Taxonomic status of Ononis tridentata (Fabaceae) from Morocco, resolved by multivariate morphometric analyses

Abstract

In this study, we present the results of morphological studies on the SW Mediterranean Ononis tridentata aggregate, in order to establish the identity and taxonomic status of the only known Moroccan population. By using multivariate morphometric techniques (principal component analysis and discriminant analysis), we examined the diagnostic potential of 14 morphological characters. Moroccan individuals of O. tridentata are well characterised by their long inflorescence axis and calyx lobes frequently toothed among other distinguishing characters. As the Moroccan population is distinct in multivariate morphometric space and occupies an isolated geographical distribution, we recommend the taxonomic status of subspecies: O. tridentata subsp. mauretanica (Maire) Agulló, Juan, M.A. Alonso, Terrones & M.B. Crespo stat. nov.J.C.A. benefited from a predoctoral scholarship from CAM-Obra Social (Caja Mediterráneo) and A.T. was supported by a collaboration fellowship from Ministry of Education (EDU/1799/2010). Funding to visit MPU was provided by University of Alicante (ACIE10-01)