Bull 429 Soliman et al. Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. (2021) 16 (4): 429- 467. https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2021.16.4.0429 NUMERICAL TAXONOMY OF GENUS FICUS L. 1753 (MORACEAE), WITH ADDITION NEW RECORD SPECIES TO EGYPT Ashraf T. Soliman*♦ Rim S. Hamdy* and Riham A. Mahdy** *Department of Botany & Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. **Ornamental Plant and Landscape Gardening Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. ♦Corresponding author: ashsoliman@sci.cu.edu.eg Received Date: 06 June 2021, Accepted Date: 09 September 2021, Published Date: 20 December 2021 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ABSTRACT The taxonomy of Ficus L., 1753 species is confusing because of the intense morphological variability and the ambiguity of the taxa. This study handled 36 macro-morphological characteristics to clarify the taxonomic identity of the taxa. The study revealed that Ficus is represented in the Egyptian gardens with forty-one taxa; 33 species, 4 subspecies and 4 varieties, and classified into five subgenera: Ficus Corner, 1960; Terega Raf., 1838; Sycomorus Raf., 1838; Synoecia (Miq.) Miq., 1867, and Spherosuke Raf.,1838; out of them seven were misidentified. Amongst, four new Ficus taxa were recently introduced to Egypt namely: F. lingua subsp. lingua Warb. ex De Wild. & T. Durand, 1901; F. pumila L., 1753; F. rumphii Blume, 1825, and F. sur Forssk., 1775. The application of the multivariate analyses in plant systematics namely the two-way clustering analysis and the principal component analysis revealed that the qualitative characters as the presence or absence of lateral peduncular or ostiolar bracts and the leaf margin delimit the differentiation of subgenera within genus Ficus. Whereas the qualitative characters of the leaf as leaf arrangement, lamina shape, length, ratio of length to width, base, apex, number of lateral veins, stipules and figs either pedunculate or sessile, shape, and width are significantly separating the species within the different sections. Seven different identification keys of the studied taxa based on the examined characters are provided. In addition, a diagrammatic key for all the studied taxa is given. Keywords: Cluster analysis, Ficus, Identification, New record, Principal component analysis. INTRODUCTION Ficus L., 1753 (Moraceae), is ranked as one of the largest twentieth genera of angiosperms (Frodin, 2004); it is comprised of over 1000 species of trees, shrubs, climbers, stranglers, or woody epiphytes distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Weiblen, 2000), half of them are recorded in Asia and Australia. On the contrary, Africa and the Neotropics are hosting 110 and 130 species; it respectively shows the most diversified taxa concerning growth habits (Harrison, 2005). This genus is characterized by the milky juice and the presence of minute unisexual flowers inserted internally on the wall of an urceolate receptacle emerging externally through an apical pore (orifice) usually protected by scale-like bracts (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1958; Sharma, 1993). The fig (syconium) is sessile or pedunculate, 2-3 involucre bracts its base; lateral bracts sometimes present on the side of fig, scale-like, caducous, or persistent. Economically, Ficus species are very important since their edible fruits are eaten by 1200 species of vertebrates (Shanahan et al., 2001). Several Ficus species are reported to have medicinal properties as an antimalarial, antitrypanosoma (Caliskan et al., 2017), antidiabetic and antioxidant (Arunachalam and Parimelazhagan, 2014). In Egypt, Ficus presents in the wild flora by four species, namely F. cordata Thunb. subsp salicifolia (Vahl) C.C. Berg, 1988; F. palmata Forssk., 1775; F. carica L., 1753 and F. sycomorus L., 1753 (Boulos, 2009). The two latter species are recorded in ancient Egypt (Zohary et al., 2012). On the other hand, many species of the genus Ficus are introduced and cultivated in many of the historic gardens and avenues since the 19th century. https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2021.16.4.0429 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 430 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus The genus of Ficus is subjected to earlier systematic studies, such as systematics of subgenus Urostigma sect. Malvanthera (Dixon 1999), in addition, he conducted a systematic revision of Ficus species (subgenus Urostigma, section Malventhera) in Australia (Dixon, 2003). Mubo et al. (2004) made a morphometric analysis of this genus; Furthermore, van Noort et al. (2007) recorded two species of Ficus in Mozambique, while Ogunkunle and Oladele (2008) studied the leaf epidermis of the 20 Nigerian Ficus species; however; Chaudhary et al. (2012) provided a synopsis of the 115 taxa of genus Ficus in India, while, Fatihah et al. (2012) studied the correlation between the morphology and the genetic analysis of seven varieties of Ficus deltoidea from Malaysia, whereas, Jangam et al. (2017) studied the leaf morphometrics in some Ficus species in Kolhapur District in India; also Sudhakar and Murthy (2017) studied the taxonomy and distribution of Ficus talbotii in India. On the other hand, Machado et al. (2018) studied the relationship between biology, geographical history, and divergence times in Neotropical Ficus. Few taxonomic studies were performed in Egypt, among them: leaf architecture of 24 species from the three subgenera Ficus, Sycomorus, and Urostigma (Loutfy et al., 2005); Moreover, the Sequence Tag (EST) markers and morphological traits for some ornamental Ficus were expressed species (Esmaiel et al., 2014). Furthermore; the pollen morphology of 17 Ficus species were investigated (Teleb and Salah-El-din, 2014). The application of multivariate analyses in plant systematics was currently used in the classification of many taxa and presenting results in the systematic studies ( Sneath and Sokal, 1973; Chiapella, 2000; Gomez-Campo et al., 2001; López-Palacios et al., 2019; Hssaini et al., 2020; Kamran et al., 2020; Muhammad et al., 2021). Numerical taxonomic studies were significant for documenting the morphological characters, and several attempts have been made in this regard to the comprehension of phenetic connections in various classes of plants (Mubo et al., 2004; Pinheiro and De Barros, 2007; Mulumba and Kakudidi, 2010; Deshmukh, 2011; Rahman and Rahman, 2012). Taxonomy of Genus Ficus is still confusing because of the intense morphological variability and the ambiguity of the taxa (Mubo et al., 2004). In Egypt, few studies (e.g. Loutfy et al., 2005) deal with the taxonomic or statistical analysis of the genus Ficus. Therefore, the present study aims to identify, and trace the close relationships among the taxa belonging to this genus, and construct a manual systematic key to facilitate the identification and the differentiation among the various studied taxa. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant material The morphological data were based on fresh representative samples of the studied taxa collected between January 2019- December 2020 by the authors from the historic, public or private gardens, generic places and avenues in Egypt (Map 1); the coordinates of the localities where fresh specimens were collected are given in Appendix (1). In addition to the examinations of over 300 herbarium specimens deposited in Cairo University Herbarium (CAI), the Agricultural Research Centre, Flora and Phytotaxonomy Herbarium (CAIM), Orman garden Herbarium, and Mazhar botanic garden Herbarium (MAZHAR). Digital photographs of the authentic specimens from different online herbaria were also examined. Voucher specimens of the studied taxa are given in Appendix (2) and deposited in Cairo University Herbarium (CAI). Identification and updated nomenclature were revised and confirmed using the available literature among them; Täckholm (1974), Bailey and Bailey (1976), Corner (1977), Ghafoor (1985), Berg and Hijman (1989), Berg (1991), Boulos (2009), and Pederneiras et al. (2015). The online sites such as: The Plant list (2013), IPNI (2021), van Noort and Rasplus (2021), and Missouri Botanical Garden (2021) were also consulted. 