Combining ecological and morphometrical approaches to increase the resolution within the Galactia neesii (Leguminosae) complex

The objective of this paper is to resolve the taxonomic complex formed by G. neesii, G. martii, their infraspecific taxa, and other similar species, totaling eight names. This group grows from southern Uruguay to northeastern Brazil, and the morphology of individuals gradually changes along this latitudinal gradient, making it possible to identify many morphotypes that have been assigned by previous authors either as species or varieties. We combined ecological and morphometrical approaches to increase the resolution within this complex. We used two techniques of cluster analysis within the ecological data to find the correct number of clusters in the data set. The significant groups found by cluster analysis were then tested a posteriori with a permuted MANOVA to discover congruent morphological groups. Our results showed that from the eight previously hypothesized groups, only two were both ecologically and morphologically significant and could represent separately evolving lineages. The necessary nomenclatural changes as well as a short taxonomic description of the taxa are provided in this paper.