Complex origins of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae): implications for human migrations in Oceania

Abstract

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae), a traditional starch crop in Oceania, has enjoyed legendary status ever since its role in the infamous mutiny aboard the H.M.S. Bounty in 1789, yet its origins remain unclear. Breadfruit's closest relatives are A. camansi and A. mariannensis. DNA fingerprinting data (AFLP, amplified fragment length polymorphisms) from over 200 breadfruit cultivars, 30 A. camansi, and 24 A. mariannensis individuals were used to investigate the relationships among these species. Multivariate analyses and the identification of species-specific AFLP markers indicate at least two origins of breadfruit. Most Melanesian and Polynesian cultivars appear to have arisen over generations of vegetative propagation and selection from A. camansi. In contrast, most Micronesian breadfruit cultivars appear to be the result of hybridization between A. camansi-derived breadfruit and A. mariannensis. Because breadfruit depends on humans for dispersal, the data were compared to theories on the human colonization of Oceania. The results agree with the well-supported theory that humans settled Polynesia via Melanesia. Additionally, a long-distance migration from eastern Melanesia into Micronesia is supported.

Mutualism breakdown in breadfruit domestication

“…Because of the questions surrounding breadfruit origins and the role of humans in its dispersal, Zerega et al [33] traced human-mediated breadfruit dispersal through Oceania. Their results agree with the theory that humans colonized Polynesia via Melanesia.…”

“…Using the hypothesized eastward migration from its origins in NG [33], we set out to investigate how the domestication process affected the AM symbiosis in breadfruit. We asked the following questions.…”

“…Their results agree with the theory that humans colonized Polynesia via Melanesia. With regard to breadfruit, most Melanesian and Polynesian cultivars appear to have arisen over generations of vegetative propagation and selection from A. camansi [33]. Wild populations of A. camansi have been recorded from primary forests only in and around New Guinea (NG) [34].…”

Production and evaluation of nutrient-dense complementary food from millet (Pennisetum glaucum), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and seedless breadfruit (Artocarpus altillis) leaf powder blends

“…In Trinidad and the Bahamas, a leaf of A. altilis is used to lower blood pressure and relieve asthma. It is also used in the treatment of diarrhea (Zerega et al, 2004).…”

Potencial do latex da fruta pão (Artocarpus altilis) como agente coagulante do leite

“…De adaptação versátil, está atualmente espalhada por todas as regiões tropicais e subtropicais do mundo. As variedades conhecidas são a apyrena, sem sementes ou "fruta-pão de massa", e seminífera, com sementes, "fruta-pão de caroço" (RAGONE, 1997, ZEREGA et al, 2004.…”