431 Soliman et al. Morphological characters Abbreviations of the morphological characters and character states scored for habit, vegetative parts, and fruit characters of the studied taxa, used in the statistical analyses, are outlined in Table (1). For each population, 30 specimens have been taken to study the different morphological traits of each taxon. In total, 36 characters were observed, comprising 12 quantitative and 24 qualitative characters, the Kew Plant Glossary (Beentje, 2016) was used for the trait terminology. Thirteen of these characters are scored as bistate and the remaining were scored as multistate characters such as; leaf arrangement is alternate, spiral or opposite is a multi (tri) state character. The collected specimens were investigated and measured using a stereomicroscope (Wild Heerbrugg, M1B) at Cairo University Herbarium. Map (1): Represents the locations of the 13 localities (public, private gardens and generic places) where fresh specimens where collected, for the coordinates (see appendix 1). (https//earth.google.com). 432 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Table (1): The characters, character states, and abbreviations used in morphometric analysis of Ficus taxa, arranged alphabetically. Characters and character states Abbrev. Characters and character states Abbrev. Basal bracts length (mm) Leaf blade shape <4 bbrl:<4 oblanceolate to obovate lsh:obla 4-9 bbrl:4-9 cordiform (broadly ovate) lsh: cor >9 bbrl:˃9 obtriangular to sub-obovate lsh:obt Basal bracts number elliptic (ovate-elliptic) lsh: ell 2 bbrn:2 ovate to ovate-elliptic, lsh: ova 3 bbrn:3 ovate-lanceolate Fig drywall Surface oblong, oblong-lanceolate, lsh:oblo Glabrous fdsu:gl elliptic-oblong, ovate-oblong Sparsely hairy fdsu: ha Leaf lamina length (cm) Pubescent fdsu:pu < 6 ll:< 6 Fig Fresh Wall surface 6-12 ll:6-12 Glabrous ffrsu:gl 12.1-20 ll:12.1-20 Sparsely hairy ffrsu: ha >20 ll:>20 Pubescent ffrsu:pu Leaf lamina length/width Fig inter floral bracts L < 1 x W ll/w:<1 Absent finfbr: a L = 1.5-3 x W ll/w:1-3 Present finfbr:b L > 3 x W ll/w:>3 Fig length (cm) Leaf lower surface <1 fl:<1 glabrous llo:gl 1-2 fl:1-2 sparsely hairy llo: ha 2.1-3 fl:2.1-3 pubescent llo:pu 3-5 fl:>3 Leaf margin Fig length/width entire to undulate lma: ent L= 1 x W fl/w:1 dentate/serrate lma: dent L= 1.5-2 x W fl/w:2 Leaf symmetry Fig peduncular bracts symmetrical lsy:sym Absent fpdbr:a asymmetrical lsy:asym Present fpdbr:p Leaf texture Fig peduncle length (mm) chartaceous lte:cha 0 fpl:0 coriaceous lte:cor 1-3 fpl:1-3 Leaf upper surface 4-10 fpl:4-10 glabrous lup:gl >10 fpl:˃10 sparsely hairy lup:ha Fig peduncle pubescent lup:pu Sessile fp: sess Leaf width (cm) Subsessile (1-3 Mm) fp: subs < 5 lw:<5 Pedunculate fp: ped 5-10 lw:5-10 Fig shape 11-18 lw:10.1-20 Globose fsh:glo 20-27 lw:>20 Obovoid to ± pyriform fsh:obo Number of lateral vein pairs Oblong fsh:obl 4-8 lv:4-8 Fig width (cm) 9-14 lv:9-14 < 1 fw:< 1 15-20 lv:15-20 1-2 fw:1-2 21-30 lv:21-30 2.1-3 fw:2.1-3 Ostiole bracts number >3 fw:>3 2-3 obrn:2-3 Fig wrinkled (when dry) several obrn:se Wrinkled fd:wr numerous obrn:nu Not wrinkled fd:nwr Ostiole shape 433 Soliman et al. Habit circular osh:cir Climber hab:clim bi-labiate osh:bi Tree hab: tree Petiole length (cm) Lateral bract labr:p up to 2 (-3) pel:<3 Present labr:a 3-10 pel:3-10 Absent >10 pel:>10 Leaf apex Petiole surface Caudate lap: caud glabrous pesu:gl acuminate-obtusely acuminate lap: acum sparsely hairy pesu: ha acute to obtuse or round lap: acut pubescent pesu:pu truncate to emarginate lap: trun Monoecy-Dioecy Leaf arrangement Monoecious mo Alternate ar:alt (gyno) dioecious di Spiral ar:spi (gyno) monoecious to dioecious mo-di Opposite ar:opp Relation of midrib to the apex Leaf base midrib reach the apex mr: re Auriculate lba:auri midrib does not reach the apex mr: nre Cordate lba:cord Stipule connate or free truncate to sub-cordate lba:trun connate s: con acute, obtuse to round, cuneate lba:acut free s: free Leaf-blade composition Stipule length (cm) Simple lbl: sim <1 sle:<1 Lobed lbl: lob 1-3 sle: 1-3 3.1-5 sle: 3.1-5 >5 sle: >5 Data analysis The Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data, PC-ORD for window, version 5.0, the two-way cluster analysis was applied. Cluster analysis aims to arrange a collection of objects (taxa) in such a way that items (taxa) in the same category (called a cluster) are, in some sense, more similar to one another than objects in other groups (clusters). More specifically, it tries to identify homogenous groups of cases if the grouping is not previously known. Two-way cluster analysis recognizes groupings by applying pre-clustering followed by hierarchical techniques. Since it utilizes a quick cluster algorithm upfront, it may handle large data sets that could take a long period to compute with hierarchical grouping methods. Two-way clustering can deal the same model in scale and ordinal data, and it automatically selects the number of clusters. The matrices of the 5 subgenera, 11 sections and 33 species, 4 subspecies, and 4 varieties of Ficus species are subjected to the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method. The qualitative morphological characters are transformed into binary characters (0, 1) to allow the use of cluster analysis techniques. Then, the same data are subjected to the principal component analysis (PCA) for confirmation. This is followed by the generalization of artificial keys depending on the morphological characters investigated. An overall diagrammatic key is provided for all the studied species. RESULTS The clustering of the five subgenera Seven morphological characters, namely the plant habit, the sexuality (monoecy and/or dioecy), leaf margin, ostiole bracts number, internal floral bracts, peduncular bracts, and lateral bracts are used to differentiate between the investigated Ficus taxa into five subgenera. The abbreviations of these characters are presented in Table (1) and at the top of the columns in Diagram (1).The results of the studied taxa revealed that these taxa were belonging to five subgenera namely: Ficus Corner, 1960; Terega Raf., 1838; Sycomorus Raf., 1838, Synoecia (Miq.) Miq., 1867, and Spherosuke Raf., 1838. At the first level of differentiation (Diag. 1), the five subgenera are divided into two branches at distance level 14.800, the first branch includes three subgenera (Ficus, Sycomorus, and Terega) characterized by dentate leaf margins and several or numerous ostiole bracts, while the other branch 434 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus includes 2 subgenera (Spherosuke and Synoecia) which are characterized by entire leaf margins and 2-3 ostiole bracts, these characters are surrounded by pink-colored borders (Diag.1). The former branch is subdivided into Terega in one sub-branch, characterized by the presence of lateral and fig peduncular bracts while these are absent in Ficus and Sycomorus in the other branch, these characters are surrounded by yellow borders (Diag.1). Spherosuke is easily differentiated from Synoecia, that the former is a monoecious tree with fig inter floral bracts are present while Synoecia is a climber, (gyno) dioecious and its fig inter floral bracts are absent. Furthermore, subgenus Ficus is differentiated by being (gyno) dioecious, several ostiole bracts compared to subgenus Sycomorus that is monoecious - (gyno) dioecious and numerous ostiole bracts (surrounded by green borders). Diagram (1): The two-way clustering analysis using the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method of the 5 subgenera of Ficus in Egypt, (for abbreviations, see Table 1). The changes in borders’ colors (pink, yellow, brown and green) indicate the levels of differentiation respectively. 435 Soliman et al. Diagram (2) shows the principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the five subgenera of Ficus. It is noticed that some of these characters are confined to a definite subgenus. For instance, the presence of peduncular and lateral bracts are confined to subgenus Terega, monoecious to (gyno) dioecious is confined to subgenus Sycomorus, several ostiolar bracts are confined to subgenus Ficus, climber habit is confined to Synoecia, monoecious and presence of figs inter floral bracts are confined to subgenus Spherosuke. Diagram (2): The principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the five subgenera of Ficus. (For abbreviation, see Table 1). The application of the two-way clustering analysis (CA) and the principal component analysis (PCA) facilitated the construction of identification key for the five subgenera of the genus Ficus in Egypt as follows: 1. Leaf margin dentate, with several-numerous ostiolar bracts …….…………………….….…... 2 - Leaf margin entire, with 2-3 ostiolar bracts ………………..……………….………….……… 4 2. Figs with lateral and peduncular bracts …………………………….......……… subgen. Terega - Figs without lateral and peduncular bracts ………………………..………………….……….. 3 3. Plants (gyno) dioecious, figs with several (4-10) ostiolar bracts…………..….….. subgen. Ficus - Plants monoecious or (gyno) dioecious, figs with numerous (>10), ostiolar bracts ……..……… …………………………………………………………..……….…….…... subgen. Sycomorus 4. Plants (gyno) dioecious, climbers, figs without interfloral bract …............…. subgen. Synoecia - Plants monoecious, trees or shrubs, figs with interfloral bracts …….....….. subgen. Spherosuke I- Subgenus Ficus This subgenus is represented in Egypt by four species belonging to 2 sections: Ficus and Eriosycea (Miq.) Miq., 1867. These species are trees, with spiral leaf arrangement, wrinkled dry figs, 4-7 bi- labiate ostiole bracts, 3 basal bracts, up to 4 mm/each. Diagram (3) represents the two-way clustering analysis of the morphological matrix for the 21 characters of the four species of the subgenus Ficus. At the first distance level 28.250 of differentiation, F. neriifolia Sm., 1810 (Pl.1A) is separated from the other 3 species by its glabrous petiole, leaf lower surface and dry fig wall surface; both fig length or width are less than 1 cm., these characters are bordered in pink color (Diag. 3). At the second distance level 14.667, F. hirta Vahl, 1806 (Pl.1B) is separated from the other two species by the characters surrounded by the yellow borders; leaf apex acuminate, figs sessile and globose, petiole surface sparsely hairy, both fig length and width are 2-3 cm (Diag. 3). Moreover; F. palmata (Pl.1C) 436 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus and F. carica (Pl.1D) are separated at the third distance level 6.500 by the characters that surrounded by the green borders (Diag. 3). Diagram (4) shows the principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the four species of subgenus Ficus. It is noticed that some of these characters are restricted to definite species. For instance, F. neriifolia is characterized by its figs length and width less than 1 cm, glabrous leaf lower surface, petiole, and fig wall surface when dry. Furthermore, the characters as figs length and width 2-3 cm, sparsely hairy petiole are restricted to F. hirta. On the other hand, in F. palmata figs length is 1-2 cm (vs. 3-5 in F. carica), width is 1-2 cm (vs. 3 cm in F. carica), peduncle is 4-10 mm long (vs. more than 10 mm in F. carica) and the fig wall surface is pubescent when dry (vs. sparsely hairy in F. carica). Diagram (3): The two-way clustering analysis using the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method of the 4 species of subgenus Ficus (for abbreviations see Table 1). The changes in borders’ colors (pink, yellow and green) indicate the levels of differentiation. 437 Soliman et al. The application of the two-way clustering analysis (CA) and the principal component analysis (PCA) helped in the construction of the identification key for the 4 species of subgenus Ficus in Egypt. Identification Key to the species of subgenus Ficus 1. 3-5 lobed lamina, with 4-8 pairs of lateral veins, chartaceous with dentate margin and truncatebase, petiole surface sparsely hairy, figs length 1-5 cm, 1-5 cm in diameter …...….... 2 - Simple lamina, with 9-14 pairs of lateral veins, coriaceous, with entire margin, petiole surface glabrous, figs length up to 1 cm and up to 1 cm in diameter …………………….. F. neriifolia 2. Lamina cordate with acute or obtuse to rounded apex, petiole surface pubescent; figs pedunculate, obovoid to ± pyriform ........................................................................................... 3 - Lamina elliptic or ovate-oblong with acuminate apex, petiole surface with sparse hair, figs sessile, globose .........................................................................................................…... F. hirta 3. Lamina nearly as long as broad; number of leaf lobes 3-5; figs 1-2 cm long and 1-2 cm in diameter; peduncle length more than 10 mm; pubescent when dry .…...……….….. F. palmate - Lamina usually longer than broad; number of leaf lobes 1-3, figs 3-5 cm long and 3-5 cm in diameter, peduncle length less than10 mm, sparsely hair sparse when dry ………..… F. carica II- Subgenus Terega The subgenus Terega (= Ficus subg. Sycidium (Miq.) Mildbr. & Burret) is represented in Egypt by two taxa; F. aspera G. Forst., 1786 (Pl.1E) in Section Sycidium (Miq.) Miq., 1867, and F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner, 1959 (Pl.1F) in Section Palaeomorphe King., 1887. These are characterized by 4-8 lateral vein pairs, leaf asymmetric, elliptic, figs globose, bi-labiate with numerous ostiolar bracts and 3 basal bracts. Identification key to taxa of the subgenus Terega 1- Leaf margin dentate, with subcordate base, figs 1-2 cm in diameter, with pubescent hairs, pedunculate, peduncle more than 10 mm ……………………………………….…… F. aspera - Leaf margin entire, with cuneate base, figs 0.5-0.8 cm in diameter, with sparse hairs, subsessile, peduncle 1-3 mm ………………………...…………..... F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa Diagram (4): The principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the 4 species of subgenus Ficus. (For abbreviations, see Table 1). 438 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Plate (1): Photographs of Ficus species subgenus Ficus (A-D); (A) F. neriifolia, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruiting twigs; (B) F. hirta, a twig with leaves; (C) F. palmata, a twig with leaves and fruits; (D) F. carica, a twig with leaves and fruits. Subgenus Terega (E-F); (E) F. aspera, a twig with leaves and fruits; (F) F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa, a twig with leaves upper and lower surfaces and fruits. III- Subgenus Sycomorus The subgenus Sycomorus is represented in Egypt by 6 species (F. septica Burm. f., 1768 (Pl. 2A); F. hispida L.f., 1781 (Pl. 2B); F. sur Forssk., 1775 (Pl. 2C); F.auriculata Lour, 1790 (Pl. 2D); F.sycomorus (Pl. 2 E); F. racemosa L., 1753 (Pl. 2F) characterized by elliptic to ovate-elliptic leaf, entire margin, 4-8 lateral vein pairs, fig peduncle more than 10 mm, circular ostiole with 4-7 ostiolar bracts. Eighteen characters were used to differentiate between the 6 species of subgenus Sycomorus (Diag. 5). The main characters separate between species are leaf arrangement, texture and length of lamina. At the first level of differentiation (distance level 25.667), F. racemosa and F. sycomorus were separated from the other 4 species by spiral leaf arrangement, leaf 6-12 cm long, and figs when dry wrinkled (characters are surrounded by the pink borders). The leaf morphology differentiates between these two species, F. racemosa characterized by its glabrous leaf upper surface while F. sycomorus has a chartaceous leaf texture, dentate margin, lower surface sparsely hairy and ratio of length/width equal one, these characters are surrounded by brown borders. On the other branch includes four species, F. septica is separated by fig wall surface glabrous when dry, others are wrinkled (characters are surrounded by yellow borders). F. hispida differentiated from the other two species by its globose. F. sur is separated from F. auriculata by leaf length 12.1-20 cm, leaf base truncate to sub-cordate and figs ratio of length/width equal one, these characters are surrounded by green borders. 