Abstract Detail

Systematics Section / ASPT

Faria, Ana Paula G. de [2], Wendt, Tania [2], Brown, Gregory K. [1].

Monophly and relationships of Macrochordion (Bromeliaceae) inferred from morphological data.

Macrochordion has been treated as a genus or as a subgenus of Aechmea in different taxonomic treatments proposed for subfamily Bromelioideae. Recent cladistic studies suggest the elevation of Macrochordion to generic rank, however, this remains provisional given that the phylogenetic relationships of this taxon must be analyzed within the broader context of other Bromelioideae genera. Macrochordion contains ca.10 species that share many morphological similarities both vegetative and reproductive. Most of them are known o­nly from the type collection and the characters employed for delimitation of these species are in need of revision. A cladistic analysis using morphological data involving 5 species of Macrochordion as well as species from Aechmea subgenera Aechmea, Chevaliera, Lamprococcus, Ortgiesia and Pothuava and the genus Quesnelia was conducted to test the putative monophyly of Macrochordion. Species of Cryptanthus were used as the outgroup o­n the basis of recent molecular work. The analysis yielded 57 trees of 566 steps. The strict consensus tree shows that four Macrochordion species were supported as monophyletic (78 % bootstrap), with species of Chevaliera and Pothuava as the sister group. The results also indicate that Aechmea turbinocalyx should be segregated from Macrochordion, with placement in Aechmea subgenus Aechmea. The analysis provides an important contribution toward understanding the phylogenetic relationships within Aechmea and will be helpful in future redefinition of genera within Bromelioideae.
Supported by NSF DEB – 0129446 and Brazilian Research Council Grant – CAPES.

1 - University of Wyoming, Department of Botany, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
2 - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Botânica, CCS-IB, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941 590, Brasil

Keywords:
Bromeliaceae
Bromelioideae
cladistic analysis
morphology
Aechmea.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-82
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:567