Gesneriaceae on Hainan Island: distribution patterns and phylogenetic relationships

Oreocharis jasminina (Gesneriaceae), a new species from mountain tops of Hainan Island, South China

“…Yingge, located at the middle of Hainan Island. These mountain tops likely formed island-like habitats because the deep and wide valleys interrupted gene flows, resulting in population differentiation and speciation ( Shen et al 2017 ; Ling et al 2017a , b ; Xing et al 2018 ). Such ‘sky islands’ may be the main reason for the origin and maintenance of this Hainan-endemic alpine species ( Robin et al 2015 ; Ling et al 2017a ).…”

“…The field study and conservation on Gesneriaceae were undertaken by two of the authors (SJL and MXR) over a long period of time, especially focusing on the Hainan-endemic species ( Ling et al 2017a , b ; Xing et al 2018 ; Li et al 2019 ). Morphological observations and measurements were carried out, based on living plants during fieldwork.…”

“…500 are endemics ( Francisco-Ortega et al 2010 ) and which are concentrated in the south-central mountains. Gesneriaceae , in Hainan Island especially, includes a high ratio of species endemism, eight out of the total of 24 species being endemic ( Ling et al 2017a ). Currently, three taxa of Oreocharis are recorded on Hainan Island and all of them are Hainan-endemic and monophyletic, i.e.…”

Gesneriaceae in China and Vietnam: Perfection of taxonomy based on comprehensive morphological and molecular evidence

“…Tan et al (2020) offer an in-depth look at the updated taxonomy and biogeographical patterns of Asian Gesneriaceae . Hainan Island, one of the biggest islands in China and Vietnam, harbours an extremely high endemism ratio of Gesneriaceae and all Oreocharis species on this island are endemic ( Ling et al 2017 ). With an extensive examination combining both morphological and molecular evidences, Ling et al (2020 a, b) explored the taxonomical treatment of Hainan Oreocharis and found a possible new species.…”