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BIBTEX RIS

Alkanes from foliar epicuticular waxes of Huberia species: Taxonomic implications

1998; Elsevier BV; Volume: 26; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0305-1978(97)00131-2

1873-2925

Maria Regina Martins Mimura, Maria Luiza Faria Salatino, Antônio Salatino, José Fernando A. Baumgratz,

Plant and animal studies

Alkanes of foliar epicuticular waxes of 18 samples corresponding to eight species of Huberia DC. (Melastomataceae) were analysed. Two patterns of distribution were found, one characterized by samples with C31 or C33 and the other with C29 as the main homologue. These patterns are recognized in cluster analysis based on Euclidean distances and UPGMA. Huberia glazioviana and H. semiserrata showed intraspecific differences of alkane patterns, while H. ovalifolia and H. nettoana had conservative distributions, irrespective of variations in habitats where the species grow. We suggest that the alkanes can be a good taxonomic character at the species level for some taxa but not for others. The results of this and many other investigations with alkanes, showing substantial variation at the species level and below, cast doubts as to the usefulness of alkane distributions at higher hierarchic levels.