PHYLOGENY OF THE RUBIACEAE (CHIOCOCCEAE) BASED ON MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL DATA - USEFUL APPROACHES FOR CLASSIFICATION AND COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY

Phylogenies reconstructed with molecular data may provide new hypotheses of relationships. These may serve as a basis for improved morphological analyses and comparative analyses of ecological features. In this study a new phylogenetic hypothesis based on a chloroplast DNA restriction site analysis of the Rubiaceae prompted a critical analysis of morphological characters. Several unique morphological characters were identified that support a large. previously unrecognized monophyletic group, including the tribe Chiococceae. Hence, the tribe Chiococceae is amended to include members of the former Condamineeae (subtribe Portlandiinae) and the genera Exostema and Coutarea (formerly in the Cinchoneae). The new phylogeny of the Rubiaceae, based on molecular data and the great variety of fruits in the family, makes this family suitable for comparative studies of evolution of dispersal systems and for testing hypotheses of species diversity in connection with the different dispersal systems. In the Rubiaceae, fleshy fruits, adapted to animal dispersal, have originated a limited number of times and have remained unchanged since the time of origin. The hypothesis that animal dispersal should promote species diversity is not supported for the Rubiaceae.