Summary
Four new Psychotria species with conspicuous bacterial nodules in their leaf-blades, P. njumei Cheek, P. ngollengollei Cheek, P. darwiniana Cheek and P. babatwoensis Cheek are described, mapped and illustrated from the submontane forests of the Cameroon Highlands. Their taxonomic and conservation status are assessed.
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Acknowledgements
Jean Michel Onana, Head of the National Herbarium of Cameroon (Institute of Research on Agronomy for Development) is thanked for his support in organising and participating in the fieldwork that resulted in the discovery of these species, as are his predecessors Gaston Achoundong and Benoit Satabie. John DeMarco of the former Bamenda Highlands Forest Project suggested and supported the surveys that resulted in the discovery of Psychotria babatwoensis. Chris Bowden and Chris Wild of the former Mt Kupe Forest Projects did the same for the surveys resulting in the discovery of the remaining species. Support for the fieldwork was provided by Earthwatch Europe and the Darwin Initiative of the UK government. Mark Coode kindly translated the diagnoses into Latin with assistance from Melanie Thomas, while Katrine Herian, Daniel Haynes and Sue Metcham volunteered technical assistance. We would also like to thank Daniela Zappi, Olivier Lachenaud and two anonymous reviewers who commented on earlier drafts of this manuscript.
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Cheek, M., Corcoran, M. & Horwath, A. Four new submontane species of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) with bacterial nodules from Western Cameroon. Kew Bull 63, 405–418 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-008-9056-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-008-9056-4