Revision of the Calceolaria tripartita s. l. species complex (Calceolariaceae) using multivariate analyses of morphological characters

Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
PAMELA PUPPO
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Quantitative Characters ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Floral Characters

The morphological variation of the Calceolaria tripartita species complex was evaluated using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of morphological characters. Fourteen quantitative characters were measured on more than 250 herbarium specimens. The results suggest the recognition of three entities based on floral characters, especially stamen morphology. The distinction between C. mandoniana, C. chelidonioides and C. tripartita s.s. is not supported. The morphological differences between the closely related C. tripartita s.s. and C. chelidonioides were also analyzed using two characters previously used to differentiate them. Finally, the morphological variation of C. tripartita s.s. throughout its geographical range and at an intra-population level was also surveyed. Even though this species is highly variable, no further subdivision is supported morphologically. A taxonomic synopsis and a key to species of the Calceolaria tripartita species complex are provided.

In situ morphometric study of the Diuris punctata species complex (Orchidaceae), with implications for conservation

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë F. Smith ◽  
Elizabeth A. James ◽  
Cassandra B. McLean
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Flower Colour ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Morphometric Study ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Floral Characters

Taxa within the Diuris punctata species complex exhibit high levels of variation at both species and population level. Morphometric data collected in situ were used to investigate species boundaries of four Victorian Diuris species within the Diuris punctata species complex. Morphological characters and taxonomic groups identified in the present study were compared to those described under the current taxonomic treatment. Sixty-five multistate and continuous characters, including seven vegetative and 58 floral characters, were measured in situ across the range of each species within Victoria. The importance of flower colour in distinguishing taxa was highlighted but characters used were generally indiscrete. Certain characters used in current taxonomic descriptions, e.g. floral fragrance, were found to be uninformative. D. fragrantissima was confirmed as a separate taxon within the D. punctata group, justifying its recognition as a unique entity for conservation. Clustering of D. daltonii within D. punctata suggests that the recent elevation of the D. punctata var. daltonii to species level is not justified. The in situ measurement of morphological characters made it possible to incorporate sufficient sampling to encompass intra-specific and intra-population variation and is a feasible method to overcome sampling limitations encountered when herbarium specimens and limited destructive sampling are used.

Delimiting species boundaries within the Bothriochloa saccharoides complex (Poaceae) through morphometric analysis

Phytotaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
LIDIA R. SCRIVANTI ◽  
GUILLERMO A. NORRMANN ◽  
ANA M. ANTON
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Principal Components ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Chemical Data ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Components Analysis

The Bothriochloa saccharoides complex is one of the most interesting groups within the genus Bothriochloa (Poaceae). The plants inhabit grasslands of tropical and subtropical regions from the Americas. Principal components analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were employed to evaluate the morphological variation among 60 herbarium specimens tentatively identified as B. imperatoides, B. laguroides, B. longipaniculata, B. saccharoides and B. torreyana. Twenty-three morphological characters were included in the analysis in order to clarify problematic species boundaries. Chemical data was incorporated to improve the resolution on delimitation of the species complex. Taxa were delimited according to the observed clustering of specimens in the PCA plots and discriminant analysis, and diagnostic characters were identified. The results showed that five taxa could be distinguished on the basis of morphological characters and chemical data. Two new subspecies are described: B. saccharoides subsp. americana and B. saccharoides subsp. australis. An identification key and a taxonomic synopsis are provided.

Genetic variation in Trithuria inconspicua and T. filamentosa (Hydatellaceae): a new subspecies and a hypothesis of apomixis arising within a predominantly selfing lineage

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob D. Smissen ◽  
Kerry A. Ford ◽  
Paul D. Champion ◽  
Peter B. Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Minimum Evolution ◽  
The North ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
High Level

While examining herbarium specimens of Trithuria inconspicua Cheeseman, we observed differences in the stigmatic hairs among plants from New Zealand’s North and South Islands. This motivated us to assess genetic and morphological variation within this species and its sister T. filamentosa Rodway from Tasmania. Samples were collected from lakes in the three disjunct geographic areas where the two species occur. Genetic variation in both species was assessed with simple sequence-repeat (SSR, microsatellite) markers and analyses of genetic distances. We also compared the morphology of northern and southern New Zealand T. inconspicua using fresh material. Samples of each species clustered together in a minimum evolution tree built from genetic distances. Trithuria filamentosa had more genetic diversity than did T. inconspicua. Within T. inconspicua, plants from lakes in the North Island and the South Island formed discrete genetic groups diagnosable by subtle morphological differences. Low levels of heterozygosity in both species are consistent with a high level of selfing, as suggested for other co-sexual Trithuria species, but unusual for a putative apomict. On the basis of genetic and morphological variation, we propose recognition of the northern New Zealand and southern New Zealand lineages of T. inconspicua at subspecies rank.

