Electrophoretic analysis of Geoffroea (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae): taxonomic inferences in Argentinean populations

ALICIA L. LAMARQUE; DIANA O. LABUCKAS; JULIÁN GREPPI; RENÉE H. FORTUNATO

AUSTRALIAN SYSTEMATIC BOTANY

CSIRO PUBLISHING

Año: 2009 vol. 22 p. 137 - 142

1030-1887

The genus Geoffroea Jacq. was circumscribed to two species without varietal division; nevertheless, in the taxonomic treatment of Argentinean dry forest flora, based on morphological features, it was possible to differentiate G. decorticans (Hook. & Arn.) Burkart var. decorticans from var. subtropicalis (Lillo) Burkart and to recognize intraspecific variation between populations of G. spinosa Jacq. The purposes of this study were to provide seed protein data of Geoffroea species, and to analyze the relationships between them. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was carried out on mature seeds harvested at different locations of Argentina. Electrophoretic profile analysis showed outstanding differences between G. decorticans var. decorticans and var. subtropicalis and support the view that these two taxa are less closely related than previously assumed warranting their recognition at the varietal level. On the other hand the protein patterns from the analyzed population of G. spinosa (Argentina: Chaco and Salta provinces), added to phenotipic differences, would suggest the consideration of G. spinosa from Chaco as a different infraspecific taxon.