Young fruits sparsely pilose, fruits and pyrenes otherwise unknown.

Distribution.

Known only from areas the vicinity of Mt. Temetiu, the highest peak on Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands.

Ecology.

Coprosma temetiuensis occurs at 700-880 m elevation in mesic forest and cloud forest with Metrosideros and Weimannia , associated with species of Alsophila , Crossostylis , Freycinetia , Hibiscus , Pandanus , and Phyllanthus .

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to the only known locality for this species.

Specimen examined.

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa.Hanamenu region, up Hanamenu valley to the drainages below and west of Temetiu, 884 m, [9°76'S, 139°0'W], Wood 10239 (PTBG).

Conservation status.

This species is extremely rare, with only two plants known from this locality. Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) it is assigned a preliminary status of Critically Endangered (CR): B2a, B2b ( i–iii); D: B2: total area of occupancy less than 10 km2 (ca. 5 km2). B2a, a single population known; b ( i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred; D, population estimated to number fewer than 250 individuals. The suitable habitat for Coprosma temetiuensis on Hiva Oa (c. 315 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activities (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest.