Differential Species Richness and Ecological Success of Epiphytes and Hemiepiphytes of Neotropical Araceae and Cyclanthaceae.

ABSTRACT: Numerous plant functional traits of ecophysiology and morphology associated with an epiphytic life history have promoted relatively high rates of evolutionary diversification and ecological success in tropical families such as the Orchidaeae, Polypodiaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Cactaceae. Epiphytic life histories are relatively uncommon in the Araceae and rare in the Cyclanthaceae which lack key functional traits for epiphytism. Only two lineages of Neotropical Araceae, Anthurium and Philodendron, include examples of epiphyte life histories. The evolution of a hemiepiphytic life history represented an important development for tropical Araceae by providing functional traits that have greatly expanded opportunities for adaptive radiation and ecological success as indicated by spe

SUBMITTER: Riordan EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10708273 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature