Abstract

KHALIK, Kadry N. Abdel. A numerical taxonomic study of the family Zygophyllaceae from Egypt. Acta Bot. Bras. [online]. 2012, vol.26, n.1, pp. 165-180. ISSN 0102-3306.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062012000100017.

A systematic study of 29 taxa belonging to 7 genera of subfamilies Balanitoideae, Zygophylloideae, Peganoideae, Tribuloideae, Seetzenioideae and Tetradiclidoideae of Zygophyllaceae from Egypt was carried out by means of numerical analysis based on sixty-one morphological characters, including vegetative parts, pollen grains and seeds. On the basis of UPGMA clustering and PCO analysis, six main groups are recognized. Representatives of these groups are clustered together based on characters with high factor loadings in the PCO analysis. The results indicate that Zygophyllaceae are heterogeneous, including Peganum harmala which has been proposed to belong in a separate family. Zygophylloideae, Tribuloideae, Tetradiclidoideae and Seetzenioideae are the most homogeneous groups. Sections and groups in both Tribulus and Fagonia seem artificial.

Keywords : Zygophyllaceae; Balanitoideae; Zygophylloideae; Peganoideae; Tribuloideae; Seetzenioideae; Tetradiclidoideae; Numerical taxonomy; UPGMA cluster; PCO.