ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 3872
Session = 7.2.1


EVOLUTION AND RADIATION OF GARDENIEAE (RUBIACEAE) ON PACIFIC ISLANDS


Christopher F. Puttock, Herbarium Pacificum (BISH), Hawaii, USA


Three genera of Gardenieae are native to islands of the Pacific: Aidia (incl. Pelagodendron, Randia p.p.), Atractocarpus (incl. Trukia, Sukunia, Porterandia p.p., Randia p.p.) and Gardenia. In this group (and others), as a consequence of weight given to morphological specialization or geographic distance from distribution centers, island taxonomy has resulted in an inflated number of genera. The delimitation of the Pacific Gardenieae has been examined using cladistics. This supports the reduction of several endemic genera, viz. Pelagodendron, Trukia and Sukunia. At the species level, island biogeography also promotes 'neighbor-island' species recognition, often inflating the number of local species. Using morphology the evolution and radiation within the Pacific members of Aidia, Atractocarpus and Gardenia are investigated in preparation for molecular research.


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