Notes on the original materials of the three western Mediterranean oaks (Quercus, Fagaceae) described by Desfontaines

• Main Authors: Almeida, R. (Author), Márquez, F. (Author), Vázquez, F.M (Author), Vieira, C. (Author), Vila-Viçosa, C. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Compultense Madrid 2022
• Subjects: Africa; Atlantique; Benin [West Africa]; biogeographical phenomena; evergreen tree; Gall oak; Holm oak; Iberian Peninsula; Kermes oak; North Africa; Northern Hemisphere; Quercus ballota; Quercus pseudococcifera; Quercus pseudosuber; shrub
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 We examined specimens from René Louiche Desfontaines, deposited in the "Herbier de la Flore Atlantique" (P-Desf) from MNHN-P and homologue specimens from P-Lam, LINN-HS, MPU, FI-Webb, and B-W, to assess three names of western Mediterranean oaks (Quercus L.) that are distributed across the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. Specifically, we bring insights to the names Quercus ballota, Q. pseudococcifera, and Q. pseudosuber, after a thorough examination of the original specimens, combined with the analysis of the respective protologues. The results highlight the need for wider and detailed natural history and classic herbaria surveys to promote the discussion and better understanding of species delimitation and biogeographic awareness, especially in crucial groups, that are still involved in taxonomic and evolutionary discussion, as the trees that form the potential climacic forests of the Northern Hemisphere. © 2022 Universidad Complutense. All rights reserved.