439 Soliman et al. Plate (2): Photographs of Ficus species subgenus Sycomorus (A-F); (A) F. septica, a twig with leaves; (B) F. hispida, a twig with leaves and fruits; (C) F. sur, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruiting twigs; (D) F. auriculata, a twig with leaves and fruits; (E) F. sycomorus, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (F) F. racemosa, a twig with leaves and fruits. Subgenus Synoecia: (G) F. pumila, a twig with leaves. Subgenus Spherosuke-Section Americana (H-I); (H) F. nymphaeifolia, upper and lower surfaces of leaves; (I) F. nymphaeifolia, fruits. A C I H G D F B E 440 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Diagram (5): The two-way clustering analysis using the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method of the 6 species of subgenus Sycomorus, (for abbreviations, see Table 1). The changes in borders’ colors (pink, yellow, brown and green) indicate the different levels of differentiation. Diagram (6) shows the principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the six species of subgenus Sycomorus. It is noticed that some of these characters are restricted to definite species. For instance, the character of the glabrous dry wall of the fig is confined to F. septica, the leaf diameter 10-20 cm wide is confined to F. sur and the equal ratio of the leaf length to width is confined to F. sycomorus. 441 Soliman et al. Diagram (6): The principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the 4 species of subgenus Sycomorus (for abbreviations, see Table 1). The application of the two-way clustering analysis (CA) and the principal component analysis (PCA) helped in the construction of identification key for the 6 species of subgenus Sycomorus in Egypt. Identification Key to the species of the subgenus Sycomorus: 1. Leaf arrangement opposite or alternate, lamina more than 12 cm long, fig when dry mostly smooth……………………………………………………………………………………..…... 2 - Leaf arrangement spiral, lamina 6-12 cm long, fig when dry mostly wrinkled ……..…….…. 5 2. Lamina 20-35 cm long and more than 20 cm in diameter, margin entire, figs wall surface glabrous when dry …………………………………………………………………… F. septica - Lamina 12-20 cm long and less than 20 cm in diameter, margin dentate, figs wall surface with sparse hair when dry ……………………………………………………………...…….….… 3 3. Leaf arrangement opposite, asymmetrical, figs globose, 1-2 cm long ….…………... F. hispida - Leaf arrangement alternate, symmetrical, figs obovoid, length 2-3 cm long ……….….......… 4 4. Leaf base truncate, apex obtuse, leaf width 10-20 cm, figs 2-3 cm in diameter …............ F. sur - Leaf base obtuse/round, apex obtusely acuminate, leaf width 5-10 cm, figs up to 2 cm in diameter …………………………………………….............................................. F. auriculata 5. Lamina chartaceous, margin dentate, surface with sparse hair, 1-1.5 times as long as broad ………………………...…………………………………………………….…... F. Sycomorus - Lamina coriaceous, margin entire, surface glabrous, 1.6-2 times as long as broad ………………………………………………………………….…………............. F. racemose IV- Subgenus Synoecia This subgenus is represented in Egypt by one species; F. pumila L., 1753 (Pl. 2 G). This species is distinguished from the other Ficus species in being creeping plant and has dimorphic leaf shape. V- Subgenus Spherosuke The Subgenus Spherosuke is the largest subgenus of Ficus in Egypt; represented by 4 sections, Americanae (Miq.) Corner, 1960; Platyphyllae Mildbr. & Burret, 1911; Cordifoliae G.Don, 1830 and Urostigma (Endl.) Griseb., 1859. 442 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus i. Section Americanae This section is represented in Egypt by one species; F. nymphaeifolia Mill., 1768 (Pl.2H, I), which characterized by its two basal bracts number, 1-1.5 cm long. ii. Section Platyphyllae This section is represented in Egypt by 12 species (F. lingua subsp. lingua Warb. ex De Wild. & T. Durand 1901 (Pl. 3A); F. thonningii Blume, 1836 (Pl. 3B); F. craterostoma Warb. ex Mildbr. & Burret, 1911 (Pl. 3C); F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii (Miq.) C.C.Berg, 1988 (Pl. 3D); F. lutea Vahl, 1805 (Pl. 3E); F. laurifolia Lam, 1788 (Pl. 3F); F. abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq.1867 (Pl. 3G), F. sp. (Pl. 3H) F. saussureana DC, 1841 (Pl. 3I); F. cyathistipula Warb, 1894 (Pl. 3J); F. lyrata Warb, 1894 (Pl. 3K); F. umbellata Vahl, 1805 (Pl. 3L)). Twenty-four characters were used to distinguish between species. The main characters used to separate species were; length of the lamina, shape of leaf base and apex, reaching of the midrib to the leaf apex. All the species characterized by their coriaceous leaf (except F. umbellata, having chartaceous leaf), 2-3 ostiole bracts (except F. lyrata, having 4-7 ostiole bracts), 3 basal bracts (except F. lingua subsp. lingua and F. thonningii which have 2 basal bracts), spiral leaf arrangement (except F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii, having alternate leaf). Plate (3): Photographs of Ficus taxa: Spherosuke-Section Platyphllae (A-L); (A) F. lingua subsp. lingua upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits, (B) F. thonningii, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits, (C) F. craterostoma, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruiting twigs; (D) F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii, a twig with leaves and fruits; (E) F. lutea upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (F) F. laurifolia, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (G) F. abutilifolia, upper and lower surface of leaves- Upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (H) F. sp.; (I) F. saussureana; (J) F. cyathistipula; (K) F. lyrata, (L) F. umbellata. 443 Soliman et al. The clustering analysis of Section Platyphyllae At the first level (distance level 133.75) of differentiation (Diag. 7), four taxa are grouped in one branch, namely, F. lingua subsp. lingua, F. thonningii, F. craterostoma and F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii due to the presence of leaf width less than 5 cm, petiole length up to 2 (-3) cm, figs length and width less than 1 cm. (Characters are bordered in pink color). These 4 species are subdivided into two groups, group one includes F. lingua subsp. lingua and F. thonningii which characterized by the ratio of the lamina length to width more than 3, acute-obtuse or rounded apex, glabrous petiole, and figs with 2 basal bracts and wall surface sparsely hairy when dry. However; group two includes F. craterostoma and F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii, characterizing by the ratio of the lamina length to width less than 3, truncate to emarginate apex, sparsely hairy petiole, and figs with 3 basal bracts and wall surface glabrous when dry (Characters bordered by green color). The other 8 species are divided into two groups. The first group contains 4 species; F. umbellata, F. lyrata, F. cyathistipula and F. saussureana, characterizing by stipule length 3.1-5 cm and fig width 2.1-3 cm (Characters bordered by yellow color). The other 4 species are further subdivided into two branches, F. sp. and F. abutilifolia characterized by the ratio of the lamina length/width less than 1, leaf length 12.1-20 cm, with cordate base and basal bracts length less than 4 mm while F. laurifolia and F. lutea are characterized by the ratio of the lamina length/width ranging from 1-3, lamina usually length 20-35 cm long, oblanceolate-obovate, with truncate to sub-cordate base, and figs basal bracts 4-9 mm long (Characters bordered by brown color). 444 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Diagram (7): The two-way clustering analysis using the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method of the 12 species of Section Platyphyllae, (for abbreviations see Table 1). The changes in borders’ colors (pink, yellow, brown and green) indicate the different levels of differentiation. 445 Soliman et al. Diagram (8) shows that some characters are confined to definite species, such as, figs oblong, 1.5- 2 times as long as broad in F. abutilifolia, leaf shape ovate to ovate-elliptic in F. sp., leaf arrangement alternate in F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii, leaf length 6-12 cm long and elliptic in F. thonningii, leaf base auriculate in F. lyrata, fig wall surface pubescent and basal bracts 9 mm long in F. saussureana, chartaceous leaf texture in F. umbellata and fig shape oblong in F. laurifolia. The application of the two-way clustering analysis (CA) and the principal component analysis (PCA) helped in the construction identification key for the 6 taxa of section Platyphyllae in Egypt. Identification Key to the taxa of Section Platyphyllae 1. Lamina up to 5 cm in diameter ………………………………………….