MIONE, THOMAS. Biological Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT 06050-4010, U.S.A. - Jaltomata (Solanaceae) of Costa Rica: species delimitation using morphological and ITS sequence variation.
The genus Jaltomata, widespread in Latin America, is noteworthy
because: 1) the corolla form is extremely variable among the 50
species, being rotate, tubular or campanulate, 2) flowers of most
species are protogynous, exhibiting post-anthesis filament elongation
immediately followed by anther dehiscence, 3) berries of most species
are consumed, and 4) red floral nectar is produced by some Andean
species. Although Jaltomata ranges from 40 to 2,900 m of
elevation in Costa Rica where it occupies diverse habitats, botanists
have recognized only a single species, J. procumbens (Cav.)
J.L. Gentry in the country. Recent field work suggests that the
diversity present in Costa Rica would be better reorganized as three
or four species, including J. procumbens and J.
repandidentata (Dunal) Hunz. Jaltomata repandidentata is
uniquely characterized by heteranthery, sigmoid filaments and curved
styles, but has been overlooked in Costa Rica until now. Species are
delimited through the use of comparative morphology, and ribosomal ITS
sequences obtained in the laboratory of Donald Les at the University
of Connecticut.
Key words: Costa Rica, ITS, Jaltomata, post-anthesis filament elongation, species delimitation