| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section Carlsen, Monica [1]. Understanding the tempo and mode of evolution of the genus Anthurium Schott (Araceae) using a molecular phylogeny. Anthurium is the richest genus in Araceae,with ca. 1000 species distributed throughout the Neotropics. It is also among the most basal lineages in the family, and in comparison with other early divergent taxa in Araceae, it shows an extremely wide range of morphological diversity. In this study, a molecular phylogeny based on combined chloroplast (trnG intron, trnH-psbA and trnC-ycf6 intergenic spacers) and nuclear (second intron of CHS) DNA datasets was used to understand the timing and pattern of diversification within the genus. Molecular evidence reveals that the initial divergence between Anthurium and its sister genus Pothos is quite old, but it was much later in time that Anthurium itself diversified explosively. A molecular signature of very low DNA sequence differentiation among species and increased diversification rate when compared to its sister genus, suggests that a rapid radiation gave rise to most of the species within Anthurium. On the other hand, there is a high rate of morphological differentiation among species, with highly homoplasious leaf shape, venation and texture characteristics, and more stable inflorescence and fruit characters. The pattern of rapid diversification is also coupled with geography, where species in close geographic proximity are more closely related to each other, even if they differ in terms of vegetative morphology. Broader Impacts:
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1 - Missouri Botanical Garden, PO Box 299, St. Louis, MO, 63166, USA
Keywords:
Anthurium
rapid radiation
neotropics
molecular phylogeny.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 35
Location: Lindell C/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 35002
Abstract ID:659 |