………..…..…..…... 2 - Lamina more than 5 cm in diameter .…..…………………………………………..……..…... 5 2. Leaf apex obtuse or rounded, ratio of leaf length/width more than 3; petiole glabrous; fig wall surface sparsely hairy when dry; 2 basal bracts ………………………………...………….... 3 - Leaf apex truncate to emarginate, ratio of leaf length/width less than 3; petiole with sparse hair; fig wall glabrous when dry; 3 basal bracts …………………..………………………...... 4 3. Lamina oblanceolate to obovate; lateral veins 4-8 pairs, less than 8 cm long; petiole less than 1.5cm long;fig subsessile (1-3 mm long.) ……………………...…...... F. lingua subsp. lingua - Lamina elliptic to ovate-elliptic; lateral veins 9-14 pairs, 8-12 cm long; petiole 2.5-4.5 cm long; fig peduncle length 4-10 mm long …………………………………..…… F. thonningii 4. Leaf arrangement spiral, surface glabrous, ratio of leaf length/width =1-3, fig 1-2 cm in diam., sessile ...…………………………………………………………………….…. F. craterostoma - Leaf arrangement alternate, surface with sparse hair, ratio of leaf length/width =1, fig less than 1cm in diam., peduncle length 4-10 mm ………………………. F. natalensis subsp. leprieurii 5. Stipules less than 3 cm long, fig 1-2 cm in diameter ….…...……….………………………… 6 - Stipules 3-5 cm long, fig 2-3 cm in diameter …..………...………………...……….….....…... 9 Diagram (8): The principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the 12 species of Section Platyphyllae (for abbreviations, see Table 1) 446 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus 6. Lamina oblong, elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong, 20-35 cm long, base truncate to sub-cordate, the ratio of leaf length/width =1.5-3, basal bracts 4-9 mm long ……………….……………...7 - Lamina ovate to cordate, 12-20 cm long, base cordate, the ratio of leaf length/width=1, basal bracts up to 4 mm long ……………………………...…………………………………..…….. 8 7. Lateral vein 4-6 pairs, lower surface and petiole with sparse hair; petiole 9-20 cm long, stipules 1-3 cm long, fig sessile, globose, with sparse hair, when fresh …………...….. F. lutea - Lateral vein 9-10 pairs, lower surface and petiole glabrous, petiole 4-8 cm long, stipules up to 1cm long, fig pedunculate, oblong, glabrous when fresh .…….…...………….….. F. laurifolia 8. Lamina cordiform (broadly ovate), apex obtusely acuminate, upper surface and petiole glabrous; fig obovoid, 1-2 cm long, the ratio of fig length/width =1.5-2, dry fig wall glabrous, peduncle 0.6-1.5 cm long ……………………………………...………….…..… F. abutilifolia - Lamina ovate, apex obtuse to round, upper surface and petiole with sparse hair; fig globose, 2- 3cm long, the ratio of fig length/width =1(-1.3), dry fig sparsely hairy, peduncle length 0.3- 0.5 cm ……………………...………………………………………...……………… Ficus sp. 9. Leaf lamina 12-20 cm long, 3.5-8 cm in diam., with obtuse to cuneate base, dry fig wall not wrinkled ………………………………………………………………………..…………......10 - Leaf lamina 20-35 cm long, 10-27 cm in diam., with auriculate or cordate base, dry fig wall distinctly wrinkled………………………………………..………...…...………..…….……. 11 10. Lateral veins 8-12 pairs, leaf lower surface and petiole with sparse hair; ratio of leaf length/width = 3-3.5; fig sessile, fresh and drywall surface pubescent, basal bracts 9-15 mm long...................................................................................................................... F. saussureana - Lateral veins 4-7 pairs; leaf lower surface and petiole glabrous; ratio of leaf length/width =2.2- 2.8; fig pedunculate, fresh glabrous and with sparse hair when dry, basal bracts 3-4 mm long ………………………………………………………………………….… F. cyathistipula 11. Lateral veins 4-5 pairs; lamina oblanceolate to obovate, coriaceous, base auriculate, apex truncate to emarginate, basal bracts less than 4 mm long, ostiolar bracts several (more than 3) ……………………………………………………………………...……….……....… F. lyrata - Lateral veins 6-9 pairs; lamina cordiform (broadly ovate), chartaceous, base cordate, apex acuminate, basal bracts 4-9 mm long, 2-3 ostiolar bracts ……………...…......….. F. umbellate iii. Section Cordifoliae This section is represented in Egypt by 11 taxa including (F. drupacea Thunb., 1786 (Pl. 4A), F. drupacea var. pubescens (Roth) Corner, 1959 (Pl. 4B),, F. microcarpa L. f., 1781 (Pl. 4C); F. benjamina L., 1767 (Pl. 4D); F. amplissima Sm., 1810 (Pl. 4E); F. cordata subsp. salicifolia (Pl. 4F), F. virens Aiton, 1789 var. virens Pl. 4G); F. virens var. sublanceolata (Miq.) Corner 1959 (Pl. 4H); F. benghalensis L., 1753 (Pl. 4I); F. religiosa L., 1753(Pl. 4J); F. rumphii Blume, 1825 (Pl. 4K). All species shared the spiral leaf arrangement (except F. benjamina, having alternate leaves), all with coriaceous leaves (except F. virens, which have chartaceous). Twenty-three characters were used to distinguish between the taxa of Cordifoliae section. The main characters separated between taxa are the number of lateral vein pairs, lamina length, width, leaf arrangement, and leaf apex, figs (wrinkling (when dry), surface, shape, pedunculate or sessile), and basal bracts length. 447 Soliman et al. Diagram (9) shows the Cluster analysis of 11 taxa of Cordifoliae section at the first level (distance level 92.727) of differentiation, (characters bordered in pink color), F. drupacea and F. drupacea var. pubescens are separated by the presence of oblong fig with 2.1-3 cm long, the other 9 species are characterized by glabrous upper and lower surface of the lamina. At the second level (distance level 72.000) of differentiation, three species namely F. rumphii, F. religiosa, and F. benghalensis are separated by the presence of leaf length/width less than 1.5, while the other 6 species this ratio may reach 3 and the figs basal bracts are 4 mm long (characters bordered by yellow). Plate (4): Photographs of Ficus taxa Spherosuke-Section Cordifoliae (A-L); (A) F. drupacea upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (B) F. drupacea var. pubescens, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (C) F. microcarpa, a twig with leaves and fruits; (D) F. benjamina, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (E) F. amplissima a twig with leaves and fruits; (F) F. cordata subsp. salicifolia, a twig with leaves and fruits; (G) F. virens var. virens, upper and lower surface of leaves; (H) F. virens var. sublanceolata, upper and lower surface of leaves; (I) F. benghalensis, a twig with leaves and fruits; (J); (K) F. religosa upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits; (L) F. rumphii, upper and lower surface of leaves. 448 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Diagram (9): The two-way clustering analysis using the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method of the 11 species of section Cordifoliae, (for abbreviations see Table 1. The changes in borders’ colors (pink, yellow, brown, green and red) indicate the levels of differentiation. 449 Soliman et al. Diagram (10) shows the results of the PCA of section Cordifoliae, it is clear that some species are characterized by distinct morphological characters. For instance, leaf shape oblong-lanceolate, elliptic-oblong, 3-4 times as long as broad, figs subsessile, peduncle 1-3 mm long in F. cordata subsp. salicifolia, whereas in F. virens var. virens the fig pedunculate, 4-10 mm long. Moreover, in F. benjamina the figs are obovoid and leaf arrangement alternate. However, in F. microcarpa the leaf width less than 5 cm, fig length and width are less than one. Furthermore, the leaf apex acute to obtuse or rounded in F. benghalensis On the other hand, lamina and fig surfaces are pubescent in F. drupacea var. pubescens, while in F. drupacea leaf length more than 20 cm and covered with sparse hair leaf surfaces, petiole more than 10 cm long in F. rumphii. Diagram (10): The principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the 11 species of Section Cordifoliae (for abbreviations see, Table 1). The application of the two-way clustering analysis (CA) and the principal component analysis (PCA) helped in the construction of Identification Key for the 6 taxa of section Cordifoliae in Egypt. Identification key to the taxa of Section Cordifoliae 1. Abaxial and adaxial lamina surface with sparse hair to pubescent; figs oblong …....