Synonyms

Echinocactus bodenbenderianus*, Gymnocalycium ochoterenae ssp. herbsthoferianum, Gymnocalycium intertextum, Gymnocalycium bodenbenderianum ssp. intertextum, Gymnocalycium riojense ssp. kozelskyanum, Gymnocalycium moserianum, Gymnocalycium occultum, Gymnocalycium stellatum ssp. occultum, Gymnocalycium ochoterenae, Gymnocalycium riojense ssp. paucispinum, Gymnocalycium piltziorum, Gymnocalycium riojense ssp. piltziorum, Gymnocalycium riojense, Gymnocalycium vatteri, Gymnocalycium ochoterenae ssp. vatteri
* Basionym

Distribution

Argentina (Catamarca, Córdoba, La Rioja, San Juan, San Luis)

Conservation status

(3)   Least Concern, LC

Comments

Gymnocalycium bodenbenderianum (Hosseus ex A. Berger) A. W. Hill is a dominant species belonging to the seed group Trichomosemineum widespread in the provinces of Catamarca, Córdoba, La Rioja, San Juan and San Luis in Argentina. The phytogeographical region exists between the Monte region, the southern part of the Chaco, and the Espinal region to the extreme southwest of the range. Contrary to the latest literature (Anderson 2001, 349-350, 357-358; 2005; 2011; Hunt et al. 2006, text: 127, 131; Charles 2009, 209-217), we believe that the populations that make up the taxon known as Gymnocalycium ochoterenae Backeberg, are only the southwestern extension of the range of G. bodenbenderianum. The ranges of the two taxa in fact overlap in the Cañada Larga (A&M 403, photos 01-21), a locality between Tuclame and Agua de Ramón, Córdoba (AR), as documented also by Charles (2009, 209, fig. 462, 215, fig. 482). We believe that the two taxa are distinct semaphoronts (Hennig 1966, 6-7, 33, 65), or in other words different growth phases, distinguishable within the ontogenesis process of the same taxon. As we highlight in the photographic documentation, the transition from the bodenbenderianum form (photos 01-09), to the ochoterenae form (photos 10-18) can be observed in the same population. Sometimes the two semaphoronts can be seen in individuals living side by side, manifesting themselves as growth phases of the same taxon (photos 13-21). It may also be noted that the semaphoront in the photos 19-21 (G. ochoterenae in juvenile phase) is the same as one of the intermediate phases (photo 06) in the group of the bodenbenderianum form (photos 01-09). Even the different attributions, made by specialists of the genus, such as Gymnocalycium intertextum Backeberg ex H. Till placed with G. bodenbenderianum, as Gymnocalycium bodenbenderianum ssp. intertextum (Backeberg ex H. Till) H. Till (Anderson 2001, 349-350, 357-358; 2005; 2011), and then a synonym of G. ochoterenae (Hunt et al. 2006, text: 129; Charles 2009, 214-215), says enough about the fragility of the boundaries between these taxa. Under what has been shown, we consider it correct to add G. ochoterenae to the synonyms of G. bodenbenderianum. (Quoted from: Anceschi & Magli 2013b, 63-64)

Genus

Gymnocalycium

Other species

alboareolatum
andreae
anisitsii
baldianum
bayrianum
bodenbenderianum
borthii
bruchii
buenekeri
calochlorum
capillaense
cardenasianum
castellanosii
chiquitanum
denudatum
eurypleurum
ferrarii
fischeri
glaucum
horridispinum
horstii
hossei
kieslingii
marsoneri
megatae
mesopotamicum
mihanovichii
monvillei
mostii
nigriareolatum
oenanthemum
paediophilum
paraguayense
pflanzii
reductum
ritterianum
robustum
saglionis
schickendantzii
schroederianum
spegazzinii
stellatum
stenopleurum
uebelmannianum
uruguayense