Synopsis of Genera Scaligeria and Elaeosticta in Türkiye and Phylogenetic Placement of Pimpinella lazica and P. tripartita

Background and Aims: The genus Scaligeria DC. s.l. represents approximately 50 species globally. In Türkiye, six species were identified within this genus: Scaligeria napiformis Grande, S. glaucescens Boiss., S. meifolia Boiss., S. lazica Boiss., S. hermonis Post., and S. tripartita (Kalenicz.) Tamamsch. The non-monophyletic status of the genus Scaligeria s.l has led to significant challenges in its infrageneric classification, prompting several studies aimed at addressing these issues. In this study, we examined six species distributed in Türkiye, including five species (Bunium hermonis, Pimpinella lazica, P. tripartita, Elaeosticta meifolia, and E. glaucescens) that were previously classified within the genus Scaligeria, as well as Scaligeria napiformis.This study has two main objectives: the first is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the morphological characteristics of Scaligeria napiformis and the species Bunium hermonis, Pimpinella lazica, P. tripartita, Elaeosticta meifolia, and E. glaucescens, previously classified within Scaligeria, in order to fill gaps in existing morphological descriptions. The second objective was to investigate the phylogeny of the genus Scaligeria and its related species, with a particular focus on Pimpinella lazica and Pimpinella tripartita, using nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions, including the trnL-trnF, trnL intron, and matK genes.Methods: Plant materials were collected from different localities in Türkiye. In addition, specimens of these species were studied through visits to both national and international herbaria or examined digital images of the specimens. The specimens were examined under a stereomicroscope and compared with the type materials and descriptions in the Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. The phylogeny of Scaligeria s.l. and its allies were examined based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), plastid matK and plastid trnLF+trnL DNA regions by conducting maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses for 82 accessions.Results: The morphological description of Scaligeria napiformis, Bunium hermonis, Pimpinella lazica, P. tripartita, Elaeosticta meifolia, and E. glaucescens has been expanded. Photographs of the natural habitats of these species, along with their phenology and distribution data, have been provided. Identification keys have also been given for the species of Scaligeria distributed globally, as well as for the species of Elaeosticta present in Türkiye.In our study, the trnL-trnF gene, trnL intron, and matK gene regions of these species were sequenced for the first time. Additionally, the phylogenetic positions of P. lazica and P. tripartita, based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-trnF gene, trnL intron and matK gene sequences, were demonstrated for the first time in our study. Our phylogenetic results showed that Scaligeria + Carum appuanum (Viv.) Grande and Elaeosticta Fenzl were monophyletic, whereas Pimpinella L. (99% BS, 1.00 PP and 100% BS, 1.00 PP) and Bunium L. (99% BS, 1.00 PP and 95% BS, 0.95 PP) were polyphyletic with strong support. The transfer of S. lazica and S. tripartita species to the genus Pimpinella, the transfer of S. meifolia and S. glaucescens species to the genus Elaeosticta, and the transfer of S. hermonis species to the genus Bunium have been confirmed.Currently, the genus Scaligeria is represented by only one species, S. napiformis, in Türkiye. Elaeosticta, which was represented by a single species in Türkiye, is now represented by three species. Following the transfer of the species S. hermonis, the number of species within the genus Bunium present in Türkiye increased to 18. After the inclusion of S. lazica and S. tripartita into the genus Pimpinella, the total number of Pimpinella species found in Türkiye increased to 30.