Phenetic distinction between the dwarf yellow water-lilies: Nuphar microphylla and N. pumila (Nymphaeaceae)

Abstract

Nuphar pumila (Timm) DC. and Nuphar microphylla (Pers.) Fern. are morphologically similar yellow waterlily species that are often regarded as conspecific or recognized as varieties of Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. This phenetic study analyzes 18 features of vegetative, floral, and fruit morphology scored from North American populations of N. microphylla and Eurasian populations of N. pumila. Morphological similarities among specimens were assessed by univariate statistics, clustering by the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA), and ordination by principal components analyses. Means for 17 of the 18 quantitative variables differed significantly between operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the two species, and an UPGMA phenogram provided good separation of OTUs. Principal components analysis also provided reasonable separation of OTUs, indicating leaf and fruit characters as strong distinguishing features. Multivariate analyses indicate two similar, yet distinct, morphological entities. When coupled with qualitative features, geographical barriers, and putative physiological barriers, morphometric data support the taxonomic recognition of two closely related species. Both species are most closely related to the Japanese endemic Nuphar japonica DC.

Department(s)

Biology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1139/b98-125

Keywords

Nuphar, Nymphaeaceae, Phenetics, Taxonomy, Water-lily

Publication Date

1-1-1998

Journal Title

Canadian Journal of Botany

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