Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae), a new species from S Thailand

Thirteen species of Friesodielsia Steenis (Annonaceae) and 11 representatives of related genera were included in molecular phylogenetic analyses using up to six plastid DNA regions (psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF intergenic spacers; trnL intron; matK, ndhF, rbcL exons). The results support the recognition of a new species, F. lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku from Narathiwat, S Thailand, as belonging to one of the two major clades of Friesodielsia.

The members of this clade show outer petals that separate at anthesis and have a concave basal portion, while members in the other major clade exhibit outer petals that separate early during developmental stages and have a flat base. Friesodielsia lalisae is described and illustrated. It is most morphologically similar to F. argentea (J. Sinclair) Steenis and F. glauca (Hook. f. & Thomson) Steenis but differs from the two by having dissimilar sepal shape, higher proportion of inner petal to outer petal length and longer inner petals.

The new species additionally differs from the former by having different leaf base and from the latter by having denser indumentum on young twigs and shorter flowering pedicels. Narathiwat, a province to which the new species is endemic, seems to be one of the most underexplored areas in Thailand as evidenced by a number of species described based on recent material. The conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered.