Generic recircumscriptions of Oncidiinae (Orchidaceae: Cymbidieae) based on maximum likelihood analysis of combined DNA datasets

Phylogenetic relationships within the orchid subtribe Oncidiinae sensu Chase were inferred using maximum likelihood analyses of single and multilocus DNA sequence data sets. Analyses included both nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA and plastid regions (matK exon, trnH‐psbA intergenic spacer and two portions of ycf1 exon) for 736 individuals representing approximately 590 species plus seven outgroup taxa. Based on the well resolved and highly supported results, we recognize 61 genera in Oncidiinae. Mimicry of oil‐secreting Malpighiaceae and other floral syndromes evolved in parallel across the subtribe, and many clades exhibit extensive variation in pollination‐related traits. Because previous classifications heavily emphasized these floral features, many genera recognized were not monophyletic. Our classification based on monophyly will facilitate focused monographs and clarifies the evolution of morphological and biochemical traits of interest within this highly diverse subtribe. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 117–146.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Chloraeinae (Orchidaceae) based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of subtribe Chloraeinae, a group of terrestrial orchids endemic to southern South America, have not been satisfactorily investigated. A previous molecular phylogenetic analysis based on plastid DNA supported the monophyly of Chloraeinae and Gavilea, but showed that Chloraea is non‐monophyletic and that the sole species of Bipinnula analysed is sister to Geoblasta. However, that analysis included only 18 of the 73 species belonging to this subtribe. Here, the phylogenetic relationships of Chloraeinae were assessed by analysing aproximately 7500 bp of nucleotide sequences from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid DNA (rbcL, matK, trnL‐trnF, rpoB‐trnC) for 42 species representing all four currently accepted genera of Chloraeinae and appropriate outgroups. Nuclear and plastid data were analysed separately and in combination using two different methods, namely parsimony and Bayesian inference. Our analyses support the monophyly of Chloraeinae and their inclusion in an expanded concept of Cranichideae, but none of the genera of Chloraeinae that includes more than one species is monophyletic. Gavilea and Bipinnula are paraphyletic, with Chloraea chica nested in Gavilea and Geoblasta penicillata in Bipinnula. As currently delimited, Chloraea is polyphyletic. The taxonomic changes proposed recently are for the most part not justifiable on phylogenetic grounds, except for recognition of the monotypic genus Correorchis. The lack of resolution for the relationships among species of ‘core’Chloraea suggests a relatively recent diversification of this group. The current generic classification is in need or revision, but additional study is advisable before carrying out further taxonomic changes. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 258–277.     

Revision and phylogenetic assessment of the rove beetle genus Pseudohesperus Hayashi,with broad reference to the subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini)

This paper studies the phylogeny of the rove beetle subtribe Philonthina, to test its hypothetical monophyly and to unravel the evolutionary relationships of the subtribe and its included genus‐level taxa, with emphasis on the genus Pseudohesperus and its close‐allied relatives. The phylogenetic analyses are based on 105 adult morphological characters and 66 terminal taxa, i.e., all six members of Pseudohesperus, 51 species to represent 29 other genera of the subtribe Philonthina, seven species to represent the other six subtribes of Staphylinini, one species of the tribes Arrowinini, and one of the Platyprosopini. According to the phylogenetic results obtained, the genus Erichsonius should move out from the hitherto‐defined subtribe Philonthina and thus the monophyly of this taxon is challenged. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the genera Hesperus and Belonuchus might not be monophyletic, but the monophyly of Pseudohesperus and the sister relationship between it and Bisnius are well supported. The species‐level phylogenetic relationships of the genus Pseudohesperus reveal a clear pattern of species diversification that can be correlated well with the species' zoogeographical patterns. The paper also revises the taxonomy of Pseudohesperus and describes five new species from China: Pseudohesperus luteus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus pedatiformis Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus tripartitus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus sparsipunctatus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , and Bisnius lubricus Li & Zhou sp. nov. An identification key to the species of Pseudohesperus is provided and their geographical distributions are mapped. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 679–722.     

Chromosomal evolution in Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) with an emphasis on the genus Acianthera: chromosome numbers and heterochromatin

In this study, we analysed chromosome number variation and chromomycin A₃/4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (CMA/DAPI) banding patterns in 48 species belonging to 12 genera of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) in order to understand the chromosome evolution based on recent phylogenetic hypotheses and taxonomic treatments. All species had small chromosomes, with numbers ranging from 2n = 20 in two Specklinia spp. to 2n = 80 in an unidentified Octomeria sp. In Acianthera, the most highly represented genus in this study, a great diversity of chromosome number and pattern of fluorescent bands was observed, showing heterochromatin accumulation in Acianthera section Sicariae subsection Pectinatae. Interspecific ascending and, mainly, descending dysploidy were the main mechanisms of chromosome number evolution in subtribe Pleurothallidinae. For Pleurothallidinae, x = 20 is suggested as the basic chromosome number, the same suggested for the related subtribe Laeliinae and for the whole tribe Epidendreae. The Brazilian species of the mega‐genus Stelis had chromosomes with small amounts of heterochromatin and chromosome numbers based on x₂ = 16. These are generally divergent from those reported for Andean and Meso‐American species, but in agreement with the monophyletic hypothesis proposed for Stelis spp. with a Brazilian Atlantic distribution. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 178 , 102–120.     

Phylogenetic position of Madagascan species of Acacia s.l. and new combinations in Senegalia and Vachellia (Fabaceae,Mimosoideae, Acacieae)

The recent worldwide effort to transfer all non‐Australian taxa of Acacia s.l. mostly to the genera Senegalia and Vachellia follows the acceptance of the proposed re‐typification of the genus with an Australian species. The Madagascan species have, as yet, not been included in phylogenetic studies of Acacia s.l. and their position in the new generic classification of Acacia s.l. is therefore still unclear. In this study, plastid DNA sequence data were generated for seven Madagascan species, included in existing matrices for Acacia s.l. and analysed to assess the placement of these species. The results indicate that the Madagascan species are placed either in Senegalia or Vachellia and conform to the morphological characters used to distinguish these genera, despite some taxa having unusual red flowers. New combinations are formalized for Senegalia baronii , S . hildebrandtii , S . kraussiana ssp. madagascariensis , S . menabeensis , S . meridionalis , S . pervillei , S . pervillei ssp. pubescens , S . polhillii , S . sakalava , S . sakalava ssp. hispida , V achellia bellula , V . myrmecophila and V . vigueri . Nomenclatural errors are also corrected for three African taxa and, as such, new combinations are provided for Senegalia fleckii , S . hamulosa and V achellia theronii . © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 288–294.     

基于ITS和matK序列的兰科沼兰族分子系统研究及二新种

沼兰族是兰科植物的大族之一,约2000种,除了极地和沙漠地区,全球均有分布.该族植物主要分布在热带地区,尤其在东南亚、热带美洲、非洲以及澳大利亚等地区种类非常丰富.目前,已有关于该族植物形态和分子系统的研究,但有关该族亚族和属间的系统关系尚不清楚,属的界定争议也较大.该文基于核基因片段 ITS 和叶绿体基因片段 mat K 序列,采用最大简约法、最大似然法贝叶斯推理分析法,对现有沼兰族主要属的123种植物和10个外类群植物进行了分子系统学研究.结果表明：沼兰族主要分为3个亚族分支,包括附生的鸢尾兰亚族(Oberoniinae)、地生的羊耳蒜亚族(Liparidinae)和沼兰亚族分支(Crepidium clade).鸢尾兰亚族包括6个属、羊耳蒜亚族分支包括5个属、沼兰亚族分支包括4个属;丫瓣兰亚族(Ypsilorchidinae)应归并为鸢尾兰亚族;Disticholiparis 属与 Stichorkis 属的模式标本相同,应并入 Stichorkis 属;沼兰属(Cre-pidium )和无耳沼兰属(Dienia )的唇瓣结构差异较大,但二者均为单系类群.此外,在收集野外实验材料过程中,发现了2种产自中国西南部和越南北部的沼兰族新种,分别命名为麻栗坡羊耳蒜(Platystyliparis mali-poensis G．D．Tang,X．Y．Zhuang & Z．J．Liu)和秉滔羊耳蒜(Cestichis pingtaoi G．D．Tang,X．Y．Zhuang &Z．J．Liu).     

