Veronica ersin-yucelii Yaylacı, O.Koyuncu & Ocak, 2018

Yaylaci, Ö. Koray, Sezer, Okan, Özgişi, Kurtuluş, Öztürk, Derviş, Erkara, İsmühan Potoğlu, Koyuncu, Onur & Ocak, Atila, 2018, A new Veronica (Plantaginaceae) species from Central Anatolia, Turkey, Phytotaxa 362 (1), pp. 55-67 : 56-63

Veronica ersin-yucelii Yaylacı, O.Koyuncu & Ocak sp. nov.

(subg. Pentasepalae , Plantaginaceae ), ( Figures 1–10 ).

Type: — Turkey, B3 Eskişehir: Sivrihisar, Karacaören village, peak of Arayit (Eryiğit) Mountain , marble rocks and scree, 1670–1820 m, 39º 17’ 47’’ N – 31º 45’ 08’’ E, 24.06.2012, Ö.K. Yaylacı & A. Ocak, holotype: OUFE 16472 .

Diagnosis: — Veronica ersin-yucelii is closely related to V. caespitosa , but the two species differ in several characters. V. ersin-yucelii has dwarf cushion form (not suffruticose stoloniferous); ascending to erect 5–10 cm, cushions 8–15 cm diam [not procumbent 2–4 cm, cushions 3–7(–10) cm diam]; stem indumentum densely strigose with 0.2–0.8 mm white simple hairs (not glabrous or laxly strigose with 0.2–1.1 mm hairs); leaves sessile, lamina linear to lanceolate, 5–10 × 1–3 mm, pinnatisect (not petioles 0.5–1 mm, vaginate at base, lamina linear to oblanceolate, 6–13 × 1–3 mm, margin entire); leaves indumentum distinctly spreading strigose with 0.1–0.7 mm simple white hairs (not upper surface with subsessile glands, strigose with 0.7–1.3 mm rigid white hairs, glabrescent, lower surface glabrous); inflorescence in groups of 2–10, peduncle 2–7 mm [not inflorescences 2–5(–7), peduncle 4–10 mm]; bract linear to linear-lanceolate, 2.5–4 mm, pedicel 2–4 mm [not bract elliptic, spathulate, 4.5–8 mm and pedicel 0.5–2(–6) mm]; calyx 2.5–7 mm, lobes 4 [not 3–5 mm, lobes 4(–5)]; corolla deep blue, 6–10 mm diameter, stamen inserted, style 3–4 mm (not corolla pale lilac, purplish blue or sky blue, 8–14 mm diameter, stamen exserted, style 3–9 mm); capsule 5–8 × 5–7 mm, exceeding calyx, velutinous (not 3–5 × 4–6 mm, shorter than calyx, sparsely pubescent); seed 2–2.5 × 1.5–2 mm (not 1.6–2 × 1–1.5 mm) ( Table 1 ).

Description: —Perennial, dwarf cushion 5–10 cm tall, ascending to erect, branched forming cushions 8–15 cm diam; stems densely strigose with white simple hairs, 0.2–0.8 mm. Leaves sessile, lamina linear to lanceolate, 5–10 × 1–3 mm, pinnatisect, strongly revolute, spreading strigose with 0.1–0.7 mm white simple hairs. Inflorescences 2–10, peduncles 2–7 mm. Bracts linear to linear-lanceolate, 2.5–4 mm. Pedicels 2–4 mm long. Calyx 2.5–7 mm and 4 lobed. Corolla deep blue, 6–10 mm diam. Stamens inserted, filaments 1.5–1.9 mm. Style 3–4 mm. Capsule broadly obcordate with rounded base, 5–8 × 5–7 mm, exceeding calyx, emarginate, velutinous. Seeds 2–2.5 × 1.5–2 mm, rugose.

Phenology: —Flowering in May–June and fruiting in June–July.

Palynology: —Pollen grains of all studied taxa are radially symmetrical, isopolar, prolate-subprolate and 3-colpate. Colpus of all pollen grains are simple with acute apices. Margins of colpi are slightly sinuous in Veronica ersin-yucelii . Colpi of V. caespitosa and V. multifida are sinuous or straight. Apertural membrane mostly has ectexine elements that are rugulate-perforate for all examined Veronica taxa. Exine thickness varies between 0.82 μm and 1.22 μm. Apertural system, tectum and infratectum type are described by us. Exine ornamentation is typically striate-reticulate.

