Combined analysis of morphological and genetic markers reveals six species in the widespread taxon Khaya anthotheca (Welw.) C.DC (Meliaceae)

Bouka-Dipelet Ulrich Gaël, Doumenge Charles, Ekué Marius Rodrigue Mensah, Daïnou Kasso, Florence Jacques, Degen Bernd, Loumeto Jean-Joël, McKey Doyle B., Hardy Olivier J.. 2022. Combined analysis of morphological and genetic markers reveals six species in the widespread taxon Khaya anthotheca (Welw.) C.DC (Meliaceae). In : Diversity and conservation of African plants: Challenges and opportunities - Book of abstracts. Harvey-Brown Yvette (ed.). s.l. : s.n., p. 62. AETFAT Congress. 22, Livingstone, Zambie, 26 Juin 2022/1 Juillet 2022.

Résumé : The combination of genetic and morphological markers has been shown to be highly efficient in delineating cryptic species or complexes of poorly differentiated species. Speciation is not always accompanied by sufficient divergence in morphological characteristics to enable clear separation of species. Sometimes, what is considered a single species on morphological grounds is likely to contain a complex of biological species. This is the case of Khaya anthotheca, one of the African mahoganies of the family Meliaceae. Due to its morphological variability, the delimitation of this taxon varies according to different authors. By combining a morphological study of herbarium specimens with the genotyping of hundreds of samples using nuclear genetic markers (SNPs), we propose an assessment of the taxonomic limits of K. anthotheca. Nuclear SNPs allowed us to distinguish six different genetic groups. Four of these five groups have parapatric distributions and two of them are locally sympatric. Recognition of these genetic groups was reinforced by a fine analysis of morphological characters, so that they should be considered as separate species. The majority of these species recognized by all these analyses correspond in fact to species previously described but put in synonymy within K. anthotheca. However, two species are described for the first time. These results are particularly important given the pressure of logging on African mahoganies, as some of these groups may correspond to cryptic species that could be threatened by overexploitation.

Auteurs et affiliations

• Bouka-Dipelet Ulrich Gaël, UMNG (COG)
• Doumenge Charles, CIRAD-ES-UPR Forêts et sociétés (FRA)
• Ekué Marius Rodrigue Mensah, Bioversity International (CMR)
• Daïnou Kasso, Université de Liège (BEL)
• Florence Jacques, MNHN (FRA)
• Degen Bernd, Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics (DEU)
• Loumeto Jean-Joël, UMNG (COG)
• McKey Doyle B., CEFE (FRA)
• Hardy Olivier J., ULB (BEL)

Source : Cirad-Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/611726/)

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