A Phylogenetic Study of Arecaceae Based on Seedling Morphological and Anatomical Data

A morphological and anatomical survey was carried out of seedlings of 62 taxa of palms representing all major groups. The data were analyzed using cladistic parsimony analysis. Seedling data were analyzed independently and combined with adult morphological data. Outgroup selection was made within the family using the calamoids and Nypa fruticans; outside the family, the monocot family Dasypogonaceae were used. The analysis with the calamoids and Nypafruticans as outgroups resolved some of the major groups. The combined analysis, using both seedling and adult data and Dasypogonaceae as the outgroup, provided better resolution. Most of the major groups were monophyletic although the coryphoids and arecoids appeared paraphyletic.