Miliusa majestatis (Annonaceae), a New Species from Southern Thailand as Evidenced by Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology

Abstract

Miliusa majestatis Damth., Sinbumr. & Chaowasku (Annonaceae), a new species from southern Thailand, is described and illustrated. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis using up to seven plastid DNA regions (matK, ndhF, rbcL and ycf1 exons; trnL intron; psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers) and including, among others, 35 accessions (representing 34 species) of Miliusa, the new species belongs to one of the four unnamed major clades in the genus. Within that clade and in the genus in general, M. majestatis is unique in having constricted inner petals and small basal openings between adjacent inner petals. Its conservation status is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD).