Molecular insights into the diversification of Cheirolophus (Asteraceae) in Macaronesia

Abstract

The diversification of Cheirolophus in Macaronesian archipelagos constitutes a paradigmatic example of radiation on oceanic islands. Phylogenetic and molecular dating analyses indicate an extraordinarily fast process, showing one of the highest speciation rates ever found on plants from oceanic islands. Such radiation has been recently studied employing phylogeographic, population genetic and molecular cytogenetic approaches. Here, the main potential patterns and processes involved in the diversification of the genus in the Canary Islands and Madeira are reviewed and discussed as a whole.