Cathissa villasina (Hyacinthaceae), a new endemic species from the southeastern Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

A new species, Cathissa villasina, endemic to the Sierra de Las Villas (Jaén province, Eastern Andalusia, Spain), is described, illustrated and compared to its closest relative (C. reverchonii), with which it was initially confused in this area. A comparative morphometric study (quantitative and qualitative) of both species including a statistical analysis of 39 macroscopic characters and the detailed microscopic observation of stigma, seminal testa and pollen was performed. In terms of its ecology and phytogeography, C. villasina grows in pockets of clayey soils on limestone pavements on terrain with little or no incline. Humidity levels in these soils are high and they can become temporarily waterlogged. This species is a narrow endemic to the Cazorlense biogeographical district. By comparison, C. reverchonii is clearly a rupicolous species that grows in the shade of vertical or steeply sloping limestone rocks, and is found in numerous scattered localities in the biogeographical Rondense district.

Keywords:

• Baetic flora
• endemic plants
• Andalusia
• Hyacinthaceae
• Ornithogalum
• Cathissa
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

To Rolf Moehring and Alfredo Benavente for showing us the place that was the origin of this work, and without whom it would not have been possible. To Antonio Rivas, Sandra García de Lucas and David Cuerda (Andalusian Network of Botanical and Mycological Gardens) and especially to Julián Fuentes for their support during the field work. To professors Dr. G. Blanca (University of Granada) and Dr. M.B. Crespo (University of Alicante) for their help in preparing the manuscript. To Dr. Joaquín Abolafia for the drawing of the C. villasina icon. The authors are grateful for the technical and human support from the Scientific-Technical Instrumentation Centre (CICT) of the Central Research Support Services of the University of Jaén (UJA, MICINN, Junta de Andalucía, FEDER), the UJA Nematology research team, and the Andalusian Counseling of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Development for the granting of sampling permits. This work was financed by the research contract Technical assistance for the monitoring of threatened flora species and special protection in Spain (SEBiCOP-University of Jaén) and the grants ACIE18-03, UAUSTI18-02 and UAUSTI19-08 (University of Alicante). This study is part of Amanda Tercero’s PhD.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.