Selaginella guihaia (Selaginellaceae): A new spikemoss species from southern China and northern Vietnam around the Gulf of Tonkin.

Xian-Chun Zhang,Yu-Dong Wu,Hong-Rui Zhang

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.80.11126

Abstract

Selaginella guihaia sp. nov. (Selaginellaceae), a new species of spikemoss from southern China and northern Vietnam around the Gulf of Tonkin (Beibu Gulf), is described and illustrated. Morphological and molecular comparisons of the new species with other similar species (S. doederleinii, S. ornata and S. trachyphylla) are provided. The morphological and molecular evidence clearly indicates S. guihaia is a distinct species. Morphologically S. guihaia differs from other species by its obviously white–margined leaves, the ventral leaves scabrous on upper surfaces throughout the basiscopic or also rarely present on upper halves, and the ovate axillary leaves.

Highlights

Among several herbaria collections of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron., we found that the leaves of some specimens are obvious white–margined with ventral leaves that are often scabrous on the upper surface
With evidences from morphological characters and molecular analysis, we described these plants as a new species
Morphology characters were examined from the dried herbarium specimens studied from PE

Summary

Introduction

Among several herbaria collections of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron., we found that the leaves of some specimens are obvious white–margined with ventral leaves that are often scabrous on the upper surface. These turned out to be a rather common and widely distributed undescribed species in the mountainous areas of southern China (Guangxi and Hainan) and North Vietnam around the Gulf of Tonkin (Beibu Gulf ). With evidences from morphological characters and molecular analysis, we described these plants as a new species .

Results

Conclusion