Studies on Homalomeneae (Araceae) of Borneo VII: Homalomena debilicrista, a new species from Malaysian Borneo, and observations of its pollination mechanics

Chen, Hoe Yin and Wong, Sin Yeng and Boyce, P.C and Hung, Wong Mui and Yok, Margaret Chan Kit (2011) Studies on Homalomeneae (Araceae) of Borneo VII: Homalomena debilicrista, a new species from Malaysian Borneo, and observations of its pollination mechanics. Plant Diversity and Evolution, 129 (1). pp. 77-87. ISSN 2363-7129

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Abstract

Homalomena debilicrista Y.C.Hoe is described and illustrated as a species new to science from the Matang massif sandstone formation, Kuching Division, NW Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. It represents the sixth species of the informal Hanneae Complex, a morphotaxon apparently endemic to Borneo and composed wholly of nomenclaturally novel species. Inflorescence events, notably spathe movement mechanisms, and interactions with insect visitors were observed and recorded to determine pollinator/s as part of an on-going programme accumulating data on pollinator guild niche partitioning in Homalomena. Six insect taxa visited the inflorescences during anthesis: (1) Coleoptera — Chrysomelidae (Chaloenus schawalleri), Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae (Parastasia bimaculata), Nitidulidae (genus undetermined), and Staphylinidae (genus undetermined) - and (2) Diptera, two species of Colocasiomyia (Drosophilidae). Empirical data strongly implicate P. bimaculata and possibly C. schawalleri to be the pollinators of Homalomena debilicrista. A key to the so-far described species of the Homalomena Hanneae Complex is presented, and the new species is illustrated.

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