A phylogenetic and allozyme approach to understanding rarity in three ?green ash? eucalypts (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships among the 12 species of the “green ash” group of eucalypts were examined using allozyme data, to investigate the causes of rarity in three localized endemics of the group. The relationships suggested by the allozyme data showed both similarities to and differences from those estimated from morphological data byLadiges and coworkers. The phylogenetic relationships suggest that rarity inEucalyptus burgessiana may be related to recent divergence, whileE. paliformis andE. rupicola are relatively old species, more likely to be relicts, and/or restricted to a rare habitat.