A new species of Gagea sect. Plecostigma (Liliaceae) from Uzbekistan

The genus Gagea represents one of the most species-rich groups of monocotyledonous plants in Central Asia and continues to yield new taxa through integrative taxonomic studies. During investigations of herbarium collections and field surveys in Uzbekistan, a previously undescribed species belonging to Gagea sect. Plecostigma was discovered. Here, we describe and illustrate Gagea kuljuktauensis Levichev based on morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic evidence derived from nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences. The new species is characterized by two filiform basal leaves exceeding the inflorescence, pubescent stems 10–25 cm tall, 2–3-flowered inflorescences, and bright yellow perianth segments with violet apices. It differs from its closest relatives, G. afghanica and G. olgae, by a unique combination of vegetative and reproductive characters, including leaf number, stem indumentum, flower morphology, and fruit size. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences placed the new species within Gagea sect. Plecostigma and recovered it as the sister taxon of G. afghanica with moderate bootstrap support. Gagea kuljuktauensis is currently known from four localities in Uzbekistan, including the Kuljuktau Mountains in the southwestern Kyzylkum Desert and several sites in the western Pamir-Alay. The species inhabits dry stony slopes, foothills, and low mountain habitats at elevations of 470–1300 m a.s.l. The discovery of this species highlights the importance of integrating morphological, anatomical, and molecular evidence for resolving species diversity within Gagea and underscores the need for continued taxonomic exploration in the floristically rich regions of Central Asia.

Hali tarjima qilinmagan