Recircumscription of the Canary Island endemics Argyranthemum broussonetii and A. callichrysum (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) based on evolutionary relationships and morphology

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis has revealed that Argyranthemum broussonetii is polyphyletic, with subsp. broussonetii (Tenerife) and subsp. gomerensis (La Gomera) resolved in separate clades within the Macaronesian endemic genus Argyranthemum. We show that A. broussonetii subsp. broussonetii and subsp. gomerensis are similar in leaf traits, likely a consequence of adaptation to similar habitats, but that the two can readily be distinguished based on capitula and cypselae characteristics. Indeed, A. broussonetii subsp. gomerensis was found to share greater affinity with A. callichrysum, also from La Gomera based on capitula and cypselae characters, in agreement with its phylogenetic placement. Therefore, we propose that A. broussonetii subsp. gomerensis should be recognized as a subspecies of A. callichrysum, specifically A. callichrysum subsp. gomerensis. A key to differentiate A. broussonetii, A. callichrysum subsp. callichrysum and subsp. gomerensis is provided.