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| Oreocharis nanlingensis X.Z. Shi & Li H. Yang, in Shi, Sun, Fu et Yang, 2026. |
ABSTRACT
The genus Oreocharis is a species-rich group within the family Gesneriaceae and represents an excellent model system for evolutionary studies. However, taxonomic understanding of this genus remains insufficient, resulting in several unresolved issues. In this study, we focus on two species groups within Oreocharis—the O. argyreia group and the O. auricula group—each of which presents distinct taxonomic challenges. To address these, we conducted detailed morphological comparisons and statistical analyses, along with phylogenetic analyses based on dense population-level sampling. Our results support abolishing the variety O. argyreia var. angustifolia within O. argyreia but establishing a new species of O. nanlingensis to accommodate specimens of this variety collected from the broader Nanling mountains region. In addition, our findings suggest that O. auricula var. denticulata should be treated as a synonym of O. magnidens. We provide final taxonomic treatments, amended descriptions, photographs, and a distribution map for the relevant taxa.
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Oreocharis nanlingensis sp. nov. (A) Habit. (B) Flowers in top view. (C) Flowers in side view. (D) Flowers in front view. (E) Opened flower showing stamens, staminodes, and corolla inside. (F) Not yet dehiscing anthers. (G) Calyx. (H) Pistil. (I) Dehiscing fruit. All Photos were taken from its holotype locality. |
Oreocharis nanlingensis X.Z. Shi & Li H. Yang, sp. nov.
Diagnosis Oreocharis nanlingensis is similar to O. crispata, but can be distinguished from the latter by its smooth leaf blade with entire margin (vs. rugose leaf blade with crispate and irregularly dentate margin), longer corolla tube (1.6–1.7 cm vs. ca 1.3 cm), and pistil (1.5–1.6 cm vs. ca 1.1 cm), and bilobed stigma (vs. disc-shaped).
Xi-Zuo Shi, Zhi-Xia Sun, Jia-Xin Fu and Li-Hua Yang. 2026. Integrating Morphological and Molecular Evidence Reveals a New Species and Two Synonyms in Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae). Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73380 [06 April 2026]
Using both population-level phylogenetic analysis and morphological statistics, this study resolved several taxonomic problems within the genus Oreocharis. Our results support abolishing the variety O. argyreia var. angustifolia, establishing a new species O. nanlingensis, and treating O. auricula var. denticulata as a synonym of O. magnidens.
