Phytotaxa 270 (3): 161–181 ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/pt/ PHYTOTAXA Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press Article ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.270.3.1 Anatomy and morphology suggest a hybrid origin of Zamia katzeriana (Zamiaceae) MIGUEL A. PÉREZ-FARRERA1,2, ANDREW P. VOVIDES3, CHRISTIAN RUIZ-CASTILLEJOS2, SONIA GALICIA3, ANGÉLICA CIBRIÁN-JARAMILLO4 & SERGIO LÓPEZ2 1Herbario Eizi Matuda, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Libramiento Norte Poniente 1150, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México, 29039. 2Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Libramiento Norte Poniente 1150, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México, 29039. E-mails: miguel.perez@ unicach.mx,
[email protected],
[email protected] 3Dept. Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Apartado Postal 63, Xalapa, Veracruz, México, 91000. E-mails:
[email protected],
[email protected]. 4Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, León, Irapuato, Guanajuato, CP36821, México. E-mail:
[email protected] Author for correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract The validity of Zamia splendens has been debated, mainly as a result of its synonymy under Z. katzeriana. Field explorations have uncovered previously unknown populations, and some do not appear to match the circumscription of Z. katzeriana. Some populations are morphologically more similar to, and often sympatric with, Z. loddigesii. This study aims at clarify- ing the morphological and anatomical distinction between the three taxa. To study the morphological variation, a total of 88 individuals from four populations were sampled, these spanning the geographical range of the three cycads in southern Mexico.