ARPHA Preprints, doi: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e165576
Adjusting Subspecific Boundaries of the Wild Banana Musa acuminata Complex (Musaceae) in Thailand based on Morphological and Genetic Variations
expand article infoWandee Inta, Sasivimon Swangpol§, Peerakitt Srikranoon§, Tosak Seelanan|, Wipawee Nilapaka, Kanokporn Athawongsa#, Narongsak Sukkaewmanee¤, Jamorn Somana«, Tiwa Rotchanaoreeda«, Sirapope Wongniam»
‡ Department of medical sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand§ Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand| Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand¶ Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand# The Medicinal Plant Information Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol Universit, Bangkok, Thailand¤ Art Education Section, Faculty of Anthropology and Social Science, Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University, Ratchaburi, Thailand« Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand» Research and Innovation Division, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Open Access
Abstract

Thailand, a recognized cradle of wild banana Musa acuminata diversity, has long been considered home to four subspecies: siamea, burmannica, malaccensis and microcarpa. However, recent extensive field surveys across the country have unveiled a more complex picture, necessitating a revision of their taxonomic classification. This study revisits the subspecific classification of M. acuminata in Thailand, reassessing the boundaries, descriptions, and distributions of previously reported subspecies using morphological and molecular data. Our findings reveal a distinct new subspecies, M. acuminata subsp. kraburiensis, located in the Kra Isthmus. This subspecies occupies a transitional zone between M. acuminata subsp. siamea in northern Thailand and M. acuminata subsp. malaccensis in peninsular Thailand. Notably, we also discovered a northern occurrence of the latter subspecies, suggesting a potential dispersal route along the Thailand-Myanmar mountain range. Furthermore, we document novel forms within existing subspecies, i.e., yellow bract mutants and aberration of male inflorescence architecture, in addition to a new subspecific record of subsp. truncata in Thailand. Conversely, neither subsp. burmannica, subsp. burmannicoides nor subsp. microcarpa were observed during this study. Based on our comprehensive analysis of the M. acuminata complex in Thailand, we advocate for maintaining subspecific rather than varietal designations. A key for identifying M. acuminata subspecies in Thailand based on critical diagnostic characters including leaf base shape, rachis position, and the aestivation and colour of male bracts, is presented.

Keywords
Musa acuminata, subspecies, Isthmus of Kra, truncata, multiple male buds, phenetics, plant morphology, yellow bract
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