Nepenthes hurrelliana

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Nepenthes hurrelliana
Murud N. hurreliana.jpg
An upper pitcher of Nepenthes hurrelliana from Mount Murud
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nepenthaceae
Genus: Nepenthes
Species:
N. hurrelliana
Binomial name
Nepenthes hurrelliana
Cheek & A.L.Lamb (2003) [2]
Synonyms

Nepenthes hurrelliana /nɪˈpɛnθiːzhʌˌrɛliˈɑːnə/ (synonymous with Nepenthes mollis) [8] is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo, where it has been recorded from northern Sarawak, southwestern Sabah, and Brunei. It is of putative hybrid origin; its two original parent species are thought to be N. fusca and N. veitchii . A thick indumentum of rusty-brown hairs covers the entire plant, a characteristic presumably inherited from the latter.

Botanical history

Nepenthes hurrelliana was known to botanists for some time prior to its description, although authors differed as to its identity, with most treating it as either a form of N. veitchii , a form of N. maxima , or a natural hybrid. [4] In 1988, Anthea Phillipps and Anthony Lamb published an illustration of a N. hurrelliana specimen from Mount Murud under the name " N. veitchii × N. fusca ". [3] However, in their 1996 monograph, Pitcher-Plants of Borneo , the authors treated it as an undescribed species, "Nepenthes sp.". [4] The taxon was also listed as an undescribed species, "Nepenthes sp. B", in Charles Clarke's Nepenthes of Borneo (1997) [6] and Hugo Steiner's Borneo: Its Mountains and Lowlands with their Pitcher Plants (2002). [7]

In "Nepenthes of Gunung Murud", an article published in a 1996 issue of the Carnivorous Plant Newsletter , John De Witte describes a hybrid "most probably between N. veitchii and N. stenophylla [a] or N. fusca", [9] which likely represents this species.

In 1999, Bruce Salmon proposed that this taxon might be conspecific with the enigmatic N. mollis , of which only a single pitcherless specimen is known. [5] This interpretation was not followed by Martin Cheek and Anthony Lamb, who formally described N. hurrelliana in 2003. [2] The type specimen, A.Lamb & Surat 145/99, was collected on Mount Lumarku in Sabah and is deposited at the herbarium of the Forest Department, Sandakan (SAN). [10]

Nepenthes hurrelliana is named after Andrew Hurrell, who studied the plant on Mount Murud in 1995 [11] and whose field observations showed that it grew in self-sustaining populations independent of its putative parent species and could thus be considered a distinct species. [12]

Description

Nepenthes hurrelliana is a climbing plant. Forms from different localities vary slightly in morphology. Plants from Mount Mulu and several other mountains have internodes up to 10 cm long. [11]

A lower pitcher Murud N. hurreliana 14.jpg
A lower pitcher

The leaves of the type form from Mount Lumarku are up to 24 cm long and have a winged petiole, which clasps the stem for about half of its circumference and is decurrent for around 1 cm. [11] Plants from Mount Mulu produce more narrowly lanceolate leaves with broadly winged petioles that are decurrent down the entire internode (≤10 cm long). [11]

Rosette and lower pitchers are narrowly ovate to infundibular. They are large, growing to 30 cm in height. [12] The lid or operculum is broadly triangular in shape and has an undulating margin. The peristome forms an extended neck (≤9 cm long) at the rear and is up to 7 cm wide at this point. [11]

Upper pitchers are more infundibular than their lower counterparts, but also reach large dimensions of up to 28.5 cm. [4] In aerial pitchers, the lid is much more narrowly triangular. It measures up to 8 cm long by 4.2 cm wide [4] and has a cordate base. It bears a hook-shaped basal crest and a filiform apical appendage up to 5 mm long. A number of large, scattered nectar glands are present on the underside of the lid, particularly along the margins and near the base. [11]

Nepenthes hurrelliana has a racemose inflorescence. [11] Pedicels bear a basal bract measuring 3 to 4 mm in length. [5]

The dense reddish-brown indumentum of N. hurrelliana is one of the most conspicuous of any Nepenthes species. The upper surface of the lid has rusty-brown hairs, while the lower surface only bears them along its margins. Unusually for Nepenthes, hairs are present even on the upper surface of the lamina and on the glandular crest of the lid. [11]

