The study of plant speciation on oceanic islands has improved enormously with the help of molecular systematics. Studies have targeted groups present on both the mainland and islands with the aim of understanding plant migration and evolution in isolation. In addition, relatively young volcanic islands give the opportunity to place the evolutionary process in a time frame, by dating molecular trees according to the age of the islands or by relying on the fossil record. Molecular phylogenetics can also be valuable in helping to reconstruct character evolution and understand the syndrome of characters diagnosing oceanic species.
Frontmatter:
pp. i-ivContents:
pp. v-viiContributors:
pp. viii-xiiPreface:
pp. xiii-xvi1 - Introduction: islands and plants:
By David Bramwellpp. 1-102 - The reproductive biology of island plants:
By Daniel J. Crawford, Gregory J. Anderson and Gabriel Bernardellopp. 11-363 - Spatial methodologies in historical biogeography of islands:
By Paula Posadas, Jorge V. Crisci and Liliana Katinaspp. 37-564 - Origin and evolution of Hawaiian endemics: new patterns revealed by molecular phylogenetic studies:
By Sterling C. Keeley and Vicki A. Funkpp. 57-885 - Origins and evolution of Galapagos endemic vascular plants:
By Alan Tye and Javier Francisco-Ortegapp. 89-1536 - The plants of the Caribbean islands: a review of the biogeography, diversity and conservation of a storm-battered biodiversity hotspot:
By Michael Maunder et al.pp. 154-1787 - The biogeography of Madagascar palms:
By John Dransfield and Mijoro Rakotoarinivopp. 179-1968 - Evolution and