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Pattern of morphological variation and diversity of Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae) in MÉXICO
Author(s) -
ZizumboVillarreal Daniel,
Piñero Daniel
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.2307/2446421
Subject(s) - arecaceae , biology , cocos nucifera , botany , variation (astronomy) , diversity (politics) , palm , evolutionary biology , anthropology , quantum mechanics , sociology , astrophysics , physics
The pattern of morphological variation of Cocos nucifera in Mexico was statistically and numerically evaluated. Forty‐one populations were analyzed, using 17 morphological fruit characters. Principal components and cluster analyses indicated four main groups of coconut populations that showed high similarity with four different genotypes recently imported into Mexico from areas that could be the origin of Mexican coconut populations. These four genotypes were evaluated with regard to the lethal yellowing disease in Jamaica and showed a differential susceptibility. Therefore it is possible to speculate upon a difference in susceptibility of the Mexican genotypes. The analysis of correlation between morphological and geographical distances showed a high positive correlation that supports: (1) historical evidence that indicates early introductions of coconut from different regions of the world, (2) that on both coasts of Mexico two different patterns of dispersal were involved: continuous and in jumps. Collectively these results suggest that the impact of the lethal yellowing disease on coconut populations will vary depending on the specific area and the origin of its coconuts.