…....….. .2 - Abaxial and adaxial lamina surface glabrous; figs globose to obovoid …................................. 3 2. Abaxial and adaxial lamina surface with sparse hair; length 20-35 cm, fresh figs glabrous, wrinkled when dry ……………............................................................................... F. drupacea - Abaxial and adaxial lamina surface pubescent; length 12-20 (-25) cm, fresh figs pubescent, not wrinkled when dry ………………..... …………….………..…..... F. drupacea var. pubescens 3. Leaf apex acuminate or obtusely acuminate; lamina 1.5-4 as long as broad; figs basal bracts less than 4 mm long ……………………………………………….…………...……………... 4 - Leaf apex caudate or obtuse to rounded; lamina1-1.5 as long as broad; figs basal bracts 4-9 mm long ………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 4. Fresh figs wall glabrous ………. ………………………………………..….………………… 5 - Fresh figs wall with sparse hair ………...………………….……..………..…………....……. 7 5. Lateral veins 5-8 pairs; lamina up to 5 cm in diam.; figs less than1cm long, less than 1 cm in diameter; the ratio of fig length/width=1, wall of dry fig not wrinkled …….…. F. macrocarpa 450 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus - Lateral veins 10-14 pairs; lamina 5-9 cm in diam.; fig 1-2.5 cm long and 1-2 cm in diam.; the ratio of fig length/width= 1.5-2, wall of dry; fig wrinkled ..……………………………….…. 6 6. Leaf arrangement alternate, lamina elliptic, with acute to round base, 6-12 cm long; petiole glabrous, 1-2.5 cm long; figs obovoid ……………..……..……………….…..… F. benjamina - Leaf arrangement spiral, lamina ovate-lanceolate, with subcordate base, 12-20 cm long; petiole with sparse hair, 5-8 cm long, figs globose ……...…………...…......….. F. amplissima 7. Lamina oblong to oblong-lanceolate, coriaceous, ratio of lamina length/width = 3-4, petiole and fig wall with sparse hair when dry.............…………….…...... F. cordata subsp. salicifolia - Lamina elliptic to ovate-elliptic, chartaceous, ratio of lamina length/width =1.2-2.7, petiole and fig wall glabrous when dry………………………………...…………………..……..…… 8 8. Leaf base subcordate to truncate, 6-12(-15) cm long, fig pedunculate ...… F. virens var. virens - Leaf base acute to cuneate, 12-20 cm long, fig sessile ………….. F. virens var. sublanceolata 9. Lamina elliptic to ovate-elliptic, apex obtuse to round, 6-12 (-15) cm long, 5-10(-12) cm in diameter, petiole with sparse hair.………………………...……………….….. F. benghalensis - Lamina broadly ovate, apex caudate, 15-25cm long, 10-20 cm in diam., petiole glabrous … 10 10. Leaf apex caudate nearly half as long as lamina, petiole length 6-10 cm, stipules length up to 1.5 cm; figs with sparse hair when dry …………………………..…………..……. F. religiosa - Leaf apex caudate about ¼ as long as lamina, petiole length 10-14 cm, stipules length 1.5-3 cm; figs glabrous when dry ………………………..…………..…………...………. F. rumphii iv. Section Urostigma This section is represented in Egypt by four species (F. elastica Roxb. ex Hornem., 1819 (Pl. 5A); F. macrophylla Desf. ex Pers., 1806 (Pl. 5B); F. platypoda (Miq.) A.Cunn. ex Miq., 1847 (Pl. 5C); F. rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent., 1803 (Pl. 5D) characterized by their coriaceous leaf and lamina 1.5-3 times as long as broad. Twenty-one morphological characters are used to differentiate between species of section Urostigma. The main characters separated between taxa of this section are the number of lateral vein pairs, figs peduncle, and basal bracts length. At the first level (distance level 27.000) of the clustering analysis, F. platypoda and F. rubiginosa are separated from the other 2 species by the presence of lateral 9-14 vein pairs, lamina 6-12 cm long with truncate–subcordate base, figs globose (characters with pink borders, Diag.11). Ficus rubiginosa can be separated from F. platypoda by less than 3 cm long sparsely hairy petiole, stipule less than 1 cm in length, figs subsessile (1-3 mm long) and its basal bracts up to 4-9 mm long (characters with brown borders, Diag.11). While F. macrophylla is characterized by its lamina 12.1- 20 cm in length, with 15-20 lateral vein pairs, figs pedunculate, more than10 mm long, bi-labiate ostiole, and figs wrinkled when dry (characters surrounded by yellow borders, Diag.11). Plate (5): Photographs of Ficus species Spherosuke-Section Urostigma, upper and lower surface of leaves and fruits (A-D); (A) F. elastica; (B) F. macrophylla; (C) F. platypoda; (D) F. rubiginosa. D C E E B A 451 Soliman et al. Diagram (11): The two-way clustering analysis using the Euclidean Distance Measure with Ward’s Method of the 4 species of section Urostigma (for abbreviations see Table 1. The changes in borders’ colors (pink, yellow and brown) indicate the levels of differentiation. 452 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Diagram (12) records the affinity of some characters to definite species, such as; lamina length (more than 20 cm long) number of lateral veins (21-30 lateral vein pairs), stipule connate, figs diameter (less than 1 cm in diameter), and circular ostiole which are confined to F. elastica; however; sparsely hairy petiole, stipule length (less than 1 cm) and figs basal bracts length (4-9 mm long) are confined to F. rubiginosa; whereas, lamina less than 5 cm long, stipule length 1-3 cm, and figs peduncle 4-10 mm long are confined to F. platypoda. Furthermore; lamina length (12.1-20 cm long), number of lateral veins (15-20 lateral vein pairs), figs pedunculate, (more than10 mm in length) and wrinkled when dry confined to F. macrophylla. Diagram (12): The principal component analysis of the morphological matrix of the 4 species of section Urostigma, (for abbreviations see Table 1). The application of the two-way clustering analysis (CA) and the principal component analysis (PCA) helped in the construction of the Identification Key for the 4 species of subgenus Urostigma in Egypt. Key to the species of Section Urostigma 1. Lateral veins 15-30 pairs; lamina more than 12 cm long; leaf base acute, obtuse-rounded or cuneate; figs oblong …………….………………………………...……………………..……. 2 - Lateral veins 9-14 pairs; lamina less than 12 cm long; leaf base truncate to subcordate; figs globose. ……………………………………………………...………………………………... 3 2. Leaf apex acuminate; figs subsessile 1-3 mm long; figs glabrous and not wrinkled when dry ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. F. elastica 453 Soliman et al. - Leaf apex acute, obtuse or rounded; figs pedunculate, 10-25 mm long; figs with sparse hair and wrinkled when dry …………………………………………………………….. F. macrophylla 3. Petiole and fresh figs glabrous; peduncle 4-10 mm long, basal bracts 2-3 mm long ………………………………………………………………………………..…………....... F. platypoda - Petiole and fresh figs with sparse hair to pubescent; peduncule 1-3 mm long, basal bracts 7-9 mm long ……………………………………………………………………….... F. rubiginosa Diagram (13) gives a diagrammatic illustration of the relationship between the 41 Ficus taxa growing in Egypt, which are classified into 5 subgenera, 11 sections, 33 species, 3 subspecies and 4 varieties depending on the above achieved two-way clustering analyses 454 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Diagram (13): A diagrammatic key illustrating the 41 Ficus L. taxa growing in Egypt, which are classified in to 5 subgenera, 11 sections, 33 species, 3 subspecies and 4 varieties. 