J Syst Evol

• Research Article •    

Qineryangia, a new genus from the Hengduan Mountains and new insights into the phylogeny of the subtribe Crepidinae (Cichorieae, Asteraceae)

Lian‐Sheng Xu1,2,3, Zhu‐Qiu Song1, Shu‐Yuan Liao1,4, and You‐Sheng Chen1,2,3*   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China;
    2 State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China;
    3 Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Plant Conservation and Utilization in Southern China, Guangzhou 510650, China;
    4 University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    *Author for correspondence. E-mail: yschen@scbg.ac.cn
  • Received:2023-12-26 Accepted:2024-02-03 Online:2024-03-12

Abstract: The Crepidinae are the largest subtribe of the Cichorieae (Asteraceae). Debate remains over the circumscription and phylogeny of this subtribe, mainly due to its complex morphology and the poor phylogenetic signal provided by traditional Sanger sequencing markers. In this study, a well-resolved phylogeny of the subtribe Crepidinae, consisting of seven highly supported clades, was obtained for the first time using nuclear data with a phylogenomics approach (Hyb-Seq). Using this phylogeny along with other evidence, we propose a new taxonomic framework for the Crepidinae with seven lines and 29 genera, which merges subtribe Chondrillinae with the Crepidinae. We also describe a new monotypic genus, Qineryangia, that is characterized by broad involucres, loose imbricate phyllaries with wavy margins, and thick pappus bristles.

Key words: Asteraceae, Crepidinae, Hyb-Seq, new genus, phylogeny, taxonomy