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Issue: Vol. 728 No. 2: 12 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-12
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.728.2.1
Page range: 93-107
Abstract views: 1737
PDF downloaded: 509

Nepenthes megastoma (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic pitcher plant from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines

Philippine Taxonomic Initiative, Inc., Barangay Maligaya, El Nido, Palawan 5313, Philippines
Philippine Taxonomic Initiative, Inc., Barangay Maligaya, El Nido, Palawan 5313, Philippines; Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City 1108, Philippines
Biophysical Sciences Department, College of Sciences, Palawan State University, Tiniguiban Heights, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300, Philippines
Philippine Taxonomic Initiative, Inc., Barangay Maligaya, El Nido, Palawan 5313, Philippines
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
Taxonomy non-core Caryophyllales Malesia new species Eudicots

Abstract

Nepenthes megastoma is described and illustrated as a new species from the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan Philippines. This carnivorous tropical pitcher plant is currently known from just three locations in the Mount Saint Paul karst formation, where it grows on vertical limestone walls. Morphologically, N. megastoma is characterised by its highly branched stems, campanulate pitchers, peltate tendril exsertion, dimorphic upper pitchers, and unidirectionally upturned female flowers. It is assessed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List criteria, based on its restriction to three subpopulations comprising few total individuals. Pitcher morphology suggests a degree of ecological-functional convergence with N. campanulata of Borneo, though overall morphology indicates a probable close affinity with the widespread Palawan endemic N. philippinensis.

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How to Cite

Altomonte, J.C.A., Collantes, J.P.R., Mangussad, V., Bustamante, R.A.A. & Robinson, A.S. (2025) Nepenthes megastoma (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic pitcher plant from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines. Phytotaxa 728 (2): 93–107. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.728.2.1