Taxonomic investigations on &lt;em&gt;Malva cretica&lt;/em&gt; s.l. (Malvaceae)

Emanuele Del Guacchio,Duilio Iamonico,Roberta Vallariello

doi:10.3989/ajbm.2539

Taxonomic investigations on <em>Malva cretica</em> s.l. (Malvaceae)

Emanuele Del Guacchio, Duilio Iamonico + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3989/ajbm.2539

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Abstract

A morphometric analysis has been carried out for the first time in order to investigate the variability of the infraspecific taxa included in the steno-Mediterranean Malva cretica s.l., i.e. M. Cretica subsp. althaeoides, M. cretica subsp. cretica, and the poorly-known M. Cretica var. montana, described from southern Italy. According to our results, M. cretica subsp. althaeoides and subsp. cretica are worth of taxonomic recognition at subspecies rank and occupy respectively the western and the central-eastern sectors of the species range. Concerning M. Cretica var. montana, characterized by some intermediate features, it should be included in M. Cretica subsp. cretica.

Highlights

Molecular studies by Ray (1995) and Escobar García & al. (2009) showed that the traditional separation of Malva L. and Lavatera L., based mainly on the degree of fusion of the epicalyx bracts, is artificial and cannot be maintained, while the taxonomic significance of the fruit morphology was emphasized
With the aim to clarify the taxonomy of the various taxa described under Malva cretica, here we present a biometric study as part of an ongoing research works on Malvaceae and the endemic flora of southern Italy (e.g., Vallariello & al. 2016; Iamonico & al. 2017; Santangelo & al. 2017; Erben & al. 2018)
Specimens of Malva cretica subsp. althaeoides, M. cretica subsp. cretica (CRET) and M. cretica var. montana (MONT) from herbaria B, BM, CAT, E, FI, G, ISTO, L, MA, NAP, P, RO, U, and VAL and from the personal herbarium of E

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Molecular studies by Ray (1995) and Escobar García & al. (2009) showed that the traditional separation of Malva L. and Lavatera L., based mainly on the degree of fusion of the epicalyx bracts, is artificial and cannot be maintained, while the taxonomic significance of the fruit morphology was emphasized. According to molecular data and morphological features of the fruit, Malva cretica Cav. is certainly referable to the “Malvoid clade” (sensu Ray 1995). It is well distinct as a species, its taxonomic placement in the genus Malva is controversial (see below). Althaeoides (Cav.) Dalby [Spain, France (Corse) and doubtfully in Italy (including Sicily) and Malta; doubtfully native in Cyprus] (Valdés 2011). These two taxa have been treated differently over time, even at generic ranks. With the aim to clarify the taxonomy of the various taxa described under Malva cretica, here we present a biometric study as part of an ongoing research works on Malvaceae (see e.g. Iamonico 2010, 2014, 2016; Iamonico & Peruzzi 2014) and the endemic flora of southern Italy (e.g., Vallariello & al. 2016; Iamonico & al. 2017; Santangelo & al. 2017; Erben & al. 2018)

MATERIAL AND METHODS

16 Ratio between characters 14 and 15

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION