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

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92
Author(s):  
Piero G. Delprete ◽  
Jomar G. Jardim

Background – Ongoing studies of Brazilian Rubiaceae revealed an undescribed species of Amaioua endemic to Atlantic Forest (Restinga and Semideciduous forest) of the state of Bahia, which is here described and illustrated, and its morphological characters are discussed and compared with those of similar species. Methods – This study is based on examinations of herbarium specimens, samples preserved in 60% ethanol, field observations, and digital images. Herbarium specimens of the CAY, CEPEC, HBR, IBGE, K, MBM, NY, RB, U, UB, UFG, and US herbaria were directly studied. Additional images of herbarium specimens were studied online. Results – Amaioua longipedicellata Delprete & J.G.Jardim is here described, illustrated and compared with the two most similar species, i.e., A. glomerulata (Lam. ex Poir.) Delprete & C.H.Perss. and A. intermedia Mart. A table comparing the morphological characters of these three species, and an appendix with selected specimens studied of A. glomerulata and A. intermedia are included.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
PAMELA PUPPO

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-530
Author(s):  
Amabily Bohn ◽  
Fernando B. Matos ◽  
Paulo H. Labiak

Background – Cyclodium is a neotropical fern genus comprising about ten species. Most species are found in northern South America, and the foothills of the Guiana Shield is an important region for species diversification. Our phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of the genus demonstrated the need to describe a new species and to recognize a variety at species level.Methods – This study is based on herbarium specimens from CAY, HUA, INPA, MBM, NY, P, RB, UC, UFP, UPCB, and US. Morphological characters were analyzed using standard procedures. The indumentum and spores of the new species were studied using a scanning electron microscope. Species delimitation is proposed based on our preliminary phylogenetic studies, as well as on morphology and geographical distribution.Key results – Cyclodium alansmithii Bohn & Labiak is recognized as a new species, described, and illustrated. The most similar species is Cyclodium inerme (Fée) A.R.Sm., from which it differs by ovate-lanceolate and bicolored scales, reduced fronds, truncate pinna bases, and non-ciliate indusia. Cyclodium alansmithii is currently assessed as Endangered (EN) using IUCN criteria, but more fieldwork and herbarium studies are necessary to establish a more accurate conservation assessment. Cyclodium trianae (Mett.) A.R.Sm. var. chocoense A.R.Sm. is here elevated to species rank. A key to species of Cyclodium with free veins is provided.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
LIDIA R. SCRIVANTI ◽  
GUILLERMO A. NORRMANN ◽  
ANA M. ANTON

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.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Norbert Szymański ◽  
Sławomir Wilczyński

The present study identified the similarities and differences in the radial growth responses of 20 provenances of 51-year-old European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) trees from Poland to the climatic conditions at three provenance trials situated in the Polish lowlands (Siemianice), uplands (Bliżyn) and mountains (Krynica). A chronology of radial growth indices was developed for each of 60 European larch populations, which highlighted the interannual variations in the climate-mediated radial growth of their trees. With the aid of principal component, correlation and multiple regression analysis, supra-regional climatic elements were identified to which all the larch provenances reacted similarly at all three provenance trials. They increased the radial growth in years with a short, warm and precipitation-rich winter; a cool and humid summer and when high precipitation in late autumn of the previous year was noted. Moreover, other climatic elements were identified to which two groups of the larch provenances reacted differently at each provenance trial. In the lowland climate, the provenances reacted differently to temperature in November to December of the previous year and July and to precipitation in September. In the upland climate, the provenances differed in growth sensitivity to precipitation in October of the previous year and June–September. In the mountain climate, the provenances responded differently to temperature and precipitation in September of the previous year and to precipitation in February, June and September of the year of tree ring formation. The results imply that both climatic factors and origin (genotype), i.e., the genetic factor, mediate the climate–growth relationships of larch provenances.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Hosie ◽  
Jane Fromont ◽  
Kylie Munyard ◽  
Diana S. Jones

