Abstract Detail

Evolution on Islands: a colloquium to honor the careers of Daniel Crawford and Tod Stuessy

Francisco-Ortega, Javier [1], Jestrow, Brett [2], Meerow, Alan [3], Jimenez Rodriguez, Francisco [4], Santiago, Eugenio [5], Commock, Tracy [6], Oviedo, Ramona [7], Lewis, Carl [8], Griffith, Patrick [9], Calonje, Michael [9], Maunder, Michael [10], Bravo, Catherine [1].

Plant biodiversity and molecules in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot.

With approximately 8,000 endemic species and 180 endemic genera the Caribbean Islands represent the most important insular system of the New World. In the last ten years molecular data have provided a new perspective to our understanding of plant biodiversity in these islands. New endemic genera have been described, endemic genera have been merged within other endemic/non endemic genera, and several endemic genera group together and share a common ancestor following an adaptive radiation pattern commonly found in oceanic islands. In addition, several of the endemic genera are the only representatives of early phylogenetic branches. They are sister to lineages that have a large number of taxa and are mostly confined to the mainland. Most of the DNA-based plant biodiversity studies of the Caribbean Islands use DNA nucleotide sequences to address phylogenetic/biogeographic questions. Very few studies have used molecular markers to address population biology questions.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Florida International University & Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
2 - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, Florida, 33156, USA
3 - USDA-ARS-SHRS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL, 33158, USA
4 - Jardin Botanico Nacional de la Republica Dominicana, Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana
5 - Universidad De Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Department Of Biology, Apartado 70377, San Juan, PR, 00936-8377, Puerto Rico
6 - Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
7 - Instituto de Ecologia y Sistematica, La Habana, Cuba
8 - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL, 33155, USA
9 - Montgomery Botanical Center, Miami, FL, 33156, USA
10 - Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: C5
Location: Franklin A/Hyatt
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Time: 9:00 AM
Number: C5003
Abstract ID:108