The first phenetic analysis of species limits in 'Bertya' (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract

Morphological and phytogeographical data support the recognition of 41 taxa in 'Bertya', a genus endemic to Australia with many rare and threatened species. We used 107 morphological characters (69 qualitative, 38 quantitative), including novel characters of leaf basal glands and indumenta, and 166 operational taxonomic units. In three iterations by using cluster analyses and semi-strong hybrid multidimentsional scaling ordination, operational taxonomic units were resolved into 41 species (6 new; 5 with very localised distributions). Fifteen (including 3 new) have or merit status as rare, endangered or threatened.