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| Halophila siaochihkanensis P.-L. Lu & P.-J. Liu, in Liu, C.-W. Lin, H.-J. Lin, W.-J. Lin, Hsieh, Cai, Hong et Lu, 2025. |
Abstract
Halophila siaochihkanensis P.-L. Lu & P.-J. Liu (Hydrocharitaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Penghu County, Taiwan. It is morphologically similar to Halophila ovalis (R. Br.) Hook. f. and Halophila decipiens Ostenf., but differs in flowering time, leaf hairs, and vegetative life history, having smaller leaves and fewer leaf veins, flowers with white to light yellowish brown tepals, shorter stamens, and fruits that are smaller, globose, and including several seeds in a fruit. This study explores the phylogenetic analysis of 11 species representing all four genera with two outgroup species using DNA Internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The dataset was analyzed using parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis. Results show that Halophila siaochihkanensis is monophyletic group. The species is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from the remaining seagrass species in Taiwan and is recognized as a new species, Halophila siaochihkanensis P.-L. Lu & P.-J. Liu, and a new key for seagrass of Taiwan is made.
Keyword: Hydrocharitaceae, Halophila decipiens, Halophila ovalis, phylogenetics, taxonomy
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| Halophila siaochihkanensis P.-L. Lu & P.-J. Liu. the habitat, seagrass bed, and their young/old leave. A. The yellow circle indicates the flowers. B. The morphology of the individual. C. The morphology of mature leaves. D. The morphology of young leaves.E. The population. F. The nature habitat. G. The nature habitat. |
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| Distribution of Halophila siaochihkanensis. collection site, in Penghu County, Taiwan. |
Halophila siaochihkanensis P.L. Lu & P.J. Liu, sp. nov.
小赤崁鹽草
Diagnosis: Halophila siaochihkanensis is
morphologically similar to Halophila ovalis (R. Br.)
Hook. f. in having oval leaf morphology. However, H.
siaochihkanensis can be clearly distinguished from H.
ovalis by its small leaves and fewer than 9 pairs branching
veins, flowers with pinkish color, smaller flower size,
after fruiting, above vegetative parts completely
disappearing (Table 2, Figure 3). Halophila
siaochihkanensis is also morphologically similar to
Halophila decipiens Ostenf in having oval leaf
morphology. However, H. siaochihkanensis can be
clearly distinguished from H. decipiens by its completely
smooth blade, growing elevation above 2 m, small leaves
and fewer than 9 pairs branching veins, flowers with
pinkish color, smaller flower size, after fruiting, above
vegetative parts completely disappearing (Table 2, Figure
3).
Pi-Jen Liu, Chiao-Wen Lin, Hsing-Juh Lin, Wei-Jen Lin, Li-Te Hsieh, Cheng-Xuan Cai, Ming-Yang Hong and Pei-Luen Lu. 2025. Halophila siaochihkanensis (Hydrocharitaceae), A New Species from Penghu County, Taiwan. Taiwania. 70(2); 2106-2106. https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2106 [27 March 2025]
