A comparative anatomical study on two closely related Astragalus L. taxa (Fabaceae) from the central part of the Balkan Peninsula

Marina Jušković, Dragana Jenačković Gocić, Danijela Nikolić, Bojan Zlatković, Vladimir Ranđelović

Abstract


The genus Astragalus L. is one of the largest genera of vascular plants. It has been extensively studied but still represents a genus with numerous insufficiently explored taxonomic issues. Many species are endemic with narrow ranges, while only relatively few taxa are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Central Asia and Western North America. The present study involves species A. monspessulanus L. and A. spruneri Boiss. section Incani DC. (sect. Proselius Bunge) from the area of central Balkans. Due to high polymorphism, this section is taxonomically the most problematic group and delimitations of its species are not completely clear. The main aims of the study were to determine the micro-morphological and anatomical variability of populations of these species based on quantitative characters of leaflet and leaf petiole, and also to show the potential degree of differentiation within species. Additional goal was to determine anatomic parameters that may be used in taxonomy of studied species and their encompassing section. The analyzed characters of the plants were from individuals sampled from 6 different populations (three populations each of A. monspessulanus and A. spruneri). Statistical analyses were carried out for 31 quantitative characters related to the leaflet and leaf petiole anatomy. Data analysis included application of t-test, principal component analysis (PCA), canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and agglomerative hierarchical classification. The results indicate high variability of analyzed characters and anatomical differentiation of populations of each species. Results of statistical analyses indicate that characters which refer to petiole anatomy have higher taxonomic value than characters which refer to leaflet anatomy. Anatomical features described in this paper mostly agree with characters found in previous studies of other Astragalus species, and they have potential taxonomic significance.


Keywords


A. monspessulanus L.; A. spruneri Boiss.; anatomical characters; differentiation; taxonomy

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References


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