Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
2022
Shiyong Meng | Zimeng Wang | Lv Ye
The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau includes the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains and is well known for its rich biodiversity. Evolutionary radiation is one of the main ways by which plants diversify in mountains, particularly the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. It presents a large challenge to the classification of taxa that radiate quickly. One way to overcome these challenges is to continue conducting detailed field studies while integrating morphological and molecular evidence to classify these taxa. The aim of this research was to provide a case for the systematic study of the complex taxa <i>Rhodiola</i>, which rapidly radiate. During the field study, we found two unique variants of <i>Rhodiola</i> in an alpine dry meadow and beds of pebbles on beaches, respectively. We utilized a morphological principal component analysis, scanning electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analysis to propose two new species: <i>Rhodiola wangii</i> S.Y. Meng and <i>Rhodiola namlingensis</i> S.Y. Meng. <i>R. wangii</i> is similar to <i>R. stapfii</i> (Hamet) S.H. Fu, but it differs in having an intensely broad rhombus and alternate leaves, a distinct petiole, stamens gathered together and reflexed purple scales. <i>R. namlingensis</i> is similar to <i>R. prainii</i> (Hamet) H. Ohba, but it differs in its exerted alternate leaves, the presence of more than four leaves on the stem, thick leaf blades, an obovate to inverted triangle, and short petioles. The conservation status of these two species was also assessed.
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