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 Muhlenbergia subg. Ramulosae subgen. nov. In our treatment we place M. gigantea (younger name) as a synonym of M. mutica. Lectotypes are designated for the names Agrostis microsperma Lag., Epicampes gigantea E. Fourn., Lamarckia tenella DC., Muhlenbergia adspersa Trin., M. diversiglumis Trin., M. exilis E. Fourn., M. flabellata Mez, M. setarioides E. Fourn., Pereilema ciliatum E. Fourn., P. crinitum var. cirratum E. Fourn., Podosemum ciliatum Kunth, P. tenuissimum J. Presl, and Schellingia tenera Steud.