Misinterpretations and plagiarism in a publication about HimalayanImpatiens: polemics with the paper of Singh R.K.et al.2021

Abstract

In the publication “Typifications, new combinations and new synonyms in Indian Impatiens (Balsaminaceae)” by Singh, R. K. et al. (2021), the authors used pseudoscientific theoretical background, utilized material collected by other persons without citing the source of data in support of their claims, and made serious errors in the determination and delimitation of Impatiens taxa occuring in Himalayas and adjacent areas. They proposed new combinations and statuses without sufficient field and literature studies and failed to show convincing evidences in their treatments. Their documentation lacks important details, like authorship of the published pictures, locations and dates of pictures, or measurements of plant parts; the whole documentation has geographically biased gaps – in case of Western Himalayan or Sikkimese taxa, there is almost no original illustrative material. Finally, they falsely claimed extensive field studies in Western Himalaya. This paper reinstates 19 species and 1 variety synonymised by Singh et al. (2021) with scientific evidences based on illustrations from types and colour photographs from fresh collections.

Impatiens namchabarwensis is distinct from I. arguta

“…Overall, we are convinced that I. namchabarwensis is a valid species and should no longer be treated as a synonym of I. arguta . However, I. arguta is a morphologically variable species (Gogoi et al 2021, Singh et al 2021) and several new species probably closely related to I. arguta have been described during the last years (Hareesh et al 2016, 2017a, b, Borah et al 2022). This makes the I. arguta complex a good candidate for systematic and evolutionary studies in the complex landscapes of the Himalayas.…”

“…Further, the bright, ultramarine‐blue flowers of I. namchabarwensis are unique in Impatiens (Morgan et al 2005) and differ from the violet or rarely white flowers of I. arguta (Fig. 1; Gogoi et al 2021, Singh et al 2021). However, both taxa are commonly treated as synonyms, for example in the Flora of China (Wu et al 2007).…”

Species Diversity and Geographical Distribution Patterns of Balsaminaceae in China

“…We cannot deny the identification of I. scabrida by Chinese taxonomists; thus, we still retain it in the list. I. walongensis is accepted as an independent species according to the related study by Gogoi et al [34]. I. yui is accepted as a synonym of I. uncipetala [35].…”