Scott Zona

Molecular Phylogenetic Studies of Caribbean Palms (Arecaceae) and Their Relationships to Biogeography and Conservation

The Caribbean Islands are one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, remarkable for its biological richness and the high level of threat to its flora and fauna. The palms (family Arecaceae) are well represented in the West Indies, with 21 genera (three endemic) and 135 species (121 endemic). We provide an overview of phylogenetic knowledge of West Indian Palms, including their relationships within a plastid DNA-based phylogeny of the Arecaceae. We present new data used to reconstruct the phylogeny of tribe Cryosophileae, including four genera found in the West Indies, based on partial sequences of the low-copy nuclear genes encoding phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and subunit 2 of RNA polymerase II (RPB2). Recently published phylogenetic studies of tribe Cocoseae, based on PRK sequences, and tribes Cyclospatheae and Geonomateae, based on PRK and RPB2 sequences, also provide information on the phylogenetic relationships of West Indian palms. Results of these analyses show many independent origins of the West Indian Palm flora. These phylogenetic studies reflect the complex envolutionary history of the West Indies and no single biogeographical pattern emerges for these palms. The present day distributions of West Indian palms suggest complicated evolutionary interchange among islands, as well as between the West Indies and surrounding continents. We identified six palm lineages that deserve conservation priority. Species-level phylogenies are needed for Copernicia, Sabal, and Roystonea before we can build a more complete understanding of the origin and diversification of West Indian palms.ResumenLas Islas del Caribe constituyen uno de los 34 “hotspots” de biodiversidad del mundo, notables por su riqueza biológica y el alto grado de amenaza de su flora y fauna. La familia Arecaceae esta bien representada en Las Antillas con 21 géneros (tres endémicos) y 135 especies (121 endémicas). Presentamos una síntesis del conocimiento filogénetico de las palmas de Las Antillas incluyendo su posición dentro de la filogenia de la familia Arecaceae basada en ADN cloroplástico. Construímos una nueva filogenia para la tribu Cryosophileae, la cual incluye cuatro géneros de Las Antillas, basada en secuencias parciales de los genes nucleares de copia baja fosforibulokinasa (PRK) y la ARN polimerasa II (RPB2). Los estudios filogenéticos publicados de la tribu Cocoseae basada en secuencias de PRK, y de las tribus Cyclospatheae y Geonomateae basadas en secuencias de PRK y RPB2, también proveen información sobre las relaciones filogéneticas de las palmas de Las Antillas. Estos resultados indican el origen evolutivo múltiple de estas palmas. Los estudios filogenéticos reflejan la compleja historia evolutiva de Las Antillas y no existe un único patrón biogeográfico para las palmas de esta región. Las distribuciones actuales de las palmas de Las Antillas sugieren un complejo intercambio entre islas, así como estre islas y las masas continentales vecinas. Identificamos seis linajes de palmas que merecen prioridad de conservación. Se necesitan estudios filogéneticos para los géneros Copernicia, Sabal, y Roystonea con el fin de mejorar nuestro entendimiento sobre el origen y diversificación de las palmas de Las Antillas.

The conservation status of West Indian palms (Arecaceae)

The conservation status of 134 species, sub- species and varieties of West Indian palms (Arecaceae) is assessed and reviewed, based on field studies and current literature. We find that 90% of the palm taxa of the West Indies are endemic. Using the IUCN Red List categories one species is categorized as Extinct, 11 taxa as Critically Endangered, 19 as Endangered, and 21 as Vulnerable. Fifty-seven taxa are classified as Least Concern. Twenty-five taxa are Data Deficient, an indica- tion that additional field studies are urgently needed. The 11 Critically Endangered taxa warrant immediate conservation action; some are currently the subject of ex situ and in situ conservation projects in the regions botanical gardens. We recommend that preliminary conservation assessments be made of the 25 Data Deficient taxa so that conservation measures can be implemented for those facing imminent threats.

Dransfieldia (Arecaceae)—A New Palm Genus from Western New Guinea

Abstract The systematic placement of the little-known species Ptychosperma micranthum (Arecaceae/Palmae: Arecoideae: Areceae) from far western New Guinea has been repeatedly disputed, resulting in recombinations in both Heterospathe and Rhopaloblaste. However, comparative morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies provide strong evidence against the placement of the species within any of these three genera, or indeed in any other accepted genus. Thus, a new genus, Dransfieldia, is herein described and a new combination, Dransfieldia micrantha, is made. Morphological character analyses demonstrate that the combination of character states that defines Dransfieldia is highly distinctive, despite the fact that many of the states are homoplasious. Dransfieldia micrantha is a slender, unarmed palm possessing a well-defined crownshaft, strongly ridged leaflets with entire, acute apices, an infrafoliar inflorescence with a persistent prophyll that is split apically by the exertion of the peduncular bract, a peduncle that is longer than the rachis, bullet-shaped multistaminate male flower buds in which the filaments in the outer whorl are irregularly inflexed in bud, and fruit with apical stigmatic remains. Molecular phylogenies strongly support the position of Dransfieldia within tribe Areceae, placing it within a clade of genera from the western Pacific.

