Abstract Detail

Systematics Section / ASPT

Stevens, Angela C. [1], Mollerup, Audrey [3], Wong, Wee Seng [1], Davidson, Christopher [2], Smith, James F. [1].

Preliminary phylogenetic placement of African species of Piper (Piperaceae) using data from chloroplast DNA and low copy nuclear gene glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3pdh).

Piper has a pantropical distribution, although the greatest diversity of species are found in South and Central America, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Africa, in comparison, is depauperate with an estimated 15 species. Previous phylogenetic analyses of Piper have demonstrated the monophyly of the American, Asian and Pacific species, but have not sampled the African species. We have included two native African species as well as the presumably introduced P. umbellatum in our analyses to ascertain the placement of African Piper. Piper clearly is divided into New and Old World clades. While our analyses currently under-represent the Asian and Pacific diversity, these clades themselves are not resolved as monophyletic with respect to the African species, implying multiple introductions into Africa from Asia or the Pacific. Further species sampling of the Old World clade will be essential before fully resolving the relationships within this clade.

1 - Boise State University, Biology, 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho, 83725, USA
2 - Idaho Botanical Research Foundation, 2713 Rhyolite, Boise, Idaho, 83712, USA
3 - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, Washington, 98109-1024, USA

Keywords:
Piper
biogeography
Africa
South America
Pacific.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 2-7
Location: Cottonwood A (Snowbird Center)
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2004
Time: 9:30 AM
Abstract ID:190