The phylogeny of the Rosaceae

KALKMAN, C., 1988. The phylogemy of the Rosaceae. A phylogenetic (cladistic) analysis of Rosaceae (excluding Chrysobalanaceae and Neuradaceae) is presented, based on the postulated direction of evolution in 14 morphological characters. Tribes or smaller groups, considered to be holophyletic, are taken as operational units. Three possible cladograms, made by hand, are presented and discussed. One of them is, within the limits of the method, selected as the most plausible image of real history, but this cladogram is not fully resolved and contains much homoplasy. Also presented is a fourth cladogram, produced by computer (CAFCA program); it is of about the same quality.
It is not justified to base drastic alterations in current classification on the weak phylogenetic hypothesis. For the time being it seems better not to recognize any subfamilies, but only a number of tribes.
It is hypothesized that the family originated in West Gondwana. A diagram is presented in which the most plausible cladogram is combined with the present distribution, clarifying the postulated routes of migration.
The sistergroup of Rosaceae is far from evident. The Cunoniaceae are considered to be the most plausible choice.