Ecology

A freshly opened upper pitcher in mossy forest on Mount Murud Murud N. hurreliana 3.jpg
A freshly opened upper pitcher in mossy forest on Mount Murud

Nepenthes hurrelliana is endemic to Borneo, where it has been recorded from a number of mountains in northern Sarawak, southwestern Sabah, and Brunei. [11] [13] Specifically, it has been found on Mount Lumarku, Mount Mulu, Mount Murud, and mountains of the Meligan Range near Long Pasia (including Mount Rimau). [11] It has a wide elevational distribution of 1300 to 2400 m above sea level. [11] On Mount Murud (2423 m), N. hurrelliana is common on the summit ridge above 2100 m, but becomes rarer with increasing elevation as this brings with it more stunted and exposed vegetation. Populations from the summit ridge of Mount Lumarku (c. 1900 m) are extensive above 1620 m. [11]

The typical habitat of N. hurrelliana is tall mossy forest and upper montane forest, where it usually grows as an epiphyte up to 10 m off the ground. [11] It has also been recorded from stunted mossy heath forest. Some plants occur terrestrially, although these are less common. [11]

Nepenthes hurrelliana plays host to a number of pitcher infauna. One of the most conspicuous examples is a small golden-coloured frog of the genus Philautus , which has been observed in the pitchers of epiphytic N. hurrelliana on Mount Lumarku. [11]

Hybrid origin

The pitchers of N. hurrelliana are roughly intermediate in appearance between those of N. fusca and N. veitchii . This has led to speculation regarding the lineage of this species, with a number of authors suggesting a possible homoploid origin.

Botanist Clive A. Stace writes that one may speak of "stabilised hybrids when they have developed a distributional, morphological or genetic set of characters which is no longer strictly related to that of its parents, [...] if the hybrid has become an independent, recognisable, self-producing unit, it is de facto a separate species". [14] This would support the status of N. hurrelliana as a species since populations of this taxon appear to be stabilised and it is abundant where it does grow. [6] Furthermore, it has never been found to be sympatric with either of its putative parent species. [11] The hybrid may have locally outcompeted its parent species and eventually replaced them. Another possibility is that it was dispersed to new areas where neither of the parent species was established. [6]

Examples of other Nepenthes species with a putative hybrid origin include N. hamiguitanensis , N. murudensis , and N. petiolata . [15] [16] [17]

N.fusca lp4.jpg
N.fusca up.jpg
Upper pitchers of N. fusca, showing the narrowly triangular lid of this species and its distinctive peristome morphology
The ovoid lower pitchers of N. veitchii help to distinguish it from N. hurrelliana Nveitchii2.jpg
The ovoid lower pitchers of N. veitchii help to distinguish it from N. hurrelliana

The lower pitchers of N. hurrelliana are distinctive, but the upper ones bear a close resemblance to those of N. fusca . Of the Bornean pitcher plant flora, only these two species have such a narrowly triangular lid. The upper pitchers of N. hurrelliana differ in having a horizontal mouth that rises abruptly into a long neck at the back and in having a hirsute basal crest on the underside of the lid. [11]

Nepenthes hurrelliana is particularly similar to a form of N. fusca from the southern portion of the Crocker Range in Sabah. This form exhibits a wider peristome, longer neck, and a more triangular lid than most other examples of the species. [11] However, the peristome is still not as well developed as in N. hurrelliana and the plant lacks the dense indumentum of the latter. Furthermore, N. hurrelliana differs in the distribution of nectar glands on the lower surface of its lid. [11]

Nepenthes hurrelliana may also be confused with its other putative parent species, N. veitchii . The two taxa differ markedly in growth habit and N. hurrelliana has more infundibular pitchers with distinctive purple speckles as well as a differently shaped lid. [11]

The species has also been compared to N. maxima , [4] although the latter is now known to be absent from Borneo. [6]

In his Carnivorous Plant Database, taxonomist Jan Schlauer lists N. hurrelliana as a possible hybrid between N. veitchii and N. stenophylla (as distinct from N. fallax ). [10] [a]

Nepenthes mollis

The attenuate leaf attachment and dense indumentum of N. hurrelliana are reminiscent of N. mollis and it has been suggested that the two species may be conspecific. [5] Bruce Salmon wrote that the type specimen of N. mollis differs from the Mount Lumarku form of N. hurrelliana in lacking bracteate pedicels and in having a decurrent leaf base with wings up to 6 cm long (as opposed to 1 to 2 cm in N. hurrelliana). [5]

Some authors consider the hypothesis equating these two species to be "rather improbable". [7] An editor's note by Jan Schlauer accompanying Salmon's article cautions that specimens from the type locality of N. mollis must be examined before the two taxa are united: [5]

The identity of the specimens from G. Lumarku with N. mollis should be proven by comparison with authentic pitchered material from G. Kemul. Unless this is done, the data above cannot be taken as an emendation of Danser's original description of N. mollis but are only referring to north Bornean plants without doubt.

