Intricate species delimitation in Gynoxys (Senecioneae, Asteraceae): insights from a taxonomic revision of the gynoxyoids for Bolivia. Gynoxys species delimitation

The Gynoxyoid clade was poorly studied both on molecular and morphological data. Recently, a phylogenetic backbone and an updated checklist of the species was published which accepted 12 species for Bolivia. Nevertheless, no morphological study on the Bolivian species of this groups is available. In this study we aim to elaborate the first taxonomic treatment of all accepted species of the Gynoxyoid clade present in Bolivia. In that sense a morphological revision of a representative number of specimens was made. A set of potential diagnostic characters were listed and its state was evaluated on each specimen. A morphological matrix was built on this information and a principal component analysis was performed. Additionally, a molecular analysis on two molecular markers was performed in order to support our species delimitation on different type of data. The molecular and morphological analysis were partially congruent, and supported four species as good delimited. The taxonomic treatment includes the characterization of 13 Gynoxys species and one species of Paracalia. It includes a taxonomic key, species description including type specimens and nomenclatural information, habitat characterization and distribution maps. Additionally, when available the conservation status is mentioned. One species is treated as doubtful as it is not supported on any type of data and three new species are suggested