Abstract

MARTINEZ-QUEZADA, Daniel Martín; SANDOVAL-ZAPOTITLA, Estela  and  ARIAS, Salvador. Morphometric analysis of the Selenicereus vagans group (Cactaceae: Hylocereeae), based on stem anatomy. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2019, vol.90, e902924.  Epub Feb 12, 2019. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2019.90.2924.

A stem anatomical study for species of Selenicereus vagans group sensu Bauer (S. atropilosus, S. dorschianus, S. murrillii, S. vagans) was carried out, with the aim of estimating their value in the species delimitation and know if S. dorschianus is circumscribed to this group based on anatomical evidence. Twenty five anatomical characters were analyzed through multivariate methods (canonical discriminant analysis, classificatory and cluster analysis). It was shown that the quantitative anatomical characters of the stem are as important as the qualitative ones. For this group, the numerical characters had a greater representation and allowed to recognize species, interpreting them as taxonomically informative. The cuticle thickness, the length of the occlusive cells, the epidermal cells area, the thickness of the hypodermal cells wall, as well as the thickness of the wall of the fibers associated to the secondary phloem supports S. murrillii as a taxon distinct from S. vagans. S. dorschianus showed anatomical similarity with members of the S. vagans group, but it is recognized by having grouped vessels and dimorphic wood. The results confirm the usefulness of the anatomical characters in the taxonomy of the genus Selenicereus.

Keywords : Epidermis; Hypodermis; Secondary xylem; Multivariate methods.