Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
These results indicate that the impact of adding/removing information on the
detection of a correlation varies according to the method used (CCT or Discrete).
The interpretation of the results may then be strongly influenced by the method
chosen, as already shown [18]. In our case, duplicating polymorphic species leads
to increase the number of opposing associations (associations for which we do not
seek correlation). However, treat polymorphic species as pairs of species (dupli-
cate) with contrasting character states [19] is the most conservative option and
avoids loss of information. In conclusion, it is important to be aware of this prob-
lematic when a choice has to be made.
Character Evolution in the Arecaceae
In spite of the important literature on pollen ornamentation available for the
Arecaceae [20], no steady hypotheses have been proposed about the ancestral or-
namentation, apart from a suggestion that psilate exine could be the primitive
condition [21]. The present study is the first that makes hypotheses about the
ancestral features of pollen grain in palms using a phylogenetic approach. In our
analysis, the ancestral character state for the family was inferred as 'Echinulate'
(Figure 4A). However, the reconstruction of the ornamentation character on a
phylogeny of the family including all of the genera inferred a 'Foveolate/Reticu-
late' ancestral character state (personal information). This conflict is explained by
the presence of only polymorphic genera in Calamoideae in our study.
Figure 4.
Optimization of the evolution of ornamentation and pollination in Arecaceae. Supertree of Arecaceae
where each mirror tree presents the optimization of one character.
A. Optimization
of ornamentation type (five character states: Psilate, Verrucate, Striate, Echinulate and
Foveolate/Reticulate). Pictures are given as illustration for each of these types, they do not correspond to a
particular species of the family. They were obtained from http://www.paldat.org. B. Optimization of pollination
type (five character states: Beetle, Fly, Bee, Bat and Wind pollination). Species names are coloured according to
the subfamilies (Calamoideae in blue, Nypoideae in orange, Coryphoideae in green, Ceroxyloideae in pink and
Arecoideae in red).
