Abstract
Atriplex mollis Desf. (Amaranthaceae), a North African endemic halophytic species, is further described in this study. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined dataset of ITS and ETS rDNA and atpB-rbcL and trnK cpDNA showed that A. mollis is closely related to the Malta- and Gozo-endemic Cremnophyton lanfrancoi Brullo & Pavone. Given this close phylogenetic relationship, A. mollis is also considered among the oldest species of Atriplex, together with C. lanfrancoi. Molecular data also suggest that A. mollis in North Africa, C. lanfrancoi on Malta Island, and Atriplex cana Ledeb.in Eurasian semideserts constitute a separate clade within the tribe Atripliceae. As an 18-month-old shrub, A. mollis can reach a mean height of 44.06 ± 8.09 cm with a leaf area around 1.24 ± 0.15 cm2, and can produce seeds in order of 113.08 ± 28.52 g plant?1. The anatomy of A. mollis shows the presence of male and female developed flowers. Hermaphroditic flowers that may lead to the appearance of male flowers with underdeveloped female organs were rarely found. Three main shapes of ovule (campylotropous, amphitropous, and orthotropous) were found in A. mollis.
Highlights
The genus Atriplex is among 12 genera belonging to the tribe Atripliceae
Morphological description Based on the results of a long field survey, the geographical distribution of A. mollis in Tunisia is considered limited to the southern part of the country
The results suggest that A. mollis is the sister of C. lanfrancoi and closely related to A. cana, which is widely distributed in semideserts from western China to the eastern part of European Russia (Kadereit et al, 2010)
Summary
The genus Atriplex is among 12 genera belonging to the tribe Atripliceae. The 11 genera in addition to Atriplex are: Archiatriplex G. L. Chu, Axyris L., Ceratocarpus L., Endolepis Torrey, Exomis Fenzl ex Moq., Grayia Hooker & Am., Krascheninnikovia Gueldenst., Microgynoecium Hooker, Spinacia L., Zuckia Standley, and Proatriplex (Weber) H. L. Chu (Flores and Davis, 2001). In subtropical and temperate regions Atriplex species can be annual or perennial subshrubs or shrubs growing on steppes and in deserts and coastal habitats (Kadereit et al, 2010). Their basic chromosome number is x = 9 (Nobs, 1975) with a variable ploïdy level, usually diploid (2n = 18), and polyploid only in a few cases
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