Scientific Area
Presence of the "tea mangrove” Pelliciera benthamii in Cispatá Bay, Córdoba, Colombian Caribbean
ID: 613 / 352
Category: Abstract
Track: Pending
Proposed Symposium Title: Presence of the "tea mangrove” Pelliciera benthamii in Cispatá Bay, Córdoba, Colombian Caribbean
Authors:
JP. Caicedo-Garcia 1, Tania C. Hoyos-Ruiz1, Paula C. Sierra-Correa1, Anny P. Zamora-Bornachera1, Joaquin A. Torres-Duque, Amanda S. Rojas-Aguirre
Affiliations: 1 Marine and Coastal Research Institute "José Benito Vives de Andreis" , Santa Marta, Colombia
Abstract:
The genus Pelliciera, family Tetrameristaceae, is part of the neotropical mangrove ecosystems, considered endemic to the tropical Pacific coast of the Americas until 1982. Pelliciera was long considered a monotypic genus, with P. rhizophorae as the sole representative, and according to fossil records, it is the oldest mangrove species in the neotropics. However, some authors used to classify specimens as a variety (P. rhizophorae var. benthamii), which, based on recent genetic, ecological and morphological evidence, such as the colour and dimensions of the flowers, the characteristics of the bracteoles and the presence of dentition on the leaf margins, has been elevated to species status and lectotypified, restructuring the genus into two species: P. rhizophorae and P. benthamii. In the Caribbean, populations of P. benthamii have been reported from Nicaragua, Panama and Colombia. A structural, morphological and environmental description of individuals from tea mangroves and a review of published taxonomic keys are presented. The specimens studied were found in eight sectors of "Caño Salado" defined as a preservation zone in the Cispatá Bay Management Plan (Córdoba, Colombia) in monitoring plots of 500 m2. Measurements were taken of leaf width, length, shape and leaf margin structures (glandular characteristics). Additionally, measurements of width, length and colour of petals, sepals, bracts and pistils were recorded. Environmental characteristics such as rainfall (mm) and dendrometric parameters such as tree diameter and height were also recorded in the monitoring plots. The reported samples presented characters consistent with P. benthamii found in forest relicts with a dispersed spatial distribution. It is concluded that the reports of this species in Cispatá Bay are of great importance for the knowledge of Colombian mangroves and to generate conservation and restoration initiatives that have a positive impact on the populations of Pelliciera sp currently under threat.