Anatomical and Phylogenetic Studies of Bactris and Bactridinae (PALMAE:COCOEAE)

Abstract

Anatomical study of leaves of representative species of Bactris and five other palm genera in the subtribe Bactridinae was carried out. Anatomical descriptions and additional morphological information were used in a phylogenetic analysis intended to provide new insights into the generic relationships within Bactridinae, specific relationships within Bactris, and the origin of B. gasipaes var. gasipaes, the only neotropical domesticated palm. The results of the anatomical descriptions showed that Bacteria is more diverse than previously thought and five major leaf anatomical types can be identified. The phylogenetic analysis of anatomical and morphological data sets performed independently supports the monophyletic status of Bactridina. b .t failed to resolve relationships within Bactridina-,. ar.d Bactris. Relationships are resolved only when the data sets are analyzed in a combined analysis. In this, ali Bactridinae genera are monophyletic and new relationships are found among them. Bactris is monophyletic and its internal structure is composed of several clades.