Tanzania became the scene of a novel discovery, a new species of tree from a tropical rainforest of considerable size, of which about 100 specimens were identified in the Udzungwa Mountains. This discovery, made in 2019 and recently published by the Phytotaxa journal, was named Tessmannia Princeps, which in Latin means “the most eminent”, referring to its large size.
Among its main characteristics, its tall crown supported by large buttress roots stands out, not to mention its estimated age, which is around 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Although this species shares similarities with others of the same genus, these particular trees are characterized by being native to Tanzania.
However, the very fact of being an endemic species poses a challenge to its survival. This is due to its small population and restricted distribution, placing it in a vulnerable position to extinction.
In this regard, the team composed of Italian botanist Andrea Bianchi from the Muse-Museo delle Scienze, and local plant experts Aloyce and Ruben Mwakisoma, explained that this new tree species may have specific environmental needs that can only be met by the unique conditions of the Mngeta Valley in Udzungwa.
New tree species discovered in Tanzania. Photo: Phys.org.
A species located in a privileged site
According to the group of experts, this species had the fortune to grow within two forest reserves that are part of the Udzungwa Corridor, covering an area of 75 square kilometers. This corridor is under the protection of Udzungwa Corridor Limited, a private conservation organization that has launched a restoration project in the area.
One of the objectives of this project is to restore old farmlands and connect important natural reserves in the region, as reported by a local media outlet.
Tessmannia Princeps, the new tree species discovered in Tanzania. Photo: Phytotaxa – Magnolia Press.
A new tree added to the list of endemic species
Thanks to the discovery by these experts, the Tessmannia Princeps is one of the many species on the list of endemic trees of the country, along with the mountain ash, native laurel, myrtle beech, deciduous beech, blackheart sassafras, Huon pine, celery-top pine, Tasmanian red cedar, and leatherwood. These species stand out for:
- Mountain ash: Also known as the mountain ash, it is the tallest flowering plant with hard wood in the world, reaching up to 100 meters in height, native to southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria.
- Native laurel: Its scientific name is Anopterus glandulosus. It is a shrub or small tree found in the moist understory of temperate rainforests.
- Myrtle beech: also known by its scientific name, Nothofagus cunninghamii, this species is the most abundant in the canopy of the temperate rainforest.
- Blackheart sassafras: Its scientific name is Atherosperma moschatum and is characterized as a co-dominant tree of the tropical rainforest with a nutmeg aroma.
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