Abstract Detail

Systematics Section / ASPT

Penneys, Darin S. [2], Whitten, W. M. [1], Williams, N. H. [1], Judd, Walter S. [2].

Huilaea and the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): phylogenetic relationships reconsidered.

Blakeeae (Melastomataceae) currently consists of two neotropical genera (Blakea and Topobea) and nearly 200 species. Typically, Blakeeae are large, woody epiphytes and hemiepiphytes with showy flowers (subtended by a pair of decussate bracts) that attract a variety of pollinators including hymenopterans, hummingbirds, and most remarkably, rodents. The majority of Blakeeae are single-country endemics; Colombia and Panama are centers of diversity. A cladistic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and morphology was conducted. Huilaea, an Andean genus of eight species of large-flowered, hummingbird pollinated trees currently placed in the Miconieae, is strongly supported as the sister group to the Blakeeae. Morphological characters uniting Huilaea + (Blakea + Topobea) include large, 6-merous flowers, anthers with a dorsal appendage, fleshy fruits, pyramidal seeds, acarodomatia, and druses in the parenchyma. If further sampling continues to support Huilaea as sister to Blakea and Topobea, then the circumscription of Blakeeae should be expanded to include Huilaea. The separation of Blakea and Topobea is based exclusively on characteristics of the androecium: preliminary findings indicate that their separation is artificial.

Related Links:

Melastomataceae of the World

1 - University of Florida, Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-7800, USA
2 - University of Florida, Department of Botany, 220 Bartram Hall, P.O. Box 118526, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-8526, USA

Keywords:
Melastomataceae
Blakeeae
Huilaea
phylogenetics
neotropics
pollination.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-103
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:136