[Taxacom] Just one species of Bromeliales in Africa

[Geoff Read]

Gentlemen,

Try this paper for a molecular aging estimate ("Based on PL, African P.
feliciana diverged from its American counterparts 10.1 Mya").  Ken's
musings might be based on unreliable info as the plant may not be coastal.
 Rather it occurs "on sandstone outcrops of the Fouta Djalon massif in
Guinea". That's at least 100km inland.

www.botany.wisc.edu/givnish/pdfs/Givnish%20Bromeliaceae.pdf

Geoff

On Mon, October 17, 2011 2:58 am, John Grehan wrote:
>
> Here I would say that Ken cannot be faulted for asking questions, and in
> this case some very pertinent questions. He points out that the
> dispersal suggestion immediately generates inconsistencies between
> supposed dispersal ability and current range. Ken did not say what the
> basis was for the dispersal suggestion. Perhaps it was a molecular
> theory such as advanced by Renner and Ricklefs along the lines of the
> molecular divergence estimate being later than the opening of the
> Atlantic (based on the usual molecular fallacy that molecular dates are
> maximal).
[...]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Kenneth Kinman
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 11:47 PM
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: [Taxacom] Just one species of Bromeliales in Africa
>
> Dear All,
>        Bromeliads (Order Bromeliales) are largely a taxon of the New
> World, except for the species Pitcairnia feliciana.  It has been
> suggested that this species was dispersed (by its seeds) to Africa by
> migrating birds millions of years ago (but is that the only
> possibility?).
>       This species is apparently only found on cliffs and rocks near the
> coast, so dispersal by migrating birds nesting in those areas seems to
> make sense.  However, I wonder why this species failed to spread (either
> by birds or wind) inland to other areas of Africa.
>
>       Is this a case of a dispersed species by sheer luck just barely
> establishing itself in marginal habitats on a new continent, but
> apparently could not compete with well-established commelinoids beyond
> this restricted area?  If so, what was it about this species that
> prevented it from spreading into other areas of Africa?  On the face of
> it, it seems odd that it could disperse a great distance across an
> ocean, but was unable to disperse much shorter distances inland.  Was it
> competition or lack of suitable habitat?
>              ----------Ken Kinman