The species of <em>Mentzelia</em> (Loasaceae) in Mexico, part 2: <em>Mentzelia</em> section <em>Bartonia</em>
Background: Mentzelia (Loasaceae) is primarily distributed in western North America. The genus is classified into six monophyletic sections, among which species of section Bartonia are particularly poorly understood. Questions: What species of Mentzelia section Bartonia occur in Mexico? What are...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedad Botánica de México, A. C.
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Botanical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/2828 |
| Summary: | Background: Mentzelia (Loasaceae) is primarily distributed in western North America. The genus is classified into six monophyletic sections, among which species of section Bartonia are particularly poorly understood.
Questions: What species of Mentzelia section Bartonia occur in Mexico? What are the species distribution ranges and what are their defining attributes?
Study species: Mentzelia section Bartonia.
Methods: Field, herbarium, distribution, and scanning electron microscopy studies were conducted to assess species diversity. Seed coat microsculpture patterns were evaluated to confirm species identities and understand their distributions throughout Mexico.
Results: Six species from section Bartonia were recognized, with taxa distributed into either the Chihuahuan or Sonoran deserts. Mentzelia longiloba var. pinacatensis is the only Mexican endemic.
Conclusions: Although this work comprehensively addressed the species of section Bartonia in Mexico, two groups will continue to present identification challenges: the M. longiloba and M. mexicana-M. saxicola complexes. Overlapping and variable characters will continue to complicate species identification in the M. longiloba complex, while the late-season loss of primary leaves will obscure species identification between M. mexicana and M. saxicola.
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| ISSN: | 2007-4298 2007-4476 |