Acantholimon brevispicum (Plumbaginaceae) a New Species from Southeastern Iran Based on Morphological and Molecular Data

Acantholimon brevispicum Bibak, Kaz.Osaloo & Assadi (Plumbaginaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the Palvar Mountains, Kerman province, SE Iran. In this paper, we discuss morphological characteristics and molecular data that differentiate the species from closely related taxa. According to morphological characters, the new species belongs to the A. sect. Acantholimon (= Staticopsis) and closely related to A. hormozganense and A. zaeifii, but is easily recognized by its leaves, flowering stem length, inflorescence, bracteole shape, and petal. Morphological comparisons and taxonomic relationships of A. brevispicum with closely related taxa are discussed. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods based on nrDNA ITS and plastid rpl32-trnL_(UAG) markers. According to molecular and morphological evidence, the new species is distinct from its close relatives. The molecular phylogeny analyses support the placement of A. brevispicum based on morphology. The information provided includes a species description, plant images, a diagnostic key, a distribution map, and a molecular phylogenetic tree.