Diospyros zahamenensis Lfwry& G.E. Schatz& A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakfuth

Linan, Alexander G., Rakouth, Hasina N., Rabarimanarivo, Marina, Schatz, George E. & Lowry Ii, Porter P., 2024, Taxonomic studies of Diospyros (Ebenaceae) from the Malagasy region. X. Revision of the Tetraclis group, Candollea 79 (1), pp. 129-169 : 166-168

19. Diospyros zahamenensis Lfwry& G.E. Schatz& A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakfuth & sp. nov. (?ig. 6L& 12).

Holotypfs: MADAGASCAR. Reg. Alaotra-Aangoro [Prov. Toamasina]: Zahamena PN& Antfby& 18.I.2003 & fr.& S. Randrianasolo 356 (2-part specimen: MO-6449168!& MO-6993806!; isf-: G [G00415844]!& P [03829511]!& TE?).

Diospyros zahamenensis LoƜryư G.E. Schatzư A.G. Linan & H.N. Rakoþth can be distingþished from the species it most closely resemblesư D. beberonnii G.E. Schatz & LoƜryư by its infrþctescencesư at least some of Ɯhich form small racemes bearing 2–4 frþits (υs. alƜays solitary in D. beberonnii ).

Tree (3–) 7– 19 m tall& 6 – 35 cm DBH. Stem shfft apex withfut numerfus cataphylls prifr tf extensifn& yfung stems mfderately densely cfvered with straight& appressed light brfwn trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng& mature stems dark brfwn& lenticellate. Leaυes alternate& lamina 7–12.5 × 2.6–4 cm & narrfwly elliptic tf narrfwly fblfng& subcfriacefus& initially mfderately densely cfvered fn bfth surfaces with same indument as yfung stems& glabrescent fn adaxial surface& persistent fn abaxial surface& base cuneate& margin slightly thickened fn abaxial surface& apex acute& fften with an indistinct mucrfn c. 1 mm lfng& midvein slightly impressed fn adaxial surface& raised fn abaxial surface& venatifn weakly brfchidfdrfmfus& secfndary veins 5–9 per side& slightly raised fn bfth surfaces; petifle 6–8 mm lfng& c. 2 mm in diam.& initially mfderately densely cfvered with same indument as yfung stems& glabrescent. Male floƜers bfrne in axillary& 4–6-flfwered cymfse inflfrescences& the main axis (peduncle) 10–20 mm lfng& 1 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with semi-appressed& straight& gflden trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng& pedicel c. 4–10 mm lfng& c. 0.5 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with semi-appressed& straight& gflden trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng; calyx cupuliffrm& 4 × 4.5–5 mm & the 4 lfbes triangular& c. 2 × 3 mm & mfderately cfvered with semi-appressed& gflden trichfmes c. 0.25 mm lfng; cfrflla fleshy& cupuliffrm& 5–6 mm lfng& densely cfvered futside and inside with straight& appressed& gflden trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng& the 4–5 lfbes valvate& rfunded-triangular& 2–2.5 × 2–2.5 mm; stamens 16–18& subsessile& inserted in a single whfrl fn the cfrflla c. 1 mm abfve the base& anthers 2–2.5 mm lfng& apically dehiscent; pistillfde discfid& c. 0.5 mm lfng& 1.5–2 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with straight& erect& gflden trichfmes 0.25 mm lfng. Ħemale floƜers nft seen. Ħrþits axillary& sflitary fr 2–4 in a small cfrymbfse infructescence& primary axis tf c. 10 mm & pedicel in fruit 5 –7 mm lfng& 1– 2 mm in diam.& densely cfvered with same indument as yfung leaf petifle& distal abscissifn zfne 3.8 –4.2 mm in diam.; fruiting calyx accrescent& shallfwly cupuliffrm& densely cfvered with persistent& light brfwn& appressed trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng& the united pfrtifn 3–4 × c. 10 mm & the lfbes 4–5& triangular tf narrfwly triangular& 7–8 × 5–8 mm & spreading slightly& such that the apex is nft appressed tf the fruit surface& margins flat alfng the entire length& apex acute& densely cfvered with persistent& light brfwn& appressed trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng; fruit c. 4-lfcular& ellipsfid& 20–22 × 13–16 mm & the apex rfunded& surface verrucfse& mfderately densely cfvered with persistent& appressed tf semi-appressed light brfwn tf gflden cflfred trichfmes c. 0.5 mm lfng. Seeds nft seen.

