Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China

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 t...

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Main Authors: Shiyong Meng, Zimeng Wang, Lv Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-04-01
Series:Diversity
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/4/289
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author Shiyong Meng
Zimeng Wang
Lv Ye
author_facet Shiyong Meng
Zimeng Wang
Lv Ye
author_sort Shiyong Meng
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj.art-2ed2e1edfec843b3818caa5a9a36e0702023-12-01T01:37:32ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182022-04-0114428910.3390/d14040289Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, ChinaShiyong Meng0Zimeng Wang1Lv Ye2School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/4/289Xizang<i>Rhodiola namlingensis</i><i>Rhodiola wangii</i>new speciestaxonomyradiation
spellingShingle Shiyong Meng
Zimeng Wang
Lv Ye
Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
Diversity
Xizang
<i>Rhodiola namlingensis</i>
<i>Rhodiola wangii</i>
new species
taxonomy
radiation
title Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
title_full Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
title_fullStr Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
title_full_unstemmed Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
title_short Integrative Taxonomy Supports Two New Species of <i>Rhodiola</i> (Crassulaceae) in Xizang, China
title_sort integrative taxonomy supports two new species of i rhodiola i crassulaceae in xizang china
topic Xizang
<i>Rhodiola namlingensis</i>
<i>Rhodiola wangii</i>
new species
taxonomy
radiation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/4/289
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AT zimengwang integrativetaxonomysupportstwonewspeciesofirhodiolaicrassulaceaeinxizangchina
AT lvye integrativetaxonomysupportstwonewspeciesofirhodiolaicrassulaceaeinxizangchina