Abstract
SummaryGalanthus bursanus (Amaryllidaceae), a new snowdrop species endemic to the Marmara Sea region (Bursa Province, NW Turkey), is described and illustrated. Morphological differences between the new species and other possibly related Galanthus taxa (G. plicatus subsp. byzantinus, G. ×valentinei nothosubsp. subplicatus, and G. reginae-olgae subsp. reginae-olgae) are discussed. Photographs (habitat and morphology), a distribution map and a preliminary conservation assessment are provided.
Highlights
The Marmara Sea region in north-western Turkey (Asian and European parts) is an area of high diversity for Galanthus, with five indigenous taxa: G. gracilis Čelak., G. plicatus M.Bieb. subsp. plicatus, G. plicatus subsp. byzantinus (Baker) D.A.Webb, G. trojanus A.P.Davis & Özhatay and G. ×valentinei Beck nothosubsp. subplicatus (Zeybek) A.P.Davis (Zeybek & Sauer 1995; Davis 1999; Davis 2001; Davis et al 2001; Davis & Özhatay 2001; Taşcı Margoz et al 2013)
According to the work of Rønsted et al (2013) these taxa belong to three different phylogenetic clades: Trojanus (G. trojanus), Nivalis (G. plicatus and G. ×valentinei nothosubsp. subplicatus) and Elwesii (G. gracilis)
Given the distinct morphological characterisation, we hereby describe these plants as a new species of Galanthus: G. bursanus
Summary
The Marmara Sea region in north-western Turkey (Asian and European parts) is an area of high diversity for Galanthus, with five indigenous taxa: G. gracilis Čelak., G. plicatus M.Bieb. subsp. plicatus, G. plicatus subsp. byzantinus (Baker) D.A.Webb, G. trojanus A.P.Davis & Özhatay and G. ×valentinei Beck nothosubsp. subplicatus (Zeybek) A.P.Davis (Zeybek & Sauer 1995; Davis 1999; Davis 2001; Davis et al 2001; Davis & Özhatay 2001; Taşcı Margoz et al 2013). Vegetative clones (clumping plants) were numerous, with many flower stalks in each clump (5 – 24) Both populations were located at an elevation of 500 m, exclusively on rocky, limestone outcrops (but never on cliffs and rock walls), on red clay soil, in the semi-arid xerophytic dry oak forest phytocenosis of the Marmara Transitional region (Atalay et al 2014), in which Quercus cerris L. (Turkey oak) acts as an indicator species (Fig. 2A – C) By their general appearance and period of flowering, the Galanthus at these two localities resembled G. reginae-olgae subsp. Given the distinct morphological characterisation, we hereby describe these plants as a new species of Galanthus: G. bursanus
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