Phylogenetic Studies in Axonopus (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae) and Related Genera: Morphology and Molecular (Nuclear and Plastid) Combined Analyses

LÓPEZ, ALICIA; MORRONE, OSVALDO

SYSTEMATIC BOTANY

AMER SOC PLANT TAXONOMISTS

Año: 2012 vol. 37 p. 671 - 676

0363-6445

Axonopus is a largely Neotropical genus comprising about 85 species. Many classifications have been proposed based exclusively on morphological characters. Our studies, including both molecular and morphological data, suggest that Axonopus is paraphyletic due to the inclusion of Centrochloa and Ophiochloa within Axonopus. Considering that not strong morphological traits contribute to the differentiation of both Centrochloa and Ophiochloa with Axonopus, we propose the following new combinations: Axonopus singularis, comb. nov., Axonopus bryoides, comb. nov., and Axonopus hydrolithicus, comb. nov. We also suggest the need to review the infrageneric classifications taking into account both morphological and molecular data.