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New World Podostemaceae: Ecological and evolutionary enigmas

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Abstract

The largely tropical Podostemaceae occur in a unique habitat for angiosperms: attached to rocks in river rapids and waterfalls. Little taxonomic work has been published on New World Podostemaceae since Van Royen's monograph in the early 1950s. A paucity of complete herbarium material severely limits taxonomic study and precludes addressing a range of enigmatic ecological and evolutionary issues that relate to the family. The size, high level of endemism, and life history of the family are discussed. The distributions of two species in Mexico are used to illustrate the need for concerted collecting efforts. Recommendations for collection strategies are made that reflect the unusual habitat and life history of these plants.

Resumen

La familia Podostemaceae se desarrolla básicamente en los trópicos en un hábitat único para las angiospermas: adheridas a las rocas en ríos con cataractas y cachuelas. Se ha publicado muy pocos trabajos taxonómicos sobre las Podostemaceae del Nuevo Mundo desde que Van Royen publicó su monografía a principios de los años 1950s. La escasez de colecciones herborizadas completas, restringe severamente el estudio taxonómico, e impide señalar su alcance en cuestiones ecológicas y evolutivas que se relacionen a esta familia. Se discute el tamaño, nivel de endemismo, y historia de vida de la familia. Las distribuciones de dos especies en México son usadas para ilustrar la necesidad de llevar a cabo esfuerzos concertados para realizar nuevas colectas. Se hacen recomendaciones sobre los métodos de colecta que reflejen el hábitat insólito y la historia de vida de estas plantas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Western Connecticut State University, 06810, Danbury, CT, U.S.A.

    C. Thomas Philbrick

  2. Departamento de Botánica, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, México, D.F., Mexico

    Alejandro Novelo R.

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  1. C. Thomas Philbrick
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  2. Alejandro Novelo R.
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Philbrick, C.T., Alejandro, N.R. New World Podostemaceae: Ecological and evolutionary enigmas. Brittonia 47, 210–222 (1995). https://doi.org/10.2307/2806959

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