Phenotypical variation and taxonomic correlates of five closely related Andean species of Poa (Poaceae) along geographic and climatic gradients

Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 183 (3) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidia Raquel Scrivanti ◽  
Luciana Mestre ◽  
Ana Maria Anton
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Longitudinal Gradients ◽  
Reproductive Phenotype

Poa anfamensis, P. jujuyensis, P.lilloi, P. parviceps and P. scaberula (Poaceae) are a group of morphologically similar species. These species inhabit cool grasslands and mesic puna. They are highly polymorphic and their circumscriptions are uncertain, especially the entities around P. scaberula. Univariate and multivariate analyses (PCA and DA) were conducted to evaluate the morphological variation among 150 herbarium specimens identified as P. anfamensis, P. jujuyensis, P. lilloi, P. parviceps and P. scaberula. Forty morphological characters were included and their patterns of variation were analyzed among specimens, together with their relationship with environmental variables, using correlation analysis. The relationships between morphological variation and geographical distance, and climatic variables among specimens, were compared with Mantel permutation tests. Taxa were delimited according to the observed clustering of specimens in the PCA plots and DA, and diagnostic characters were identified. The five taxa showed continuous morphological variation. Morphological variation is explained by geographical and climatic factors such as elevation, geographical distance, latitudinal and longitudinal gradients, temperature and precipitation in the different sites in the Andes. Altitudinal and geographical distance are apparently more decisive factors in phenotypic differentiation and could have played a large role in interspecific differentiation among Poa entities, as shown by the stronger and significant association between vegetative and reproductive phenotype and altitudinal distance, and between vegetative and reproductive phenotype and geographical distance. In addition, we observed uncoupling among vegetative and floral characters in Poa specimens that grow along environmental gradients; these characters are responding independently to different abiotic forces promoting genetic divergence and speciation. Based on the results, P. anfamensis and P. parviceps are synonymised with P. scaberula, and P. jujuyensis is synonymised with P. lilloi.

scholarly journals A taxonomic evaluation of the Thesium confine species complex (Santalaceae)

Bothalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kagiso S. Mashego ◽  
M. Marianne Le Roux
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
African Species ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
The Family

Background: Thesium L. is the largest genus in the family Santalaceae (sandalwood family). The last taxonomic revision of the southern African species dates back to 1925. An urgent revision of the genus is required as indicated in a recent national biosystematics research strategy for South Africa.Objectives: To revise the Thesium confine species complex (Thesium durum, T. confine and Thesium spartioides) and to update the typification, nomenclature, descriptions and distribution ranges.Method: Morphological characters were studied using own field collections as well as herbarium specimens from K, NU, PRE and PRU and images on Global Plants (JSTOR). Distribution ranges of the studied species were updated.Results: An examination of morphological characters revealed great similarity between T. spartioides and T. confine. Both species have an herbaceous habit, decumbent growth form, terminal (or less frequently axillary) inflorescences and a sympatric northern distribution in South Africa. Thesium durum differs from T. spartioides and T. confine in having a shrubby habit, erect growth form and axillary inflorescences and occurs in the southern part of South Africa.Conclusion: Thesium spartioides is synonymised under T. confine, and T. durum is retained as a separate species.

scholarly journals Morphological variation among populations of Hemigrammus coeruleus (Characiformes: Characidae) in a Negro River tributary, Brazilian Amazon

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique Lazzarotto ◽  
Thiago Barros ◽  
José Louvise ◽  
Érica Pellegrini Caramaschi
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Blackwater River ◽  
Ecological Selection ◽  
Negro River ◽  
Morphological Differences

ABSTRACT We explored patterns of phenotypic variation in Hemigrammus coeruleus from the Unini River basin, a blackwater river in the Brazilian Amazon. Geometric morphometrics was used to evaluate variation in body shape among populations from four tributaries (UN2-UN5). We found no evidence for sexual dimorphism in body size and shape. However, morphological differences among populations were detected as the analyses recovered significant groups corresponding to each sub-basin, with some overlap among them. The populations from UN2, UN3 and UN5 had more elongate bodies than fish from UN4. The most morphologically divergent population belonged to UN4, the tributary with the most divergent environmental conditions and the only one with seasonally-muddy waters. The morphological variation found among these populations is likely due to phenotypic plasticity or local adaptation, arising as a product of divergent ecological selection pressures among sub-basins. This work constitutes one of the first to employ a population-level geometric morphometric approach to assess phenotypic variation in Amazonian fishes. This method was able to distinguish subtle differences in body morphology, and its use with additional species can bring novel perspectives on the evaluation of general patterns of phenotypic differentiation in the Amazon.

scholarly journals The taxonomic status of Tilia dasystyla in Crimea, Ukraine

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Pigott ◽  
B. Francis
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Principal Components ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Chromosome Counts ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Fresh Material ◽  
Components Analysis

