Taxonomic inferences among Argentinean species of Acacia (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae) from multivariate morphometric analysis

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

PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION

Springer Wien

Lugar: Viena; Año: 2007 vol. 264 p. 239 - 249

0378-2697

The aims of this study were to evaluate the degree of morphological differentiation between six varieties of Acacia caven and to examine 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 subg. Acacia and the other grouping the species of subg. Aculeiferum. This result agreed with Vassal´s infrageneric classification. However, the results of the principal PCA gathered the seven 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.