If N. mollis and N. hurrelliana were shown to be conspecific, the latter would become a heterotypic synonym of the former.

Natural hybrids

To date, the only known natural hybrids involving N. hurrelliana are rare crosses with N. lowii [11] [18] and N. veitchii . [15]

Synonymization

As of 2019, Nepenthes hurrelliana has been shown to be a heterotypic synonym of Nepenthes mollis through a study by Alastair Robinson et al., titled "Revisions in Nepenthes following explorations of the Kemul Massif and the surrounding region in north-central Kalimantan, Borneo". The study also discovered a new species in the genus on the island. [8]

Notes

a. ^ Some authors treat N. fallax in synonymy with N. stenophylla , [6] [16] while others consider them to be two distinct species, with plants commonly referred to as N. stenophylla actually representing N. fallax. [19]

Related Research Articles

<i>Nepenthes villosa</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

Nepenthes villosa, or the villose pitcher-plant, is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Mount Kinabalu and neighbouring Mount Tambuyukon in northeastern Borneo. It grows at higher elevations than any other Bornean Nepenthes species, occurring at elevations of over 3,200 m (10,500 ft). Nepenthes villosa is characterised by its highly developed and intricate peristome, which distinguishes it from the closely related N. edwardsiana and N. macrophylla.

<i>Nepenthes tentaculata</i> Species of pitcher plant from Southeast Asia

Nepenthes tentaculata, or the fringed pitcher-plant, is a tropical pitcher plant with a wide distribution across Borneo and Sulawesi. It grows at altitudes of 400–2550 m.

<i>Nepenthes hirsuta</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

Nepenthes hirsuta, the hairy pitcher-plant, is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo. It is characterised by an indumentum of thick brown hairs, which is even present on the inflorescence. Pitchers are mostly green throughout with some having red blotches on the inside surfaces.

<i>Nepenthes veitchii</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

Nepenthes veitchii, or Veitch's pitcher-plant, is a Nepenthes species from the island of Borneo. The plant is widespread in north-western Borneo and can also be found in parts of Kalimantan. It grows in lowland Dipterocarp forest, typically near rivers, and on ridgetops in mossy forests, from 0 to 1,600 meters elevation. Nepenthes veitchii usually grows as an epiphyte, though the form from Bario seems to be strictly terrestrial and has not been observed to climb trees.

<i>Nepenthes <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> kinabaluensis</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

Nepenthes × kinabaluensis, or the Kinabalu pitcher-plant, is the natural hybrid between N. rajah and N. villosa. It was first collected near Kambarangoh on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo by Lilian Gibbs in 1910 and later mentioned by John Muirhead Macfarlane as "Nepenthes sp." in 1914. Although Macfarlane did not formally name the plant, he noted that "[a]ll available morphological details suggest that this is a hybrid between N. villosa and N. rajah". It was finally described in 1976 by Shigeo Kurata as N. × kinabaluensis. The name was first published in Nepenthes of Mount Kinabalu, but was a nomen nudum at the time as it lacked an adequate description and information on the type specimen. The name was subsequently published validly by Kurata in 1984.

<i>Nepenthes lowii</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

Nepenthes lowii, or Low's pitcher-plant, is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo. It is named after Hugh Low, who discovered it on Mount Kinabalu. This species is perhaps the most unusual in the genus, being characterised by its strongly constricted upper pitchers, which bear a greatly reduced peristome and a reflexed lid with numerous bristles on its lower surface.

<i>Nepenthes fusca</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

Nepenthes fusca, or the dusky pitcher-plant, is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo. It is found throughout a wide altitudinal range and is almost always epiphytic in nature, primarily growing in mossy forest.

<i>Nepenthes stenophylla</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> alisaputrana</i> Species of carnivorous plant

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<i>Nepenthes klossii</i> Species of pitcher plant from New Guinea

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<i>Nepenthes pilosa</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes mollis</i> Tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo

Nepenthes mollis, or the velvet pitcher-plant, is a tropical pitcher plant species natives to Kalimantan, Borneo. It used to be known only from a single dried herbarium specimen and is the sole recognised species in the genus Nepenthes of which the pitchers are unknown. In 2019 Global Wildlife Conservation announced the rediscovery of the species.

<i>Nepenthes murudensis</i> Tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes faizaliana</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes muluensis</i> Tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes vogelii</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes chaniana</i> Species of pitcher plant from Borneo

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<i>Nepenthes of Borneo</i>

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<i>Pitcher-Plants of Borneo</i>

Pitcher-Plants of Borneo is a monograph by Anthea Phillipps and Anthony Lamb on the tropical pitcher plants of Borneo. It was first published in 1996 by Natural History Publications (Borneo), in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Malaysian Nature Society. An updated and much expanded second edition was published in 2008 as Pitcher Plants of Borneo, with Ch'ien Lee as co-author.

References

  1. ↑ Clarke, C.M. (2020). "Nepenthes hurrelliana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T48973426A177476521. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T48973426A177476521.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Cheek, M., M. Jebb, C.C. Lee, A. Lamb & A. Phillipps. 2003. Nepenthes hurrelliana (Nepenthaceae), a new species of pitcher plant from Borneo. Sabah Parks Nature Journal6: 117–124.
  3. 1 2 Phillipps, A. & A. Lamb 1988. Pitcher-plants of East Malaysia and Brunei. Nature Malaysiana13(4): 8–27.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Phillipps, A. & A. Lamb 1996. Pitcher-Plants of Borneo . Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Salmon, B.[R.] 1999. "Nepenthes mollis (Nepenthaceae)—rediscovered?" (PDF). (561  KiB) Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 28(1): 24–26.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Clarke, C.M. 1997. Nepenthes of Borneo . Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
  7. 1 2 3 Steiner, H. 2002. Borneo: Its Mountains and Lowlands with their Pitcher Plants . Toihaan Publishing Company, Kota Kinabalu.
  8. 1 2 Robinson, Alastair S.; Golos, Michal R.; Barer, Marc; Sano, Yosuke; Forgie, Jennifer J.; Garrido, Diego; Gorman, Chandler N.; Luick, Adi O.; Mcintosh, Nick W.R.; Mcpherson, Stewart R.; Palena, Gregory J.; PančO, Ivan; Quinn, Brian D.; Shea, Jeff (2019-02-14). "Revisions in Nepenthes following explorations of the Kemul Massif and the surrounding region in north-central Kalimantan, Borneo". Phytotaxa. 392 (2): 97. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.392.2.1. ISSN   1179-3163.
  9. ↑ De Witte, J. 1996. "Nepenthes of Gunung Murud" (PDF). (567  KiB) Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 25(2): 41–45.
  10. 1 2 Schlauer, J. N.d. Nepenthes hurrelliana Archived 2021-04-23 at the Wayback Machine . Carnivorous Plant Database.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Phillipps, A., A. Lamb & C.C. Lee 2008. Pitcher Plants of Borneo . Second Edition. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
  12. 1 2 Clarke, C.M. & C.C. Lee 2004. Pitcher Plants of Sarawak . Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
  13. ↑ Lee, C.C. 2004. New records and a new species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Sarawak. Sandakania15: 93–101.
  14. ↑ Stace, C.A. 1980. Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics. Arnold, London.
  15. 1 2 McPherson, S.R. 2009. Pitcher Plants of the Old World . 2 volumes. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.
  16. 1 2 Jebb, M.H.P. & M.R. Cheek 1997. A skeletal revision of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae). Blumea42(1): 1–106.
  17. ↑ Gronemeyer, T., A. Wistuba, V. Heinrich, S. McPherson, F. Mey & A. Amoroso 2010. Nepenthes hamiguitanensis (Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant species from Mindanao Island, Philippines. In: S.R. McPherson Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats. Volume 2. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. pp. 1296–1305.
  18. ↑ Lee, C.C. 2007. Re: lowii and hurrelliana of Mt. Murud Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine . Carnivorous Plants in the tropics.
  19. ↑ Schlauer, J. N.d. Nepenthes fallax Archived 2011-06-17 at the Wayback Machine . Carnivorous Plant Database.

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