Abstract
Silene sunhangii, a new species of Caryophyllaceae known from only three populations in Hubei and Hunan provinces of central China, is described. Both morphological and molecular data were used to assess the taxonomic status and relationships of this species. Morphologically, S. sunhangii is most similar to S. platyphylla Franch. from which it differs most readily in having 3-veined elliptical leaves without pubescence, tasseled catacorolla, pale purple to red petals without a linear lobe or narrow tooth and lanceolate, bifid to one third. A phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ITS region identified the new species as a well-supported, independent lineage. Our new species is nested within a grade that encompasses species representing a polyphyletic Silene sect. Physolychnis (Benth.) Bocquet. Both the genetic and morphological data support the recognition of Silene sunhangii as a distinct species, although there is inconsistency between these two datasets as to the relationships of the new species.
Highlights
Silene L. (Sileneae, Caryophyllaceae) is the largest genus of Caryophyllaceae Juss., containing over 700 species (Melzheimer 1988; Rautenberg et al 2010; Oxelman et al 2011)
Both the genetic and morphological data support the recognition of Silene sunhangii as a distinct species, there is inconsistency between these two datasets as to the relationships of the new species
Field investigations conducted during this study revealed the existence of a distinctive entity of Silene in Hubei and Hunan provinces
Summary
Silene L. (Sileneae, Caryophyllaceae) is the largest genus of Caryophyllaceae Juss., containing over 700 species (Melzheimer 1988; Rautenberg et al 2010; Oxelman et al 2011). Both the genetic and morphological data support the recognition of Silene sunhangii as a distinct species, there is inconsistency between these two datasets as to the relationships of the new species. Keywords Silene, new species, morphology, phylogeny, China Within China, species of Silene are widely distributed and show a large range of morphological variation.
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