Evolution of Angiosperm Pollen. 3. Monocots1

• DOI: 10.3417/2014014
• Publication Date: 2015-12-29T21:12:52Z
• Authors: Yang Luo; Lu Lu; Alexandra H. Wortley; De-Zhu Li; Hong Wang; Stephen Blackmore
• Keywords: Character evolution; Lineage (genetic)

Monocots, with ca. 65,000 species in 78 families and 12 orders as classified by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (Angiosperm III, 2009), have traditionally been known a distinct assemblage from dicots within angiosperms are now seen lineage that diverged more basal of angiosperm groupings. In this study, third series analyzing pollen characters across angiosperms, we illustrate morphological diversity monocots analyze 19 palynological two ecological for 120 taxa 71 covering monocot 16 nine angiosperms. Pollen data previous works our investigations were optimized onto new maximum likelihood tree reconstructed an existing DNA matrix Chase et al. (2006) using Fitch parsimony, likelihood, hierarchical Bayesian analysis. From these analyses infer evolutionary patterns characters, assess their systematic value, investigate aspects (pollination type habitat moisture) adaptation. The highest levels variation shown to exist Alismatales Commelinales, lower Asparagales, Dasypogonales, Zingiberales; most variable phylogeny found be outline polar view, size, tectum extent. We unambiguous plesiomorphic states report significant transitions character at various assemblage. Analyses correlated evolution reconfirmed hypothesis association between exine reduction (or complete loss) moisture correlations loss hydrophytic–helophytic plants. presence or absence itself was significantly than individual structures, terms rapid rate state changes history monocots, is estimated occurred during Albian-Turonian stage; work may provide insights into identification enigmatic fossil grains geological time.