Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Bernardini, Benedetta [1], Byng, James [1], Snow, Neil [2].

Phylogeny, biogeographic origins, and convergent evolution in Old World Eugenia (Myrtaceae), with a focus on African species.

Eugenia L. is a large genus (ca. 1000 spp.) in the Myrtaceae family with a nearly pantropical distribution. Approximately two-thirds of the species occur in the New World and one-third in the Old World. Given that Old World species usually are locally restricted, rare, or extinct in the wild, they typically are collected infrequently and are poorly known. We examined relationships of Eugenia by sampling 49 species from the major geographical regions of the Old World, and 45 species from the New World. DNA sequences were generated from two nuclear (ITS and ETS) and three plastid genes (matk, ndhF and rpl16) and analysed with maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods. Our results corroborate previous studies that show Old World species are divided into two strongly supported clades, termed X and Y, which was first suggested by van Wyk in the late 1970's for South African taxa. Clade X contains taxa from tropical to southern Africa, whilst clade Y contains taxa from the Mascarenes, Madagascar, South Africa, Asia and New Caledonia. Our results suggest two dispersal events to Africa from the New World, with the Y clade arriving via southern Africa, and the X clade via western Africa. Multiple sampled accessions each of the widespread continental African species E. capensis and Malesian-Pacific E. reinwardiana confirm they are polyphyletic and in need of taxonomic revision. Dioecy in Eugenia is common in the X and Y clades in continental Africa and has evolved independently several times. However, dioecy is unknown outside of the continent, suggesting local selective factors account for its convergent evolution.

1 - Plant Gateway, 5 Talbot Street, Hertford, SG13 7BX, UK
2 - Pittsburg State University, Biology, 1701 S. Brodway, Pittsburg, KS, 66762-7552, USA

Keywords:
Eugenia
Myrtaceae
Africa
Phylogeny
dioecy.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY021
Abstract ID:330
Candidate for Awards:None