Morphometric analysis of varieties of Acacia caven: (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae): Taxonomic inferences in the context of other Argentinean species

POMETTI, C. L., CIALDELLA, A. M., VILARDI, J. C. & SAIDMAN, B. O.

PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION

Springer-Verlag

Lugar: Wien - New York; Año: 2006

0378-2697

Abstract: The aims of this study were to evaluate the degree of morphological differentiation between six varieties of Acacia caven and to confirm their taxonomic validity in the context of other Argentinean species of the genus. To accomplish these purposes, morphological traits have been analyzed using multivariate methods (non parametric ANOVA, phenetic analysis and principal component analysis) on the varieties of A. caven and other six species of the genus, represented in Argentina. The phenogram obtained showed two principal clusters, one grouping all the species of the Subgen. Acacia and the other grouping the species of the Subgen. Aculeiferum . This result agreed with Vassal’s infrageneric classification. However, the results of the principal PCA gathered the 7 species here included in three groups, which were consistent with Bentham’s infrageneric treatment. The ANOVA method indicated that most of the morphometric characters used were statistically sound for differentiation between varieties of A. caven. Further studies, including more species and characters, must be performed in order to clarify the position of Acacia boliviana and the relationships between A. caven and A. curvifructa. The aims of this study were to evaluate the degree of morphological differentiation between six varieties of Acacia caven and to confirm their taxonomic validity in the context of other Argentinean species of the genus. To accomplish these purposes, morphological traits have been analyzed using multivariate methods (non parametric ANOVA, phenetic analysis and principal component analysis) on the varieties of A. caven and other six species of the genus, represented in Argentina. The phenogram obtained showed two principal clusters, one grouping all the species of the Subgen. Acacia and the other grouping the species of the Subgen. Aculeiferum . This result agreed with Vassal’s infrageneric classification. However, the results of the principal PCA gathered the 7 species here included in three groups, which were consistent with Bentham’s infrageneric treatment. The ANOVA method indicated that most of the morphometric characters used were statistically sound for differentiation between varieties of A. caven. Further studies, including more species and characters, must be performed in order to clarify the position of Acacia boliviana and the relationships between A. caven and A. curvifructa.