Discovery of Pseudosamanea cubana (Fabaceae) in Punta Guanos, Matanzas, northern western Cuba

Abstract

Pseudosamanea cubana is an endemic tree of Cuba that is Critically Endangered. The species has a very restricted distribution area, mainly dry sites near the southern coast of eastern and western Cuba. In this work, a new locality was recorded for P. cubana, on the north coast of Matanzas, in the area known as Punta Guanos. It is the first finding of the species in the northern part of Cuba, where it occupies shallow soils of the coastal and subcoastal xeromorphic scrubland and the microphyllous evergreen forest. A large number of adult individuals of different sizes were found at the site that produce seeds; but very little natural regeneration was observed. Pseudosamanea cubana shares habitat with Coccothrinax borhidiana (local endemic palm), and like the rest of the flora in the area, they are severely affected by gas-oil exploitation, road and house construction, the presence of invasive exotic plants, cattle and goat grazing, frequent human-caused fires, and the creation of solid waste dumps and plots for self-consumption. The felling of trees or thick branches to obtain honey and hives harvest by the Earth Bee (Melipona beecheii) has recently been discovered. Fruits and seeds of P. cubana are characterized and their ecological implications were discussed. Finally, possible mechanisms of arrival of the species to Punta Guanos and strategies for its conservation in the area are discussed.