Abstract
Primulina xingyiensis X.X.Bai & F.Wen, a new species of Gesneriaceae in the karst landforms of Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the species is similar to P. davidioides on corolla, while it is distinguished from P. davidioides by characteristics of thinner and smaller leaves, shorter peduncles, fewer flowers, smaller corolla, glabrous staminodes, and ovary shorter than style. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the combined dataset of rpl32-trnL, trnL-trnF, atpB-rbcL, and ITS sequences of the new species and 151 other species of Primulina Hance showed that the two populations of P. xingyiensis clustered into a clade, while it was most closely related to P. malingheensis. Following criteria D1 in the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the new species should be assessed as ‘vulnerable’ (VU).
Key words: Endemic species, Gesneriaceae, Karst, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy
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| Primulina xingyiensis A plant B leaves C corolla D bracts E calyx lobes F corolla opened showing internal features G pistil and disc H stigma I stamens
(Drawn by Bai-Qiu He). |
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| Primulina xingyiensis A habitat B plant C leaves D, E inflorescence F bracts G calyx lobes H front view of the corolla I corolla opened showing internal features J anthers K stamens L pistil and disc M fruits
(Photographed by Xin-Xiang Bai). |
Primulina xingyiensis X.X.Bai & F.Wen, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The corolla morphology of Primulina xingyiensis is similar to that of P. davidioides, and the phylogenetic tree shows that its closest relative is P. malingheensis, but there are also clear differences in morphological characteristics between the three (Table 2, Fig. 4). Primulina xingyiensis can be distinguished from P. davidioides by the thinner and smaller leaves, slightly fleshy (vs. pachyphyllous, rigid and coriaceous when dry); the shorter peduncles, 0.5–4 cm long only [vs. 5–9(–12) cm long]; the fewer flowers, 1–6 flowers per cymes (vs. 5–9(–11) flowers per cymes); the smaller corolla, ca. 5 cm long (vs. ca. 6 cm long); the staminodes glabrous, central one ca. …
Etymology: The specific epithet ‘xinyiensis’ refers to the type locality Xingyi. Its Chinese name is Xīng Yì Bào Chūn Jù Tái (兴义报春苣苔).
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