Phylogeny and biogeography of Ceiba Mill. (Malvaceae, Bombacoideae)

The Neotropics is the most species-rich area in world, and mechanisms that generated maintain its biodiversity are still debated. This paper contributes to debate by investigating evolutionary biogeographic history of genus Ceiba Mill. (Malvaceae, Bombacoideae). comprises 18 mostly Neotropical species, largely endemic two major biomes, seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) rain forests. Its species among characteristic elements SDTF, one threatened biomes tropics. Phylogenetic analyses DNA sequence data (from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers [nrITS] for 30 accessions representing 14 Ceiba) recovered as monophyletic. phylogeny showed geographic ecological structure three main clades: (i) a forest lineage nine C. pentandra sister remaining species; (ii) highly supported clade composed schottii aesculifolia from Central American Mexican plus samauma semi-humid, inter Andean valleys Peru; (iii) South SDTF including 10 showing little variation. Within this clade, no represented multiple were resolved We demonstrate patterns age, monophyly, previously reported within Leguminosae family not shared Ceiba, suggesting further phylogenetic studies unrelated groups required understand general patterns.