Contrasting perspectives on the measurements and taxonomy of Arceuthobium (Viscaceae): a long standing controversy

摘要

Kuijt (2016) recently published an exceptionally critical, unsolicited review of two articles on thetaxonomic classification of dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium, Viscaceae:) as well as the methods andmorphological characters utilized to delimit taxa. We respond to the criticisms of our methods andconclusions as presented in a paper we recently published in Phytologia on the morphometric analysis ofthree species in sect. Campylopoda: A. campylopodum, A. laricis, and A. tsugense. Kuijt claimed that thefoundation of our taxonomic conclusions for these taxa was primarily based on differences in the lengthof the third internode. This assertion is incorrect. The validity of these species was based on statisticalinferences across multiple morphological characters from measurements of both male and female plants.Furthermore, Kuijt inferred that little information is currently available on the susceptibility of hosts totaxa in sect. Campylopoda. Again, we disagree and point out that there is a large body of literaturedemonstrating that there is host preference (i.e., host specificity) among the species of sect.Campylopoda—evidence that Kuijt has consistently ignored. The taxonomic classification he hasproposed for sect. Campylopoda is equivalent to that available in the late 1800’s. The implication is thatno data relevant to the classification of this group has appeared for over 100 years! We summarized ourposition on the classification of sect. Campylopoda with supporting publications and point out theweaknesses in Kuijt’s critique of our work. Research is never complete and additional data are alwayswelcome, particularly from new molecular studies. However, at the present state of our knowledge wewill continue to recognize the taxa in sect. Campylopoda as species—a classification used by mostprofessional botanists and resource managers for over 40 years. Published on-line www.phytologia.orgPhytologia 99(2): 95-110 (May 9, 2017). ISSN 030319430.