Variabilidad morfológica de Ruprechtia apetala wedd. (Polygonaceae) en las sierras pampeanas y subandinas de la Argentina

Background and aims: Ruprechtia apetala (Polygonaceae) is a woody Chaquenian species with large morphological variability throughout its distribution range. The present study attempts to evaluate this variability within Argentina. MM the latter were evaluated by univariate analysis (Kruskal-Wallis test and cluster description by R) and multivariate (ANOSIM and PERMANOVA), to detect possible significant intraspecific differences. Additionally, a distribution map of the collected specimens was drawn up.  Results: From the multivariate analysis two morphological groups were detected, mainly at foliar and growth habit levels. The ANOSIM and PERMANOVA analysis show a significant global difference among both groups (p-value < 0,05); however, the corresponding statistics indicate a high similarity between them. Additionally, it was demonstrated that no characters are mutually exclusive to either group. Conclusions: Observed morphological differences between specimens from different biogeographical regions, though not mutually exclusive, allow postulating the existence of ecotypes within the species.