Abstract Detail

Systematics

Lowry II, Porter P. [1], Plunkett, Gregory M. [2], Gemmill, Chrissen E. C. [3].

Multiple lineages of Apiales in New Caledonia: colonization, diversification, and dispersal across seven clades.

The flora of New Caledonia is often seen as a Gondwanan remnant, its elements derived from lineages that survived as it separated from Australia and drifted eastward (ca. 65 mya) but were largely lost elsewhere due to climatic shifts. Recent studies have challenged this, citing geological evidence that New Caledonia was entirely submerged in the Eocene, concluding that its flora must be derived from more recent colonization by long-distance dispersal. Understanding the historical origins and the processes driving diversification in this rich flora is a priority, but New Caledonia’s role as a source area for other SW Pacific floras has been overlooked. Results from phylogenetic work show that the order Apiales is represented on New Caledonia by 8 lineages (ca. 135 species, only 2 not endemic), all derived from Australasian ancestors, each of which has diversified (sometimes extensively) on the island. In 5 of these 8 groups, at least 17 dispersal events from New Caledonia have led to the establishment of lineages on nearby, mostly volcanic islands, including at least 5 colonizations to Vanuatu (followed by dispersal on to the N and to Fiji), 2 to the Solomons (and then to Vanuatu/Fiji and to New Guinea), and 1 each to Fiji, Lord Howe, New Zealand and Norfolk, plus 1 colonization to Polynesia (Fiji/Tonga/Hawaii) and at least 1 from New Caledonia to Australia. Broad regional sampling in other SW Pacific groups will likely show a similar pattern, adding an important new element to the biogeographic significance of New Caledonia.

1 - Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa & Madagascar, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO, 63166-0299, USA
2 - New York Botanical Garden, Cullman Program For Molecular Systematics, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA
3 - University of Waikato, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

Keywords:
Apiales
New Caledonia
long-distance dispersal.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 46, Asterids I part C & Asterids II
Location: 103/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
Time: 5:00 PM
Number: 46013
Abstract ID:490
Candidate for Awards:None