A revision of Cerdia (Caryophyllaceae) |
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Authors: | VICTORIA SOSA HELGA OCHOTERENA MANUEL ESCAMILLA |
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Institution: | Instituto de Ecologia, A.C., Apartado Postal 63, 91000 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico; Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-367, 04510 Mexico, DF, Mexico |
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Abstract: | Cerdia is a poorly understood genus of minute cushiony plants endemic to Mexico that is traditionally placed in subfamily Paronychioideae, tribe Polycarpeae (Caryophyllaceae). Morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis of ITS DNA sequences were carried out to determine the number of species, heretofore controversial, that constitute the genus as well as its position within Caryophyllaceae. Samples of Cerdia were collected through its entire range of distribution and together with previous specimens were used in morphological analyses. Nineteen terminal taxa were considered in a phylogenetic analysis with representatives of the different lineages in Caryophyllaceae. Results indicated that Cerdia is a monotypic genus, including only one variable species, C . virescens , but its phylogenetic affinities remain doubtful. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 1–13. |
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Keywords: | ITS Polycarpeae seed morphology |
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