455 Soliman et al. DISCUSSION The application of the multivariate analysis in understanding and solving systematic problems is adopted by many authors (Gómez-Campo et al., 2001; Rahman et al., 2013; Teleb and Salah-El-din, 2014; Yaradua et al., 2018; López-Palacios et al., 2019; Hssaini et al., 2020; Kamran et al., 2020; Muhammad et al., 2021). Numerical analysis is a comprehensive way of evaluating and analyzing the data and producing a phenetic classification (Sneath and Sokal, 1973). Methods of numerical taxonomy have been used in classifying many species and interpreting the results of taxonomic studies (Chiapella, 2000; Gomez-Campo et al., 2001; Hssaini et al., 2020; Muhammad et al., 2021). The application of the two-way clustering analysis and the principal component analysis revealed that the qualitative characters; presence or absence of lateral, peduncular or ostiolar bracts and the leaf margin shows a highly significant in the differentiation between the 5 subgenera of genus Ficus. Whereas the qualitative characters of leaf; leaf arrangement, shape of lamina, leaf apex, and quantitative characters such as the number of lateral veins, length of lamina and stipules are significantly separating the species within the different sections. These findings correlate more or less to numerous previous researches (Ghafoor, 1985; Mubo et al., 2004; Loutfy et al., 2005; Chaudhary et al., 2012; Esmaiel et al., 2014; Jangam et al., 2017). Mubo et al. (2004) noted that the genus Ficus had followed several curious lines of evolution; its taxonomy was still puzzling because of the extreme morphological variability and ambiguous boundaries between taxa. However, he used the morphometric analysis based on ten quantitative parameters like leaf length, leaf width, lamina length, lamina width, petiole length of Ficus species leaves in Nigeria that gave highly significant positive correlations, which is parallel with our results. Jangam et al. (2017 ( made a morphometric quantitative analysis on nine species of genus Ficus based on their leaf characters, it has been revealed that, the quantitative characters like leaf length, leaf breadth, petiole length, lamina length are positively correlated and contribute significant role in arranging the species together within a genus while, the leaf base nerve number, ratio of leaf length to leaf breadth and ratio of leaf lamina length to petiole length significantly separates the species from each other. This is again in correspondence with our results. Bruun-Lunda et al. (2018) showed that figs usually follow the evolutionary museum model, with a progressive accumulation of species through time and a relatively low extinction rate and no major change in development. These states of characters are seen in most phylogenetic species and imply that they are essential innovations or syndromes, which can lead to the success of figs with regard to species diversity and accumulation of high species diversity on an evolutionary time scale. The 36 morphological characters used to differentiate between the 41 taxa within the genus Ficus in Egypt were adopted earlier in previous works; Berg and Hijman (1989) differentiated between subgenera and sections of Ficus depending on some characters as ostiole shape; circular (section Sycidium; Sycomorus and Cordifolae) or bi-labiate (section Platyphyllae), the number of ostiolar bracts; few (section Cordifolae) or several (section: Sycomorus and Sycidium); plant monoecious (subgenus Sycomorus and Spherosuke section Cordifolae) or dioecious (subgenus Terega: section Sycidium, known previously as subgenus Sycidium). 456 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Numerical taxonomy studies are important for identifying novel morphological features In comparing our results and previous studies on genus Ficus in Egypt (Diwan et al., 2004; Hamdy et al., 2007; Hamdy, 2010; Youssef and Hamdy, 2013); 4 new taxa were grown in Egyptian gardens and newly added to the garden flora of Egypt; F. lingua subsp. lingua, F. pumila, F. rumphii and F. sur. In addition; 7 taxa that were previously unidentified, misidentified or confused with other Ficus species are revised and taxonomically nested within their subgenera or sections. Based on investigated specimens and utilizing the available taxonomical literature (Corner, 1977; Berg and Hijman, 1989; Berg, 1991). Ficus palmata Forssk. is one of the unidentified taxa; characterized by its ovate-orbicular lamina, pubescent in texture, peduncle more than 1 cm long, figs axillary, green turn into dark purple at maturity. Moreover; Ficus septica N.L. Burman is another example for unidentified taxa; it can be distinguished by its glabrous, spirally arranged leaves, lamina mostly elliptic, 20-35 cm long, often narrowed at the base, figs axillary and cauliflorous, mostly depressed globose bearing white or yellow spots appear on the surface of the dry figs. Speaking about the misidentified taxa; F. tinctoria G. Forst. was documented as F. pyriformis Hook. & Arn. It is characterized by its ovate-elliptic to ± rhombic lamina, strongly asymmetric, adaxially rough becoming glabrous with age; fig globose, base attenuate into a stalk, with a circular navel-like ostiole. Furthermore, Ficus tinctoria G. Forst. is a polymorphic species and it can be easily classified into 3 subspecies on the basis of habit and fig diameter. Based on Rong shu (2003) F. tinctoria G. Forst. subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner was recognized with its shrubby habit and narrow figs 0.5-0.8 cm in diameter. Another misidentified F. racemosa L. for F. palmata Forssk. Both species shared the same range of leaves (size, apex, base, lateral veins and petiole); however, F. racemosa L. has elliptic (vs. ovate) shape, coriaceous (vs. chartaceous), entire-undulate (vs. subdentate-distinctly serrate) margin, stipule 1.5-3 cm long (vs. up to 1 cm.), fig color reddish orange (vs. dark purple) at maturity (Rong shu, 2003; Upadhyay and Kumar, 2010; Tiwari et al., 2014). Furthermore, F. auriculata Lour. was misidentified as F. tinctoria G. Forst. subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner (known as F. gibbosa Blume in our gardens) while there leaves and figs characters are distinguishable. Ficus auriculata Lour. leaf is 12-20 cm long (vs 6-12 cm in F. tinctoria G. Forst. subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner); petiole length 4- 10 cm long (vs. less than 3 cm long), stipule 1.5-3 cm long (vs. less than 1 cm), fig pedunculate (vs. subsessile), oboviod with 8-12 conspicuous longitudinal ridges (vs. globose), broader 1-2 cm diameter (vs. narrower 0.5-0.8 cm diameter). As well, F. umbellata Vahl. was documented as F. platyphylla Delile. Both shared many characters such as the size of the leaves and the shape of the tree. Nonetheless, the former figs are subsessile, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, glabrous and wrinkled when dry while pedunculate, 1-2 cm in diameter, puberulous, warted and wrinkled in F. platyphylla Delile. Based on leaf and fig characters it was possible to separate and reidentify F. nymphaeifolia Mill. (Burger, 1977) from F. petiolaris Kunth. Both shared many similar characters but the former is characterized by its subsessile figs with a lustrous velutinous surface (satin-like) and its large subcordate lamina with a basal lobe extending below the petiole attachment while being pedunculate with cordate-orbicular to broadly ovate lamina in F. petiolaris Kunth. 457 Soliman et al. CONCLUSIONS The current study shows the significance of numerical analysis in detecting variation and taxonomic relationships among Ficus species growing in Egyptian gardens as it is attested by previous studies based on leaf architecture, pollen, and anatomical characters. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST STATEMENT The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. LITERATURE CITED Arunachalam, K. and Parimelazhagan, T. 2014. 