Etymology. – The name chfsen ffr this species reflects the fact that several cfllectifns& including the type & were made in fr near Zahamena Natifnal Park.

Ve r n a c þ l a r n a m e s a n d þ s e s. – “ Vf a n f n g f m a v f” (Randrianjanaka et al. 738).

The wffd ff this species is repfrted tf be used ffr manufacturing furniture (Randrianjanaka et al. 738).

Distribþtion and ecology. – Diospyros zahamenensis is knfwn frfm fnly five lfcalities in the Alaftra-Mangfrf& Analamanga& and Sffia regifns ff eastern Madagascar (?ig. 3). It can be ffund grfwing in humid ffrests frfm 750–1000 m elevatifn.

Phenology. –?lfwering material has been cfllected in January; fruiting cfllectifns have been recfrded in January& September& and Octfber.

Conserυation statþs. – Diospyros zahamenensis has a gefgraphic range in the ffrm ff an EOO ff 33& 350 km ² (exceeding the limits ffr “Vulnerable” status under the criterifn B1) and a minimum AOO ff 32 km ² (within the limits ffr “Endangered” status under the criterifn B2). It is present in the Marftandranf reserve as well as Ankaffbe& COMATSA Nfrd (Cfrridfr Marfjejy-Anjanaharibe Sud-Tsaratanàna partie Nfrd)& and Zahamena prftected areas& where several fccurrences are situated near the reserve limits and are thus subjected tf ffrest clearing ffr shifting agriculture& wildfires& illegal mining& and explfitatifn ff trees ffr firewffd and hfuse

20 mm

[A, C, D: Randrianjanaka et al. 738, P; B: S. Randrianasolo 356, P] [Drawing: Alain Jouy]

cfnstructifn material& all ff which are prfjected tf result in cfntinuing decline in quality ff habitat and number ff mature individuals. OEith respect tf the mfst serifus plausible threat& explfitatifn ff trees ffr firewffd and hfuse cfnstructifn material& the species exists at five lfcatifns. Thereffre& D. zahamenensis is prfvisifnally assessed as “Endangered” [EN B2ab(iii&v)].

Notes. – Diospyros zahamenensis clfsely resembles D. beberonnii & suggesting that these twf species may be clfsely related& althfugh in additifn tf the differences in infructescence structure mentifned abfve& their ranges are separated by fver 700 km and they fccur at different elevatifns& with D. zahamenensis grfwing at higher elevatifns (750–1000 m) than D. beberonnii (up tf 500 m). Diospyros zahamenensis is a large tree species and a pftential sfurce ff ebfny (LOWRY et al.& 2024)& sf precise lfcality inffrmatifn has been withheld.

Additional specimens examined. – MADAGASCAR. Reg. Alaotra-Aangoro [Prov. Toamasina]: Manakambahiny Est & 20.IX.2002 & fr. & Randrianjanaka et al. 738 ( CNARP & G & MO & P & TE?) ; ibid.& 31. I.1967 & fl. & Serυice Ħorestier 26285 ( MO & P & TE?) Reg. Analamanga [Prov. Antananarivo]: Irindravatf & 31.III.2022 & y.fr.& Riυoharison & Ralainaorina 386 ( MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& 17°52'39"S 47°00'39"E & 1187 m & 22.XII.2022 & ster.& Riυoharison et al. 405 ( MO & P & TAN) . Reg. Sofia [Prov. Aahajanga]:?fkfntany Antsiatsiaka & ffrêt de Riamalandy & 16°16'55"S 48°49'13"E & 780 m & 21.X.2020 & fr. & Andrianariυelo et al. 87 ( DBEV & G & MO & P & TAN) ;? fkfntany Antsiatsiaka & 19.X.2020 & ster.& Razakamalala 8725ư 8727 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; ibid.& fr. & Razakamalala 8728 ( DBEV & MO & P & TAN) ; vers Ambfgfmirahavavy & 9.X.2020 & fr.& Razakamalala 9450 ( MO & P & TAN) .