Abstract
Mimosa setosa, as currently circumscribed, is a polytypic species comprising four subspecies and eight varieties. Recent phylogenetic analyses showed that these infraspecific taxa do not form a monophyletic group. A morphological analysis of a complete set of specimens gathered from several herbaria, including types and recent collections, combined with the application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept lead to recognition of taxa currently placed under M. setosa as six different species with no infraspecific taxa recognised. Congruence among phylogenetic data, geography and use of the specific rank as the least inclusive unity for description allows for better comparison of biological diversity and an improved circumscription of taxa in the M. setosa complex.
Key words:
Brazil; campo rupestre; cerrado; Fabaceae; Phylogenetic Species Concept
