Biosystematics of the Brachyscome aculeata (Labill.) Less. sensu G.L. Davis species complex (Compositae: Asterae).

Abstract

B. aculeata (Labill.) Less. (New South Wales and Victoria), B. cuneifolia Tate (South Australia), B. sieberi var. gunnii DC. (Tasmania) and B. spathulata Gaudich. ( = B. scapiformis DC.) (New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania) are names shown to refer to separate species. The two varieties of B. spathulata have been recognized as two subspecies: subsp. spathulata (mainland Australia) and subsp, glabra (Tasmania). All species are n = 9 or polyploid on n = 9. Small B-chromosomes have been found at high frequency in B. sieberi var. gunnii and B. aculeata, but rarely in B. spathulata. Strong genetic barriers separate pairs of sympatric species.