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Direction of dispersion of cochineal (Dactylopius coccus Costa) within the Americas

2001; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 75; Issue: 287 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0003598x00052741

1745-1744

Luis C. Rodríguez, Marco A. Méndez, Hermann M. Niemeyer,

Botanical Research and Applications

Dactylopius coccus has been used in Mexico and Peru as a source of natural dyes since pre-Columbian times. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Dactylopius, and the disjoint distribution of D. coccus, suggest that the origin of D. coccus is South America and was introduced into North America by sea routes.