10.5061/DRYAD.DV41NS1X1
Zhang, Guojin
Pennsylvania State University
Shen, Jiahao
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiao, Bohan
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Niu, Guohao
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhong, Fanghua
Mt. Sanqing National Scenic Area Management Committee
Li, Guo
Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences
Gao, Tiangang
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Cryptic diversity on cliffs: Aster sanqingensis, a new species of
Asteraceae from Eastern China
Dryad
dataset
2021
Granite
micro-morphology
2022-01-04T00:00:00Z
2022-01-04T00:00:00Z
en
12332 bytes
2
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
It is generally believed that cliffs bear low biodiversity because of its
harsh habitats. However, another reason, i.e. insufficient investigation
caused by the inaccessibility of the cliffs, could not be excluded. In the
genus Aster, two cliff species, Aster fanjingshanicus and Aster
tianmenshanensis, respectively growing on the slate and limestone cliffs,
were established. During our extensive field investigations, the third
cliff species of Aster growing on granite cliffs from Eastern China was
found. Based on the evidence from molecular phylogeny, morphology, and
micro-morphology, we proposed that it should be treated as a new species
and named Aster sanqingensis. It is described and illustrated here.
Considering its limited number of individuals, highly localized
distribution, and disturbed habitat, we proposed to treat it as a
critically endangered species. Our new finding indicates there is cryptic
biodiversity on the cliffs remaining to be discovered.