Pyrus zhaoxuanii is discovered at Danxia Mountain by a research team from Sun Yat-sen University. (Photo: Southern Metropolis Daily)

A new species within the genus Pyrus in the apple tribe Maleae—named Pyrus zhaoxuanii (Rosaceae)—was identified by a research team in taxonomy from Sun Yat-sen University, according to an announcement made by the Danxiashan Management Committee in Shaoguan on April 7.

This discovery marks the 51st new species recorded in the proposed Danxia Mountain National Park area. The findings were recently published in the journal PhytoKeys through a collaboration between Professor Liao Wenbo and Professor Fan Qiang's team from the School of Life Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University, and Associate Researcher Liu Binbin's team from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Professor Fan Qiang explained that Pyrus zhaoxuanii (昭璇梨), distinct from the common Pyrus calleryana (callery pear), is a shrub rather than a tree. It is characterized by smaller, obovate leaves, shorter petioles, and dense branch thorns. These adaptations allow it to thrive in the steep slopes and arid habitats typical of Danxia Landforms. Currently, Pyrus zhaoxuanii has only been documented in Guangdong's Danxia Mountain. Previously misidentified as an ecological variant of Pyrus calleryana, its taxonomic status was confirmed through genome resequencing of 10 individuals from three Pyrus zhaoxuanii populations and four Pyrus calleryana populations in Danxia. Phylogenetic analyses‌ and its population size conclusively established it as a novel species.

The species name Pyrus zhaoxuanii (昭璇梨) honors Professor Zeng Zhaoxuan (1921–2007) (曾昭璇), a renowned geographer, pioneer in Danxia Landform research, distinguished alumnus of Sun Yat-sen University, and former faculty member of the School of Geographical Science, South China Normal University. In the 1940s, Zeng Zhaoxuan collaborated with geologist Wu Shangshi to conduct groundbreaking surveys in Danxia, systematically analyzing the geology and formation mechanisms of northern Guangdong's red sandstone formations. In the 1970s, he popularized the term "Danxia Landform" in academic discourse, profoundly influencing global geomorphology studies.

Since 2018, Sun Yat-sen University's research team has proposed naming newly discovered plant species after pioneers of Danxia research, thereby linking species evolution to the landform's geological history and honoring researchers who have made significant contributions to the study of the Danxia Landform. Previous honors include Diospyros penghuae for Peng Hua, Primulina huangjiniana for Huang Jin, Sedum jinglanii for Feng Jinglan, and others. While new species discoveries remain serendipitous, researchers express hope to identify further new species in Danxia Mountain to commemorate geologist Wu Shangshi, continuing this legacy of scientific tribute.

Photo: Southern Metropolis Daily, Guangzhou Daily, Danxia Mountain management committee

Link to the report: https://www.newsgd.com/node_5c070fdd03/336170384a.shtml