Five molecular markers reveal extensive morphological homoplasy and reticulate evolution in the Malva alliance (Malvaceae)

Seed image analysis provides evidence of taxonomical differentiation within the Lavatera triloba aggregate (Malvaceae)

“…As a result, the relationships among taxa as well as the evolution of morphological traits have remained elusive, and the traditional classifications based on morphological characters are considered highly artificial (Escobar García et al, 2009). Only fruit morphology is largely congruent with the groups proposed by Ray (1995), although the relationships within these and the taxonomical position of some taxa are not fully resolved and need further investigation (Escobar García et al, 2009).…”

“…20 perennial and annual species occurring in the Mediterranean area, California and Mexico, Ethiopia and Western Australia (Fernandes, 1968a). According to the taxonomical differentiation based on fruit morphology and anatomy, and following phylogenetic studies based on molecular markers, the L. triloba aggregate is nested within the perennial Lavatera clade (Escobar García et al, 2009). The representatives of the L. triloba aggregate share flowers arranged in axillary fascicles, leaf-like bracts and an indumentum of simple glandular and stellate hairs (Escobar García et al, 2010;Fernandes, 1968a).…”

“…minoricensis. Similarly, L. flava and L. agrigentina, initially described at specific rank (Desfontaines, 1798(Desfontaines, -1999Tineo, 1817), were later considered subspecies of either L. triloba (Fernandes, 1967(Fernandes, , 1968b(Fernandes, , 1993 or L. flava (Fiori, 1969), and only recently reconsidered valid species (Escobar García et al, 2009).…”

Typification of the name <i>Lavatera triloba</i> subsp. <i>pallescens</i> (Moris) Nyman and reassessment of <i>L. minoricensis</i> Cambess. (<i>L. triloba</i> subsp. <i>minoricensis</i> comb. nov.)

“…The Lavatera triloba aggregate is a monophyletic group of perennial herbs or sub-shrubs endemic to the Western Mediterranean region (Escobar & al., 2009). The presence of clear morphological synapomorphies, such as the indumentum composed of varying mixtures of fasciculate and stellate hairs as well as single glands, and the arrangement of the flowers in axillary fascicles, led Fernandes (1968a) to recognise it as section Glandulosae R. Fern.…”

Genetic Differentiation Among Geographically Close Populations of Malva Alcea

“…Previous studies examined variation of petal shape in selected populations of M. alcea from Central and Eastern Europe (Celka et al, 2007), seeds and seed structures (Kumar and Singh, 1991;Celka et al, 2006b) and hairs (Inamdar and Chohan, 1969;Inamdar et al, 1983;Celka et al, 2006a). Also studied was the persistence and spread of M. alcea in and near archeological sites and the evolution of species in the Malva alliance, based on molecular markers (Escobar García et al, 2009). So far there has been no analysis of the variation of isozyme markers in M. alcea populations.…”