Morphometric studies suggest taxonomic changes in a species complex in Chromolaena (Asteraceae, Eupatorieae, Praxelinae)

Abstract

The Chromolaena congesta complex (Asteraceae, Eupatorieae) presents a difficult challenge for biodiversity researchers due to the intertwined connections of its species and the difficulty of establishing morphological boundaries. In this study, we aimed to use morphometric analyses to evaluate the delimitation of the taxa belonging to the C. congesta complex, identify informative morphological traits and to understand the identity of several “atypical” specimens morphologically related to the complex. To achieve this, we used cluster and principal component analysis to evaluate 50 morphological traits from a total of 210 specimens throughout the geographic distribution of the species complex. We found support for the recognition of at least six species - Chromolaena ascendens, C. gentianoides, C. hirsuta, C. latisquamulosa, C. rhinanthacea and C. squarrulosa - according to a phenetic species concept and to corroborate the restoration of three species from synonymy. Furthermore, our results provide a morphological recircumscription of C. congesta and C. elliptica and indicate two taxonomic novelties, including a new combination and a new species. Despite the answers provided by morphology, many taxonomic issues remain to be solved, and further studies with other types of evidence should be carried to contribute towards a more stable classification.