Systematics of Libinhania, a new endemic genus of Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) from the Socotra archipelago (Yemen), inferred from plastid, low-copy nuclear and nuclear ribosomal DNA loci

A new endemic genus, Libinhania, has been identified within the Asteraceae tribe Gnaphalieae from the Socotra archipelago. This discovery challenges previous taxonomic classifications by revealing that the endemic helichrysoids are neither part of Helichrysum nor closely related to it. Phylogenetic analysis using plastid DNA, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and low-copy nuclear DNA loci suggests an ancient allopolyploid origin for Libinhania, with potential ancestors linked to Gnaphalium or Syncarpha mucronata relatives. The study also proposes a taxonomic treatment, including descriptions and a key for the 13 species within this new genus, shedding light on the morphological diversity and evolutionary history of Socotra's unique flora.

Kilian, N., Galbany-Casals, M., Sommerer, R., Oberprieler, C., Smissen, R., Miller, A., & Rabe, K. (2017). Systematics of Libinhania, a new endemic genus of Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) from the Socotra archipelago (Yemen), inferred from plastid, low-copy nuclear and nuclear ribosomal DNA loci. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 183(3), 373–412. https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/bow013