Abstract

ESPITIA-RANGEL, Eduardo; MAPES-SANCHEZ, Emma Cristina; NUNEZ-COLIN, Carlos Alberto  and  ESCOBEDO-LOPEZ, Diana. Geographical distribution of cultivated species of Amaranthus and their wild relatives in Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2010, vol.1, n.3, pp.427-437. ISSN 2007-0934.

The aim of this work was to obtain the distribution patterns of Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and its wild relatives using Gorgraphic Information Systems, as well as creating a geographic variation pattern of the areas in which they are found. The genus Amaranthus is distributed throughout Mexico. A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus are distributed in the south-central area of the country, whereas A. powellii is found in the center and north of Mexico. On the other hand, A. hybridus can be cultivated in practically any part of the country, making it the species with the greatest adaptation in comparison to the other three species that displayed a more limited distribution. According to the hypothesis that states that A. hybridus is most likely the ancestor of A. cruentus and according to results obtained in this study, this hypothesis may be correct, since in all the distribution of A. cruentus, A. hybridus is present. It is worth mentioning, on the hypothesis of A. hypochondriacus being a hybrid between A. cruentus and A. powellii, that we can conclude it is true, since A. hypochondriacus displayed a latitudinal variation pattern similar to that of A. powellii and a pattern of altitudinal variation similar to that of A. cruentus; besides, all the species converge in the Valley of Mexico.

Keywords : Amaranthus cruentus; A. hybridus; A. hypochondriacus; A. powellii; Geographic Information Systems.

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