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Issue: Vol. 646 No. 3: 6 May 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-05-06
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.646.3.1
Page range: 213-229
Abstract views: 7
PDF downloaded: 1

A new cryptic species in Behria (Asparagaceae, Brodiaeoideae), from the Baja California peninsula, Mexico

Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. San Claudio s/n, Puebla, Puebla, 72570, Mexico
Departamento de Botánica y Zoología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ing. Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Nextipac, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45200, Mexico. Laboratorio Nacional de Identificación y Caracterización Vegetal (LaniVeg), Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ing. Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Nextipac, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45200, Mexico.
CONACYT – Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Mexico
Departamento de Botánica y Zoología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ing. Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Nextipac, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45200, Mexico. Laboratorio Nacional de Identificación y Caracterización Vegetal (LaniVeg), Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ing. Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Nextipac, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45200, Mexico.
Bessera geophytes morphological data climatic preferences Sierra de la Laguna Monocots

Abstract

Behria is a genus of petaloid geophytes endemic to the Cape Region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It belongs to the Milla clade within the subfamily Brodiaeoideae of the Asparagaceae family. Currently, Behria tenuiflora is the only recognized species within this genus. In our methodological approach, we considered two distinct floral morphotypes: Group A consists of populations found at lowland elevations (10–150 m), while Group B comprises plants growing at mid to high elevations (400–2060 m). The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are discernible morphological differences and correlations with climate variables between Behria Group A and Group B. To address this, we measured nine quantitative characters for 94 plants from seven populations of Behria tenuiflora. Our findings revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in pedicel length, perianth length, perianth base diameter, and perianth aperture diameter of the analyzed Behria groups. Based on these results, we propose the recognition of Behria leonis as a new species. Additionally, we provide a morphological key for distinguishing Behria and Bessera genera, along with illustrations, a distribution map, and photographs.

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