New circumscription and segregation of Gloxinia major (Gesneriaceae, Gesnerieae, Gloxiniinae) an endemic species from Bolivia

Abstract

The genus Gloxinia (Gesneriaceae, Gesnerieae, Gloxiniinae) comprises four species distributed from Nicaragua to Argentina.Historically, Koellikeria major has been problematic to place taxonomically due to the morphological similarity with Gloxiniaerinoides, and as a result is currently treated as a synonym. Here, we present a molecular phylogenetic and morphologicalstudy that allowed us to demonstrate that Koellikeria major is distinct from G. erinoides. As a result, we formally transferKoellikeria major to Gloxinia major. Here G. major is described, illustrated, and compared to morphologically similarspecies. Data on its distribution, habitat, and taxonomic treatment are provided.