New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
Morphological variation of the Leucopogon fraseri complex (Ericaceae:
Styphelieae) in New Zealand, and recognition of a new species, L. nanum
Murray I. Dawson
P. B. Heenan
Allan Herbarium
Landcare Research
P. O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
Abstract Morphological variation within the widespread
Leucopogon fraseri complex in New Zealand was investigated. Phenetic
analyses (including multivariate principal component and cluster analysis)
are presented, based on 22 vegetative and floral characters, from 62 plants
grown under uniform conditions, collected from 37 sites. Results indicate
that there is one distinct segregate, often known as Leucopogon fraseri
var. muscosus, with the most diminutive stature, and smaller, more
densely crowded leaves. We recognise this segregate at species rank and provide
the new name Leucopogon nanum. Leucopogon nanum is restricted
to short-tussockland terraces and inner montane basins in the South Island
of New Zealand, where it is frequently sympatric with more widespread and
variable members of the L. fraseri complex. A detailed description
of L. nanum is provided with notes on distribution, habitat, and recognition.
We treat the variety muscosus as incertae sedis, as the type
specimen is from a cultivated plant referable to either vigorous L. nanum
or a depauperate montane to subalpine ecotype of L. fraseri. For the
remainder of the study group, the analyses do not reveal any other discrete
groups. Although there is partial resolution of three broad geographic ecotypes
that we recognise in the field from coastal, lowland, and montane to subalpine
areas, they demonstrate considerable intrapopulational and interpopulational
variation for some characters. Consequently, the available evidence does
not support taxonomic recognition of these ecotypes. Leucopogon nanum
has 2n = 16 chromosomes, the same number as most counts of L. fraseri
from New Zealand. These counts differ from Tasmanian (2n = 24) and
mainland Australian (2n = 8) material referred to L. fraseri
sens. lat., each of which seems morphologically and cytologically distinct
from New Zealand material.
Keywords Epacridaceae; Ericaceae; Styphelieae; Cyathodes;
Leucopogon; Cyathodes fraseri; Leucopogon fraseri; Leucopogon
nanum; morphological variation; phenetics; taxonomy; new species; chromosome
numbers; New Zealand flora; Australian flora
B03025; Received 23 July 2003; accepted 17 February 2004; Online publication
date 21 September 2004
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 537-564
0028-825X/04/4204-0537 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004
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