The taxonomy, ecology and biology of the 'Banksia spinulosa' SM. complex (Proteaceae)

Abstract

The 'Banksia spinulosa' complex ranges from Mossman in north Queensland down the east coast of Australia to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, with four isolated populations in central Queensland. A morphometric analysis (SSH-MDS ordination and UPGMA clustering) of individuals for 34 characters and 234 specimens from mature plants collected across the full geographic and morphological range of the 'B. spinulosa' complex supports the recognition of 'Banksia vincentia' (Chapter 2), the recognition of the four other named entities ('B. neoanglica', 'B. spinulosa', 'B. collina sens. str.', 'B. cunninghamii'), and of 12 putative entities, viz. B. Julatten, B. Mount Mee, B. Tewantin, B. McPherson Range, B. Kungala, B. Putty Road, B. Carnarvon Gorge, B. Robinson Gorge, B. Isla Gorge, B. Cockatoo, B. Croajingolong, B. Wilsons Promontory (Chapter 3). The results in chapters 2–3 are considered and discussed in the context of competing species concepts. The integrated species concept of De Queiroz is favoured and informs the need for the study undertaken on seedling morphology (Chapter 4). Examination of seedling morphology illustrates the importance of looking at both adult and seedling morphology when delimiting species. While most entities in the 'B. spinulosa' complex are heteroblastic several are homoblastic. Aside from these developmental changes, leaf morphology is relatively fixed for entities in the 'B. spinulosa' complex regardless of biotic or abiotic influences (Chapter 4).