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Australian Systematic Botany Australian Systematic Botany Society
Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of plants
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Variation within Prostanthera spinosa (Lamiaceae): evidence from morphological and molecular studies

Mark L. Williams A , Andrew N. Drinnan A C and Neville G. Walsh B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

B Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra, Vic. 3141, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: and@unimelb.edu.au

Australian Systematic Botany 19(5) 467-477 https://doi.org/10.1071/SB05032
Submitted: 17 October 2005  Accepted: 6 July 2006   Published: 19 October 2006

Abstract

Specimens of Prostanthera spinosa F. Muell. representing the geographic range of the taxon were examined for morphological and genetic variation within the species. Patterns of morphological variation were documented and the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA fingerprinting technique was used to assess the genetic relationships among plants from different populations. Morphological and molecular results were in broad agreement and supported distinct groups in both analyses. The differences detected warrant taxonomic recognition and three species are described representing geographically disjunct regions. Plants from the Grampians in Victoria, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, group together and retain the name P. spinosa; plants from Mt Arapiles in Victoria are distinct and are recognised as a new species P. arapilensis; plants from the Fortis Creek National Park and adjacent areas in northern New South Wales are distinct and are identified as a new species, P. sejuncta.


Acknowledgments

We are grateful to John Westaway, NSW Department of Environment, Coffs Harbour, and Peter Hawker, Parks Victoria, Natimuk, for assistance with collection and fieldwork, and to Mali Moir, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne for providing the illustration.


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