Item Details

abstract

The genus Erica (Ericeae, Ericoideae, Ericaceae) occurs in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Southern Africa has the largest number of species, especially at the southern tip of the continent. This narrow north-south distribution is unique in the Ericaeae and has fueled speculation about the origin of Erica species. Phylogenetic relationships among selected species of Erica were investigated in order to determine whether the origin of this genus lies in Europe or Africa. Three regions of DNA, one from the nuclear genome (nrITS) and two from the chloroplast (rbcL-atpâ spacer and matK), were selected as sources of molecular data for their previously demonstrated utility within the Ericaceae. Parsimony analysis of the African taxa indicates a monophyletic group derived from within the European taxa. Erica arborea has a broad range found in both Europe and Africa and appears as sister to the African clade, suggesting that the common ancestor of both E. arborea and the Cape African taxa was also widespread across both continents. This common ancestor appears to have expanded its range into Africa after the establishment of the connection between Europe and Africa during the mid-Miocene.

subject

Biogeography

Erica

Phylogeny

contributor

McGuire, Avery F. (author)

mcguaf1@wfu.edu (authorEmail)

Dr. Kathleen A. Kron (committee chair)

Dr. Peter D. Weigl (committee member)

Dr. Brian W. Tague (committee member)

creator

McGuire, Avery F.

date

2008-09-28T10:55:21Z (accessioned)

2010-06-18T18:59:22Z (accessioned)

2004-12-21 (available)

2008-09-28T10:55:21Z (available)

2010-06-18T18:59:22Z (available)

2003-12-12 (issued)

degree

null (defenseDate)

Biology (discipline)

Wake Forest University (grantor)

MS (level)

identifier

Acknowledgements,Etc.doc

Acknowledgements,Etc.pdf

Thesis.doc

Thesis.pdf

ThesisTitlePage.doc

ThesisTitlePage.pdf

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/14846 (uri)

migration

etd-12162003-111147 (oldETDId)

rights

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide. (accessRights)

I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to Wake Forest University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. (license)

title

Phylogeny and Biogeography of Erica