scholarly journals Taxonomic significance of vegetative and reproductive morphology in southern Africa Rhynchosia sect. Rhynchosia (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae)

Webbia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-67
Author(s):  
Abdulwakeel Ayokun-nun Ajao ◽  
Annah Ntsamaeeng Moteetee

Rhynchosia is the largest genus in the subtribe Cajaninae, tribe Phaseoleae. Due to the lack of a recent taxonomic revision in the genus, the species are poorly known and as a result, are difficult to identify. As part of our ongoing taxonomic studies on the genus in southern Africa, this paper presents a comparative study of vegetative and floral morphological variation in the 47 species currently recognised in the type section Rhynchosia in the region. This is with a view to provide useful diagnostic morphological characters that can be used to correctly identify species in the type section and in other sections. The study used morphological data from field observation, herbarium specimens, and literature. Stems, leaves, and floral structures were examined with a dissecting microscope. A stereoscope with a camera lucida attachment was used to draw the reproductive morphology. Although morphological characters seem to overlap between the sections, characters such as leaflets size, type of indumentum on leaflet surfaces, stipules shape, type and length of inflorescences, presence or absence of indumentum on standard petals, presence and absence of sculpturing on wing petals, as well as length of upper lobes of the calyx are useful in identifying species.

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
XIAO-FENG JIN

In this paper, Carex chungii and other five names at species rank, plus one variety and one form, all from of C. sect. Mitratae, were revised. They constitute a group of morphologically very similar taxa, difficult to tell apart. Our study was based on literature survey, fieldwork, herbarium specimens, statistical analysis of morphological characters and SEM observations of achenes and perigynia. Analysis of morphological data of 94 individuals from eleven populations using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed five clusters, which we consequently considered to correspond to five species. The achenes of Carex genkaiensis were strikingly different from all the other species regarding achene apex contracted into a 0.2–0.5 mm long neck-like appendage (vs. into a discoid-annulate style-base), as well as its perigynium indumentum (pubescent vs. sparsely pubescent). Carex anhuiensis, C. xuanchengensis and C. truncatirostris f. erostris are all synonymized to C. truncatirostris. The previously recognized Carex kamagariensis from Japan is synonymized to C. chungii. Carex chungii var. rigida is recognized as specific rank and the new name C. nanpingensis is proposed. Our study is the first effort to address the taxonomy of this complicate group as a whole in its entire range.


2021 ◽  
Vol 307 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carnicero ◽  
Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽  
Llorenç Sáez ◽  
Theophanis Constantinidis ◽  
Mercè Galbany-Casals

AbstractThe eastern Mediterranean basin hosts a remarkably high plant diversity. Historical connections between currently isolated areas across the Aegean region and long-distance dispersal events have been invoked to explain current distribution patterns of species. According to most recent treatments, at least two Cymbalaria species occur in this area, Cymbalaria microcalyx and C. longipes. The former comprises several intraspecific taxa, treated at different ranks by different authors based on morphological data, evidencing the need of a taxonomic revision. Additionally, some populations of C. microcalyx show exclusive morphological characters that do not match any described taxon. Here, we aim to shed light on the systematics of eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria and to propose a classification informed by various sources of evidence. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 3’ETS, ndhF and rpl32-trnL sequences and estimated the ploidy level of some taxa performing relative genome size measures. Molecular data combined with morphology support the division of traditionally delimited C. microcalyx into C. acutiloba, C. microcalyx and C. minor, corresponding to well-delimited nrDNA lineages. Furthermore, we propose to combine C. microcalyx subsp. paradoxa at the species level. A group of specimens previously thought to belong to Cymbalaria microcalyx constitute a well-defined phylogenetic and morphological entity and are described here as a new species, Cymbalaria spetae. Cymbalaria longipes is non-monophyletic, but characterized by being glabrous and diploid, unlike other eastern species. The nrDNA data suggest at least two dispersals from the mainland to the Aegean Islands, potentially facilitated by marine regressions.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
XIAO-FENG JIN ◽  
BING-YANG DING ◽  
YING-YING ZHOU ◽  
SHUI-HU JIN ◽  
WANG-WEI YANG

In this paper, we present a revision of the Rhododenron taipaoense complex, including R. taipaoense and eight other named species, based on literature survey, field collections and observations, inspection of herbarium specimens, statistical analysis of morphological characters, and SEM observation of seed shape and testa. We evaluated all characters that have previously been used to diagnose these species: indumentum of young shoots and abaxial surfaces of leaves; filament dimensions; style base; leaf color, size, and apex shape; flower number per inflorescence; corolla length; and length of the stamen and pistil. Cluster analysis of 146 individuals showed that individuals from different populations are interdigitated, irrespective of traditional taxonomic limits. Analysis of morphological data using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) likewise shows a continual gradation between populations, rather than disjunctures between named species. Consequently, only one species is recognized in the present paper, and R. apricum, R. falcinellum (R. apricum var. falcinellum), R. florulentum, R. hepticum, R. piceum, R. rufulum, R. spadiceum, and R. rufoindumentum (nom. nud.) are all reduced to synonyms of R. taipaoense.


1995 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
PY Ladiges ◽  
F Udovicic ◽  
AN Drinnan

Molecular (5S rDNA spacer and chloroplast DNA RnPs) and morphological data sets are informative at different levels of the eucalypt clade. They allow separate analysis of major subclades, the results of which, when combined, give a single, phylogenetic tree for Angophora Cav. and Eucalyptus L'Hér. For taxonomic revision, the tree supports the recognition of bloodwood eucalypts as monophyletic, but shows that informal subgenus Corymbia Pryor & Johnson is paraphyletic. The tree supports recognition of three major clades within the non-bloodwood eucalypts ('eudesmids', 'symphyomyrts' and 'monocalypts') and suggests relationships for taxa within each of these. Ovule and seed characters proved to be most informative in the morphological data set. The phylogenetic hypothesis suggests interpretations for homoplasious morphological characters, including parallel evolution of sepaline and petaline opercula (and associated stemonophore) and types of conflorescence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-46
Author(s):  
Adeyinka O. Adepoju ◽  
Tunde J. Ogunkunle ◽  
Abiola G. Femi-Adepoju

Species of Capsicum L. are closely related plants whose taxonomic status has remained controversial among different taxonomists. This study was designed to examine the taxonomic status of the species of Capsicum in Nigeria in order to establish the genetic variation between the species for the purpose of identification, as well as review the infrageneric classification (INC) of the members of the genus. Germplasm collection of the seeds of five cultivars of Capsicum were regenerated and nurtured to fruiting. Variations in their vegetative and reproductive morphology were macroscopically evaluated in replicates of 30 individuals per cultivar for each character, which equals 150 samples altogether. The cultivars of each species was hierarchically clustered as operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using Ward’s method with squared Euclidean distance. Artificial key was also constructed for the identification of the species in the genus. The twenty-three (23) morphological characters adopted gave useful insights into the INC of the species and were sufficiently diagnostic of the species as evidenced by the artificial key. Through this study, some light has been shed on the delimitation of species and varieties of the Nigerian Capsicum.


Bothalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kagiso S. Mashego ◽  
M. Marianne Le Roux

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-434
Author(s):  
Ingrid C Marçal ◽  
Fernanda P Páez ◽  
Lenice Souza-Shibatta ◽  
Silvia H Sofia ◽  
Gustavo M Teixeira

Abstract Aegla lata Bond-Buckup & Buckup, 1994 is considered extinct in the type locality. New populations of this species, however, have been found in northern Paraná state, Brazil. We revised the taxonomy of A. lata based on morphological data obtained from the type material and specimens recently obtained from streams of the Tibagi River sub-basin, Paranapanema River basin, Upper Paraná Ecoregion. Moreover, Aegla jacutingan. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species resembles A. lata in the shapes of the body and chelipeds. Both species are nevertheless separated by particular morphological characters of the carapace, chelipeds, and epimeron as well as by molecular (COI mtDNA) differences. Both species can be distinguished from their congeners based on morphological and molecular evidence.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (2) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Stephen Judd ◽  
Lucas Charles Majure ◽  
Gretchen Mary Ionta ◽  
Kurt Maximillian Neubig

