I'm interested in studying the phylogenetic affinities of the flora of arid, nearshore archipelago (less than 100 km from nearest mainland). 300 species fall in 129 genera were recorded, no endemics, 70% of the taxa recorded in the nearest mainland. I plan to use nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences to build the phylogeny.
My aims are to: test defferent hypothesis concerning the possible mainland origins, determine dispersal factors and proposed the possible routs of plants migration to the islands.
My problem now is in determining the genera worth studying to represent the flora in the islands. Do I chose:
1. widespread genera or
2. well represented genera (more than one or two species) or
3. dominant genera in each habitat (there are more than seven habitats)
or may there are other possible choices can I look for. hope you help me to determine the best group of genera that may lead to draw a reliable conclusion about the floristic affinities of this flora.
You should be very precise about your topic. you have to consider all of these to represent taxa in large area. While studying specific habitat, dominant taxon should be taken into account
Hi
not sure to really understand what you want to you, however may I suggest to consider taxa according their dispersion strategies, i.e. to sample taxa which are dispersed by wind, birds, bats, water (any Rhizophora?), humans (if any), both in the mainland and in the island. Of particular interest might be taxa which seems relictual (i.e. documenting different past ecology), either inland or in the island. Hope this helps.
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