14/07/2025
๐๐๐ฐ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข
Published today โ A significant update in Philippine Begonia research features both the formal description of a new species and the amended distribution of an existing one, both found within the forests of Aurora Memorial National Park (AMNP), Luzon Island.
๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, a new species of Begonia from Aurora Memorial National Park (AMNP), Luzon Island, Philippines
A new species, ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ Y.P.Ang & J.Collantes, has been officially described from Luzon Island, specifically within the rich forests of the Aurora Memorial National Park (AMNP). The new population was found in well-shaded, humid forest interiors of tropical lowland evergreen rainforests. It was also seen along forest trails with clay-loam soil rich in humus and leaf litter, where it grows under a dense canopy.
It closely resembles ๐. ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ช, but is set apart by having a smaller stipule, a sub-symmetrically oblong-ovate to narrowly elliptic-ovate lamina, pinnate venation, crenate or serrulate leaf margin, a dichasial cymose staminate inflorescence, and smaller staminate flower tepals. The proposed IUCN status for ๐. ๐ด๐ถ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ช๐ง๐ฐ๐ญ๐ช๐ข is Endangered based on its restricted range, small subpopulations, and ongoing habitat threats such as forest loss, water resource decline, and human disturbance.
๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ Amended Description Published!
The known distribution of ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ช๐ข ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช Merr., previously known to only be found in Angilog, Rizal Province, now has new records within the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, particularly in the well-shaded areas of the montane forests of AMNP.
This new species description and updated distribution record were made possible through the continued field efforts of the Philippine Taxonomic Initiative, in collaboration with Palawan State University, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, and Texas Christian University.
Full Article:
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens'-bulletin-singapore/-/media/sbg/gardens-bulletin/gbs_77_01_y2025/77_01_06_y2025_v77p1_gbs_pg89.pdf
