Revision of Rhynchoglossum (Gesneriaceae) in Malesia

Abstract

Revision on Rhynchoglossum in Malesia has been done. This research conducted based on morphological characters of 233 sheets of Herbarium specimen and Herbarium specimen photographs from Herbarium Bogoriense (BO), Singapore Botanic Gardens (SING), National Herbarium Netherlands (L), Royal Botanic Garden Kew (K), Natural History Museum London (BM), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (E), New York Botanical Gardens (NY), Smithsonian Institute (US), and Harvard University (A). The result shows that six species are recognized in Malesia and five are endemic. Five species are known previously namely R. borneense, R. klugioides, R. medusothrix, R. obliquum, and R. spumosum; one species is proposed as a new and newly described namely R. celebicum. Rhynchoglossum borneense and R. medusothrix endemic to Borneo, R. celebicum endemic to Sulawesi, while R. spumosum endemic to Philippine Islands. Rhynchoglossum klugioides and R. obliquum distributed wider in Malesia. Rhynchoglossum papuae and R. merrilliae are placed under synonym of R. obliquum and R. spumosum. A phylogenetic analysis using PAUP version 4.0 program based on 60 morphological characters with Stauranthera coerulea and Loxonia hirsuta as an outgroup was undertaken. The analysis resulted a parsimonious tree which shown that Rhynchoglossum in Malesia can be divided in two groups. First clade consist R. obliquum, R. spumosum and R. celebicum while the second clade consist R. klugioides, R. borneense and R. medusothrix. Taxonomic treatment was giving with a identification key to the species, description, nomenclature, distribution, and notes each species.