A revised classification of subtribe Helianthinae (Asteraceae: Heliantheae) II. Derived lineages

Sequence data for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial external transcribed spacer (ETS) regions were combined in a phylogenetic analysis with previously obtained plastid DNA restriction site data to provide a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for derived members of subtribe Helianthinae. Analyses of the two molecular datasets provided conflicting evidence on relationships among some groups, supporting the hypothesis that hybridization has played a significant role in the divergence of the subtribe. A revised generic‐level classification is presented that divides the approximately 350 species of the subtribe among 21 genera. The paraphyletic Viguiera is narrowed to embrace only the type species, V. dentata. Four newly described genera, Dendroviguiera, Gonzalezia, Heiseria and Sidneya, are composed of species formerly included in Viguiera. Aldama is expanded to include 118 species extending from southwestern North America and Mexico to South America. This requires 116 new combinations, including 58 that were recently transferred into Rhysolepis, which is a synonym of Aldama, based on molecular phylogenetic results. One species of Viguiera is transferred to Tithonia, and two combinations in Hymenostephium are validated. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167 , 311–331.     

Diversity and clade ages of West Indian hummingbirds and the largest plant clades dependent on them: a 5–9 Myr young mutualistic system

We analysed the geographical origins and divergence times of the West Indian hummingbirds, using a large clock‐dated phylogeny that included 14 of the 15 West Indian species and statistical biogeographical reconstruction. We also compiled a list of 101 West Indian plant species with hummingbird‐adapted flowers (90 of them endemic) and dated the most species‐rich genera or tribes, with together 41 hummingbird‐dependent species, namely Cestrum (seven spp.), Charianthus (six spp.), Gesnerieae (75 species, c. 14 of them hummingbird‐pollinated), Passiflora (ten species, one return to bat‐pollination) and Poitea (five spp.), to relate their ages to those of the bird species. Results imply that hummingbirds colonized the West Indies at least five times, from 6.6 Mya onwards, coming from South and Central America, and that there are five pairs of sister species that originated within the region. The oldest of the dated plant groups diversified 9.1, 8.5, and 5.4 Mya, simultaneous with or slightly before the extant West Indian bird radiations. The time frame of the coevolved bird/flower mutualisms obtained here resembles that recently inferred for North America, namely 5–9 Mya. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 114 , 848–859.     

Phylogenetic placement of the austral rove beetle genus Hyperomma triggers changes in classification of Paederinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Sister‐group relationships are resolved for the systematically and biogeographically puzzling austral rove beetle genus Hyperomma by means of phylogenetic analysis of five gene markers (one mitochondrial and four nuclear protein‐coding) for 25 taxa broadly representing the subfamily Paederinae, and six outgroup taxa from Staphylininae and Pseudopsinae. As a result, the new subtribe Dicaxina subtrib. nov. is established for Hyperomma and five other Southern Hemisphere genera previously classified in Cryptobiina. Based on the molecular phylogeny and the discussion of several adult and larval morphological characters, the concept of the tribe Paederini is changed as follows: Paederini sensu novo is reduced to include Paederina, Cryptobiina, Dolicaonina and Dicaxina only, while Lathrobiini sensu novo is established for Lathrobiina, Scopaeina, Astenina, Stilicopsina, Medonina, Stilicina and Echiasterina. The tribe Cylindroxystini stat. resurr. is reinstated for the Paederini subtribe Cylindroxystina because of its very peculiar morphology not fitting either Paederini or Lathrobiini in new sense. The tribe Pinophilini was resolved as sister to Lathrobiini sensu novo, and its status remains unchanged. Morphological diagnoses and other relevant systematic information are provided for all newly established taxa. The taxonomic history of the higher‐level systematics of the subfamily Paederinae is summarized.     

Widespread desert affiliation of trebouxiophycean algae (Trebouxiophyceae,Chlorophyta) including discovery of three new desert genera

Unlike most other green algae, trebouxiophyceans are predominantly aerophytic and contain many symbiotic representatives. In recent years, a number of new terrestrial trebouxiophycean taxa were described from soils, tree bark, and lichens. The present phylogenetic study reveals three new lineages of free‐living trebouxiophyceans found in North American desert soil crusts and proposes new generic names to accommodate them: Desertella, Eremochloris, and Xerochlorella. This survey of desert isolates also led to discovery of representatives of seven existing genera of trebouxiophyceans. Two of these genera have never been reported to contain desert representatives and one was known previously only from aquatic habitats. Furthermore, we expand the known geographic range of the recently described genus Chloropyrula, heretofore only known from the Ural Mountains. We demonstrate that the diversity of trebouxiophyceans is still underestimated and poorly understood, and that most major trebouxiophycean lineages contain desert‐dwelling taxa.     

