Related Species
Nepenthes mikei is most closely allied to the Sumatran endemics N. angasanensis and N. tobaica, and may be conspecific with the former.
In their description of N. mikei, Salmon and Maulder noted many differences between it and N. angasanensis which are now known to be unreliable. For example, the authors wrote that N. angasanensis produces offshoots from underground rhizomes, while N. mikei does not; populations of N. mikei from Mount Bandahara are now known to produce such offshoots. Similarly, N. angasanensis was said to lack a fasciculate spur, but this has since been recorded in lower pitchers of this species. Disregarding these supposed differences leaves only a few stable distinguishing features between the species. Firstly, the teeth lining the inner margin of the peristome are shorter in N. mikei, although both have minute teeth and this difference is minor. Secondly, the pedicels of N. mikei bear simple bracteoles, while those of N. angasanensis do not. Finally, N. angasanensis exhibits a greater density of digestive glands on the inner pitcher surface.
Nepenthes angasanensis and N. mikei are more easily distinguished by their differing ecology. While N. angasanensis is generally found growing terrestrially or epiphytically in shady mossy forest, N. mikei is always terrestrial and favours more exposed sites where it receives strong sunlight. Nepenthes angasanensis also typically produces longer stems, with regular offshoots from the leaf axils, although these have been observed in N. mikei as well.
Nepenthes tobaica differs from N. mikei in a number of floral and vegetative features. Whereas the latter has a shorter inflorescence with flowers borne singly on pedicels, N. tobaica has two-flowered partial peduncles. In addition, N. tobaica lacks the fasciculate spur of N. mikei and generally has wider laminae.
Salmon and Maulder also compared N. mikei to N. adnata and N. tentaculata. Stewart McPherson noted that the species may also superficially resemble N. eustachya in the shape of its pitchers.
In 2001, Charles Clarke performed a cladistic analysis of the Nepenthes species of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia using 70 morphological characteristics of each taxon. The following is a portion of the resultant cladogram, showing part of "Clade 6". The sister pair of N. angasanensis and N. mikei has 79% support.
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Clarke concluded that the "relationships between are very complex and are somewhat difficult to interpret at present".
Read more about this topic: Nepenthes Mikei
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