Taxonomic Swap 46552
(Draft)
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Comments
Let's please keep the discussion in one place, on the flag. Thanks!
So what's the purpose of the comment window here? Please explain?
This is not part of a discussion, this is relevant data presented so it is available to those reviewing this taxon swap draft.
Sometimes the taxon swap comments section is definitely used for the main discussion, but since it has already begun at the flag, let's please focus it there rather than fragment the conversation.
The flag is already linked to in the description of the taxon swap, so it is very easily available. In addition, on the taxon page, curators see a pink notification that the taxon is flagged for discussion. Three paragraphs of evidence and numerous links are definitely part of a discussion, not to mention your "vote" that you are against the taxon swap, which invites others to respond here.
This comment is against.
Opuntia macrarthra, O. lata, and what is being called O. "mesacantha" are distinct taxa and do not belong together. They are related, but differ in morphology, behavior. O. macrarthra occurs microsympatrically with both O. "mesacantha" and O. lata and remains distinct. It is easily distinguishable from both. O. macrarthra and O. lata are diploid, but distinctly morphologically different. O. "mesacantha" is much like O. lata, but averages less spiny and is tetraploid. O. macrarthra is a large and more woody, more upright plant than either of the others, which are non-woody and shrivel in the winter.
It is likely that all three occur sympatrically, but this has apparently yet to be verified.
Combining these taxa based on a single publication makes no sense. There is a long history of O. lata and O. macrarthra being treated as distinct species. The name O. mesacantha [as recently defined = O. pollardii] has separate issues, and may be invalid under the ICN, but this is a separate issue that I will not elaborate on here.
Here are some supporting links:
2016 - Kirk Holmes - 'MORPHOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF OPUNTIA MILLER ON THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA'.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3471&context=all_theses
Specimen of O. lata from Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, Charlton County, GA
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16461526
Specimen of O. macrarthra from Okefenokee NWR, Charlton County, GA
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/13369889
Specimen of O. macrarthra from Edisto Beach, South Carolina
https://www.opuntiads.com/wp-content/gallery/opuntia-macrarthra/IMG_9318.JPG
Discussion of Opuntia macrarthra, with link to type description:
https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-macrartha/
Designation of neotype for O. macrarthra:
https://www.phytoneuron.net/2014Phytoneuron/106PhytoN-OpuntiaTypes.pdf
Britton & Rose plate showing O. macrarthra pad with fruit:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/100137#page/121/mode/1up
Britton & Rose plate showing O. macrarthra pad with flower:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/100137#page/181/mode/1up
Britton & Rose entry for O. macrarthra:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/100137#page/183/mode/1up
Neotype specimen of O. macrarthra:
https://learninglab.si.edu/resources/view/1253913#more-info - neotype
Isoneotype specimen of O. macrarthra:
https://learninglab.si.edu/resources/view/1311879# - isoneotype
holotype specimen of O. lata:
http://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/vh/specimen_details.php?irn=649536
Britton & Rose description of O. lata:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/100137#page/298/mode/1up
Britton & Rose identification key including O. lata and O. macrarthra:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/100137#page/176/mode/1up