A new species of Vallisneria L. for Western Australia and recircumscription of V. triptera S.W.L.Jacobs & K.A.Frank.

Jobson, Richard W.; Dunning, Luke T.

Vallisneria kristinae R.W.Jobson & Dunning (Hydrocharitaceae) is described as a new species endemic to North Kimberley, Western Australia. It was previously included within the Northern Territory species V. triptera S.W.L.Jacobs & K.A.Frank. Here it is distinguished from that species based on its overall smaller size and weakly-winged fruit capsules. We also find strong genetic differentiation with accessions sampled from across the entire distribution of both taxa. We present a phylogeny based on nuclear ITS and plastid trnK 5' intron data that also includes all Australian species of Vallisneria. Along with a redescription of V. triptera s. str., diagnostic features are illustrated, a taxonomic key containing all Australian species is provided, and distribution, habitat, and conservation status are discussed.

HYDROCHARITACEAE; SPECIES distribution; CONSERVATION biology; FRANK, Karen; HABITAT conservation

Telopea, 2024, Vol 27, p29

0312-9764

Academic Journal

10.7751/telopea17993