Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Corydalis sect. Benecinctae (Papaveraceae), with descriptions of new taxa

Abstract

Corydalis sect. Benecinctae is one of the sections of Corydalis that reaches the highest altitude in the genus Corydalis , and includes some species that are masters of camouflage. However, the phylogenetic relationships among species in this section have not yet been fully resolved, resulting in persistent taxonomic ambiguity. Phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast genome data from 14 samples (9 newly sequenced) covering nearly all previously described taxa of this section confirm that these taxa constitute a strongly supported monophyletic clade, within which both interspecific and intraspecific relationships are clearly resolved. Integrating molecular phylogenetic and morphological evidence, a taxonomic revision of this section is here conducted. One new species ( C. wolongensis ) and two new varieties ( C. benecincta var. dianzangensis , C. benecincta var. multifida ) are described; of C. tuberipisiformis and C. geocarpa , both previously synonymized under C. dajingensis , the former is reinstated and the latter newly treated as a variety of C. dajingensis . Corydalis trilobipetala , formerly recognized as a distinct species or as C. benecincta subsp. trilobipetala , is here newly treated as C. benecincta var. trilobipetala . According to the updated taxonomic treatment in the present study, this section comprises four species and four varieties (excluding typical varieties).