Palaci 1991 (Dissertation) Tillandsia

Enzyme electrophoretic analysis and syst. relationships among four species of Tillandsia subg. Anoplophytum from NW-Argentina and adjacent Bolivia

Author(s):—C.A. Palaci

Publication:—University of Wyoming USA (1991).

Abstract:—The systematic relationships among Tillandsia alberi Ehlers, T. friesii Mez, T. guasamayensis Palaci & Gilmartin, and T. muhrae Weber were investigated by means of enzyme electrophoresis. These saxicolous species grow in the same general region of the Andes of Northwest Argentina and South Bolivia above 2500 m elevation. The four species are morphologically very similar to each other and they share the same chromosome number (2n = 25 I I). Electrophoretic analysis of 14 enzyme-loci in ten populations representative for the four species showed a total genetic diversity (Ht) of 0.132. About one fourth of the total genetic variation was found among populations
(G s t = 0.2408). Nei's (1972) genetic identity values for the four taxa examined ranged between 0.96 and 0.99. Electrophoretic data together with morphological and cytological evidence suggests that T. alberi, T. guasamayensis, and T. muhrae do not merit taxonomic recognition, but rather represent a single taxon closely related to T. friesii Mez. Based on these results, it is suggested that T. alberi Ehlers and T. guasamayensis Palaci & Gilmartin should be synonymyzed under T, muhriae Weber. A new name, T. cafayatensis is proposed for T. muhrii Rauh, because it is a homonym with T. muhriae.

Taxonomy:—Tillandsia alberi Placed in synonym of Tillandsia muhrii Rauh (p.22-25,67-68)).—Tillandsia guasamayensis Placed in synonym of Tillandsia muhrii Rauh (p.22-25,67-68).—Tillandsia muhrii A new name, T. cafayatensis is proposed for T. muhrii Rauh, because it is a homonym with T. muhriae (p.22-25,67-68).