PHYLOGENETIC AND BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PATTERNS IN ERYTHRINA (LEGUMINOSAE, PHASEOLEAE) AS INFERRED FROM MORPHOLOGICAL AND CHLOROPLAST DNA CHARACTERS

A cladistic analysis is presented for a subset of 51 species of Erythr ina (Leguminosae: Phaseoleae) representing the morphological, ecologic al and geographical diversity of the genus. The results are similar to a previously published cladistic analysis of chloroplast DNA restrict ion site characters. The combined analysis supports as monophyletic su bg. Erythraster, but suggests that subg. Micropteryx, Erythrina and Ch irocalyx are paraphyletic. At the sectional level, several of the trad itionally recognized groups are supported as monophyletic. A paraphyle tic assemblage of South American elements are basal in the genus. From this group are derived two main clades. One comprises South American and Mexican taxa. The other includes Asian species from which are deri ved a New World group and a primarily African clade, with derived Asia n and South American species. Biogeographical patterns, fossil evidenc e, and the probable age of avian pollinators suggest a possible Early Tertiary occurrence in North America, with subsequent diversification in South America, Africa, and Asia.