Abstract Detail

Systematics

Hernández Esquivel, Karen Beatriz [1], Piedra-Malagón, Eva [1], Cornejo-Tenorio, Guadalupe [2], Mendoza-Cuenca, Luis Felipe [3], González-Rodríguez, Antonio [1], Ruiz Sanchez, Eduardo [4], Ibarra-Manríquez, Guillermo [1].

How to not be a strangler fig species: the extreme morphological variation in the neotropical Ficus aurea complex (sect. Americanae, Urostigma, Moraceae).

Ficus (Moraceae) with approximately 750 species is one of the most diverse genus of tree species in the world. The subgenus Urostigma, section Americanae, comprise several species complexes because their diagnostic structures are extremely variable. Currently, there is not a phylogenetic hypothesis that can help to solve the delimitation problems of these complexes, nor an integrative taxonomic approach has been developed. In the present study, we applied morphometric methods to solve the taxonomic problems on the Ficus aurea complex. Morphometric variation of syconia and leaves were analyzed to find differences between four morphotypes recognized by Berg (2007) (form aurea, fo. cookii, fo. isophlebia and fo. tuerckheimii). Syconium characters were analyzed using traditional morphometrics, while leaves shape was evaluated with geometric morphometrics, encompassing multiple populations along its distribution range. Data sets from syconia and leaves were tested for associations with geographic and rainfall variables. Results indicate that there are significant differences between the four morphotypes along the averaged variation of syconium characters and leaf shape. Geography and rainfall variables did not show significant covariation related to the morphometric variation in both data sets. We concluded that Ficus aurea is not a single polymorphic species as has been stated in the most recent taxonomic treatments.

1 - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Antigua Carretera a Pa´tzcuaro No. 8701, Col. San José de la Huerta., Morelia, Michoacán, 58190, México
2 - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pa´tzcuaro No. 8701, Col. San José de la Huerta., Morelia, Michoacán, 58190, México
3 - Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Facultad de Biología, Francisco J. Múgica, Colonia Felicitas del Río , Morelia, Michoacán, 58030, México
4 - Universidad De Guadalajara, Instituto De Botánica, CUCBA, Camino Ing. Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Zapopan, JAL, 45200, Mexico

Keywords:
geometric morphometrics
integrative taxonomy
leaf shape
abiotic variables
multivariate analyses.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: SYS2, Systematics II: Rosids part 1 to Asterids part 1
Location: Tucson G/Starr Pass
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
Time: 8:15 AM
Number: SYS2002
Abstract ID:296
Candidate for Awards:None