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Locality Geographic coordinates Alexandria: Antoniades garden 31° 12' 20” N, 29° 56' 49” E Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 24° 05' 37” N, 32° 53’ 13” E Cairo: El Zohriya garden 30° 02’ 38” N, 31°13’ 43” E Cairo: Groppi garden 30° 03' 07” N, 31° 14' 49” E Cairo: near Cairo opera house 30° 02' 29” N, 31° 13' 38” E Giza: El Saff, Alfred Bircher̛ s garden 29° 35' 24” N, 31° 16' 36” E Giza: Mazhar botanical garden 30° 03’ 35” N, 31° 08’ 41” E Giza: Orman botanical garden 30° 01’ 44” N, 31° 12’ 46” E Giza: Cairo University 30° 01' 37” N, 31° 12' 28” E Giza: Agriculture Research Center 30° 01' 12” N, 31° 12' 34” E Giza: Al Mansouria, private garden, Mansoureya area 30° 01' 06” N, 31° 07'16” E Giza: Zoological garden 30° 01’40” N, 31°12’ 57” E Giza: Faculty of Agriculture 31° 01' 05” N, 31° 12’ 29” E Appendix (2): List of Ficus taxa, arranged alphabetically along with their voucher specimens used in the present study. Taxon Locality Date of Collection Collector, Collection number and Herbarium F. abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq., 1867 Giza: Orman botanic garden 09/10/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 03/04/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. amplissima Sm., 1810 Giza: Orman botanic garden 22/06/1967 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. aspera G. Forst., 1786 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 10/01/1960 M. Drar s.n. (CAI) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. auriculata Lour., 1790 Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. benghalensis L., 1753 Giza: Zohriya garden Spring 1962 S. El Sisi s.n. (CAI) Giza: Cairo University 04/04/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. benjamina L., 1767 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 20/12/1995 H. Rofeel 29115 (CAIM) Giza: Agriculture Research Center 16/03/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) 463 Soliman et al. F. carica L., 1753 Gebel Elba 04/03/1938 J.R. Shabetai s.n. (CAIM) Cairo: Groppi garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. CAI) F. cordata subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C.C. Berg, 1988 Gebel Elba 01/03/2019 K. El Haddad & A. Soliman s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. craterostoma Warb. ex Mildbr. & Burret, 1911 Giza: Zohriya garden 17/11/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 10/01/2020 R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. cyathistipula Warb., 1894 Giza: Orman botanic garden 15/04/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. drupacea Thunb. 1786 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 23/05/1969 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Cairo: Zohriya garden 16/03/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. drupacea var. pubescens (Roth) Corner, 1959 Giza: Orman botanic garden 14/10/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Zoo garden 16/03/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. elastica Roxb. ex Hornem., 1819 Giza: Orman botanic garden 09/10/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Agriculture Research Center 16/03/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. hirta Vahl, 1806 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 23/05/1969 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 16/03/2019 H. Rofeel s.n. (CAIM) F. hispida L.f., 1781 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 12/08/1997 Hafeez Rofeel 29298 (CAIM) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. laurifolia Lam., 1788 Giza: Agricultural Museum׳s garden 07/12/1992 M. Moharram s.n. (CAIM) Giza: K. El Haddad private garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. lingua subsp. lingua Warb. ex De Wild & T. Durand, 1901 Giza: K. El Haddad private garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. lutea Vahl, 1805 Giza: Orman botanic garden 09/10/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. lyrata Warb., 1894 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 14/04/1964 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Giza: Agriculture Research Center 15/04/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) 464 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus F. macrophylla Desf. ex Pers., 1806 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 17/02/2007 T. Labib s.n. (CAIM) Giza: Orman botanic garden 19/06/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. microcarpa L.f., 1781 Faculty of Agriculture 02/11/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. natalensis Hochst. subsp. leprieurii (Miq.) C.C.Berg, 1988 Giza: Agriculture Research Center 15/04/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. neriifolia Sm., 1810 Giza: Faculty of agriculture 12/01/1960 M. Drar s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. nymphaeifolia Mill., 1768 Cairo: Zohriya garden 16/03/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. palmata Forssk., 1775 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 25/02/1942 J.R. Shabetai G1495 (CAIM) Giza: Orman botanic garden 15/04/2019 R. Mahdy s.n. (CAI) F. platypoda (Miq.) A.Cunn. ex Miq., 1847 Giza: Orman garden 09/10/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. pumila L.1753 Giza: Zohriya garden 04/08/1968 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. racemosa L. 1753 Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. religiosa L. 1753 Giza: Zohriya garden 20/12/1928 G. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent., 1803 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 23/05/1969 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Alexandria: Antoniades Garden 15/04/2019 R. Mahdy & N. Hassan s.n. (CAI) F. rumphii Blume 1825 Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. saussureana DC. 1841 Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. septica Burm. f. 1768 Giza: Orman botanic garden 06/09/1933 A.K. G1492 (CAIM) Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. sur Forssk. 1775 Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 03/04/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) 465 Soliman et al. F. sycomorus L. 1753 Giza: Agricultural Museum׳s garden 27/01/1965 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman garden 18/01/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. thonningii Blume 1836 Giza: Mazhar botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner 1959 Cairo: Orman botanic garden 27/10/1959 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 15/04/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. umbellata Vahl 1805 Aswan: Aswan botanic garden 21/05/1969 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. sp. Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. virens var. sublanceolata (Miq.) Corner 1959 Giza (El Saff): Alfred Bircher̛s garden 27/05/1961 V. Täckholm s.n. (CAI) Giza: Orman botanic garden 18/05/2019 R. Mahdy & R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) F. virens Aiton 1789 var. virens Giza: Orman botanic garden 03/12/1977 M. El Mahdi s.n. (CAI) Cairo: near Cairo opera house 18/12/2020 R. Hamdy s.n. (CAI) 466 Numerical taxonomy of genus Ficus Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. (2021) 16 (4): 429-467. نواع جديدة ملصرأمع اضافة Moraceaeعائلة Ficus L. 1753التصنيف العددي لجنس لفتاح مهديأشرف توفيق سليمان*، ريم سمير حمدي* و رهام عبد ا ** .سم النبات وامليكروبيولوجي، كلية العلوم، جامعة القاهرة، مصر* ق ** قسم بحوث الزينة و تنسيق الحدائق، معهد بحوث البساتين، مركز البحوث الزراعية، .الجيزة، مصر 20/12/2021، تأريخ النشر: 09/09/2021، تأريخ القبول: 6/07/2021تأريخ االستالم: الخالصة الشديد وااللتباس بين التباين املظهري ا بسبب محير Ficus L., 1753 جنسيعتبر تصنيف taxa االصنوفات من الصفات املظهرية ألنواعصفة 36تناولت هذه الدراسة لذلك أنواعه؛ دائق املصرية بإحدى وأربعين كشفت الدراسة أن هذا الجنس ممثل في الح الدراسة. قيد ، 33اصنوفة ) Ficus :شملتُجَنْيسات 5أصناف( ، مقسمة إلى 4تحت صنفي و 4نوعا Corner, 1960 ، Raf., 1838 Terega ، Raf., 1838 Sycomorus ،(Miq.) Miq., 1867 Synoecia ،Raf.,1838 Spherosuke د تم وق غير معرفة من بين هؤالء سبعة انواع كانت .F. lingua subspجديدة من الفيكس إلى مصر وهي: نويعاتتعريفها. وقد تم ادراج أربعة lingua Warb. ex De Wild. & T. Durand, 1901 و L.,1753 F. pumila و Blume, 1825 F. rumphii وF. sur Blume, 1825 Blume, 1825. ي النظاميات النباتية: تحليل التجميع ثنائي كشف تطبيق التحليالت متعددة املتغيرات ف االتجاه وتحليل املكون الرئيس ي ، أن الصفات النوعية مثل وجود أو عدم وجود قنابات سويقية ؛ في حين أن ضمن هذا الجنسوكذلك صفة حافة األوراق تميز الُجَنْيسات داخل أو فويهية ، وطول النصل ، ونسبة طول النصل الخصائص النوعية للورقة مثل ترتيب األوراق ، والشكل 467 Soliman et al. إلى عرضه ، و شكل قاعدة ، وقمة الورقة ، وعدد العروق الجانبية ، وعنق الثمرة ، وشكلها ، وعرضها ميزت بشكل كبير األنواع داخل أقسام هذا الجنس املختلفة. صممت سبعة مفاتيح تشخيصية لألصنوفات املدروسة بناء على الصفات املظهرية االصنوفات قيد جميعة، باإلضافة إلى ذلك تم عمل مفتاح تخطيطي يجمع بين املدروس .الدراسة