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Supporting Spartina : Interdisciplinary perspective shows Spartina as a distinct solid genus
Author(s) -
Bortolus Alejandro,
Adam Paul,
Adams Janine B.,
Ainouche Malika L.,
Ayres Debra,
Bertness Mark D.,
Bouma Tjeerd J.,
Bruno John F.,
Caçador Isabel,
Carlton James T.,
Castillo Jesus M.,
Costa Cesar S. B.,
Davy Anthony J.,
Deegan Linda,
Duarte Bernardo,
Figueroa Enrique,
Gerwein Joel,
Gray Alan J.,
Grosholz Edwin D.,
Hacker Sally D.,
Hughes A. Randall,
MateosNaranjo Enrique,
Mendelssohn Irving A.,
Morris James T.,
MuñozRodríguez Adolfo F.,
Nieva Francisco J. J.,
Levin Lisa A.,
Li Bo,
Liu Wenwen,
Pennings Steven C.,
Pickart Andrea,
RedondoGómez Susana,
Richardson David M.,
Salmon Armel,
Schwindt Evangelina,
Silliman Brian R.,
Sotka Erik E.,
Stace Clive,
Sytsma Mark,
Temmerman Stijn,
Turner R. Eugene,
Valiela Ivan,
Weinstein Michael P.,
Weis Judith S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1002/ecy.2863
Subject(s) - spartina , monophyly , ecology , biology , paraphyly , subgenus , genus , biogeography , clade , phylogenetic tree , wetland , marsh , biochemistry , gene
In 2014, a DNA‐based phylogenetic study confirming the paraphyly of the grass subtribe Sporobolinae proposed the creation of a large monophyletic genus Sporobolus , including (among others) species previously included in the genera Spartina , Calamovilfa , and Sporobolus. Spartina species have contributed substantially (and continue contributing) to our knowledge in multiple disciplines, including ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, biogeography, experimental ecology, biological invasions, environmental management, restoration ecology, history, economics, and sociology. There is no rationale so compelling to subsume the name Spartina as a subgenus that could rival the striking, global iconic history and use of the name Spartina for over 200 yr. We do not agree with the subjective arguments underlying the proposal to change Spartina to Sporobolus . We understand the importance of both the objective phylogenetic insights and of the subjective formalized nomenclature and hope that by opening this debate we will encourage positive feedback that will strengthen taxonomic decisions with an interdisciplinary perspective. We consider that the strongly distinct, monophyletic clade Spartina should simply and efficiently be treated as the genus Spartina .