Abstract Detail

Systematics

Svoboda, Harlan [1], Ballard, Harvey [2].

Untangling the passionflowers II: Geometric morphometrics in Passiflora section Dysosmia.

One of the most unusual and taxonomically difficult groups in the passionflower genus, Passiflora section Dysosmia (Passifloraceae), has perplexed botanists for nearly 200 years. The overwhelming morphological variation and a lack of analytical rigor have led to confusion and obscure taxon boundaries within the section. To investigate morphological affinities and potential relationships in section Dysosmia, we performed geometric morphometric analyses of leaf venation and laminar outlines using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA), Elliptical Fourier Descriptors (EFD), and shape features. The results from each analysis revealed consistent clustering of some taxa in morphospace, while others showed greater within-taxon variation. Based on the analyses carried out, some taxa that were traditionally thought to be uniform and coherent are actually represented by diverse shapes. Statistically unique morphologies were likewise discovered from the analyses, potentially representing undescribed taxa. With leaf shape as a predictor of taxon limits we aim to use these results as a foundation for the discovery of other morphological characters that also help define taxon boundaries in Dysosmia.

1 - Ohio University, Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, 315 Porter Hall, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
2 - Ohio University, ENVIR & PLANT BIOLOGY-PORTER H, 315 Porter Hall, Athens, OH, 45701-2979, USA

Keywords:
Passiflora
Passifloraceae
morphometrics
Fourier
Procrustes
passionflowers
shape.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 14, Systematics I: Basal Dicots, Monocots & Rosids
Location: Sundance 1/Omni Hotel
Date: Monday, June 26th, 2017
Time: 4:45 PM
Number: 14014
Abstract ID:456
Candidate for Awards:None