Abstract
The development of a phylogenetic system of classification for the flowering plants is dependent on the objective resolution between alternative hypotheses for their origination. Here six hypotheses have been selected for comparison. Contemporary systems are unanimous in their support for the “ranalean theory,” which was developed by Delpino (1890), Hallier (1912), and Bessey (1915). According to this theory, the order Magnoliales (Takhtajan, 1987; Dahlgren, 1989) or the family Winteraceae (Cronquist, 1981; Thorne, 1992a) are considered to be the most primitive angiosperms. The new Calycanthales hypothesis (Loconte and Stevenson, 1991) also conforms to the “ranalean theory.” These three hypotheses are compared to three other hypotheses that contradict the “ranalean theory.” Recently, Taylor and Hickey 1990a, Taylor and Hickey 1992) have elaborated the Chloranthaceae hypothesis. Even more recently, Chase et al. (1993) have supported the Ceratophyllaceae hypothesis (Les, 1988). Finally, the historical Casuarinaceae hypothesis of Engler (Melchior, 1964) will be considered.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Chapman & Hall
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Loconte, H. (1996). Comparison of Alternative Hypotheses for the Origin of the Angiosperms. In: Taylor, D.W., Hickey, L.J. (eds) Flowering Plant Origin, Evolution & Phylogeny. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-23095-5_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-23095-5_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-412-05341-2
Online ISBN: 978-0-585-23095-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive