Integrating morphology and chloroplast genomics: A new East Asian species of Aletris (Nartheciaceae) with insights into regional phylogeny and evolution

Integrating morphology and chloroplast genomics: A new East Asian species of Aletris (Nartheciaceae) with insights into regional phylogeny and evolution | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 2 September 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Integrating morphology and chloroplast genomics: A new East Asian species of Aletris (Nartheciaceae) with insights into regional phylogeny and evolution Authors : Xiong Li 0000-0002-1450-8679 , Yong-Ling Qiu , Jiang-Tao Li , Bo Xu 0000-0003-3507-9321 , Qi Yu , and Wen-Bin Ju [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175681361.12129502/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 227 views 244 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The genus Aletris L. (Nartheciaceae) encompasses approximately 21–24 species distributed in East Asia and North America, yet taxonomic ambiguity persists due to overlapping morphological traits among closely related species. During fieldwork in southeastern Xizang, China, a morphologically distinct candidate species, Aletris medogensis , was discovered. To validate its taxonomic status and explore evolutionary relationships within East Asian Aletris , we integrated detailed morphological observation with comparative chloroplast phylogenomics. The newly proposed species is characterized by creeping stolons, narrow leaves, and glandular-pubescent inflorescences. Comparative analysis of 14 East Asian Aletris complete chloroplast genomes revealed a conserved quadripartite structure with species-specific variations, including pseudogenization of ycf1 , loss of rrn4.5 , and shifts in IR boundaries. Phylogenomic analyses strongly supported A. medogensis as a distinct species closely related to A. alpestris . We identified 18 hypervariable regions as potential molecular markers and detected signals of positive selection in genes ccsA , cemA , and rps12 , suggesting adaptive evolution. This study confirms the recognition of A. medogensis as a new species endemic to the eastern Himalayas and demonstrates the utility of chloroplast genomics in resolving taxonomic complexity and understanding evolutionary mechanisms in Aletris . Supplementary Material File (aletris_new_species_comparative_chloroplast_manuscrip_ee.docx) Download 5.21 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 02 September 2025 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 5 Jan 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords comparative molecular evolution molecular genetics plants selection analysis sequencing terrestrial Authors Affiliations Xiong Li 0000-0002-1450-8679 Chinese Academy of Science Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Yong-Ling Qiu Chinese Academy of Science Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Jiang-Tao Li Chinese Academy of Science Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Bo Xu 0000-0003-3507-9321 Chinese Academy of Science Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Qi Yu Chinese Academy of Science Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Wen-Bin Ju [email protected] Chinese Academy of Science Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 227 views 244 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Xiong Li, Yong-Ling Qiu, Jiang-Tao Li, et al. Integrating morphology and chloroplast genomics: A new East Asian species of Aletris (Nartheciaceae) with insights into regional phylogeny and evolution. Authorea . 02 September 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175681361.12129502/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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