Re-appraisal of the taxonomy of Acacia holosericea, including the description of a new species, A. Colei, and the reinstatement of A. Neurocarpa

The taxonomic status of Acacia holosericea A. Cunn. ex Don is re-appraised in the light of recent isozyme, chromosome and field studies, as well as from a critical examination of specimens at BM, BRI, K, DNA and PERTH. Accordingly, A. holosericea, as traditionally defined, is now regarded as comprising three distinct species, each corresponding to a different level of ploidy. Acacia holosericea A. Cunn. ex Don (tetraploid) is widespread, principally in tropical/subtropical areas of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Acacia neurocarpa A. Cunn. ex Hook, (diploid), occurs in tropical/subtropical Western Australia and the Northern Territory and until now has been regarded as conspecific with A. holosericea. Acacia colei Maslin and Thomson (hexaploid) is described as a new species which appears to have evolved as an allopolyploid hybrid between A. neurocarpa and A. cowleana (tetraploid). It is widespread and common in subtropical/arid Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. These four species are illustrated, mapped and their principal discriminating features given in tabular form and in a key. Acacia holosericea is neotypified to exclude A. neurocarpa, and A. neurocarpa is lectotypified to exclude A. dunnii (Maiden) Turrill. © 1992, CSIRO. All rights reserved

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for the banded ironstone endemic acacia karina (Leguminosae: Mimosaceae) and cross-species amplification with A. stanleyi and A. jibberdingensis

Microsatellite markers were developed for the banded ironstone endemic shrub Acacia karina to examine genetic diversity, range-wide differentiation and mating system parameters. Nine loci were developed and in a sample of 20 individuals from one population the number of alleles ranged from 4 to 12 per locus and observed heterozygosities from 0.556 to 0.824. All loci were tested for cross-species amplification in two other south-west Australian Acacia species thought to be closely related to A. karina. Of these nine loci, eight were polymorphic in A. jibberdingensis and three in A. stanleyi. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010