In V. ersin-yucelii P/E ratio is 1.13–1.28. Mean values of non-acetolysed pollen grains are 34.35 μm (P) and 25.41 μm (E). In acetolysed pollen grains, mean values were measured as 27.91 μm (P) and 24.58 μm (E).

In V. caespitosa P/E ratio is 1.20–1.22. Mean values of non-acetolysed pollen grains are 27.04 μm (P) and 22.46 μm (E). In acetolysed pollen grains, mean values were measured as 26.14 μm (P) and 21.34 μm (E).

In V. multifida P/E ratio is 1.24–1.25. Mean values of non-acetolysed pollen grains are 17.02 μm (P) and 13.80 μm (E). In acetolysed pollen grains, mean values were measured as 16.80 μm (P) and 13.40 μm (E).

According to literature, pollen characteristics like the aperture and exine features are some of the most crucial morphological characters in defining phylogenetic relations ( Martínez-Ortega et al. 2000). The palynological data, here reported, are an important confirmation of the distinctiveness of the new taxon, as shown in previous studies ( Asmat et al. 2011, Martínez-Ortega et al. 2000, Saeidi & Zarrei 2006, Muñoz-Centeno et al. 2007, Sánchez Agudo et al. 2009).

As stated by Sánchez Agudo et al. 2009, pollen sizes characters are important tools for differentiate related taxa and so it can be used for identifying the species located in taxonomically complex groups. Our findings show appropriateness with this situation. In the light of the measurable morphological data obtained from pollen grains belonging to the investigated taxa, there are some significant differences between V. ersin-yucelii and the other taxa. Pollen grains of V. ersin-yucelii are significantly (p <0.05) bigger than the ones of the other studied taxa, being about the double size compared to the pollen grains of V. multifida . On the contrary, measured values of P/E ratios are too close in the three taxa, and the shape of the pollen grains is the same. The main palynological characters and SEM micrographs of all studied taxa are presented in Table 2 and Figure 10 .

Seed Morphology: —In all studied species, seeds’ colors can be from pale to dark brown. Endosperm has a wide plateau.The seed coat has a rugose pattern formed by circular-polygonal shaped cells. In term of the seed measurements, seed sizes range between 2–2.5 mm length and 1.5–2 mm width. Seeds are ovate shaped and dorsiventrally flattened. Dip areas of the seed surface are covered by simple scabrate trichomes.

The length of seeds ranges from 2 to 2.5 mm in V. ersin-yucelii , from 1.6 to 2 mm in V. caespitosa , from 1.0 to 2.5 mm in V. multifida ; the width of seeds ranges from 1.5 to 2 mm in V. ersin-yucelii , from 1.0 to 1.5 mm in the other two species.

To reveal phylogenetic relations, especially at the infrageneric level, seed coat ornamentation has a crucial role, and seed morphology helps significantly the newly found species settle inside the groups ( Martínez-Ortega & Rico 2001, Muñoz-Centeno et al. 2006). In V. ersin-yucelii , seeds are significantly (p <0.05) bigger than in V. caespitosa and V. multifida . Also seed color in V. multifida is distinctly paler than in V. ersin-yucelii and V. multifida . In general, studied seed characters separate examined taxa from other Veronica taxa, and partially supply data to separate V.ersin-yucelii from similar species.

Distribution and Ecology: — Veronica ersin-yucelii , endemic to Turkey, is distributed in Central Anatolia and is located within the borders of the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region. After the field surveys, no population belonging to this taxon has been found outside the type locality. V. ersin-yucelii especially grows on the lithosoils which have marble bedrocks with high level of CaCO 3 and steppes with calcicolous taxa such as Scorzonera pygmaea Smith (1813: 123) , Hypericum sechmenii Ocak & Koyuncu in Ocak et al. (2009: 591), Verbascum eskisehirensis Karavel., Ocak & Ekici in Karavelioğulları et al. (2009: 222), Alyssum niveum Dudley (1964: 78) , Asperula nitida Smith (1806: 89) , Aubrieta canescens Boissier (1867: 252) , Aethionema subulatum (Boiss. & Heldr. in Boissier 1849a: 42) Boissier (1867: 349), Astragalus oxytropifolius Boissier (1849b: 37) , Cota tinctoria ( Linnaeus 1753: 896) J. Gay ex Gussone (1845: 867) and Astragalus aduncus Willdenow (1802: 1269) .

