An integrative approach to species delimitation sinks three Chinese limestone karst Elatostema (Urticaceae) species.

ABSTRACT: Elatostema is recognized as a taxonomically difficult group due to the reduced nature of the tiny flowers and inflorescences, also the large number of species (ca 650 to 700). Different opinions on morphological species delimitation have resulted in instability, which is problematic in such a speciose group. In this paper, the taxonomic status of three putative species, E.robustipes, E.scaposum, E.conduplicatum and their hypothetical closest relatives, was revised using morphological and molecular observations. Morphological comparison suggested high similarity between E.robustipes & E.retrohirtum, E.scaposum & E.oblongifolium, E.conduplicatum & E.coriaceifolium, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of four universal DNA

SUBMITTER: Xin ZB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10719941 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature