ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 3873
Session = 3.7.4


CHARACTER EVOLUTION IN PINES: SEARCHING FOR ADAPTIVE SYNDROMES


Daniel Piñero, Sol Ortíz-García, David S. Gernandt and Elena Alvarez-Buylla, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, Apartado 70-275, México, D.F., México


A molecular phylogenetic reconstruction based on partial ITS sequences for 47 pine species and Cathaya and Picea as outgroups was used as an historical framework to analyze de evolution of 70 morphological characters. Relative rate tests were conducted to determine differences in molecular rates of evolution. Some species with significantly different rates were discarded for further analysis. Independent contrasts were carried out in order to search for adaptive syndromes. Correlation of character evolution was found for morphological characters related to seed dispersal, water use and availability and herbivory. These results suggest that environmental conditions have had an important impact in pine evolution through natural selection.


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