Identification of a new characteristic species of Nitella (Charophyceae) from southwestern China based on morphology and molecular phylogeny

Abstract

Nitella fuiana Lan & Qing sp. nov., a special kind of charophyte from Mingshan, Sichuan, China, was described in this study. The systematic position of the new species was assessed based on morphological and molecular analysis. The results of morphology comparison showed that the charophyte possessed stipulodes and 10-cell coronula. Nuclear 18S rDNA and plastid rbcL sequences analysis revealed that N. fuiana was a single clade as clustered with other species of Nitella. Combined with the morphological and molecular analysis data, our study strongly supported that N. fuiana was a new species of Nitella. This is the first report of Nitelleae species with stipulodes, which increased the morphological diversity of charophytes. This study also reminds us to pay close attention to the characteristics of stipulodes for further research on charophytes.