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Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes
Bibliography: leaves 84-100.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Biological Sciences
2014
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| _version_ | 1867613292779798528 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Henning, Jack |
| author2 | Verboom, George Anthony |
| author_browse | Henning, Jack Verboom, George Anthony |
| author_facet | Verboom, George Anthony Henning, Jack |
| author_sort | Henning, Jack |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Bibliography: leaves 84-100. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6971 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:49.949Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publishDateRange | 2014 |
| publishDateSort | 2014 |
| publisher | Department of Biological Sciences |
| publisherStr | Department of Biological Sciences |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6971 Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes Henning, Jack Verboom, George Anthony Hedderson, Terry A Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences Bibliography: leaves 84-100. A phylogeny was produced for the eight taxa comprising the largely South African genus Melianthus L. based on two plastid markers (trnL-F and psbA-trnH) and one nuclear marker (ITS). Topological comparisons with a tree based on an existing morphological data set revealed significant incongruence leading to a loss of resolution upon combination. Ultimately, the combined three-gene data tree was selected as the strongest phylogenetic estimate for Melianthus based on its better resolution and greater support levels. This tree confirms the monophyly of Melianthus with M. major being resolved as sister to the remainder of the genus. Within the remaining clade, M. villosus is resolved sister to a clade comprising two morphologically distinct subclades, one of these being noted for a western distribution (comprising M. elongatus and the M. pectinatus complex), the other being centred farther east (comprising M. cocomosus and the M dregeanus complex). A molecular clock analysis was employed to date the emergence of specific taxa and clades, while ancestral range and habitat reconstructions were performed to determine historical conditions under which these groups and their morphological novelties arose. A scenario depicting the evolution and diversification of Melianthus is developed against a backdrop of the paleo-history of southern Africa. The genus appears to have originated in the eastern part of South Africa during a mild, mesic Oligocene with subsequent westward expansion into drier habitats of Miocene and Pliocene origins. Observations of bird visitors to a range of Melianthus species indicate that the genus employs a generalist pollination syndrome, thus refuting suggestions of a co-exclusive relationship with sunbirds (Nectariniidae). Nevertheless, the genus is undeniably ornithophilous. Nectar studies reveal interspecific variation in both the volume and concentration of nectar produced as well as in nectar colourition. 2014-09-08T09:57:02Z 2014-09-08T09:57:02Z 2003 Master Thesis Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6971 eng application/pdf Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences Henning, Jack Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| title_full | Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| title_fullStr | Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| title_short | Further studies with Melianthus L. : a molecular phylogeny, evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| title_sort | further studies with melianthus l a molecular phylogeny evolutionary patterns of diversification in the genus and pollinator syndromes |
| topic | Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6971 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT henningjack furtherstudieswithmelianthuslamolecularphylogenyevolutionarypatternsofdiversificationinthegenusandpollinatorsyndromes |