A common boundary between distinct northern and southern morphotypes in two unrelated Tasmanian rainforest species
Date
2000
Authors
Barnes, R.
Jordan, G.
Hill, R.
McCoull, C.
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Journal article
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Australian Journal of Botany, 2000; 48(4):481-491
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Richard W. Barnes, Gregory J. Jordan, Robert S. Hill and Colin J. McCoull
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Abstract
<jats:p>
The variation in selected leaf morphological traits was examined across the
geographic ranges of two Tasmanian rainforest species,
Tasmannia lanceolata (Poiret) A.C.Smith and
Eucryphia milliganii Hook.f. Comparisons of field- and
glasshouse-grown plants for both species showed that there is strong genetic
control of all the morphological characters measured. Two distinct
morphotypes, occupying similar areas of Tasmania, were identified in each
species. The geographic boundary between the morphotypes is similar in both
species and runs more or less east–west, separating each species into
northern and southern forms. Southern E. milliganii
differs from the northern form in having ovate leaves with dense marginal
trichomes and a pubescent abaxial leaf lamina. A new subspecies,
E. milliganii ssp. pubescens, is
described to encompass this intra-specific variation in southern Tasmania.
Southern T. lanceolata has encrypted stomata,
contrasting with the superficial stomata of the northern form, but is not
considered sufficiently different to warrant separate taxonomic status. The
boundary is difficult to explain in terms of modern environmental factors. A
past period of significantly different climate from the present, perhaps
combined with anthropogenic fire regimes, may have enabled allopatric
differentiation within each species.</jats:p>
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Copyright © CSIRO 2000