Species boundaries and conservation implications of Cinnamomum japonicum, an endangered plant in China

Clear species boundaries are crucial for plans and actions on biodiversity conservation. However, morphological similarities among allied species can result in taxonomic difficulties, thus impeding conservation efforts. In China, Cinnamomum japonicum Siebold is a well-known endangered plant, yet suffers from longstanding taxonomic issues. Here, we explicitly evaluate whether C. japonicum, C. chenii, and C. chekiangense are the same phylogenetic species on the basis of a multi-individual sampling strategy. We identified three sets of low-copy orthologous genes from 19 Lauraceae taxa for phylogenetic inferences. Both the concatenation and coalescent-based phylogenies supported that C. chenii individuals were embedded in the C. japonicum clade, indicating these two taxa are conspecific. Meanwhile, C. chekiangense accessions formed a monophyly which was not sister to C. japonicum. This result, together with the morphological differences that the leaves of C. japonicum are glabrous with a faveolate pattern of venation while those of C. chekiangense have trichomes and inevident lateral veins, led us to consider both as two distinct species. Based on 17 728 neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the ADMIXTURE analysis suggested that the Chinese C. japonicum populations in Zhoushan Archipelago (=C. chenii) were genetically differentiated from the Japanese and Korean ones. Furthermore, ecological niche modeling predicted that the present distribution area of Chinese C. japonicum is likely to be unsuitable under global warming scenarios. Together with its limited distribution and genetic uniqueness, we recommend that Chinese C. japonicum deserves conservation priorities.

Automated summary

Clear species boundaries are important for biodiversity conservation, but morphological similarities can make taxonomy difficult. In this study, we used a multi-individual sampling strategy to evaluate the taxonomic status of Cinnamomum japonicum, C. chenii, and C. chekiangense. Phylogenetic analyses supported that C. chenii is the same species as C. japonicum, while C. chekiangense is a distinct species. Genetic analysis showed differentiation between Chinese C. japonicum populations and those in Japan and Korea. Ecological niche modeling predicted unsuitability of the current distribution area of Chinese C. japonicum under global warming scenarios. Based on these findings, we recommend prioritizing the conservation of Chinese C. japonicum.