The subfamily Acastinae contains a diverse group of barnacles that are obligate symbionts of sponges and alcyonacean and antipatharian corals. Integrating morphological and genetic (COI) data to compare against known species, this paper reports on nine species of sponge-inhabiting barnacles of the subfamily Acastinae, including three undescribed species (Acasta caveata sp. nov., Euacasta acutaflava sp. nov., and E. excoriatrix sp. nov.) and three species previously not recorded in Australian waters (A. sandwichi, Pectinoacasta cancellorum, and P. sculpturata). The new species are distinguished from similar species by a suite of morphological characters as well as genetic distances. A lectotype for Pectinoacasta cancellorum is designated. Sponge hosts were identified for all specimens where possible and are represented by 19 species from eight families and five orders.


2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Flann ◽  
Pauline Y. Ladiges ◽  
Neville G. Walsh

A study of morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Labill.) Less. across its range in south-eastern Australia was undertaken to test the hypothesis that L. squamatus includes two taxa. Phenetic pattern analyses of both field-collected and herbarium specimens on the basis of morphology confirmed two major groups. Bract, cypsela, pappus bristle and leaf characters were particularly important in separating the two groups. The taxa are separated by altitude differences with one being a low-altitude plant found in many habitats and the other being a high-altitude taxon that is a major component of alpine meadows. Lowland plants have dark bract tips, fewer and wider pappus bristles than alpine plants, papillae on the cypselas and more linear leaves. A somewhat intermediate population from the Major Mitchell Plateau in the Grampians shows some alpine and some lowland characters but is included in the lowland taxon. Seeds from five populations (two alpine, two lowland and Major Mitchell) were germinated and plants grown for 18 weeks under four controlled sets of environmental conditions. The experiment showed that leaf size and some other characters are affected by environmental conditions, but that there are underlying genetic differences between the lowland and alpine forms. Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. alpinus Flann is described here to accommodate the highland taxon.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Yuan ◽  
Yongqiang Wang ◽  
Jijun Xu ◽  
Zhiguang Wu

AbstractThe ecosystem of the Source Region of Yangtze River (SRYR) is highly susceptible to climate change. In this study, the spatial–temporal variation of NPP from 2000 to 2014 was analyzed, using outputs of Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach model. Then the correlation characteristics of NPP and climatic factors were evaluated. The results indicate that: (1) The average NPP in the SRYR is 100.0 gC/m2 from 2000 to 2014, and it shows an increasing trend from northwest to southeast. The responses of NPP to altitude varied among the regions with the altitude below 3500 m, between 3500 to 4500 m and above 4500 m, which could be attributed to the altitude associated variations of climatic factors and vegetation types; (2) The total NPP of SRYR increased by 0.18 TgC per year in the context of the warmer and wetter climate during 2000–2014. The NPP was significantly and positively correlated with annual temperature and precipitation at interannual time scales. Temperature in February, March, May and September make greater contribution to NPP than that in other months. And precipitation in July played a more crucial role in influencing NPP than that in other months; (3) Climatic factors caused the NPP to increase in most of the SRYR. Impacts of human activities were concentrated mainly in downstream region and is the primary reason for declines in NPP.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 498 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-103
Author(s):  
YOU-PAI ZENG ◽  
QIONG YUAN ◽  
QIN-ER YANG

Based on critical observations on herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants in the wild from its type locality, we demonstrate that Thalictrum kangdingense, recently described from Kangding county in western Sichuan province, China, is readily distinguishable from T. xinningense by an array of morphological characters but is actually conspecific with T. megalostigma, a species with its type locality also in Kangding. We therefore reduce T. kangdingense to the synonymy of T. megalostigma herein. The morphological distinction between T. baicalense and T. megalostigma is also clarified.


2021 ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Halina A. Kamyshenka

The results of a statistical assessment of the influence of changing weather and climatic conditions of the territory of Belarus on the productivity of the main winter cereal crops are presented in order to build computational models of productivity. The calculations were made with respect to the climatic component as a predictor, taking into account the deviations of air temperature and precipitation from the long-term climatic norm of months that have the most significant effect on the yield of the studied crops. For winter rye and wheat, adequate models of yield variability have been built. The research results are relevant for solving forecasting problems.


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