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Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Using molecular and morphometric data as operational criteria for the analysis of a threatened rainforest species complex shows interspecific variation, with implications for cryptic-species delimitation and conservation
Australian Systematic Botany, Vol.37(2), pp.1-17
2024
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Resolution of systematic associations and species boundaries is vital for developing conservation priorities for threatened taxa. A complex of Fontainea (Euphorbiaceae) populations, endemic to rainforest communities in central-eastern Australia, comprises several taxonomically challenging species. Fontainea oraria is Critically Endangered, with only one natural population of 10 mature individuals, with the closely related species F. australis being listed as Vulnerable. A recently discovered Fontainea population (currently nominated as F. sp. Coffs Harbour) with taxonomic similarities to F. oraria has been provisionally listed as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 40 individuals. This study employed an integrative approach, combining genetic data and morphometrics to determine species boundaries for three threatened Fontainea population groups as a model system for an integrative approach to delimiting cryptic species. Although our results suggest the potential subdivision of the population groups into three taxa, caution is warranted because this hypothesis remains inconclusive. Taxonomic challenges demand a careful approach, acknowledging the possibility of alternative interpretations. Contrary to supporting distinct species, our morphological and genetic data may also be interpreted as indicative of a single species with geographic variation, a phenomenon observed in genetically linked populations experiencing isolation by distance. Overall, we highlight the need for further research to establish species limits to guide conservation actions.
Details
- Title
- Using molecular and morphometric data as operational criteria for the analysis of a threatened rainforest species complex shows interspecific variation, with implications for cryptic-species delimitation and conservation
- Authors
- Aaron Brunton (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringPaul I Forster - Queensland HerbariumSteven Ogbourne - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringMaurizio Rossetto - Royal Botanic Garden SydneyDavid Schoeman - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringGabriel Conroy - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
- Publication details
- Australian Systematic Botany, Vol.37(2), pp.1-17
- Publisher
- C S I R O Publishing
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1071/SB23024
- ISSN
- 1446-5701; 1030-1887
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
- Data Availability
- The raw data that support this study will be made publicly available at https://github.com/AaronBrunton/Mol_moprho_article_data upon publication.
- Organisation Unit
- Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991017598902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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