Evolution in African Marantaceae - Evidence from Phylogenetic, Ecological and Morphological Studies
The Marantaceae (∼530 spp.) are one of the most species rich families within the order Zingiberales which incites the search for evolutionary factors favoring speciation. A positive influence on their divergence is ascribed to their unique explosive pollination mechanism which has
been proposed to be a key innovation. To test this hypothesis phylogenies of the two major African clades (Sarcophrynium and the Marantochloa clade) were established based on data from nuclear (ITS, 5S) and chloroplast (trnL/trnL-F) DNA for an almost complete taxon sample.
The phylogeny was used to parsimoniously reconstruct morphological and ecological traits and geographic distribution patterns. The resulting molecular relationships of the genera are congruent with the existing family phylogeny. As in previous studies the species Ataenidia conferta
is nested within Marantochloa so that a new circumscription of Marantochloa is proposed leading to the new name Marantochloa conferta. Hybridization events, adaptation to different pollinators, and Pleistocene climatic fluctuations are hypothesized evolutionary factors
fostering speciation in the African clades. The explosive pollination mechanism might have played an important role in optimizing the mating system but did certainly not force speciation directly through mechanisms of reproductive isolation.
Keywords: CHARACTER RECONSTRUCTION; EXPLOSIVE POLLINATION MECHANISM; HYBRIDIZATION; KEY INNOVATION; PLANT POLLINATOR INTERACTION; PLEISTOCENE REFUGIA
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 April 2011
- Systematic Botany is the scientific journal of the American Society of Plant Taxonomists and publishes four issues per year.
2011 Impact Factor: 1.517
2011 ISI Journal Citation Reports® Rankings: 87/190 - Plant Sciences
34/45 - Evolutionary Biology - Editorial Board
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