A re-assessment of the species boundaries in Merciera A.DC.

Patterns of morphological variation were investigated in the genus Merciera A.DC. to re-assess the species boundaries. This study differs from previous studies in the genus because it employs multivariate statistical methods. Vegetative and floral characters obtained from herbarium specimens were analyzed. The results of the cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis support the recognition of six species, M. /ept%ba, M. brevifolia, M. tenuifolia, M. eck/oniana, M. azurea, and M. tetra/oba. M. azurea is re-instated as a species and a new species M. tetra/oba is described. An infra-generic phylogeny for the genus is proposed for the first time. A key to the species, descriptions, and distribution of all the species are also provided.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Cupido, Christopher Nelson

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6245

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6245