Tinnea gombea (Lamiaceae), a new species from the Sudanian savanna region, Nigeria based on integrative evidence

Tinnea gombea , endemic to the Sudan savanna grasslands in northern Nigeria, is described and illustrated. We used integrative evidence from morphological characters, ecology and molecular phylogenetic data. The new species is morphologically and ecologically similar to T . barteri and T . aethiopic...

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Published inPloS one Vol. 18; no. 3; p. e0280550
Main Authors Zhigila, Daniel A., Aigbokhan, Emmanuel I., Muasya, A. Muthama
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Public Library of Science 16.03.2023
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects
Biological diversity
Biology and Life Sciences
Chloroplasts
Computer and Information Sciences
Conservation
Datasets
DNA, Plant
Ecology
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Endangered species
Flowers
Flowers & plants
Genetic aspects
Grassland
Grasslands
Growth
Identification and classification
Lamiaceae
Morphology
New species
Nigeria
People and Places
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Population number
Protection and preservation
Savannahs
Taxonomy
Nigeria
Africa
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Summary:Tinnea gombea , endemic to the Sudan savanna grasslands in northern Nigeria, is described and illustrated. We used integrative evidence from morphological characters, ecology and molecular phylogenetic data. The new species is morphologically and ecologically similar to T . barteri and T . aethiopica , but can be readily delimited from these taxa by unique characters including a subshrub growth habit, leaves alternate to subopposite, blades lanceolate, apically acuminate, inflorescences raceme, bearing solitary flowers in upper leaf and bract axils, lilac to purplish dusky flowers and the inflated fruits dehiscent. The distribution and habitat of T . gombea are also distinctive, being restricted to the Sudan savanna, while the two most similar species are widespread in tropical Africa. Additionally, molecular phylogenetic assessments using nrITS and chloroplast trnL-F , matK and rbcL support the placement of T . gombea as a distinct species. Tinnea gombea is here assessed as Critically Endangered due to its small population size and restriction to a small area lacking conservation prioritization.
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Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0280550