TYPIFICATION OF TEN SPECIES OF LITSEA LAM . ( LAURACEAE ) ENDEMIC TO INDIA

This paper deals with the lectotypification of eight binomials of seven recognized species of Litsea Lam. endemic to India, namely Litsea assamica (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. coriacea (B. Heyne ex Nees) Hook. f., L. membranifolia Hook. f., L. oleoides (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. stocksii (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. venulosa (Meisn.) Hook. f., and L. wightiana (Nees) Hook. f. Types of three other endemic species, viz. L. beddomei Hook. f., L. mishmiensis Hook. f. and L. oreophila Hook. f. are also specified. Introduction The family Lauraceae Juss. comprises 52 genera with about 2,550 species, distributed mainly in the tropical and warm regions of southeastern Asia and Brazil (Mabberley, 2008; Bhuinya et al., 2010). The genus Litsea Lam. consists of more than 300 species worldwide, especially in tropical Asia and Australia (Mabberley, 2008; Bhuinya et al., 2010). In India, there are 45 species, occurring in moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen forests at 200–3,650 m elevation, with 18 species endemic to different states (Bhuinya et al., 2010; Singh, 2015). As part of the revisionary studies of Litsea in India, we realized the necessity for typification of some endemic species; hence, here we lectotypified eight binomials of seven species of the genus. While designating lectotypes, we followed the guidelines of Art. 9.2 of the Melbourne Code (McNeill et al., 2012). Specification of holotype for other three endemic species was done as no holotype was cited in their protologues. Taxonomy 1. Litsea assamica (Meisn.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 161 (1886). Tetranthera rangoonensis Meisn. var. assamica Meisn. in De Candolle, Prodr. 15(1): 188 (1864). Type: India. Assam, 1850, W. Griffith 1190 [Tetranthera n. 17, Herb. Hook. f. et Thoms.] (lectotype K-000793183!, here designated; isolectotype BM-000951039!). Distribution: India, endemic (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya). Notes: In protologue of Tetranthera rangoonensis var. assamica, Meisner cited ‘In Assam (Jenkins !)., Tetranthera 17. Hook. fil. et Thoms.! Hb. Ind. Or.’ Three specimens belonging to the herbarium of Hooker f. & Thomson, Tetranthera no. 17 are now extant, which comprised of a single specimen gathered by T.J. Jenkins s.n. (K-000357513) and two of W. Griffith 1190 (K000793183 and BM-000951039). Of these, K-000793183, is designated here as the lectotype as it agrees well with the protologue and also includes a short description of the flower by Hooker. Corresponding author. Email: kad_arti396@yahoo.com Botanical Survey of India, Head Quarter, CGO Complex, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700 064, West Bengal, India.

Notes: In protologue of Tetranthera rangoonensis var.assamica, Meisner cited 'In Assam (Jenkins !)., Tetranthera 17. Hook.fil.et Thoms.! Hb.Ind. Or.' Three specimens belonging to the herbarium of Hooker f. & Thomson, Tetranthera no. 17 are now extant, which comprised of a single specimen gathered by T.J. Jenkins s.n.(K-000357513) and two of W. Griffith 1190 (K-000793183 and BM-000951039).Of these, K-000793183, is designated here as the lectotype as it agrees well with the protologue and also includes a short description of the flower by Hooker. 1 Corresponding author.Email: kad_arti396@yahoo.com 2 Botanical Survey of India, Head Quarter, CGO Complex, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700 064, West Bengal, India.
Notes: Three specimens are extant, two at GZU (GZU-000254468 and GZU-000254469) and one at BM (BM-000793685).The GZU-000254469 specimen is designated here as the lectotype as it agrees well with the protologue.
Notes: Hooker described Litsea membranifolia on the basis of specimens from 'Upper Assam; Mishmi Hills, and woods at Yen, Griffith (Kew Distrib.4310)', but no specific specimen was indicated as the holotype.Furthermore, for this species, three specimens of Griffith's collections are extant, two at K (K-000357530 and K-000793176) and one at GH (GH-00415039).The K-000357530 specimen is designated here as the lectotype as it agrees well with the protologue.Ngernsaengsaruay et al. (2011: 72) cited the following: "Type: India, East Bengal, Griffith 4310 (holotype K!)".Although they cited K as housing the "holotype," their citation of "holotype" is not corrected to lectotype.Because, from 2001, an act of lecto-, neo-, and epitypification needs the citation of the phrase, "here designated" or its equivalent.The critical scrutiny of description provided in Ngernsaengsaruay et al. (l.c.) shows that it is best matches with L. glutinosa (Lour.)C.B. Rob., and thus the occurrence of this species in Thailand is uncertain and needs further confirmation based on fresh collections.4. Litsea oleoides (Meisn.)Hook.f., Fl.Brit.India 5: 175 (1886).Tetranthera oleoides Meisn. in DC., Prodr. 15(1): 195 (1864).
Notes: Meisner described Tetranthera oleoides on the basis of specimen(s) from 'In Penins.Indiae Or.? (Wight!)'.The type data lack Wight's collection number and date, and information on the number of specimens used by Meisner to describe this species.Currently, Meisner's main herbarium is at New York (NY), which has one fragmentary specimen of this species (NY-00355989); the specimen shows "Tetranthera oleoides Meisn.In Hb.Hook., "Wight.Hb.N. 54!" and an illegible writing of what seems to be the locality.In contrast, the K specimen (K-000357533) is complete and fits well with the protologue.Therefore, the K-000357533 specimen is designated here as the lectotype as it agrees well with the protologue.
Types of three endemic species are also specified below as in their protologues no holotypes were cited.
Notes: For his new species Litsea beddomei, Hooker cited the type collection information as follows: "SOUTH DECCAN; Tinnevelly Hills, Beddome."The protologue lacks the collection date and number.Furthermore, neither a holotype nor the name of the herbarium housing the type was mentioned.A single specimen collected by Beddome from Tirunelveli in December 1880 bearing Hooker's annotation 'L.beddomei' is now extant at K (K-000357515).Because of the uncertainty whether Hooker's description was based on the K single specimen alone or on additional specimens, it is concluded here that the single specimen at K may serve as the holotype or a lectotype.
Notes: Within the protologue of Litsea mishmiensis, Hooker mentioned the following: 'Upper Assam; Mishmi Hills at Laim-planj-thaya, Griffith'.The collection date and number were not cited.A single type specimen is now extant at K (K-000357531).Hooker, however, did not cite a holotype or mention the herbarium housing the type.It is uncertain whether Hooker's description was based on the K single specimen alone or on additional specimens.Therefore, it is concluded here that the single specimen at K may serve as the holotype or a lectotype.