Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape

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dc.contributor.advisorHedderson, Terry Aen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorGwynne-Evans, Daviden_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-02-14T08:07:24Z
dc.date.available2017-02-14T08:07:24Z
dc.date.issued2003en_ZA
dc.date.updated2017-02-13T13:55:21Z
dc.description.abstractWitsenia is a monospecific genus of the putatively basal group, the woody Iridaceae. This upright iris has extremely long black and yellow flowers ( see fig. 1) that are thought to have been pollinated by an extinct Sunbird. The role of the unusual black floral colouration is investigated as this colour is seldom associated with bird pollination. This plant typically exists in discreet and restricted populations in wet habitats in the South Western Cape (South Africa). The restricted nature of the plant is peculiar as it occurs in either low or high altitudes, yet appears to be extremely sensitive to altitude. Popular belief suggests that Witsenia maura occurs in the Peninsula only, and results from this study show the Peninsula population to be genetically separate from other populations, reflecting a long term separation. Samples from nine populations are sequenced to investigate haplotypic variation within the species, and dispersal of ancestral populations. This thesis investigates the current knowledge of Witsenia, its ecology, history and distribution. An examination of flowers under UV light reveals the first evidence of UV nectar guides in an ornithophilous flower. Conservation issues are also addressed, and it is established that although small and apparently shrinking due to global warming, populations are nonetheless viable if managed properly. A molecular study of the species and examinination of its variation revealed exceptional haplotype diversity. This diversity can best be explained by swamps acting as refugia during interglacial periods.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationGwynne-Evans, D. (2003). <i>Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23935en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationGwynne-Evans, David. <i>"Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23935en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationGwynne-Evans, D. 2003. Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Gwynne-Evans, David AB - Witsenia is a monospecific genus of the putatively basal group, the woody Iridaceae. This upright iris has extremely long black and yellow flowers ( see fig. 1) that are thought to have been pollinated by an extinct Sunbird. The role of the unusual black floral colouration is investigated as this colour is seldom associated with bird pollination. This plant typically exists in discreet and restricted populations in wet habitats in the South Western Cape (South Africa). The restricted nature of the plant is peculiar as it occurs in either low or high altitudes, yet appears to be extremely sensitive to altitude. Popular belief suggests that Witsenia maura occurs in the Peninsula only, and results from this study show the Peninsula population to be genetically separate from other populations, reflecting a long term separation. Samples from nine populations are sequenced to investigate haplotypic variation within the species, and dispersal of ancestral populations. This thesis investigates the current knowledge of Witsenia, its ecology, history and distribution. An examination of flowers under UV light reveals the first evidence of UV nectar guides in an ornithophilous flower. Conservation issues are also addressed, and it is established that although small and apparently shrinking due to global warming, populations are nonetheless viable if managed properly. A molecular study of the species and examinination of its variation revealed exceptional haplotype diversity. This diversity can best be explained by swamps acting as refugia during interglacial periods. DA - 2003 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2003 T1 - Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape TI - Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23935 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/23935
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationGwynne-Evans D. Intraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Cape. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2003 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23935en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherBotanyen_ZA
dc.subject.otherSystematicsen_ZA
dc.subject.otherpaleoendemismen_ZA
dc.subject.otherintraspecific variationen_ZA
dc.subject.otherchloroplast DNAen_ZA
dc.subject.otherbiogeographyen_ZA
dc.titleIntraspecific variation and ecology of a highly restricted paleoendemic (Witsenia maura) in the south-western Capeen_ZA
dc.typeBachelor Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelHonours
dc.type.qualificationnameBSc (Hons)en_ZA
uct.type.filetype
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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