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Variability in morphological characters of different taxons of the genus Stylosanthes SW.(Leguminosae - Papilionoideae)^*

Alice Battistin^I; Paulo Sodero Martins^II

^IDepartamento de Biologia, Setor: Genética, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97119 Santa Maria, RS, Brasil. Send correspondence to A.B.
^IIDepartamento de Genética, ESALQ/USP, Caixa Postal 83, 13400 Piracicaba, SP, Brasil

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to obtain basic information on intra- and inter-specific variability of different morphological traits in seven species and three varieties of the genus Stylosanthes Sw.
Nineteen taxonomically important morphological traits were measured and the data statistically analyzed.
The results showed that: 1) there is ample variability within and among species and varieties in terms of measurable vegetative, floral and fruit characters, indicating a considerable capacity of adaptation to different environments; 2) traits analyzed by numerical taxonomy provide a clearer differentiation of the species, establishing more precisely the evolutionary lines of the genus; 3) the variability of the varieties microcephala, canescens and vulgaris is as wide as that observed within and among the different species. Therefore, it is not possible to establish a differentiating criterion for species and varieties; 4) the dimorphism of the lomentum (one or two joints) is an adaptative character and indicates phylogenetic connection among species.

Keywords: variability; morphological; characters; taxons; Stylosanthes.

REFERENCES

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* Part of a Masters Thesis presented by A.B. to the Department of Genetics, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, SP