A new remarkable dwarf sedge (Carex phylloscirpoid, Cyperaceae) from Northern Chile, with insights on the evolution of Austral section Racemosae

  1. Jiménez-Mejías, Pedro 1
  2. Saldivia, Patricio 2
  3. Gebauer, Sebastian 3
  4. Martín-Bravo, Santiago 4
  1. 1 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01cby8j38

  2. 2 University of Otago
    info

    University of Otago

    Dunedin, Nueva Zelanda

    ROR https://ror.org/01jmxt844

  3. 3 Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
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    Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

    Halle, Alemania

    ROR https://ror.org/05gqaka33

  4. 4 Universidad Pablo de Olavide
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    Universidad Pablo de Olavide

    Sevilla, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02z749649

Editor: Dryad

Año de publicación: 2020

Tipo: Dataset

Resumen

We describe a new remarkable dwarf and apparently acaulescent species of Carex (Cyperaceae) from the Andes of northern Chile: Carex phylloscirpoides. Morphological and molecular data (two nuclear and three plastid DNA regions) were used to study the phylogenetic placement and systematic relationships of this species, which resulted in its assignment to section Racemosae. However, despite being related to the other three species of the section present in the Southern Cone based on phylogenetic evidence, it displays a number of unusual morphological features. In addition, it is geographically disjunct and genetically differentiated from them. A conservation assessment was performed which resulted in the proposal of the Critically Endangered category at the global level under IUCN guidelines. We discuss the biogeographic and ecological peculiarities of the new species and its allies, with emphasis in the high number of acaulescent sedges present in South America. The features of C. phylloscirpoides emphasize its unique evolutionary position and its rarity highlights its conservation importance, especially in the context of the South American Andean flora.