Systematic reinstatement of the Sumatra endemic species Mangifera sumatrana Miq. (Anacardiaceae)

Abstract

Mangifera sumatrana Miq. is an endemic species from Sumatra. The taxonomic status of M. sumatrana remains unclear and is currently treated as a synonym of M. laurina. The present study employed morphological and palynological characters and molecular analyses to address the delimitation between the two species. Pollen observations were carried out with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Phylogenetic relationships were investigated using the ITS and the trnl-F intergenic spacer markers. M. sumatrana differs from M. laurina by having pyramidal panicles with a low density of pale yellow flowers pale, sepals 3–3.5 × 1.7–2 mm, fruit roundish to flattened with pale yellow pulp, a rough fibre texture, and pollen with a prolate spheroidal shape. The MP phylogenetic tree showed a divergent boundary between the two species suggesting that M. sumatrana could be an independent species, not a variety of M. laurina. The present study supports the view that these two taxa can be treated as different species.