Taxonomic revision of Muhlenbergia (Poaceae, Chloridoideae, Cynodonteae, Muhlenbergiinae) in Central America: phylogeny and classification.

ABSTRACT

A taxonomic treatment of 38 species of Muhlenbergia, a phylogeny based on analysis of six DNA sequence markers, and classification of Muhlenbergia for Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama; and Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Yucatán, México) is given. With the support from a molecular phylogeny we describe Muhlenbergiasubg.Ramulosaesubgen. nov. In our treatment we place M.gigantea (younger name) as a synonym of M.mutica. Lectotypes are designated for the names Agrostismicrosperma Lag., Epicampesgigantea E. Fourn., Lamarckiatenella DC., Muhlenbergiaadspersa Trin., M.diversiglumis Trin., M.exilis E. Fourn., M.flabellata Mez, M.setarioides E. Fourn., Pereilemaciliatum E. Fourn., P.crinitumvar.cirratum E. Fourn., Podosemumciliatum Kunth, P.tenuissimum J. Presl, and Schellingiatenera Steud.