Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae), a new species from S Thailand

Abstract

Thirteen species of Friesodielsia Steenis (Annonaceae) and 11 representatives of related genera were included in molecular phylogenetic analyses using up to six plastid DNA regions (psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF intergenic spacers; trnL intron; matK, ndhF, rbcL exons). The results support the recognition of a new species, F. lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku from Narathiwat, S Thailand, as belonging to one of the two major clades of Friesodielsia. The members of this clade show outer petals that separate at anthesis and have a concave basal portion, while members in the other major clade exhibit outer petals that separate early during developmental stages and have a flat base. Friesodielsia lalisae is described and illustrated. It is most morphologically similar to F. argentea (J. Sinclair) Steenis and F. glauca (Hook. f. & Thomson) Steenis but differs from the two by having dissimilar sepal shape, higher proportion of inner petal to outer petal length and longer inner petals. The new species additionally differs from the former by having different leaf base and from the latter by having denser indumentum on young twigs and shorter flowering pedicels. Narathiwat, a province to which the new species is endemic, seems to be one of the most underexplored areas in Thailand as evidenced by a number of species described based on recent material. The conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered.

Friesodielsia parvimitra (Annonaceae), a New Species from Peninsular Thailand and a Note on F. argentea

“…In contrast to the taxonomic treatment by Turner [ 9 ] according to which F. argentea was placed under F. glauca based on intermediate characteristics, this study supports the separation of these two species, since several specimens in peninsular Thailand and Malaysia revealed the morphological distinction of floral characteristics. Friesodielsia argentea is here resurrected and these findings support the discussion given by Leeratiwong et al [ 3 ] and Damthongdee et al [ 7 ].…”

“…The absence of a glaucous appearance on the lower leaf surface, and the fact that its outer petals separate at maturity, are characteristics that are similar to F. lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku, but the new species is distinctly distinguishable by possessing much shorter inner petals (4-5 mm long vs. 19-25 mm long in F. lalisae), about four to five times shorter than the outer petals (Table 1). In addition, F. lalisae is found at a lower elevation, about 90 m [7]. Description: Woody climber up to 10 m high.…”

“…In addition, recent new species of Friesodielsia , including F. betongensis Leerat., F. chalermgliniana Leerat., and F. lalisae , were also discovered from this range of forests within Yala and Narathiwat Provinces [ 7 , 14 ]. Twenty of twenty-one Friesodielsia species can be found in peninsular Thailand, where the highest number of species of this genus is found, except for F. discolor (Craib) D. Das [ 3 , 7 , 14 ]. Of these, several species such as F. betongensis , F. brevistipitata Leerat., F. chalermgliniana , F. khaoluangensis Leerat.…”

“…All cited specimens in this study were observed by the authors and recently collected specimens were deposited at the PSU Herbarium. The literature regarding the genus Friesodielsia in Thailand and neighboring areas was reviewed [1,[3][4][5]7,9,14,27,30,31].…”

“…The genus is phylogenetically sister to Dasymaschalon (Hook.f. & Thomson) Dalla Torre & Harms and these two genera are sister to Desmos Lour., and the three genera together sister to Monanthotaxis Baill., based on nuclear and plastid markers [2,6,7]. These genera have shared morphological similarities, such as inaperturate pollen, parallel tertiary venation on the abaxial leaf surface, and Friesodielsia also shares basal leaf glands with Desmos and some species of Monanthotaxis [2,3,8].…”