Historical biogeography and life‐history evolution of A ndean P uya ( B romeliaceae)

P uya ( B romeliaceae), with > 200 species, is a classic example of a recent, rapid species‐level radiation in the A ndes. To assess the biogeographical history of this primarily Andean species group and the evolution of different life histories, amplified fragment length polymorphism ( AFLP ) data were generated for 75 species from throughout the geographical range of the genus. Distribution data for latitudinal and elevational ranges were compiled for almost all species. The greatest number of species is found at mid‐elevations and mid‐latitudes south of the equator. The genus originated in central C hile and first moved into the C ordillera O riental of the central A ndes via inter‐ A ndean valleys. Cladogenesis progressed in a general south to north direction tracking the final uplift of the A ndes. All taxa north of the W estern A ndean P ortal form a monophyletic group implying a single colonization of the northern A ndes, with no subsequent transitions back south from the N orthern A ndes. Repeated evolutionary transitions of lineages up and down in elevation are suggestive of allopatric speciation driven by P leistocene glaciation cycles. True semelparity evolved once in P . raimondii , with similar semi‐semelparity evolving repeatedly in páramos of the northern A ndes. Fieldwork and phylogenetic characterization of high‐elevation P uya are priorities for future efforts. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2012, ●● , ●●–●●.