Alpha-taxonomy underestimates the diversity in Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae): a new hypothesis for Jacquemontia evolvuloides complex based on morphological, anatomical, and morphometric analyses

Abstract

Interpreting plant morphological variability makes species delimitation a challenge. Jacquemontia evolvuloides and its relatives have been the target of different taxonomic classifications, either as multiple species and subspecies/varieties or as a single polymorphic species. Here we applied univariate and multivariate morphometric analyses, using both macro- and micromorphological characters of 22 populations comprising this species complex. Our analysis revealed six morphotypes with clear discontinuities in both macro- and micromorphological characters. One morphotype corresponds to J. evolvuloides, two correspond to previously named species, putted under a synonym, here re-established (J. agrestis and J. decumbens) and three morphotypes correspond to new species, described here. We present a complete taxonomic treatment of J. evolvuloides and related species, with descriptions, distribution maps, photographs, and illustrations, that indicate new synonyms.