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Variability in Floral Display Size Among Philippine Hoya (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) Accessions
1  Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center, San Juan City 1504, Metro Manila, Philippines
Academic Editor: Mario A. Pagnotta

Published: 14 October 2024 by MDPI in The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Diversity session Plant Diversity
Abstract:

A diverse range of Hoya R. Br. species, known as wax plants, thrive in the Philippines, showcasing the country's rich ecological diversity. The reproductive success of these taxa is closely tied to their floral attributes, which play a significant role in attracting pollinators and influencing ecological interactions. Understanding these variations in floral display size can provide insights into the adaptability, evolutionary relationships, and potential for hybridization of these species. This study aimed to explore the variations in floral display size across 30 Hoya accessions from the Philippines. Inflorescence length and width were measured using a metric ruler, and statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA and UPGMA clustering with Euclidean distances in PAST version 4.03, were carried out. Significant differences were found in the quantitative parameters (p < 0.05). Distance coefficients ranged from 0.46 to 122.43, with the lowest coefficient indicating a significant resemblance in the size of flower displays between Hoya sp. Quezon and Hoya sp. Sibuyan. This close similarity suggests potential genetic affinity or shared ecological adaptations that may indicate similar environmental pressures shaping floral morphology. The highest coefficient noted between Hoya sp. Sindangan and Hoya multiflora Sablan, highlighting their significant disparity in floral display sizes, could reflect distinct evolutionary trajectories possibly driven by specialized ecological niches. The phenogram analysis based on floral display size identified clusters influenced by factors such as inflorescence complexity, corolla characteristics, and individual flower sizes. These clusters suggest shared reproductive strategies and pollinator interactions among grouped species, aiding in precise species classification and targeted conservation strategies. Understanding these floral variations enhances our grasp of morphological diversity within the genus, facilitating future taxonomic revisions and guiding conservation efforts in the Philippines.

Keywords: hoya; phenetics; inflorescence; wax plant

 
 
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