New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract
Evolution of Stilbocarpa, a megaherb from New Zealand's sub-antarctic
islands
ANTHONY D. MITCHELL
Ecology and Entomology Group
Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division
P.O. Box 84
Lincoln University
Lincoln, New Zealand
COLIN D. MEURK
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand
STEVEN J. WAGSTAFF
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand
Abstract Challenges to the traditional circumscription of
Apiaceae and Araliaceae are emerging as a result of phylogenetic analysis of
DNA sequences. Traditionally classified as Araliaceae,
Stilbocarpa
emerges with
Schizeilema and
Azorella, both members of the
Apiaceae. In our analyses of nuclear ITS sequences, these three genera comprise
a distinct Southern Hemisphere lineage. The humid climate, cool equable
temperatures, locally abundant nutrients, and absence of herbivores are
ecological features of the sub-antarctic islands that may have contributed to
the evolution of the unusual megaherb,
Stilbocarpa, from these
diminutive apiaceous ancestors.
Keywords Apiaceae; Araliaceae; megaherb; phylogenetic
relationship; Stilbocarpa; sub-antarctic islands
B98052
Received 7 September 1998; accepted 8 January 1999
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (551K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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