Revalidating Scorzonera ahmet-duranii and describing S. nikferica (Asteraceae) from Turkey as a new species, with insights into their taxonomic relationships based on ISSR markers.
ANNALES BOTANICI FENNICI, vol.63, no.1, pp.152-163, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 63 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.5735/085.063.0122
- Journal Name: ANNALES BOTANICI FENNICI
- Journal Indexes: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS
- Page Numbers: pp.152-163
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study provides an integrative taxonomic assessment of Scorzonera ahmetduranii
and describes S. nikferica O.D.Düşen & Göktürk (Asteraceae) as a new species
endemic to south-western Anatolia. Morphological comparisons of herbarium
specimens from Turkish and European populations confirm that S. ahmet-duranii
is distinct from S. humilis, with which it was previously synonymised. During field
surveys conducted between 2017 and 2025 on Bozdağ Mountain (Denizli, Turkey),
we encountered a morphologically unique population on serpentinite stony slopes at
1655 m a.s.l. The new species resembles S. ahmet-duranii but differs from it in stem
indumentum, leaf morphology, floccosity, involucral phyllary proportions and ligule
length. ISSR analyses of the studied taxa produced 117 loci with 75.2% polymorphism
and revealed significantly higher interspecific genetic distances (0.699–0.732)
compared to intraspecific variation (≤ 0.113). UPGMA clustering clearly separated
individuals into two distinct clades. These integrative findings support recognition of
S. nikferica as a distinct lineage. With fewer than 50 mature individuals and a restricted
distribution, it is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under IUCN criteria.