Evolutionary history of Alectryon in Australia

Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences from matK , upstream and downstream spacer regions between trnK and matK, rps 16 and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) were conducted for 14 species of Alectryon and five related genera in Sapindaceae. Phylogenetic analysis shows a number of nested clades within Alectryon , with A. subcinereus representing the first diverging lineage of the genus. Two morphological characters, presence/absence of petals and aril patterning, are congruent with the molecular phylogeny. Two major groupings are evident within Alectryon - those with petals and smooth arils and those without petals and patterned arils. The phylogeny of Alectryon suggests a temperate origin for the genus, with radiation and spéciation northwards into highly seasonal habitats and dispersal to New Guinea, New Zealand and further afield.