| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section / ASPT Morawetz, Jeffery J. [1], Wolfe, Andrea D. [1]. Phylogenetic analyses of the primarily hemiparasitic Alectra (Orobanchaceae): a preliminary study. ALECTRA Benth. (Orobanchaceae) is a genus of mostly hemiparasitic herbaceous plants, and is comprised of approximately 30 species distributed primarily throughout southern and eastern Africa as well as Madagascar. Three species are of particular interest due to their geographical distributions, A. sessiliflora, A. aspera, and A. stricta. Alectra sessiliflora is a widespread and polymorphic species present throughout sub-Saharan Africa into India and China. Additionally, A. aspera and A. stricta occur in tropical South America, but the relationship of these species to each other and the rest of the genus is currently unclear. Two types of parasitism exist within flowering plants (hemi- and holo-parasitism) and within Alectra both types are known. A preliminary phylogeny of Alectra is presented here based on combined ITS, trnT-F and rpl16 sequence data. This phylogeny provides an opportunity to begin answering several questions about the evolutionary history of the genus; particularly, the number of times that holoparasitism has arisen and the biogeographic patterns of diversification of Alectra both within the Old World and the events leading to its arrival in the New World. The implications of the placement of the closely related holoparasitic genus Aeginetia are also examined.[c.e.:srb] Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Ohio State University, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, 300 Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W. 12th Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1293, USA
Keywords: Alectra Orobanchaceae holoparasitic hemiparasitic parasitic plants Africa.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections Session: 50-8 Location: 144/Performing Arts Center Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 Time: 4:15 PM Abstract ID:406 |