Exploring the carbonization effect on the interspecific identification of cotton (Gossypium spp.) seeds using classical and 2D geometric morphometrics

The history of cotton (Gossypium sp), which has become along past millennia a plant major economic interest, relies on the dried or charred seeds found in archaeobotanical assemblages. Our capacity to document dispersal routes cotton, however, is hampered by lack taxonomic resolution at specific levels based current seed anatomic features. In order explore signal interspecific level seeds, and impact carbonization this signal, we used linear measurements (length, width thickness) 2D geometric morphometrics (GM) comparing modern four domesticates (G. arboreum, G. herbaceum, barbadense, hirsutum) experimentally seeds. shape form (size + shape) were captured using an outline analysis with sliding semi-landmarks approach compared after Generalized Procrustes Superimposition (GPS). reaction charring 250 °C during 2 h30 was globally characterized size reduction but no deformation; study also shows that rather than their provides more stringent discriminations measurements. This pilot emphasizes relevance GM while underlying limit method for taxonomical archaeological