| Abstract Detail
Martin, Claire V. [1], Little, Damon [1], Michelangeli, Fabian A. [1]. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the polyphyletic genus Leandra (Miconieae, Melastomataceae). MELASTOMATACEAE is a tropical family of 4500-5000 species divided into nine tribes. The tribe Miconieae is the largest group, composed of approximately 2200 species in 30 genera found exclusively in the Neotropics. Previous phylogenetic analyses of the Miconieae have shown that many of the genera are derived from a paraphyletic Miconia. However, these analyses only included six species of Leandra, a genus with over 240 species that has traditionally considered very complex. As currently defined Leandra is characterized by acute petals and terminal inflorescences, but some species of Miconia, Clidemia and Ossaea also have these characters. In this study, we present an analysis of nrITS sequence data for 241 species of Miconieae, including 63 species of Leandra. Leandra is resolved as polyphyletic, but some distinct and well-supported clades do exist. The distribution of seed structure characters is better correlated with the phylogeny than traditional characters, such as petal morphology and inflorescence position. Seed appendages in Leandra have evolved independently at least four times. Acute petals have evolved at least 10 times in the tribe, and some reversals might have also occurred.
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1 - The New York Botanical Garden, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Program for Molecular Systematic Studies, 200th St. & Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York, 10458-5126, USA
Keywords:
Leandra
Melastomataceae
Miconieae
seed morphology.
Presentation Type: Array
Session: 30-11
Location: 134/Performing Arts Center
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 11:00 AM
Abstract ID:274 |