The pattern of morphological variation in Miconia subcompressa, a species endemic to the mountains of southern Hispaniola, is assessed by a consideration of numerous herbarium specimens (many collected by the authors) and a phenetic (Principal Components) analysis of 14 vegetative characters, and morphological entities are compared with a phylogenetic hypothesis based on nrDNA-sequence variation (ITS, ETS) including several accessions of this species (from across its geographic and elevational range) as well as related species of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura, especially those of the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Our morphological data, incorporating recently collected herbarium material, indicate that the populations of M. subcompressa from the Monteada Nueva region (= Loma Trocha de Pey) are diagnosable morphologically from those of the Massif de la Selle and Massif de la Hotte, and these plants are described here as Miconia subcompressa subsp. beverlyana. Additionally, this study supports the recognition of the populations from moist pine forest/cloud forest habitats of the Massif de la Hotte, occurring mainly from 1450–2300 m, as M. subcompressa subsp. plumieri (= M. plumerii, sic). Finally, Miconia subcompressa may be paraphyletic, as preliminary molecular evidence suggests that M. xenotricha may have arisen within its phylogenetic structure.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi M. Meudt

The snow hebes, formerly comprising the genus Chionohebe, are here included within Veronica (Plantaginaceae). The five species (including two subspecies) of snow hebes recognised here are cushions or subshrubs that occur exclusively in high-elevation habitats of Australia and the South Island of New Zealand. Species delimitation among the cushion snow hebes is very difficult because of the reduced pulvinate habit, solitary flowers and few gross-morphological characters useful for identification. To address species limits, investigate intraspecific patterns and revise the taxonomy of the snow hebes, morphological analyses were conducted and the results compared with previously published molecular phylogenetic data. Ordination and clustering analyses of morphological data showed some taxonomic structuring; however, species clusters were not widely separated from one another. Morphological and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data show that the cushion species are clearly distinguished from the subshrub species, V. densifolia (F.Muell.) F.Muell. Among the four cushion species (V. chionohebe Garn.-Jones, V. ciliolata (Hook.f.) Cheeseman, V. pulvinaris (Hook.f.) Cheeseman, V. thomsonii (Buchanan) Cheeseman), the distribution of leaf trichomes is important for species identification, particularly when used in conjunction with ovary vestiture, capsule size, and/or seed size. One new combination V. ciliolata subsp. fiordensis (Ashwin) Meudt is proposed, and V. uniflora Kirk is treated as a naturally occurring hybrid V. × uniflora (V. densifolia × V. thomsonii). Complete synonymies, descriptions, illustrations and range maps are provided for each species, as well as a key to all species and a discussion of putative hybrids.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi M. Meudt ◽  
Jessica M. Prebble

A taxonomic revision of southern hemisphere bracteate-prostrate forget-me-nots (Myosotis L., Boraginaceae) is presented here. The group comprises mostly species endemic to New Zealand plus the South American Myosotis antarctica Hook.f. (also Campbell Island) and M. albiflora Hook.f. The statistical analyses of morphological data from herbarium specimens reported here support recognition of five main subgroups on the basis of habit. Excluding the M. pygmaea Colenso species group (M. antarctica, M. brevis de Lange & Barkla, M. drucei (L.B.Moore) de Lange & Barkla, M. glauca (G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson) de Lange & Barkla, and M. pygmaea), which is being treated elsewhere, 14 species are recognised in the following four remaining subgroups: (1) creeping-species group: M. matthewsii L.B.Moore, M. chaffeyorum Lehnebach, M. spatulata G.Forst., M. tenericaulis Petrie, and M. albiflora; (2) cushion-species group: M. uniflora Hook.f., M. pulvinaris Hook.f., and M. glabrescens L.B.Moore; (3) M. cheesemanii + M. colensoi species group: M. cheesemanii Petrie and M. colensoi J.F.Macbr.; and (4) M. lyallii species group: M. lyallii Hook.f. and new species M. retrorsa Meudt, Prebble & Hindmarsh-Walls. New species Myosotis umbrosa Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen and M. bryonoma Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen do not fit comfortably within these subgroups. Myosotis elderi L.B.Moore is treated as M. lyallii subsp. elderi (L.B.Moore) Meudt & Prebble. For each of the 14 species revised here, a key to species, descriptions, phenology, distributions, maps, illustrations, specimens examined and notes are provided. Some specimens examined do not fit within these species and require additional comparative studies, including with certain ebracteate-erect species, before taxonomic decisions can be made. Future research on these and other southern hemisphere Myosotis should incorporate the morphological data presented here, with additional genetic, cytological, pollen, and other data in an integrative systematic framework.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document