Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science

Major

Biology

Date of Defense

11-18-2020

Graduate Advisor

Nathan Muchhala, PhD

Co-Advisor

James S. Miller, PhD

Committee

Aimee Dunlap, PhD

Abstract

Trilepisium is a genus of tree with two member species: T. madagascariense and T. gymnandrum. This genus shows diversity in habit and morphology greatly exceeding that expected of a genus with two member species. Concerted collection efforts since the last revision have suggested there are several unrecognized species within Trilepisium and a revision is needed. Chapter one of this thesis details the history of this taxanomically challenging genus and presents the results of our study of 600 Malagasy herbarium specimens. Trilepisium is more adequately circumscribed as containing 17 species, 11 of which are new to science. Chapter two contains descriptions of four of the newly delineated species for which adequate and fertile material was present: T. littoralis, T. vohibensis, T. andapensis, and T. borealis. Accompanying these descriptions are distribution maps for each species. All four species are of conservation concern, meeting the criteria for Endangered (EN).

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