Patterns of morphological variation in the Acacia species (Mimosaceae) of northern Sudan |
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Authors: | MAHA KORDOFANI MARTIN INGROUILLE |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biology, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX |
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Abstract: | KORDOFANI, M. & INGROUILLE, M., 1991. Patterns of morphological variation in the Acacia species (Mimosaceae) of northern Sudan. A numerical taxonomic review has been carried out on the morphology of northern Sudanese Acacia species. Fifty-one characters were scored from 12 species sampled at 12 sites. There is evidence of large scale population variation. Within a single site species are distinct but a comparison of plants between different sites may obscure species differences. Each species has a peculiar local variant in each sampled site, even when sites are separated by only a few kilometres. The possible significance of this pattern of variation is discussed. Species complexes are delineated and useful species diagnostics described. |
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Keywords: | Infraspecific variation morphology numerical taxonomy population |
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