Turkish scientists discover new plant species in Latmos region

Professor Dr. Hasan Yıldırım, Director of the Botanical Garden and Herbarium Application and Research Center at Ege University, and his team have introduced a new species of corydalis, identified in the Beşparmak Mountains within the Söke district of Aydın, to the scientific community Dr. Varol Aydın, a faculty member at the Department of Neurosurgery at Adnan Menderes University's Faculty of Medicine, took photos of a plant he thought was different during a visit to the Beşparmak Mountains, known as 'Latmos,' located on the border of Aydın and Muğla in March. Yıldırım determined through his research that the plant was not recorded in the literature. Professor Dr. Hasan Yıldırım and Varol Aydın conducted research at the location where the plant was found. Following field and laboratory work that also involved doctoral student Tuğkan Özdöl and Dr. Kenan Akbaş from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, the scientific paper prepared was published in the international peer-reviewed journal Annales Botanici Fennici, based in Finland As a result, the plant introduced to the scientific community was named 'Latmos Corydalis.' Its scientific name, 'Corydalis varolaydinii,' was given in reference to its discoverer, Varol Aydın Professor Dr. Hasan Yıldırım stated that this plant, introduced to the scientific community, is found only within the boundaries of the Latmos region. Yıldırım explained that Beşparmak Mountains, which extend within the borders of Aydın and Muğla, are located to the east of Bafa Lake and within the Western Menteşe Mountain range. He also noted that the genus Corydalis has approximately 500 species worldwide and is one of the most species-rich genera in the poppy family (Papaveraceae). Yıldırım highlighted the significance of the area where the plant was discovered, stating: 'The genus Corydalis, known as Kazgagası, is represented by about 500 species worldwide. In our country, this makes a total of 16 species, of which 7 are endemic to Türkiye. The distribution point of this plant is solely Latmos. Latmos is a highly significant ancient city, one of the earliest settlements in Western Anatolia. We have access to rock paintings from 8,000 years ago. The ancient city of Latmos, an important part of the Caria region, has been a settlement area from the past to the present.' He also expressed the need for better protection of the region's wildlife, flora, and fauna. Yıldırım emphasized the importance of providing a status that fully protects Latmos, stating, 'Otherwise, we will unfortunately lose Latmos, a highly valuable natural and cultural heritage site, and the plant species that are found only in Latmos, in the near future.'