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Issue: Vol. 762 No. 2: 16 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-16
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.762.2.6
Page range: 160-166
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Nomenclatural clarification of Mitracarpus salzmannianus (Rubiaceae, Spermacoceae), a widespread species from South America, with notes on its conservation status

Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical; Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; 22460-036; Jardim Botânico; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; Brazil
Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical; Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; 22460-036; Jardim Botânico; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; Brazil
AMAP Lab; IRD; CNRS; CIRAD; INRA; Université de Montpellier; 34398 Montpellier; France; AMAP Lab; IRD; Herbier de Guyane; B.P. 90165; 97323 Cayenne; French Guiana; France
Universidade de Pernambuco; Colegiado de Biologia; Rodovia BR 203; Km 2; s/n; Campus Petrolina; 56328-900; Petrolina; PE; Brazil
Diretoria de Pesquisa Científica; Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; Jardim Botânico; 22460-030; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; Brazil
Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas; Betânia; 62040-370; Sobral; CE; Brazil
Eudicots Conservation neotropical flora nomenclature synonymy taxonomy

Abstract

Nomenclatural adjustments in the genus Mitracarpus proposed the combination Mitracarpus strigosus for a common South American taxon. However, this name is based on Spermacoce strigosa, a later homonym of a rejected name, which renders the combination illegitimate. In this study, we reaffirm Mitracarpus salzmannianus as the correct and legitimate name for this species, addressing long-standing nomenclatural instability by formally designating lectotypes for M. salzmannianus and M. rudis, as well as a neotype for M. discolor. We also resolve the composition of historical mixed collections that have caused confusion in the past, provide diagnostic characters to distinguish this species from its closest morphological allies, and present a geographic distribution map alongside a preliminary conservation assessment.

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How to Cite

Portela, L.H.X., Silva, S.B.D., Delprete, P.G., Gonçalves-Oliveira, R.C., Bovini, M.G. & Souza, E.B.D. (2026) Nomenclatural clarification of Mitracarpus salzmannianus (Rubiaceae, Spermacoceae), a widespread species from South America, with notes on its conservation status. Phytotaxa 762 (2): 160–166. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.762.2.6