JANOVEC, JOHN P. Institute of Systematic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-5126. - Monographic studies of Compsoneura, a Neotropical genus of the Myristicaceae.
Compsoneura is a Neotropical genus of trees distributed primarily in
the lowland wet forests from Bolivia and southern Brazil north to
Veracruz, Mexico. Herbarium, field, and laboratory studies were
conducted between 1997-2000 with the ultimate goal of producing a
monographic treatment for this genus. Herbarium studies included
analysis of approximately 2,500 specimens, with rigorous sampling of
label and morphological data from each specimen. Geographic coordinate
data for every collection were generated for use in GIS-based mapping
and geospatial analysis. Stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM) were applied in a morphological analysis for all
species in Compsoneura. Multivariate procedures of quantitative
analysis were applied in order to investigate morphological variation
and implications for species delimitations. Microsatellite DNA
markers were used to elucidate one difficult, widespread species
complex, Compsoneura sprucei sensu lato. A qualitative data matrix of
40 characters was analyzed using parsimony methods to investigate
in-group evolutionary and biogeographic patterns. Combinations of
multivariate and parsimony analyses provided a better overall view of
interspecific and subgeneric patterns, respectively. A total of 20
species are currently recognized, including seven species new to
science and a new combination. The classification proposed by Warburg
(1897) and accepted by Smith (1937) was revised, involving the
description of a new generic section (Hadrocarpa). Previous emphasis
of the Warburgian system on androecial characteristics was found to be
insufficient in light of more comprehensive information from leaves,
staminate and pistillate flowers, androecia, gynoecia, fruit, aril,
and seeds. Furthermore, the new section Hadrocarpa may represent a new
genus for the Neotropics. This taxonomic hypothesis awaits further
testing with outgroups and inclusion of molecular data. Results,
implications, and lessons from studies of Compsoneura will be
presented, with demonstration of the importance of basic monographic
work in the Neotropics and beyond.
Key words: Compsoneura, monographic research, Myristicaceae, Neotropical forest, Neotropics, taxonomy