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| Anoectochilus zhongshanensis C.J.Zheng & Y.B.Wu, in Wu, Han, He, Chen, Wu, Ye et Zheng, 2023. Photographs by Yan-Bin Wu. |
Abstract
A new species of Anoectochilus (Orchidaceae) from Guangxi, China, A. zhongshanensis, is described here, which was identified based on phylogenetic studies adopting combined plastid markers (rbcL-matK-trnL-F), morphological observation and chemical analysis. Molecular phylogenetic results support the systematic status of A. zhongshanensis as a new species in Anoectochilus genus. Morphologically, this new species is similar to A. zhejiangensis and A. malipoensis, but differs by its characteristic labellum and column, including the hastate or scalpel-shaped lobes of epichile, forward curved and pinnately divided cristate lobes at both sides of the mesochile and inverted triangle column wings. Furthermore, HPLC-ELSD analysis of these three species revealed the interesting chemotaxonomic difference that the principle and characteristic lactone glycoside in this new species was kinsenoside, rather than its diastereoisomer, goodyeroside A, a major glycoside in A. zhejiangensis and A. malipoensis.
Key words: Anoectochilus, new species, phylogeny, taxonomy
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| Anoectochilus zhongshanensis A habit B leaves C flower (front view and lateral view) D ovary (cross section) E sepals F petals G spur H core column (front view, lateral view and rear view) I anther cap and pollinia. Drawn by Li-Xiang Zheng. |
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| Anoectochilus zhongshanensis A1 and A2 habit B flower (front view) C flower (lateral view) D sepals and petals E spur F anther cap G pollinia H column (front view) I column (lateral view) J column (rear view). Photographs by Yan-Bin Wu. |
Anoectochilus zhongshanensis C.J.Zheng & Y.B.Wu, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A. zhongshanensis is similar to A. zhejiangensis, but can be distinguished by the hastate or scalpel-shaped lobes of epichile (vs. semiovoid), forward curved and pinnately divided cristate lobes at both sides of the mesochile (vs. backward curved, the same orientation as the spur), unbowed conical spur (vs. bowed) and inverted triangle column wings (vs. squarish) (Fig. 6). A. zhongshanensis is also similar to A. malipoensis, but can be distinguished by the hastate or scalpel-shaped lobes of epichile (vs. obovate lobes with acuminate apex and crenulate margins), pinnately divided cristate lobes at both sides of the mesochile (vs. obliquely subquadrate and serrate lobes) and inverted triangle column wings (vs. elliptic) (Chen and Shui 2010).
Etymology: Referring to the locality (Zhongshan County) where this new species was found.
Vernacular name: 钟山金线兰 (Chinese pinyin: zhong shan jin xian lan).
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| Anoectochilus zhejiangensis A habit B flower (front view) without petals and sepals C flower (lateral view) without petals and sepals D sepals and petals E spur F anther cap G pollinia H column (front view) I column (lateral view) J core column (rear view). Photographs by Yan-Bin Wu. |
Yan-Bin Wu, Yu Han, Xu-Hui He, Hui-Ling Chen, Jin-Zhong Wu, Qi Ye and Cheng-Jian Zheng. 2023. Anoectochilus zhongshanensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 234: 203-218. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.234.111106
