A review of distribution patterns of species of Chrysobalanaceae, Caryocaraceae, Dichapetalaceae and Lecythidaceae and their relevance to studies of speciation is given. Six patterns are discussed: widespread polymorphic species (ochlospecies) where morphological variability has not led to speciation; disjunct distributions where species differentiation has not occurred; speciation through historic separation such as isolation into Pleistocene refugia; genera with groups of closely related species that have no logical subdivisions into subgenera; the use of isoline diagrams of species to determine the center of diversity of genera; and savanna species that formerly had continuous distribution and are now isolated into present day refugia. The detailed analysis of distribution patterns are essential for studies of evolution and speciation of higher plants
Distribution patterns; speciation; disjunct distribution; refugia