Dianthus aticii, a new species from Turkey (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract During the taxonomic revision of the Turkish Dianthus species, specimens collected from Bilecik, Seben (Bolu), and Nallıhan (Ankara) were discovered that represent a new species. Its description, images, chorology, ecology, and threat category are provided. It was compared with a closely related species, Dianthus zonatus, and differences are based on its general morphology and seed micromorphology.


Introduction
Th e genus Dianthus L. (or carnation, pink, sweet william) is easily distinguished from the other genera in the family Caryophyllaceae by its epicalyx scales, tubular calyx, and peltate seeds. Furthermore, it is the second largest genus of the family in Turkey, with the highest number of species after Silene L. (Reeve 1967, Bojňanský andFargašová 2007). Th is genus consists of approximately 300 species and is mainly distributed across the Mediterranean region of Europe and Asia (Bittrich 1993).
In the course of performing a taxonomic revision of Dianthus species of Turkey, specimens from Bilecik, Seben (Bolu), and Nallıhan (Ankara) were identifi ed as D. zonatus Fenzl based on their appearance and present-day key characteristics. However, on further study, it was revealed that they belonged to a new species. Th is study was undertaken to recognize this new species and to characterize the diff erences between these two species.
Th e specimens collected from Bilecik, Seben (Bolu), and Nallıhan (Ankara) were found to be distinct from those of D. zonatus on the basis of vegetative, fl oral, and seed characteristics (Table 1). Vegetative characters of the new species include a suff ruticose habit as opposed to herbaceous in D. zonatus, and leaves that are subulate and subcanaliculate rather than linear and fl attened. Floral characters of the epicalyx and petals are smaller than those of D. zonatus, and seed shape and seed cell traits are distinctive between the two species. Based on these diff erences, it was clear that these specimens represent a previously undescribed species.

Dianthus aticii
Distinction from other taxa. Dianthus aticii shows close similarities to D. zonatus Fenzl because of toothed and barbulate petals, solitary or double fl owers, and epicalyx scales that reach up to half of its calyx length (Fenzl 1842, Boissier 1849, Tchihatcheff 1860, Reeve 1967. Despite these similarities, there are very distinctive diff erences between D. aticii and D. zonatus such as stem morphology, leaf shape, and size of epicalyx scales and petals (Table 1, Figure 2).   Seed morphology. Seeds of Dianthus aticii are elliptical, 2-3 × 1.4-2 mm, black, granular; dorsal surface convex, with regular rectangular cells, tuberculate, with 4-7 teeth on each margin, teeth V-undulate, apparent; ventral surface fl at, with irregular rectangular cells, tuberculate, with 4-7 teeth on each margin, teeth S-undulate, not apparent; apex beaked. Th e seeds of D. aticii are diff erent from the seeds of D. zonatus in terms of shape and cell edges of both the dorsal and ventral surfaces (Table 1, Figure 2).

Key to the two closely related
Phenology. Th e new species was observed fl owering in June and July, in stony slopes and steppes, between 330 and 1025 m.
Conservation status. According to the current data Dianthus aticii grows in the Bilecik, Seben (Bolu), and Nallıhan (Ankara) districts, which have an area of approximately 7000 km 2 . Th is has a discontinuous distribution due to dense forests, settlement, and farming areas. Th e open areas, which this species prefers, have the potential of possible settlements and agricultural activities. Th erefore, the habitat of this species is under danger of being decreased and disturbed/destroyed in the future. Th erefore, it is proposed that the species should be classifi ed as Vulnerable [VU (B1b-iii) according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories (IUCN 2014)].
Etymology. Th e species is named in honour of the eminent Turkish hydrobiologist Prof Dr Tahir Atıcı (Gazi Faculty of Education, Gazi University, Ankara).