Taxonomic Studies of Diospyros (Ebenaceae) from the Malagasy Region. IX. Clarification of Species Limits Between D. clusiifolia and D. fuscovelutina, and Establishment of a New Combination Based on a Name Previously Placed in Synonymy, Tetraclis baronii

Hasina N. Rakouth; Richard Randrianaivo; Sandratra A. F. Andrianarivelo; Dochard A. Karatra; Minosoa Z. Nombanjanahary; Stephano Andriamiadana; Roger L. Andriamiarisoa; Roger Bernard; Richardson Razakamalala; Sylvie Andriambololonera; Bakolimalala Rakouth; Porter P. Lowry II

doi:10.3417/2023848

Hasina N. Rakouth Université d’Antananarivo
Richard Randrianaivo Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Sandratra A. F. Andrianarivelo Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Dochard A. Karatra Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Minosoa Z. Nombanjanahary Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Stephano Andriamiadana Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Roger L. Andriamiarisoa Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Roger Bernard Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Richardson Razakamalala Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Sylvie Andriambololonera Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research and Conservation Program
Bakolimalala Rakouth Université d’Antananarivo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5710-2006
Porter P. Lowry II Missouri Botanical Garden

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3417/2023848

Keywords: Diospyros, Ebenaceae, IUCN Red List, Madagascar, new combination, precious wood, Tetraclis group

Abstract

The taxonomic delimitation is clarified between two species recently recognized as closely related but distinct, Diospyros clusiifolia (Hiern) G. E. Schatz & Lowry and D. fuscovelutina Baker, which can easily be confused based on morphology and eco-geography. A third entity, Tetraclis baronii H. Perrier, erroneously placed in synonymy over a decade ago under D. fuscovelutina, is resurrected by establishing a new combination, D. baronii (H. Perrier) H. N. Rakouth & Lowry. The diagnostic characters that distinguish these three taxa are presented and discussed, along with a risk of extinction assessment of D. baronii based on the IUCN Red List criteria, which indicates that its status is Near Threatened.