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Phylogenetics and Biogeography of Aichryson Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Sequences
O'Leary, Thomas Ryan
O'Leary, Thomas Ryan
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Abstract
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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Date
2009-07-02
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University of Kansas
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Keywords
Biology, Botany, Geography, Aichryson, Biogeography, Canary islands, Chloroplast, Crassulaceae, Phylogeny