Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Villaverde, Tamara [1], Varón, Ceferino [2], Márquez-Corro, Jose Ignacio [1], Luceño, Modesto [1], Martín-Bravo, Santiago [1], Edoardo, Martinetto [3], Jiménez-Mejías, Pedro [4].

Geometric morphometrics studies of achene help an accurate interpretation of Carex (Cyperaceae) fossil record.

Despite the growing interest in the systematics and evolution of the hyperdiverse genus Carex, the taxonomic knowledge of the fossil record is poorly developed, which has limited its usage in phylogenetic dating. It is a common problem in other plant groups. Most Carex fossils consist in achenes, but their structures use to be altered by the taphonomic process. Fossil achene features are in most cases reduced to the general outline and the remains of the style-base and achene-utricle attachment. Geometric morphometrics provide computerized methods for quantitative shape analysis of morphological data. They are helpful to find significant differences in forms within and among taxa in a reproducible, rigorous and statistically powerful way. We used geometric morphometrics on a representative sampling of extant species from the genus Carex to uncover the main traits in achene morphology within groups, evaluate its diagnostic value for classification, and to approach its evolutionary trends. The first results are promising for the future taxonomic interpretation of the Carex fossil record. Our methodology could also be applied in other plant groups with limited palaeotaxonomic knowledge.

1 - Pablo de Olavide University, Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Carretera de Utrera km 1 sn, Seville, 41013, Spain
2 - University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences, Oxford Road , Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
3 - Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Via Valperga Caluso, 35, Turion, 10125, Italy
4 - Washington State University, School of Biological Sciences, Abelson Hall 339, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA

Keywords:
taxonomy
Palaeobotany
phylogenetics
Carex
Cyperaceae.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY007
Abstract ID:466
Candidate for Awards:None