Taxonomy in the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB): Progress during the past decade (2008–2018) and perspectives on future development

Abstract

The development of new taxonomical theories and approaches, particularly molecular phylogenetics, has led to the expansion of traditional morphology-based taxonomy into the concept of “integrative taxonomy.” Taxonomic knowledge has assumed greater significance in recent years, particularly because of growing concerns over the looming biodiversity crisis. Since its establishment in 1938, the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB), which is located in Yunnan province in Southwest China, has focused attention on the taxonomy and conservation of the flora of China. For the forthcoming 80th anniversary of KIB, we review the achievements of researchers at KIB and their associates with respect to the taxonomy of land plants, fungi, and lichen. Major taxonomic advances are summarized for families of Calymperaceae, Cryphaeaceae, Lembophyllaceae, Neckeraceae, Polytrichaceae and Pottiaceae of mosses, Pteridaceae and Polypodiaceae of ferns, Taxaceae and Cycadaceae of gymnosperms, Asteraceae, Begoniaceae, Ericaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Gesneriaceae, Lamiaceae, Orchidaceae, Orobanchaceae, Poaceae, Theaceae and Urticaceae of angiosperms, Agaricaceae, Amanitaceae, Boletaceae, Cantharellaceae, Physalacriaceae Russulaceae, Suillaceae and Tuberaceae of fungi, and Ophioparmaceae and Parmeliaceae of lichens. Regarding the future development of taxonomy at KIB, we recommend that taxonomists continue to explore the biodiversity of China, integrate new theories and technologies with traditional taxonomic approaches, and engage in creative monographic work, with support from institutions, funding agencies, and the public.

Plant diversity in Yunnan: Current status and future directions

“…Comprehensive studies of systematics are scarce. Major taxonomic advances at Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) have been summarized for 32 families, including Boletaceae, Poaceae, Begoniaceae, and Theaceae ( Feng and Yang, 2018 ; Tian et al., 2018 ; Yu et al., 2018 ). Although there are some available checklists and investigation reports ( Table 4 ), most are related to nature reserves in Yunnan, which cover only a limited area ( Yang et al., 2008 ).…”

“…Consequently, the new generation of systematists relies on the accurate identification of herbarium specimens. If these researchers fail to accurately identify material collected from the wild, future research will be of limited value ( Yu et al., 2018 ).…”

“…Furthermore, specimen documentation should include GPS information and photos, and efforts should be made to build a framework for an integrated big data database that strengthens research on all taxa (including unpublished flora volumes of cryptogams). Protecting plant diversity in Yunnan will also require compiling district and/or county-level flora and more creative monographs ( Liu and Peng, 2016 ; Lu et al., 2012 ; Yu et al., 2018 ; Zhang et al., 2012 ). We should also establish a more functional and integrated protection system, strengthen the protection of genetic diversity and pay more attention to popularizing science and environmental education ( Chen and Sun, 2018 ; Lv et al., 2015 ; Sun and Han, 2015 ).…”

Phylofloristics: visual analysis using VOSviewer and CiteSpace

“…Phylo oristic studies initially focused on the taxonomic classi cation and cluster analysis of plant composition according to the geographical area of distribution of families, genera, and species and the comparison with the ora of neighboring areas to explore the origin, nature, and status of the ora to re ect the evolutionary history of the ora of a certain area (Baskin and Baskin, 2016;Elton, 1946;Lu et al, 2018a;Yu et al, 2018). However, these analyses disregard the totality of regional species, ignore the phylogenetic relationships among species or taxa, and complicate the identi cation of the degree of similarity in evolutionary history among different lineages (Borsch and Quandt, 2009).…”

A few words on our commemoration of 80 years at KIB

“…(2018a) review the achievements of researchers at KIB and their associates with respect to the taxonomy of land plants, fungi, and lichen. Major taxonomic advances are summarized for families of some major groups and the authors recommend that taxonomists continue to explore the biodiversity of China, integrate new theories and technologies with traditional taxonomic approaches, and engage in creative monographic work, with support from institutions, funding agencies, and the public (Yu et al., 2018a).…”