Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39777618›Full record

ArticleBotanical studies2025

A new species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) from the Irano-Turanian biodiversity hotspot: an integrative approach.

Zahra Karbalaei, Ali Bagheri, Ali Asghar Maassoumi, Twan Rutten, Frank R Blattner

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Article in Botanical studies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. PhytoKeys · 2026
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zahra KarbalaeiDepartment of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Iran.
Ali BagheriDepartment of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Iran. a.bagheri@sci.ui.ac.ir.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2580-9776
Ali Asghar MaassoumiBotany Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, 13185-116, Iran.
Twan RuttenLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany.
Frank R BlattnerLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe genus Astragalus is the largest and one of the most diverse genera of flowering plants, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, with a significant concentration of species in the Irano-Turanian region. Within this genus, section Hymenostegis is notable for its complexity and high levels of endemism, especially in northwestern Iran. During recent field explorations in West Azarbaijan province, a distinct population of Astragalus was identified, differing from known species within section Hymenostegis. This study aimes to describe and analyze this new species and clarify its relationship with closely related taxa using an integrative approach.

resultsAstragalus kuzehrashensis sp. nov. is described following detailed morphological comparisons with its closest relatives, A. chehreganii and A. hakkianus. The new species is distinguished by unique stipule characteristics, leaflet shape, inflorescence structure, and seed micromorphology. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using ITS and ycf1 sequences reveals that A. kuzehrashensis forms a clade with A. chehreganii and A. hakkianus, although it exhibits genetic differences. Genome size estimation confirms that A. kuzehrashensis is hexaploid (2n = 6x = 48), aligning it more closely with A. hakkianus than with the tetraploid A. chehreganii. The distinct morphological characters and genomic data support recognizing A. kuzehrashensis as a new species within section Hymenostegis.

conclusionsThe identification of A. kuzehrashensis underscores the importance of an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological, molecular, and cytogenetic data to resolve species boundaries within complex groups like Astragalus section Hymenostegis. This study highlights the rich biodiversity of the Irano-Turanian floristic region, emphasizing the need for ongoing exploration and conservation efforts, particularly in areas of high endemism. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships within the genus Astragalus.

Indexed as

Astragalus kuzehrashensisEndemic speciesGenome sizeMolecular phylogenySeed micromorphologySpecies delimitationTaxonomy

Identifiers

PMID39777618
PMCPMC11711607

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