A revision of the genusGentianellain New Zealand

Abstract

Previous work on Gentianella and related genera is reviewed, particularly the taxonomic history of the New Zealand gentians and their generic placement. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences shows the New Zealand gentians belong in Gentianella. The recently described Australasian genus Chionogentias is preceded by earlier names applied to South American species that belong in a Southern Hemisphere clade.Thirty species are recognised, including seven new species (G. angustifolia, G. calcis, G. decumbens, G. luteoalba, G. impressinervia, G. scopulorum, and G. stellata) and one species (G. magnifica) raised from varietal status. The identity of G. patula is clarified and the specific status of G. amabilis is affirmed. Thirteen subspecies are recognised, including a new subspecies within G. astonii (subsp. arduana) and four within a new calcicole species G. calcis (subspp. calcis, waipara, manahune, taiko). New subspecies are also made in G. corymbifera (subsp. gracilis), G. montana (subsp. ionostigma), and G. chathamica (subsp. nemorosa). G. montana var. stolonifera is the only existing variety this treatment continues to recognise. Four previously recognised species are reduced to synonymy (G. gracilifolia, G. matthewsii, G. tereticaulis, and G. townsonii). Descriptions and keys are provided for all species and subspecies recognised.Evidence is limited, but Gentianella appears to have arrived in New Zealand from South America either once or twice, and has probably dispersed once from New Zealand to Australia. Zealand appears to be in the southern half of the South Island. An initial radiation in the lower South Island was followed by northward range extensions and dispersal events. A second radiation occurred in the Nelson and Marlborough mountains.

New Zealand phylogeography: evolution on a small continent

“…A similar pattern is described for Carmichaelinae broom and Ranunculus (Lockhart et al 2001). Other plant genera show this pattern of dispersal followed by rapid adaptation (Raven 1973;Mildenhall 1980;Glenny & Wagstaff 1997;Mitchell & Wagstaff 1997Wen et al 2001;Heenan et al 2002;Winkworth et al 2002b;Heenan & Mitchell 2003;Glenny 2004;Wagstaff & Breitwieser 2004;Ford et al 2007), in some cases involving many dispersal events (Breitwieser et al 1999;Wagstaff & Breitwieser 2002). Some alpine groups show evidence of reticulation, suggesting that hybridization has been important in their evolution (Lockhart et al 2001 mtDNA and isozyme analysis of the flightless carabid beetle genus Prodontria revealed numerous previously undescribed species endemic to particular mountain ranges (Emerson & Barratt 1997).…”

“…2002; Winkworth et al. 2002b; Heenan & Mitchell 2003; Glenny 2004; Wagstaff & Breitwieser 2004; Ford et al. 2007), in some cases involving many dispersal events (Breitwieser et al.…”

“…Similarly, Kikihia cicada show high lineage diversity in the Nelson-Marlborough region, and low to the south and east ). Glaciation has also been invoked as the cause of reduced variability in rimu (Hawkins & Sweet 1989) and triplefin fishes (Hickey et al 2009), and species number in gentians (Glenny 2004).…”

Genetic relationships in the genus Gentiana based on chloroplast DNA sequence data and nuclear DNA content

“…Gentianella saxosa, which is known to be a close relative of Gentiana (Glenny 2004), was chosen as the outgroup. All of the accessions were selected from the collection growing at the IARC, IBRC and IU, and were classified into sections according to the taxonomic classification of Ho and Liu (2001).…”

Testing species limits of New ZealandPlantago(Plantaginaceae) using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA sequences

“…Wagstaff & Garnock-Jones 1998;Lockhart et al 2001;Smissen et al 2003;Meudt & Simpson 2007) and to help bring more precision to the systematics of many New Zealand plant groups (e.g. Heenan et al 2002;Glenny 2004;Smissen et al 2004;Perrie & Brownsey 2005;Ford et alPlantago (Plantaginaceae) is a large genus of wind-pollinated plants, with over 200 species distributed worldwide. Eight species native to New Zealand were recognized in the most recent taxonomic treatment (Sykes 1988a) ( Table 1).…”