Independent evolutionary lineages or species that lack phenotypic variation as an operative criterion for their delimitation are known as cryptic species. However, these have been delimited using other data sources and analysis. The aims of this study are: (1) to evaluate the divergence of the populations of the T. ionantha complex; and (2) to delimit the species using multilocus data, phylogenetic analysis and the coalescent model. Phylogenetic analyses, genetic diversity and population structure, and isolation by distance analysis were performed. A multispecies coalescent analysis to delimit the species was conducted. Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. ionantha is polyphyletic composed of eight evolutionary lineages. Haplotype distribution and genetic differentiation analysis detected strong population structure and high values of genetic differentiation among populations. The positive correlation between genetic differences with geographic distance indicate that the populations are evolving under the model of isolation by distance. The coalescent multispecies analysis performed with starBEAST supports the recognition of eight lineages as different species. Only three out of the eight species have morphological characters good enough to recognize them as different species, while five of them are cryptic species. Tillandsia scaposa and T. vanhyningii are corroborated as independent lineages, and T. ionantha var. stricta changed status to the species level.

Background and Aims: Morphological variability in Gymnopodium floribundum along its distribution area has been the source of taxonomic and nomenclatural inconsistencies, sometimes recognizing up to three species and two varieties. In this paper we present morphometric analyses of variation in 224 specimens of G. floribundum in order to determine the existence of morphological patterns that correspond to geographically structured phenotypic diversity.Methods: The data matrix consisted of 224 specimens and 32 characters, 21 were quantitative and 11 qualitative. A dendrogram was estimated with UPGMA’s algorithm and the Gower´s coefficient. The 21 quantitative characters were subjected to principal components analysis. With the groups identified in the dendrogram, we performed a PERMANOVA using all quantitative characters. Canonical Variate Analyses of leaf shape and perianth segment shape of all specimens were executed.Key results: The results of multivariate analyses suggest the existence of three phenetic groups, which mostly correspond to three geographic regions: Belize, the Pacific Coastal Plain and the Yucatán Peninsula. These groups are distinguished by the presence or absence of indument on leaf blade, ochrea and petiole, the distances between the floral fascicles, and the length and width of the external and internal segments of the perianth. Two of the geographic groups correspond to infraspecific taxa previously recognized by Standley and Steyermark. Our distances and shape morphometric analyses uncover a third group from the southern Pacific region which presents novel characters.Conclusions: Based on these results we raise the rank of two varieties G. floribundum var. antigonoides and G. floribundum var. floribundumto subspecies, and propose to recognize a new third subspecies: Gymnopodium floribundum subsp. chiapensis.

Two new species of Coccoloba sect. Paniculatae are described and illustrated from Mexico, Central and South America. Coccoloba efigeniana is described for Costa Rica, Panama, and The Guianas and can be distinguished from the similar C. mollis and C. latifolia by having obpyramidal and pilosulose fruits. C. ibarrae is described for the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Veracruz and it is similar to C. belizensis from which is distinguished by having larger, ribbed, and crowned fruits.

Background: Coccoloba is a Neotropical genus of trees, shrubs, and lianas with approximately 150 species. Reviwed Mexican specimens of Coccoloba do not correspond to any recognized species within the genus, so they are proposed as new species. Question: What are the morphological characteristics that differentiate the two new species from other Coccolobaspecies? What is its distribution and conservation status? Studied species: Species of Coccoloba sect. Coccoloba endemic to Mexico. Study site and dates: Chiapas and Veracruz, Mexico, 2022-2023. Methods: All available information for Coccoloba, including herbarium specimens and online databases, was reviewed. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was carried out including the two new species proposed and the recognized species in the genus. Geographic distribution maps were prepared and the conservation status of the new species was determined, following the IUCN guidelines. Results: Coccoloba burkeae and C. najarroi are described and illustrated as new species. Both are endemic to Mexico. C. burkeae is distributed in the humid forests of the Tuxtlas region in Veracruz and is morphologically similar to C. barbadensis, C. hondurensis and C. spicata; this species is considered in the Endangered (EN) category. C. najarroi is restricted to the humid forests of Chiapas and is similar to C. ascendens and C. ibarrae. This species is considered Critically Endangered (CR). Conclusions: The morphological characteristics of the fruit, the inflorescence and the leaves are important to diagnose the two new species of Coccoloba; both being endemic to Mexico.

Background and Aims: Coccoloba sect. Campderia comprises 14 species, which are recognized by the presence of fruits in the form of diclesia. During the review of herbarium specimens for the taxonomic treatment of the genus Coccoloba for the Flora de Veracruz and the Flora Mesoamericana, several specimens with fruits in the form of diclesia, which do not correspond to any of the species of the sect. Campderia so far described, were located. Therefore, in this work eight new species of Coccoloba sect. Campderia are described and illustrated. Methods: Physical and digital specimens from various herbaria were observed, including type specimens. The existing taxonomic literature on the genus Coccoloba was also consulted. The morphological description, illustrations, distribution map, as well as the assessment of the conservation status of each of the new species are presented. A dichotomous key to all species of the sect. Campderia from Mexico and Central America is included. Key results: Coccoloba burgeri, C. carnevalii, C. costaricensis, C. glandulosa, C. rodriguezii, C. ulloae, C. veracrucensis and C. victoriasosae are described and illustrated as new species. Coccoloba burgeri, C. costaricensis, C. glandulosa are endemic to Costa Rica while the rest are endemic to Mexico. Conclusions: The review of herbarium specimens and literature, combined with the description of the new species of Coccoloba sect. Campderia increase its species number to 28, which can be delimited by a set of character states of the leaves, inflorescences and fruits. Flowers are not helpful to delimit the species in the sect. Campderia.