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Serological contributions to the systematics of Ulex (Genisteae – Fabaceae) and allied genera
Author(s) -
Feoli–Chiapella Laura,
Cristofolini Giovanni
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
nordic journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.333
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1756-1051
pISSN - 0107-055X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-1051.1981.tb01158.x
Subject(s) - ulex europaeus , biology , genus , sect , systematics , botany , fabaceae , taxonomy (biology) , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , lectin , agglutinin
Seven Ulex species were compared serologically with 21 species of related genera. Seed proteins were employed to immunize rabbits; immune sera to 17 species were produced. The presence or absence of differential characters (spurs) was detected in immunodiffusion experiments and recorded in a square matrix for each antiserum. The interspecific correlation was then computed, and an ordination on principal components was obtained. The results suggested that: (1) Ulex L. should include sect. Pseudogenista (= genus Nepa Webb) and sect. Slauracanthus (= genus Stauracanthus Link); (2) sect. Stauracanihus is closer to sect. Ulex than to sect. Pseudogenista; (3) Ulex is markedly dissimilar from any other genus, its highest similarity being to Genista sect. Phyllobotrys and to Chamaespartium; (4) Ulex behaves like other derived genera and can be regarded as an extremely derived form within the Genista evolutionary line; (5) Echinospartum seems a primitive genus, it is not closely related to Ulex but rather to Cytisanthus and allied genera. There is a good agreement between these results and morphological, phytogeographical and caryological evidence. A general outline of evolutionary relationships within the Genisteae is presented.