Recommended IUCN threat category listing:—According to the field surveys made by the authors, Veronica ersin-yucelii occurs at only one locality. The area of occupancy (AOO) of the natural population of the taxon was calculated as ca. 1 km 2 and its population size is less than 200 individuals. As a consequence of gathered data and on the basis of IUCN Red List Categories ( IUCN 2017), V. ersin-yucelii was proposed as “Critically Endangered [CR: B2ab(i)]”.

Additional specimens examined:— Veronica caespitosa . Turkey B3 Afyon: Şuhut , between Başören and Dutağaç Villages, 1768 m, O. Sezer, O.S. 1502, 15 May 2016 (OUFE); Turkey B5 Yozgat: Akdağmadeni, Büyük-Küçük Nalbant Mountain, On rock, 1200–2000 m, T. Ekim and R. İlarslan, 22 May 1981 (ANK 5293); Turkey B8 Erzurum: Palandöken Mountain, Southwest of Büyük Ejder Hill, near the Tekman road, 2865 m, A. Öztürk, A. Öztürk 321, 7 July 1976 (ANK); Turkey C3 Isparta: Barla, Gelincik Mountain, east ridges of Toklu Hill , 1700–1800 m, H. Duman, H. Duman 9923, 9 May 2009 (GAZI); Turkey C5 Adana: Bakır Mountain, 2600 m, P.H. Davis and R. Çetik, 29 June 1952 (ANK 19336).— Veronica multifida . Turkey A2 Bilecik: Gülümbe Mountain , 100 m, A. Ocak, 10 April 1994 (OUFE 7252); Turkey A4 Ankara: Kalecik , 1000 m, P.H. Davis, 4 June 1954 (ANK 21417); Turkey A4 Kastamonu: Kastamonu, 1100 m, P.H. Davis, 9 June 1954 (ANK 21770); Turkey A4 Bolu: Gerede, Aktaş forestry department, Pinus nigra forest, 1300 m, O. Ketenoğlu and M.A. Fischer, 1 June 1976 (ANK 400); Turkey A4 Kastamonu: Daday, upper sides of Ballıdağ sanatorium, Pinus nigra forest, 1000 m, O. Ketenoğlu and A. Öztürk, 20 August 1978 (ANK 1534); Turkey A4 Karabük: Ambar Kaya area , between Pirinçlik and Kayacık Villages, 400 m, M. Demirörs, 10 May 1984 (ANK 1933); Turkey A4 Ankara: 50. km from Ankara to Ayaş, Ayaşbeli area , 1200–1300 m, Z. Aytaç and H. Duman, A.1950, 1 June 1985 (GAZI); Turkey B2 Bilecik: Alınca road, 1100 m, C. Türe, 9 April 1993 (ANES 819); Turkey B2 Bilecik: Bozüyük-Alınca road, 1100 m, C. Türe, 9 April 1994 (OUFE 7734); Turkey B3 Eskişehir: Gümüşkonak Village, Türkmen Mountain , conserved Quercus sp. forest, 1200 m, M.A. Fischer, 16 June 1976 (ANK 2025); Turkey B3 Akşehir: Sultan Mountains, Tekke Plateau , 1850–1900 m, Y. Akman, 26 June 1989 (ANK 14046); Turkey B3 Ankara: Polatlı, 18. Km from Polatlı to Sivrihisar , Acıkır area , Karaemin Hill area , 840–860 m, Z. Aytaç and H. Duman, 4 June 1991 (GAZI 3827); Turkey B3 Eskişehir: Sivrihisar, Ertuğrul Village , 820 m, H. Mısırdalı and C. Türe, 22 May 1994 (ANES 74); Turkey B3 Eskişehir: Eskişehir Osmangazi University Meşelik campus, 800 m, A. Ocak, 16 June 1996 (ANES 665); Turkey B3 Eskişehir: Yarımca Village, Şöförler çeşmesi, 1225 m, E. Yücel, 26 26 September 1997 (ANES 8813); Turkey B3 Afyon: Şuhut, Kumalar Mountain , between Atlıhisar and Balçıkhisar Villages, 1050 m, E. Akçiçek, E. Akçiçek 2662, 20 May 2000 (GAZI); Turkey B3 Afyon: İhsaniye, Demirli Village, Göynüş Valley road, 1152 m, O. Sezer, O.S. 186, 12 April 2013 (OUFE); Turkey B3 Eskişehir: Yeni sofça Village , 880 m, D. Öztürk, 18 May 2013 (OUFE 20371); Turkey B3 Eskişehir: Sivrihisar , near the Ankara road, 1032 m, Ö.K. Yaylacı, 23 June 2013 (OUFE 18142); Turkey B3 Kütahya: between Lütfiye and Sandıközü Villages , 1315 m, O. Sezer, O.S. 1172, 26 April 2015 (OUFE); Turkey B4 Ankara: 137. km of Koçhisar road, H. Birand and A. Huber-Morath, 25 October 1953 (ANK 1419); Turkey B4 Kırıkkale: Delice, Eski Çerikli Village , 650 m, A.A. Dönmez, A.A. Dönmez 1819, 18 May 1990 (GAZI); Turkey B4 Ankara: Delice, Büyükavşar Village, Büyükhemit area , 1000 m, M. Yaman, 10 June 1990 (GAZI 1289); Turkey B5 Nevşehir: Ürgüp , 1200–1300 m, P.H. Davis and R. Çetik, 10 June 1952 (ANK 19104); Turkey B5 Nevşehir: Zelve, Akdağ , 1200–1350 m, M. Vural, Ü. Kol and N. Adıgüzel, 21 May 1989 (GAZI 4885); Turkey C3 Antalya: Akseki, Anarbaşı Plateau ( Softalar ), 1900–2000 m, A. Duran, A. Duran 3898, 4 June 1996 (GAZI).

Etymology:—This species is named in honour of Prof. Dr. Ersin Yücel, who is a botanist in the field of plant ecology at the Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Anadolu University, Eskişehir-Turkey.

Figures

FIGURE 1. The general appearance of Veronica ersin-yucelii in nature.

FIGURE 2. The calyx and capsule of Veronica ersin-yucelii in nature.

FIGURE 3. Distribution map of Veronica ersin-yucelii (*), V. caespitosa (z) and V. multifida (■) in Turkey.

FIGURE 4. The holotype of Veronica ersin-yucelii from the herbarium OUFE: OUFE 16472.

FIGURE 5. Dissected flower of Veronica ersin-yucelii.

FIGURE 6. Seeds of Veronica ersin-yucelii (a1, a2, a3, a4), V. caespitosa (b1, b2, b3, b4) and V. multifida (c1, c2, c3, c4); (a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, c2: General view of the seeds; a3, a4, b3, b4, c3, c4: Surface structure of the seeds in SEM).

FIGURE 7. Leaves of Veronica ersin-yucelii (a1, a2), V. caespitosa (b1, b2) and V. multifida (c1, c2); (a1, b1, c1: Upper surface; a2, b2, c2: Lower surface).

FIGURE 8. Indumentum of Veronica ersin-yucelii (a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6), V. caespitosa (b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6) and V. multifida (c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6); (a1, b1, c1: Upper surface of leaves; a2, b2, c2: Lower surface of leaves; a3, b3, c3: Stems; a4, b4, c4: Bracts; a5, b5, c5: Upper surface of sepals; a6, b6, c6: Lower surface of sepals).

FIGURE 9. Fruits of Veronica ersin-yucelii (a1, a2, a3), V. caespitosa (b1, b2, b3) and V. multifida (c1, c2, c3); (a1, b1, c1: General view of fruits with pedicel in LM; a2, b2 c2: General view of fruits in SEM; a3, b3, c3: Indumentum of fruits in SEM).

FIGURE 10. Pollen microphotography of Veronica ersin-yucelii (a1, a2, a3, a4), V. caespitosa (b1, b2, b3, b4) and V. multifida (c1, c2, c3, c4); (a1, b1, c1: Equatorial view of a non-acetolysed pollen grains in LM; a2, b2, c2: Equatorial view of an acetolysed pollen grains in LM; a3, b3, c3: Equatorial view of a pollen grains in SEM; a4, b4, c4: Surface ornamentation of a pollen grains in SEM).