| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section / ASPT Salvo, Gabriele [1], Conti, Elena [1]. Investigating the monophyly and biogeographic history of Ruta (Rutaceae) with chloroplast DNA sequence data. ACCORDING to the most recent classification, Ruta includes 8 species of perennial shrubs endemic to the Mediterranean basin and the Canary Islands. A characteristic of Ruta is the presence of strong-smelling, ethereal oils and inflorescences with 5-merous terminal flowers and 4-merous lateral ones. Engler (1931) first proposed to group Ruta with the morphologically similar Haplophyllum, Thamnosma, Boenninghausenia, Cneoridium and Dictamnus in Ruteae. More recently, Townsend (1986) suggested that there are only a few non-overlapping morphological characters that can discriminate among the above-mentioned genera, and called for a comprehensive examination of the relationships within Ruteae. A phylogeny including all species from Ruteae and other taxa representing the taxonomic diversity of Rutaceae was constructed using 4 molecular markers from the chloroplast DNA: matK, rpl16, trnLF and part of the trnK intron. Because the relationships among supra-generic taxa within the family are not clear, different rootings were compared, using also outgroups from outside the family. The results are discussed in light of the two most recent classifications for the family: Engler’s (1931) morphological classification and Da Silva et al. (1988) chemotaxonomic classification. The Mediterranean basin, with its complex but well-known history of microplate movements and climatic oscillations, provides the geological backdrop for the diversification of Ruta. In fact this genus, containing both peri-Mediterranean species (for ex., R.chalepensis) and island endemic species (for ex., R.corsica on the Corso-Sardinian microplate, and R.pinnata, R.oreojasme, and R.microcarpa on the Canary Islands) serves as an ideal group to investigate biogeographic patterns in the Western Mediterranean basin. The results of initial analyses aimed at reconstructing the origins of island endemics in Ruta will be presented.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Universität Zürich, Institut für Systematische Botanik, Zollikerstrasse 107, Zürich, CH-8008, Schweiz
Keywords:
Ruta
Mediterranean
chloroplast DNA.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 51-1
Location: 120/Ayres
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 2:00 PM
Abstract ID:181 |