Nine populations of Tilia dasystyla Steven (Tiliaceae) in the Crimean mountains (Krymskiye Gory), including the type locality at Kastel Dag, were studied in the field and sampled by collection of herbarium specimens. This material was compared with specimens referred to Tilia hegonifolia Steven collected in Crimea, the Caucasus and Iran. Measurements or scores of 21 morphological characters made on the dried material were analysed by principal components analysis and logistic regression. These analyses demonstrated that the majority of trees could be correctly allocated to either Crimea or the Caucasus and Iran on the basis of the shape of their leaves and the area of their bracts. In addition there are differences of leaf and bract texture and bract colour which can be observed in fresh material. Chromosome counts showed that Crimean trees and one Caucasian tree are tetraploid (2n = 164). It is proposed that the Crimean, Caucasian and Iranian trees be treated as a single species with at least two subspecies: Tilia dasystyla Steven subsp. dasystyla from Crimea and T. dasystyla Steven subsp. caucasica (V. Engl.) Pigott from the Caucasus and Iran.

Limited morphological differences between genetically identified cryptic species within the Leptasterias species complex (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1275-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Foltz ◽  
J. P. Breaux ◽  
E. L. Campagnaro ◽  
S. W. Herke ◽  
A. E. Himel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Canonical Variable ◽  
Puget Sound ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Flanking Sequences ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Restriction Site Polymorphisms

Sea stars of the Leptasterias species complex are common members of the rocky intertidal community of the temperate and subarctic North American Pacific coast. Variation in 53 morphological characters was studied in 645 Leptasterias spp. collected at 13 intertidal locations from the Aleutian Islands to Oregon. The sea stars were also examined for restriction-site polymorphisms in polymerase chain reaction amplified DNA representing the putative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and flanking sequences; these polymorphisms have recently been shown to discriminate among Leptasterias species in the Puget Sound region and southern Alaska. Ten mtDNA haplotypes were identified (designated A–J); five of these (D, E, H, I, and J) had not been reported in earlier surveys and were found at single locations only. Canonical discriminant analysis of morphological variation could partially separate nine of the haplotypes (A–I), but there was some overlap in canonical variable scores between most pairs of haplotypes. Morphologically, the haplotypes formed three major clusters based on canonical variable scores, composed of haplotypes A/C/D, B/E/F/G/H, and I.

Qualitative and quantitative morphological evidence for recognition of a new species within Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae) from Mexico

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
LILÍ MARTÍNEZ-DOMÍNGUEZ ◽  
FERNANDO NICOLALDE-MOREJÓN ◽  
DENNIS WM. STEVENSON
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Leaf Emergence ◽  
Taxonomic History ◽  
History Of ◽  
A New Species

Several Ceratozamia populations from the “Carso Huasteco” region in Mexico have a controversial circumscription and have been historically identified as Ceratozamia fuscoviridis. In this paper, we present a review of the taxonomic history of this species and provide taxa circumscriptions based on analyses of herbarium specimens from this region and supplemented with fieldwork. For this, we have studied qualitative and quantitative morphological variation at population level. We recognize two species in this group: C. fuscoviridis and a new species, C. chamberlainii. Here, we provide two lines of qualitative and quantitative morphological evidence showing that plants of C. chamberlainii from southern San Luis Potosí to northern Hidalgo are distinct from C. fuscoviridis of central Hidalgo east of Veracruz. These species can be identified by leaflet form, leaf emergence color, color of the ovulate strobilus, and form of the megasporophyll, along with a combination of quantitative morphological characters.

Seasonal variation of morphological characters of Chondrilla aff. nucula (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the south-east coast of Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 1727-1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda F. Cavalcanti ◽  
Carla Zilberberg ◽  
Michelle Klautau
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Chondrilla Nucula ◽  
Janeiro State

Chondrilla nucula is a morphologically simple species defined by the presence of spherasters in its skeleton. For a long time C. nucula was considered a cosmopolitan species, however, in 1999, a molecular study demonstrated the existence of a species complex with at least four cryptic species, besides C. nucula. At that time, those four new species were not formally described because the morphological differences observed did not reflect species differences and were attributed to plasticity. Since then, researchers working on Chondrilla species suggested that the skeletal organization, the distribution of spherulous cells and the type of surface should be used to differentiate species. Individuals of Chondrilla aff. nucula from one population in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were collected monthly and analysed in order to test the validity of those three characters to separate the species of Chondrilla. Moreover, to determine if the differences in spicule dimensions previously found were seasonal, we also quantified the diameter of the spherasters throughout the year. Our results demonstrate that all analysed characters are extremely variable and that spicule size can vary even at the same locality. The present study shows the importance of testing the variability of morphological characters before describing new species. Unfortunately, until valid taxonomic characters are found, the Atlantic Chondrilla species will have to remain undescribed.

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