Abstract Detail
Systematics/Phytogeography / Taxonomie/ Section Dertien, Joseph R. [1], Duvall, Melvin R. [1]. Phylogenetic relationships within Larreoideae (Zygophyllaceae). Larreoideae (Zygophyllaceae) consists of trees and shrubs primarily distributed in arid regions of the New World. They include some of the most abundant desert species (Larrea spp.) as well as economically important endangered species of the dry topical forest (Guaiacum spp.). Evolutionary relationships at several taxonomic levels have been clarified using nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (trnSG, trnLF) DNA data from accessions sampled broadly across species and geographic distribution.
Nuclear and chloroplast data in both combined and independent analyses have revealed paraphyletic relationships among species of Bulnesia and Larrea. Species complexes in these genera may be incorrectly defined and in need of taxonomic revision. These data have also clarified both inter and intraspecific relationships within Guaiacum, and have revealed distinct biogeographic patterns between Caribbean and Mexican populations of G. sanctum. These results have potential for delimiting species and informing conservation practices involving these endangered species. In addition to molecular data, several larreoid species possess unique anatomical features of the pulvinule that are potentially useful as phylogenetically informative characters.
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1 - Northern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Montgomery Hall, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115-2861, USA
Keywords:
Zygophyllaceae
Larrea
Guaiacum
trnLF
ITS
Dry Tropics
pulvinus.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 46
Location: 169/Law
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Time: 3:00 PM
Number: 46009
Abstract ID:620 | 
