Abstract

MORALES-GARDUNO, Luis; VILLASENOR, José Luis  and  VALENCIA-AVALOS, Susana. Taxonomic revision of Brickellia section Barroetea (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) based on multivariate analysis. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2023, vol.94, e944983.  Epub June 21, 2024. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2023.94.4983.

Barroetea A. Gray, previously considered an Asteraceae genus, based on molecular evidence is now circumscribed as a monophyletic group at the level of taxonomic section within the genus Brickellia. Although the phylogenetic relationships at molecular level seem to be resolved, the species morphology is not; therefore, this study evaluates the species morphological variation and their circumscription. A total of 242 specimens housed in the Herbario Nacional de México (MEXU) plus recent collections were reviewed, along with protologues and images of the type specimens of the species included in the section. Based on 16 morphological characters and 153 individuals, a multivariate analysis was performed with 7 morphospecies recognized. With the help of the morphological similarities and the review of protologues it is concluded that Brickellia section Barroetea includes 6 species (Brickellia brevipes, B. jimenezii, B. laxiflora, B. pavonii, B. sonorana, and B. subuligera). The taxonomic review included nomenclatural changes, the designation of nomenclatural types and the morphological variation of each recognized species are discussed. A taxonomic key for their identification and geographic distribution maps are provided.

Keywords : Alomiinae; Endemic species; Mexico; Linear morphology; PERMANOVA.