Systematic and biogeography of Schinus L. (Anacardiaceae)

Abstract

Schinus comprises approximately 33 species occurring mainly in southern South America. In south Brazil it represents the richest genus of the family Anacardiaceae. Schinus species are grouped into two subgenus defined by a combination of characters that is not always consistent. Particularly, species delimitation within Schinus subg. Duvaua sect. Euduvaua remains highly controversial. Despite the taxonomic revision available since 1957, the complex species circumscriptions indicate that new morphologic and taxonomic studies are urgently required. In this context, the aim of this project is to improve the systematic of Schinus and Anacardiaceae as a whole, through a phylogenetic approach. Furthermore, from the results, the biogeographical history of Schinus will be investigated contributing to the knowledge of southern South America biogeography. Phylogenetic analysis will be conducted under parsimony and bayesian criteria. Morphological and molecular data will be obtained both from fresh material and herbaria collections. The thesis will result in manuscripts covering the follow subjects: synopsis reevaluating the Schinus species circumscriptions including an identification key, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, type-material references, comments on the conservation status of taxa and distribution maps; phylogeny of the genus and its biogeographical history consistent with other elements of the biota from southernmost South America.