Abstract Detail

Systematics Section

Dorsey, Brian [1], Haevermans, Thomas [2], Berry, Paul E. [3].

Euphorbia subgenus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae): Around the world from succulent geophytes to tropical understory trees and everything in between.

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of the giant genus Euphorbia and its division into four subgenera. Subgenus Euphorbia contains about 700 of the roughly 2100 species in Euphorbia, is arguably the most morphologically diverse and has a pantropical/subtropical distribution. It contains five of the seven formerly segregate genera which have been subsumed into Euphorbia including Cubanthus, Pedilanthus, Monadenium, Synadenium, and Endadenium. In terms of habit this clade contains canopy and understory trees, coraliform, leafless trees and shrubs, leafy shrubs, spiny stem succulents, geophytes, and herbs; many of which have likely evolved multiple times within this clade. While the subgenus is pantropical, major subclades have radiated regionally, with likely two independent radiations in Madagascar. We present the first well-supported phylogeny of Euphorbia subgenus Euphorbia based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast matK and ndhF DNA ssequence data. In this context we attempt to interpret patterns of morphological variation and biogeography.

Broader Impacts:

Related Links:
Euphorbia PBI Project website

1 - University of Michigan, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2037 Kraus Natural Sciences Bldg., 830 North University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
2 - Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Herbier National, UMR 7205 OSEB - Herbier National, CP 39, 57 rue Cuvier, Paris, France
3 - University of Michigan, Herbarium & Dept. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 3600 Varisty Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA

Keywords:
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia
phylogenetics
Biogeography.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 9
Location: Ballroom B/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 3:15 PM
Number: 9009
Abstract ID:716