Resolving a nearly 90-year-old enigma: The rare is conspecific with based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Taxonomic uncertainties of rare species often hinder effective prioritization for conservation. One such taxonomic uncertainty is the 90-year-old enigma of  . was previously only known from the type specimens collected in 1935 in Pingwu County of Sichuan Province, China, and has long been thought to be on the verge of extinction. However, morphological similarities to closely related species have led many to question the taxonomic status of . To clarify this taxonomic uncertainty, we used the newly collected samples to reconstruct a molecular phylogeny of Chinese species against the phylogenetic backbone of the whole genus using seven nuclear genes. In addition, we examined nine morphological characters to determine whether is morphologically distinct from its putatively closest relatives (, , and ). Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses indicated that is conspecific with . We recommended that should not be treated as a separate species in conservation management. However, conservation strategies such as protection and germplasm preservation should be adopted to prevent the peculiar "" population from extinction.