title: Taxonomic revision and distribution of herbaceousParamollugo(Molluginaceae) in the Eastern Hemisphere.
abstract: The genusParamollugowith the type speciesParamollugo nudicaulis(≡Mollugo nudicaulis) has recently been described after molecular investigations. Here we report two new endemic Malagasy species:Paramollugo simulansandParamollugo elliotii, and transfer a forgotten New Caledonian endemicMollugo digynatoParamollugo(Paramollugo digyna). Consequently, the number ofParamollugospecies in the Eastern Hemisphere is increased from three to six. Almost all genus representatives (exceptParamollugo nudicaulis, which has a wide distribution in Southern Asia, Arabia and tropical Africa) are endemic to Madagascar, Somalia, or New Caledonia. Since the type of seed coat ornamentation is crucial for species delimitation, a diagnostic key with new taxonomically significant carpological characters and other new traits is provided for all the herbaceousParamollugo. The distribution patterns ofParamollugo nudicauliss.str.,Paramollugo simulansandParamollugo elliotiiare presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Higher Plants, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Alexander P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sukhorukov
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Physiology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kushunina
keywords: Madagascar; Mollugo; New Caledonia; new species; seed characters; taxonomy