Looking for volunteers to make measurements on Opuntia stricta and O. anahuacensis
The distinction between Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. and O. anahuacensis Griffiths may be sometimes straighforward but the latter is often not recognized in floras and electronic databases as an independent taxon.
At least in the Mediterranean basin it seems that there is a rather precise zonation of the two species.
I think that measurements on various morphological characters on a sufficiently large number of specimens could allow to support the recognition of the two taxa as different species. As regards, I have drawn a preliminary list of possible characters.
Where I live plants corresponding to the concept of O. anahuacensis are predominant, while in western Mediterranean it seems the opposite.
I am wondering if there are some volunteers from the locus classicus (southern Texas) and western and central-eastern Mediterranean to join a research group to try to make such study.
Whoever thinks to be able to help in any manner is welcome.
Also comments and suggestions are welcome.
Feel free to forward this post to anyone, provided that this person is willing to help.
I hope not to have bothered you with this post and thanks for the attention.
@duarte @nelson_conceicao @joaotiagotavares @deinonyco @sandro_bogdanovic @sebcato @davidferguson @dragolacerto @aidancampos @ilop7 @eric_keith @adkonings
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I like the idea, hope it becomes a reality as I see the distinction of the two species and think that the two taxa should both be valid and taken as such. Let me know if you need anything from my area!
Ok, for the moment thank you for the quick reply and, in the case, have happy summer holidays.
Thank you, same to you! My field work is mostly done for the time being as I have some exams left over for but at least I will be at home and have some time to write some papers ;)
Hi Valerio.
I love the idea! Tell me if you need anything from Baixa Tordera or surroundings (central coastal Catalonia)
Thanks for tagging me
@ilop7 you're welcome and thank you for the availability
we could exchange our email (via private message), so I could send you the list of characters.
NB: I think you noted that the plants observed in the easternmost part of Catalonia (Cap de Creus) are anahuacensis and not stricta.
@z_short @craigpeter
@italopithecus Thank you for the invite. We have been investigating this as a side project in Queensland, Australia. I would been keen to collaborate.
I have been chatting with @davidferguson and have created a list of morphological characters for Opuntia dillenii , O. stricta and O. anahuacensis, happy to share.
We have also completed some genetic screening and so far have some interesting results, though we are still looking for a good gene region to separate O. stricta and O. anahuacensis, we think this is possible.
Keen to discuss further.
@z_short thank you for the feedback
I will send you my email via private message to discuss this topic further
@miwi2020
Sorry - for the next months I will not be in places where these cacti grow.
Ok, thanks for the reply
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