A survey of cyanogenesis in palms (Arecaceae)

We surveyed leaf material of 545 individual palms representing 108 genera and 155 species for cyanogenesis using the Feigl-Anger test. We detected HCN production in only two species of one genus, Drymophloeus. Additional smaller surveys of shoot meristems and roots revealed cyanogenesis only in the shoot meristem of one species of Dypsis. Our results indicate that cyanogenesis is rather rare in the family. ( 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seeds of Eriocaulaceae of the United States and Canada

Abstract A study of seed coat micromorphology, using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, revealed characters of taxonomic significance and utility among the species of Eriocaulaceae of the United States and Canada. Our survey of nine native species of Eriocaulon, five Lachnocaulon, and one Syngonanthus revealed diversity in the shape and size of the cells of the seed coat, the degree and pattern of ornamentation, and appendage shape. In the context of world Eriocaulaceae, the species of the United States and Canada exhibit no morphologies that are unique.

Microsatellite markers developed for the Caribbean palm Pseudophoenix sargentii: two PCR-based methods

Pseudophoenix sargentii is critically endangered in the USA. We have developed ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for this palm. A study based on populations from the Bahamas and Florida identified 3–17 alleles per locus. Values for the fixation index were positive, and eight loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium. Two different PCR-based methods were utilized. The first method yielded specific primer-pairs for three of the loci, and it was based on amplification, cloning and sequencing of products obtained through 5′ anchored PCR. Specific primers for the remaining seven loci were obtained by refining microsatellite regions discovered by 5′ anchored PCR using a new protocol based on inverse PCR.

Fruit and Seed Dispersal of Salvia L. (Lamiaceae): A Review of the Evidence

The seed dispersal mechanisms of Salvia species are reviewed, with particular attention to quantitative or experimental evidence of dispersal. Despite having rather uniform fruit morphology, Salvia has several dispersal mechanisms: dispersal of mericarps by water (hydrochory), wind (anemochory), animals (zoochory) or gravity (barochory). Cases of myrmecochory are highlighted, along with dispersal by the plant itself via springy or hygroscopic pedicels. Despite having no visible means of dispersal, many Salvia species disperse for short to medium distances. Many gaps in our knowledge of dispersal exist, despite the fact that knowledge of dispersal mechanisms is critical in evaluating invasive potential, conservation status, usefulness in habitat restoration, and geographic distribution.

Three new genera of arecoid palm (Arecaceae) from eastern Malesia

SummaryRecent botanical exploration in eastern Malesia has resulted in the discovery of three spectacular palm taxa that have proved difficult to assign to genus. New evidence from molecular phylogenetic research indicates that these taxa should now be recognised as three monotypic genera. Here, we describe these genera as new to science, all of which are members of subtribe Ptychospermatinae (Areceae: Arecoideae). Jailoloa Heatubun & W. J. Baker is restricted to ultramafic vegetation in a single site in Halmahera and is Critically Endangered due to nickel mining. Manjekia W. J. Baker & Heatubun is scattered throughout the limestone vegetation of Biak Island, east of the Bird’s Head Peninsula of New Guinea, and is Endangered, although parts of its distribution fall within a protected area. Wallaceodoxa Heatubun & W. J. Baker, named to mark the centenary of Alfred Russel Wallace’s death, is found on Gag and Waigeo, two of the Raja Ampat Islands west of the Bird’s Head Peninsula, where it is Critically Endangered due to its small and rapidly reducing population. Full morphological descriptions are provided with detailed comparisons with related genera, alongside a revised key to the genera of Ptychospermatinae. These new genera are unexpected additions to the palm flora of Malesia, and demand urgent conservation attention.

Molecular phylogenetics of the palm subtribe Ptychospermatinae (Arecaceae)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY We examined the phylogeny and intergeneric relationships among the 12 genera of the palm subtribe Ptychospermatinae. While many of these taxa are familiar, cultivated ornamental palms in warm areas of the world, the monophyly of the subtribe and its component genera required testing. We also examined the biogeographic relationships of this lineage, which has a significant radiation east of Wallaces Line. METHODS Phylogenetic analyses were based on maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of nucleotide sequences of two low-copy nuclear genes: intron 4 of phosphoribulokinase and intron 23 of RNA polymerase II. Biogeographical reconstructions were explored using S-DIVA. KEY RESULTS The two-gene, combined analysis yielded a monophyletic subtribe with six major clades. The biogeographical analysis suggests that the subtribe originated in New Guinea. CONCLUSIONS The phylogenetic hypotheses support the monophyly of the subtribe. The genera Drymophloeus, Ponapea, and Veitchia, as presently circumscribed, are not monophyletic. The resurrection and expanded circumscription of the genus Ponapea are supported. A newly discovered species of Adonidia is confirmed as sister species to Adonidia merrillii. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that the Ptychospermatinae diverged into six major clades with repeated radiations into Australia and the western Pacific. The presence of Adonidia to the west of Wallaces Line is likely to be the result of long-distance dispersal. The following new combinations are made to restore monophyly to Veitchia and Ponapea: Veitchia pachyclada, V. subisticha, V. lepidota, and Ponapea hentyi.

Nocturnal flowering and pollination of a rare Caribbean sage, Salvia arborescens (Lamiaceae)

The phenology, floral biology and pollination ecology of Salvia arborescens Urb. & Ekman (Lamiaceae) are reported, based on field and garden observations. The flowers of S. arborescens are white, fragrant and rich in nectar. Anthesis begins in the late afternoon, and flowers wilt by late morning of the following day. Floral features fit the moth pollination syndrome. S. arborescens flowers are visited by a variety of nocturnal moths in the wild, including Celiptera levinum (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae), which was observed carrying pollen of this Salvia. This is the first report of a night-blooming, moth-pollinated Salvia. Hummingbirds, butterflies and beetles may play a role as secondary pollinators.