Scientists identify five new plant species in Bolivia

Date:
July 23, 2021
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Scientists have identified five new plant species in the Bolivian
Andes.

The species are all part of the genus Jacquemontia, which are
twining or trailing plants with pretty blue flowers.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Scientists have identified five new plant species in the Bolivian Andes.


==========================================================================
The species are all part of the genus Jacquemontia, which are twining
or trailing plants with pretty blue flowers.

With rapid biodiversity loss taking place across South America and
worldwide, identifying plant species is a vital step towards protecting
them.

The new study, which classifies and describes the 28 Jacquemontia species
now known to live in Bolivia and Peru, was carried out by the universities
of Exeter and Oxford, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

"Many plant species have not been identified and classified, especially
in the tropics," said Rosie Clegg, of the University of Exeter and Kew.

"If you don't know what a species is, you can't conserve it.

"Working with local collaborators in Bolivia, we have identified five
new Jacquemontia species -- and our work so far suggests most of them
are relatively rare." Jacquemontia plants often grow in open, bushy or
grassy habitats, however, even widespread species are often scattered
in their distribution and some species are highly specialised, growing
even on bare rock with very little soil or water, while some require fire
to stimulate seed germination. The researchers now want to discover more
about these species, and where each can be found as - - at present -- some
are only known to exist in a single location. Plants limited to a small
area are highly vulnerable to threats such as the arrival of invasive
species and habitat destruction for agriculture, mining and road and
reservoir construction. Clegg's current work focusses on rock outcrops,
where some Jacquemontia species are found, although the new species
described in the paper are found on Andean slopes. "Rock outcrops come in
many forms across South America, with different geologies and different
plants living on them," she said. "As well as identifying plants, we
want to learn more about these habitats and the role they play in wider ecosystems. "Jacquemontia and other plants on rock outcrops are able
to survive in very harsh conditions, so through them we can learn more
about how plants might respond and adapt to climate change." John Wood,
of the University of Oxford and Kew, said: "Collaboration between UK institutions working alongside colleagues in Bolivia is important for
the identification and conservation of species and their habitats."
Clegg's research at the University of Exeter is funded by the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Programme.

The five newly described species are named: Jacquemontia boliviana, Jacquemontia cuspidata, Jacquemontia longipedunculata, Jacquemontia
mairae and Jaquemontia chuquisacensis.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Exeter. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. John R. I. Wood, Rosemary Clegg. Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae)
in Bolivia
and Peru. Kew Bulletin, 2021; DOI: 10.1007/s12225-021-09936-5 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210723105236.htm

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