Morphological analyses support recognition of three new threatened species of bracteate–prostrate Myosotis (Boraginaceae) endemic to the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand
Heidi M. Meudt
A * and Jessica M. Prebble B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PO Box 467, Cable Street, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand.
B Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand.
Australian Systematic Botany 35(5) 364-394 https://doi.org/10.1071/SB22012
Submitted: 14 April 2022 Accepted: 26 August 2022 Published: 5 October 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.
Abstract
Statistical analyses of two morphological datasets, including 190 newly measured specimens, showed that individuals of Myosotis (Boraginaceae) from Te Waipounamu / South Island, Aotearoa, New Zealand, identified a priori with three different informal tag names, belong to the bracteate–prostrate group, are morphologically distinct from each other and from other species, and merit scientific description. Myosotis hikuwai Meudt, Prebble & G.M.Rogers is known from one location near Wānaka (Otago), has an unusual erect, spring annual habit, and is most similar to M. brevis and M. glauca, with which it is sympatric. Myosotis venticola Meudt & Prebble comprises plants that were sometimes previously identified as M. cheesemanii from certain ranges in Otago and southern Canterbury, but with retrorse trichomes present on the abaxial and adaxial side of the rosette leaves. Myosotis ultramafica Meudt, Prebble & Rance comprises individuals from ultramafic sites in certain ranges in Southland, and is most similar to M. cheesemanii and M. lyallii. We recommend that all three new species are listed as Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. In addition to descriptions and illustrations, the three new species are also included in a revised key to the nineteen species of southern hemisphere bracteate–prostrate Myosotis.
Keywords: Boraginaceae, morphometrics, Myosotis, new species, New Zealand, species delimitation, species radiation, taxonomic revision, taxonomy.
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