Phylogenetics and Biogeography of Aichryson Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Sequences
Issue Date
2009-07-02Author
O'Leary, Thomas Ryan
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
57 pages
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
M.A.
Discipline
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
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This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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Show full item recordAbstract
Aichryson (Crassulaceae) is a genus of succulent herbs that are endemic to the islands of Macaronesia. The current study provides the best estimate of maternal phylogeny in Aichryson to date. Multiple accessions of various taxa were recovered in separate strongly supported clades, calling into question the monophyly of many widespread species, including A. pachycaulon, A. pachycaulon subsp. gonzalez-hernandezii, A. parlatorei, A. punctatum and A. villosum. The taxonomic difficulties in this genus may be complicated by processes such as convergent evolution and/or high levels of hybridization. The biogeography, morphological evolution and modes of speciation in Aichryson are discussed in the context of a dated chloroplast phylogeny. The need for further study and nuclear genomic sampling is discussed in light of our results and a plan for future investigation is outlined.
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