| The circumscription of species of Actinidiaceae within Vietnam has been much debated, and there are several unresolved taxonomical problems of these species. This has affected our knowledge of the conservation status of these species. To resolve these problems, I have undertaken a systermatic analyses and taxonomic revision of Vietnamese Actinidiaceae. Multivariate Analysis (Bivariate Analyses, PCA, Cluster Analyses, and ANOVA test) was used to detect character variety between pairs of similar species. Besides these analyses, a review of the literature and general examination of specimens has allowed me to investigate the morphological variability of these species and clarify their nomenclature. The study provided strong support that: (1) Saurauia tristyla is completely different from S. roxburghii ; (2) Saurauia petelotii is not a synonym of S. fasciculata but is a separate species; (3) Actinidia tonkinensis is a synonym of A. latifolia; (4) Actinidia indochinensis is distinct, not a variety of A. callosa; (5) Saurauia dillenioides is a synonym of S. armata; and (6) Saurauia griffithii var. annamica is a synonym of S. napaulensis. Four taxa of Actinidia are newly recorded for Vietnam. The results of this study will allow us to understand better the conservation status of species of Actinidiaceae in Vietnam. |
