Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Taxonomic revision of Zamia in Mega-Mexico

  • Published:
Brittonia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The genus Zamia is revised for Mega-Mexico, with 22 species recognized and described. The study presents a taxonomic clarification for the genus in Mesoamerica, a contribution that provides the foundation for a future monograph for Zamia in the Neotropics. The largest proportion of species richness and endemism for the genus is concentrated in southeastern Mexico, among the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Veracruz, an area that is considered highly diverse in floristic terms. Distribution maps and a key to species are also provided, as well as complete descriptions of the specimens examined, including information on nomenclatural types, habitats, synonymies, and etymologies. A lectotype is designated for Zamia loddigesii, and neotypes for Z. galeottii, Z. leiboldii var. angustifolia, and Z. variegata. Zamia spartea is illustrated for the first time, and chromosome numbers for Z. herrerae are reported and illustrated. Finally, scanning electron micrographs of leaflet trichome character states are presented, along with a discussion of their systematic implications within the group.

Resumen

El género Zamia es revisado para Mega-México, con 22 especies descritas y una species dubia. El estudio está orientado al esclarecimiento taxonómico del género en Mega-México, una contribución que siente los fundamentos para una futura monografía para Zamia en el Neotrópico. La mayor riqueza y endemismo para el género se concentra en el sureste de México, entre los estados de Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco y Veracruz, área de alta biodiversidad florística. Mapas de distribución y una clave para las especies son presentadas, como también descripciones completas, tipos, hábitat, sinónimos, etimología y especimenes examinadas. Se designa un lectotipo para Zamia loddigesii, y neotipos para Z. galeottii, Z. leiboldii var. angustifolia y Z. variegata. Zamia spartea es ilustrada por primera vez y números cromosómicos para Z. herrerae son presentados. Finalmente, se presentan fotografías de tricomas al microscopio electrónico y una discusión de sus implicaciones en la sistemática del grupo.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Balduzzi, A. P., P. De Luca & S. Sabato. 1982. A phytogeographical approach to the New World Cycads. Delpinoa, n.s. 23–24.

  • Caputo, P., S. Cozzolino, P. De Luca, A. Moretti & D. Stevenson. 2004. Molecular phylogeny of Zamia. Int: T. Walters & R. Osborne, eds. Cycad Classification: Concepts and Recommendations, Pp. 149–158. CABI Publishing, Oxford.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • de Candolle, A. 1868. Cycadaceae. Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis 16 (2): 522–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckenwalder, J. 1980. Taxonomy of the West Indian cycads. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 61(4): 701–722.

    Google Scholar 

  • González–Astorga J., A. P. Vovides, P. Octavio-Aguilar, D. Aguirre-Fey, F. Nicolalde-Morejón & C. Iglesias. 2006. Genetic diversity and structure of the cycad Zamia loddigesii Miq. (Zamiaceae): implications for evolution and conservationBotanical Journal of the Linnean Society 152: 533–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill K. D., D. W. Stevenson & R. Osborne. 2007. The world list of cycads/La lista mundial de Cícadas. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 97:454–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN. 2005. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge,UK. ii+30 pp.

  • Jones, K. 1998. Robertsonian fusion and centric fission in karyotype evolution of higher plants. The Botanical Review 64: 273–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marchant, C. J. 1968. Chromosome patterns and nuclear phenomena in the cycad families Stangeriaceae and Zamiaceae. Chromosoma 24: 100–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNeill, J., F. R. Barrie, H. M. Burdet, V. Demoulin, D. L. Hawksworth, K. Marhold, D. H. Nicolson, J. Prado, P. C. Silva, J. E. Skog, J. H. Wiersema & N. J. Turland. 2007. International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code), adopted by the Seventeenth International Botanical Congress. Vienna, Austria. July 2005. Gantner, Ruggell, Liechtenstein.

  • Miquel, F. A. W. 1861. Prodromus systematics cycadearum. C. v. d. Post Jr. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

