Morphometric and molecular evidence for taxonomic recognition of a new subspecies ofArmeria filicaulis(Plumbaginaceae)

[摘要] A new subspecies of the Betic-Riffean speciesArmeria filicaulisis formally described –subsp. alfacarensis�? from crystalline dolomitic sands NE of Granada (SE Spain). Its representatives exhibit a consistent morphological combination of characters on the inflorescence and flowers that support its taxonomic recognition. This is shown by means of a multivariate morphometric analysis. In one of the sites of the new taxon, where it is sympatric withA. villosasubsp.bernisii , nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences reveal gene flow between the two species, which is congruent with RAPD data and chloroplasttrnL-Fhaplotypes. It is discussed that gene flow detected is not responsible for the origin of the new subspecies but a recent event. According to this, a differentiated biological entity related to other forms ofA. filicaulisinhabiting dolomitic sands in eastern Andalusia, existed previously to gene flow events. The patterns detected (and inferred events) inA. filicaulisthroughout its area suggest that the compilospecies model fits the evolution of this species as does that inA. villosa(as reported elsewhere) although not as closely.

[学科分类] 植物学

[关键词] Armeria;compilospecies;ITS;morphometrics;Plumbaginaceae;RAPDs;taxonomy;trnL-F