Seed morpho-colorimetric analysis on some Tyrrhenian species of the Silene mollissima aggregate (Caryophyllaceae)

This study aims to evaluate the systematic treatment of some Tyrrhenian species of the Silene mollissima aggregate, which includes several western Mediterranean endemics, such as Silene badaroi, S. ichnusae, S. hicesiae, S. oenotriae and S. velutina. The intra- and inter-specific seed variability was investigated using the morpho-colorimetric analyses, applying a computer-aided image analysis technique. Our findings showed that shape, color and other seed coat features have a diagnostic value in this aggregate. Moreover, the applied methodology provided key information about the differentiation of the analyzed endemic taxa and their populations, highlighting same critical issues at systematic level. In particular, our results confirmed the current systematic treatment at section and species levels. Nevertheless, further investigations, regarding the taxonomic position of S. hicesiae into the whole aggregate, and the differentiation of S. ichnusae from S. velutina, would be needed. Furthermore, the employed analytical tool enabled to detect both the presence of relations and high differentiation rates at the inter-population level.