Nine new species of Australian Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

Nine new species in Australian Nicotiana section Suaveolentes are described, including N. clarksonii M.W.Chase & Christenh., N. erytheia M.W.Chase & Christenh., N. latifolia M.W.Chase & Christenh., N. latzii M.W.Chase, R.W.Jobson & Christenh., N. gibbosa M.W.Chase, D.D.Andrew & J.J.Bruhl, N. olens M.W.Chase & Christenh., N. praecipitis M.W.Chase & K.Durham, N. karara M.W.Chase & Christenh. and N. bungonia M.W.Chase & Taseski. Some have been known from herbarium specimens for a long time, but their distinction from other species concepts was unsuspected until DNA studies showed their divergent nature. Others are known from one or only a few new localities. All are morphologically and genetically distinct from their close relatives. Increased sampling of populations in our molecular studies has led us to the conclusion that the widespread, recently described species N. insecticida is a species complex, comprising as many as six genetically distinct taxa, one of which includes material from the type locality of N. hesperis. Here, we describe a new name, N. erytheia, for all material we previously assigned to N. hesperis that is phylogenetically distinct from that of the type locality. To make the relationships of the new species clearer, we provide a tree produced by analysis of nuclear (RADseq) DNA data.

Automated summary

Nine new species in Australian Nicotiana section Suaveolentes were described, including N. clarksonii, N. erytheia, N. latifolia, N. latzii, N. gibbosa, N. olens, N. praecipitis, N. karara, and N. bungonia. Some of these species were known from herbarium specimens, but their distinction from other species concepts was revealed through DNA studies. Others were discovered in new localities. All of them are morphologically and genetically distinct from their close relatives. The widespread species N. insecticida was found to be a species complex, comprising up to six genetically distinct taxa, including material from the type locality of N. hesperis. A new name, N. erytheia, was proposed for the material previously assigned to N. hesperis that is phylogenetically different from the type locality. A tree based on analysis of nuclear (RADseq) DNA data was provided to clarify the relationships of the new species.