ARS | Publication request: A New Species and Key to the Jaltomata (Solanaceae) of Mexico

Submitted to: Novon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 5, 2009
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Citation: Mione, T., Spooner, D.M. 2010. A New Species and Key to the Jaltomata (Solanaceae) of Mexico. Novon. 20(2):186-189.

Interpretive Summary: An outgroup is a term used in evolutionary studies to define a taxonomic group outside of the group under study. It is used to “root” trees of relationships, to help show how organisms evolved. The genus Jaltomata is the outgroup of Solanum, a group that includes both tomatoes and potatoes. This paper describes a new species from Mexico and compares these to all four other species from Mexico.

Technical Abstract: A new Jaltomata (Solanaceae) species from Mexico is described, and a key to the five Jaltomata of Mexico is provided. Known only from the type locality, the new Jaltomata species is distinguished from the similar Jaltomata by having a purple flowering calyx to 6.8 mm in diameter, calyx lobes both recurved and concave in cross section, and a fruiting calyx diameter to 10 mm. In contrast, J. procumbens has a green (sometimes with purple lobe tips) flowering calyx not recurved, not concave in cross section, with a diameter larger than 7 mm, and a fruiting calyx diameter greater than 10 mm.