| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section / ASPT Ghebretinsae, Amanuel [1], Graham, Shirley A. [2], Barber, Janet C. [1]. Phylogenetics of the North American Cuphea (Lythraceae): insights into the evolution of chromosome numbers, floral morphology and fatty acids. Cuphea P. Browne is a genus of annuals and perennials comprising ca. 270 species. Two major geographical centers have been identified: one in western and southern Mexico and the other in eastern Brazil. Floral diversity within the genus reaches its greatest expression in the North American center of diversity with ca. 85 species occurring in the area (of which ca. 70 are endemic). Chromosome numbers have been counted for nearly 60% of the North American species and include 22 different numbers ranging from n=6 to n=86. North American Cuphea are also known for their highly diversified seed oils that are rich in a striking variety of fatty acids. A previous phylogenetic study of Cuphea based on limited sampling and data from ITS and morphology supported a large monophyly of North American species but was incompletely resolved. We present a molecular phylogenetic study of the North American Cuphea using multiple chloroplast markers and increased taxon sampling. The phylogeny is used to verify the monophyly of the North American clade, provide more complete resolution of sister relationships, assess current sectional delimitations, and analyze patterns of floral morphology, chromosome number and fatty acid composition within the group. Results to date indicate: that the North American endemic Cuphea are monophyletic; major floral characters defining sections of the genus are homoplastic; fatty acids in Cuphea seed oils have diversified most extensively in the North American clade.
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1 - Saint Louis University, Department of Biology, 3507 Laclede Avenue, St Louis, Missouri, 63103-2010, USA
2 - Kent State University, Missouri Botanical Garden, Po Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri, 63166-0299, USA
Keywords:
Chloroplast
chromosome evolution
Cuphea
fatty acids
floral morphology
Lythraceae
North America.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: CP56
Location: Stevens 3/Hilton
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Time: 1:15 PM
Number: CP56001
Abstract ID:1421 |
