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A Taxonomic Revision of Tovomita (Clusiaceae)

Gahagen, Benjamin A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1437438136

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences).
Tovomita Aubl. is a small genus of trees, shrubs, and hemi-epiphytes distributed in Central America, the West Indies, northern South America, and the Atlantic Coast of Brazil. Species in Tovomita are distinguished from other genera in Clusiaceae by exhibiting sepals that completely envelope the bud, sympodial branching, evident styles and stylodia, and a vascularized arilloid structure covering the seed. Little is known about the foliar micromorphology and anatomy of Tovomita. The genus was last revised in 1892 by Julian Vesque, who described and provided a key for 36 species. Several species have been recognized since that time. The primary aim of this research project was to conduct systematic studies resulting in a taxonomic revision of the genus Tovomita. The systematic studies encompassed a range of methods and diverse objectives. One objective was a phenetic investigation of the large Tovomita weddelliana species complex using traits from herbarium specimens, analyzed with univariate and multivariate approaches. Analyses resulted in the resurrection of several species names and description of five new species. Other objectives examined leaf anatomy and micromorphology. Foliar micromorphology and petiole vasculature of several Tovomita species was also examined. Comparative analysis of stomatal and epidermal cell characteristics, in addition to variations in petiole vasculature patterns, showed taxonomic value in distinguishing individual species and larger species groups. These foliar characteristics appear to reflect the evolutionary history of the genus and may provide insights into phylogenetic groups in Tovomita. Future studies in Tovomita should focus on defining other micromorphological and anatomical characters to use for species circumscription and phylogenetic inference. The cumulative results of systematic investigations of Tovomita were applied to a monographic revision of the genus in two parts, one on Central American taxa and the other on South American taxa. Hundreds of herbarium specimens were examined, and treatments were produced, complete with keys, typifications and synonymy, and descriptions.
Harvey Ballard (Advisor)
Morgan Vis (Committee Member)
Sarah Wyatt (Committee Member)
Shawn Kuchta (Committee Member)
Plant Biology
Clusiaceae; micromorphology; stomata; Tovomita

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gahagen, B. A. (2015). A Taxonomic Revision of Tovomita (Clusiaceae) [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1437438136

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gahagen, Benjamin. A Taxonomic Revision of Tovomita (Clusiaceae). 2015. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1437438136.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gahagen, Benjamin. "A Taxonomic Revision of Tovomita (Clusiaceae)." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1437438136

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1437438136
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.