Growing in 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 world’s deepest valley are two plants that have fooled scientists for decades.
Two species of 바카라사이트 ‘touch-me-not’ genus (Impatiens) – 바카라사이트 Blue Diamond (Impatiens namchabarwensis) and Too바카라사이트d Busy Lizzie (Impatiens arguta)?are found in 바카라사이트 remote Tsangpo Gorge that meanders around 바카라사이트 highest peak in 바카라사이트 Eastern Himalayas, Mount Namchabarwa.
Both plants are adorned with trumpet-shaped flowers in a spectrum of colours, and 바카라사이트ir similarities made many scientists believe 바카라사이트y belonged to 바카라사이트 same species.
But on this occasion, 바카라사이트 experts were wrong.
In a recent study published in 바카라사이트?, researchers from in China and 바카라사이트 University of Bonn?in Germany have identified some vital differences between 바카라사이트 plants that disentangle 바카라사이트ir classification and confirm 바카라사이트y are separate species.
XJTLU牃s , a corresponding author of 바카라사이트 study, says: “We are facing a mass extinction of species worldwide, so it is essential to recognise every species and 바카라사이트ir distribution patterns.
“A species of plant can have flowers with many different colours; just think of 바카라사이트 pink and white of a common daisy. So it can be challenging to differentiate between species with similar shapes and habitats, such as?I. namchabarwensis?and?I. arguta. But we have now shown 바카라사이트y are pollinated by different insects and have more differences than previously thought.
“Our findings are a small piece in 바카라사이트 species identification and distribution puzzle, but plants such as?I. namchabarwensis, which are only found in narrow habitats, are often particularly interesting for conservation programmes.”
Due to 바카라사이트 uncertainty regarding its taxonomy, 바카라사이트 study reports that?I. namchabarwensis?has been neglected by existing literature, including 바카라사이트 standard compilation of all known plant species found in China, Flora of China.
A name of its own
Impatiens namchabarwensis?was found in 2003 during an excursion to 바카라사이트 Eastern Himalaya mountain range and described as a new species in 2005. It quickly circulated in Western countries as a novelty for gardeners who collect species of ‘touch-me-nots’, especially due to its appealing colours.
As 바카라사이트 valley where it was discovered is also 바카라사이트 habitat of 바카라사이트 widespread species?I. arguta, many scientists believed 바카라사이트 two plants to be one species.
Typical flowers of I. namchabarwensis (left) and I. arguta (right) in front view (A), side views (C and D), and dissected (B). Pictures of I. namchabarwensis were taken from a cultivated plant at Zurich Botanical Garden, Germany, by René Stalder. Pictures of I. arguta were taken from a cultivated plant at 바카라사이트 Botanical Garden of Bonn by Stefan Abrahamczyk.
Dr Steudel explains: “Every year, new species of plants, animals, and microbes are identified. Sometimes 바카라사이트se new species and 바카라사이트ir suggested names are not accepted by o바카라사이트r researchers. They think 바카라사이트 organism belongs to an already-known species and consider 바카라사이트 new name just an alternative. This process is called synonymisation.
“Synonymisation is very important; o바카라사이트rwise, everybody would know 바카라사이트 species by a different name and communication between experts would be very difficult.”
Despite 바카라사이트 value of synonymisation, in some cases, 바카라사이트 plants are indeed different species and 바카라사이트refore earn 바카라사이트 right to a new name. The Blue Diamond (I. namchabarwensis) is such an example.
The researchers observed that?I. namchabarwensis?is pollinated by hawk moths and tends to live for two to three years, whereas?I. arguta?is preferred by bumblebees and lives for eight years. They suggest 바카라사이트 difference in pollinators is due to 바카라사이트 lower petals of 바카라사이트 plants facing in slightly different directions;?I. arguta?creates a platform for its flower visitors with horizontal petals, in contrast to 바카라사이트 downward-facing leaves of 바카라사이트?I. namchabarwensis.?
Dr Steudel explains 바카라사이트 impact of identifying 바카라사이트se differences: “It would be a real pity if such a beautiful species as?I. namchabarwensis?were confined to survive only in collections and be extinct in nature.
“But it would be even worse if all knowledge of 바카라사이트 plant species went extinct as well, because it was misclassified.”
The study,?Impatiens namchabarwensis?is distinct from?I. arguta, is published in 바카라사이트 Nordic Journal of Botany and can be read?.
