SEXUAL SYSTEMS OF NEW CALEDONIAN ARALIACEAE: A PRELIMINARY PHYLOGENETIC REAPPRAISAL

Authors

  • M. A. SCHLESSMAN Department of Biology
  • G. M. PLUNKETT Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • P. P. LOWRY II Laboratoire de Phanérogamie, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
  • D. G. LLOYD Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences, University of Canterbury

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428601000592

Keywords:

Andromonoecy, Apiaceae, Apiales, dioecy

Abstract

A preliminary analysis of New Caledonian Araliaceae has shown varying degrees of support for previous hypotheses on sexual system evolution in the family. Andromonoecy, rather than hermaphroditism, is strongly supported as the ancestral sexual system for the Araliaceae. Derivation of hermaphroditism from andromonoecy in Delarbrea harmsii R. Vig. and Polyscias bracteata (R. Vig.) Lowry, ined. is also strongly supported. Support for the derivation of dioecy from andromonoecy in several New Caledonian species of Polyscias J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. depends in part on an assumption that andromonoecy cannot be secondarily derived from dioecy. The derivation of hermaphroditism from andromonoecy in Schefflera candelabra Baill. and S. pseudocandelabra R. Vig. is equivocal. The hypothesis that the immediate ancestors of Arthrophyllum Blume were andromonoecious is not supported.

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Published

2001-10-23

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 2 (2001)

Section

Original Research Articles

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