  • ———. 1869. Neiuwe bijdragen tot der kennis der Cycadeen. Vijfde gedeelte. Verslagen en medeelingen van de afdeeling natuurkunde: koninkljkie akademie van wetenschappen. Amsterdam. ser. 2, 3(2): 196–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1870. Neiuwe bijdragen tot der kennis der Cycadeen. Zesde gedeelte.Verslagen en medeelingen van de afdeeling natuurkunde: koninkljkie akademie van wetenschappen. Amsterdam. 2(4): 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moretti, A. 1990a. Karyotypic data on North and Central American Zamiaceae (Cycadales) and their phylogenetic implications. American Journal of Botany 77: 1016–1029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1990b. Cytotaxonomy of cycads. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 57: 114–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. & S. Sabato. 1984. Karyotype evolution by centromeric fission in Zamia (Cycadales). Plant Systematics and Evolution 146: 215–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———, P. Caputo, L. Gaudio & D. W. Stevenson. 1991. Intraspecific chromosome variation in Zamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales). Caryologia 44: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundry, M. & T. Stützel. 2003. Morphogenesis of male sporangiophores of Zamia amblyphyllidia D. W. Stev. Plant Biology 5: 297–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, C. H. 2005. Dos plantas nuevas del género Zamia (Zamiaceae, Gymnospermae) en Honduras. Ceiba 46: 55–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newell, S. J. 1986. Variations in leaflet morphology among three populations of Zamia L. in Puerto Rico. Taxon 35: 234–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolalde-Morejón, F., A. P. Vovides, D. W. Stevenson & V. Sosa. 2008. The indentity of Zamia katzeriana and Zamia verschaffeltii (Zamiaceae). Brittonia 60: 38–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norstog, K. J. 1980. Chromosome number in Zamia (Cycadales). Caryologia 33: 419–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1981. Karyotypes of Zamia chigua (Cycadales). Caryologia 34: 255–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——— & T. J. Nicholls. 1997. The Biology of the Cycads. Cornell University Press, Ithaca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitz, D. 1981. Seven forms of rarity. Int: Synge, H, (ed). Biological Aspect of Rare Plant Conservation. Pp. 205–217, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  • Regel, E. 1857. Die Cycadeen des Botanischen Gartens in Petersburg. Gartenfora 6: 5–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1876. Cycadearum generum specierumque revisio. Acta Horti Petropoltani 4(4): 273–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rzedowski, J. 1978. Vegetación de México. Limusa, S. A. México, D.F.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1991. Diversidad y orígenes de la flora fanerogámica de México. Acta Botánica de México 14: 3–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabato, S. 1990. West Indian and South American cycads. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 57: 173–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlarbaum, S. E. & T. Tsuchiya. 1984. The chromosomes of Cunninghamia konishii, C. lanceolata and Taiwania cryptomeroides (Taxodiaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 145: 169–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, I. 2007. Chromosome evolution. Current Topics in Plant Biology 10: 109–115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schuster, J. 1932. Cycadaceae. Das Pflanzenreich 99: 1–168. Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutzman, B. 1984. A new species of Zamia L. (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from Chiapas, Mexico. Phytologia 55: 299–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutzman, B. 1989. A new species of Zamia from Honduras. Systematic Botany 14: 214–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ——— & A. P. Vovides. 1998. A new Zamia (Zamiaceae-Cycadales) from eastern Chiapas, Mexico. Novon 8: 441–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———, A. P. Vovides & B. Dehgan. 1988. Two new species of Zamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from southern Mexico. Botanical Gazette. 149: 347–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stafleu, F. A. 1966. F. A. W. Miquel, Netherlands botanist. Wentia 16: 1–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, D. W. 1980. Radial growth in the Cycadales. American Journal of Botany 67: 465–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1981. Observations on ptyxis, phenology, and trichomes in the Cycadales and their systematics implications. American Journal of Botany 68: 1104–1114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1987. The West Indian Zamias. Fairchild Tropical Garden Bulletin 42: 23–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1991a. Flora of the Guianas. Serie. A. Fascicule 9: 7–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1991b. The Zamiaceae in the Southeastern United States. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum, Supplemental Series 1: 367–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1992. A formal classification of the extant cycads. Brittonia 44: 220–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1993. The Zamiaceae in Panama with comments on phytogeography and species relationships. Brittonia 45: 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2001a. Orden Cycadales. Flora de Colombia. Monografía No. 21. Editorial Unibiblos. Bogotá D.C.

  • ———. 2001b. Zamiaceae. Flora Nicaragua 1: 6–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2004. Zamiaceae of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. Int: T. Walters & R. Osborne (eds.), Cycad classification: Concepts and Recommendations. Pp. 173–194. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, England.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • ——— & S. Sabato. 1986. Typification of names in Zamia L. and Aulacophyllum Regel. (Zamiaceae). Taxon 35: 134–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———, ———, Moretti & P. De Luca. 1995–1996a. What is Zamia fischeri? Delpinoa ns. 37–38: 9–17 (issued 1998).

    Google Scholar 

  • ———, A. Moretti & L. Gaudio. 1995–1996b. A new species of Zamia (Zamiaceae) from Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Delpinoa, sn. 37–38: 3–8 (issued 1998).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vovides, A. P. 1983. Systematic studies on the Mexican Zamiaceae I. Chromosome numbers and karyotypes. American Journal of Botany 70: 1002–1006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1985. Systematic studies on Mexican Zamiaceae II. Additional notes on Ceratozamia kuesteriana from Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brittonia 37: 226–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1999. Zamiaceae. Flora del Bajío y de Regiones Adyacentes. Fascículo 71.

  • ——— & M. Olivares. 1996. Karyotype polymorphism in the cycad Zamia loddigesii (Zamiaceae) of the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 120: 77–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———, J. D. Rees & M. Vázquez-Torres. 1983. Zamiaceae. Flora de Veracruz, fasiculo 26. In: A. Gómez-Pompa, ed., Flora de Veracruz, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones sobre Recursos Bióticos, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.

  • Wieland, G. R. 1916. American Fossil Cycads. Vol 2. Carnegie Institute, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The first author thanks the Red Latinoamericana de Botánica for the award of a Ph. D. fellowship (RLB-06-D2; Systematics Program, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Mexico) and the Mellon Foundation for a stipend for a six months residence at the New York Botanical Garden during 2002. This research was supported partially by CONACyT-SEMARNAT grant No. 2002-CO1–0183 to AV and NSF Grants BSR-8607049 and EF-0629817 to DWS. The authors thank Francisco Vergara Silva, Jorge González Astorga, and Victoria Sosa for their comments on a previous version of this manuscript, and Pablo Carrillo-Reyes, Eduardo Ruiz for their comments on the diagnostic key to species of Zamia, Carlos Iglesias for assistance and guidance in the field, and Edmundo Saavedra for the illustrations of Zamia spartea. We thank the Curators and staffs of the herbaria mentioned for making their collections available for study, as well as the staff of the Jardín Botánico Fco. J. Clavjiero of the Instituto de Ecología, A.C. for access to the living specimens of the Mexican National Cycad Collection. Finally, the authors would like to thank Roy Osborne for his salient discussions and diligence in reviewing this manuscript throughout the preparation of this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dennis W. Stevenson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nicolalde-Morejón, F., Vovides, A.P. & Stevenson, D.W. Taxonomic revision of Zamia in Mega-Mexico. Brittonia 61, 301–335 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-009-9077-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-009-9077-9

Key Words

Navigation