Molecular phylogenetics of Vanda and related genera (Orchidaceae)

The genus Vanda and its affiliated taxa are a diverse group of horticulturally important species of orchids occurring mainly in South‐East Asia, for which generic limits are poorly defined. Here, we present a molecular study using sequence data from three plastid DNA regions. It is shown that Vanda s.l. forms a clade containing approximately 73 species, including the previously accepted genera Ascocentrum, Euanthe, Christensonia, Neofinetia and Trudelia, and the species Aerides flabellata. Resolution of the phylogenetic relationships of species in Vanda s.l. is relatively poor, but existing morphological classifications for Vanda are incongruent with the results produced. Some novel species relationships are revealed, and a new morphological sectional classification is proposed based on support for these groupings and corresponding morphological characters shared by taxa and their geographical distributions. The putative occurrence of multiple pollination syndromes in this group of taxa, combined with complex biogeographical history of the South‐East Asian region, is discussed in the context of these results. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 549–572.     

Resolving the unresolved tribe: a molecular phylogenetic framework for the Merremieae (Convolvulaceae)

Tribe Merremieae, as currently circumscribed, comprise c. 120 species classified in seven genera, the largest of which (Merremia) is morphologically heterogeneous. Previous studies, with limited sampling, have suggested that neither Merremieae nor Merremia are monophyletic. In the present study, the monophyly of Merremia and its allied genera was re‐assessed, sampling 57 species of Merremieae for the plastid matK, trnL–trnF and rps16 regions and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. All genera of Merremieae and all major morphotypes in Merremia were represented. Phylogenetic analyses resolve Merremieae in a clade with Ipomoeae, Convolvuleae and Daustinia montana. Merremia is confirmed as polyphyletic and a number of well‐supported and morphologically distinct clades in Merremieae are recognized which accommodate most of the species in the tribe. These provide a framework for a generic revision of the assemblage. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015.     

Phylogenetic revision of the Hippasterinae (Goniasteridae; Asteroidea): systematics of deep sea corallivores,including one new genus and three new species

The Hippasterinae is a subfamily within the Goniasteridae, consisting of five genera and 26 species, which occur in cold‐water settings ranging from subtidal to abyssal depths. All known genera were included in a cladistic analysis resulting in two most parsimonious trees, supporting the Hippasterinae as monophyletic. Our review supports Sthenaster emmae gen. et sp. nov. as a new genus and species from the tropical Atlantic and two new Evoplosoma species, Evoplosoma claguei sp. nov. and Evoplosoma voratus sp. nov. from seamounts in the North Pacific. Hippasteria caribaea is reassigned to the genus Gilbertaster, which previously contained a single Pacific species. Our analysis supports Evoplosoma as a derived deep water lineage relative to its continental‐shelf, shallow water sister taxa. The genus Hippasteria contains approximately 15 widely distributed, but similar‐looking species, which occur in the northern and southern hemispheres. Except for Gilbertaster, at least one species in each genus has been observed or is inferred to prey on deep‐sea corals, suggesting that this lineage is important to the conservation of deep‐sea coral habitats. The Hippasterinae shares several morphological similarities with Circeaster and Calliaster, suggesting that they may be related. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160 , 266–301.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the palm subtribe Oncospermatinae (Arecaceae) based on morphological characters

Subtribe Oncospermatinae (Arecaceae: Arecoideae: Areceae) is a diverse group of spiny Old World palms. The subtribe includesOncosperma, a widespread Asian genus of five species, along with seven monotypic genera, all endemic to the Seychelles and Mascarene Islands of the western Indian Ocean. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted in order to test the monophyly of subtribe Oncospermatinae with respect to other Old World genera of tribe Areceae. A matrix of 38 morphological characters was scored for 29 taxa, including 11 species of the Oncospermatinae. A single most parsimonious tree was found, resolving the subtribe as a polyphyletic group of two distinct clades. One clade containingAcanthophoenix, Deckenia, Oncosperma, andTectiphiala was placed as sister to a large group that includes members of subtribes Archontophoenicinae, Arecinae, Iguanurinae, and Ptychospermatinae. The other clade of Oncospermatinae, including the Seychelles endemic generaNephrosperma, Phoenicophorium, Roscheria, andVerschaffeltia, was resolved as sister to the Madagascar endemic subtribe Masoalinae, and may have arisen in the western Indian Ocean region.     

Molecular phylogenetics of tribe Synandreae, a North American lineage of lamioid mints (Lamiaceae)

The five mint genera Brazoria, Macbridea, Physostegia, Synandra and Warnockia (Lamioideae: Lamiaceae) are all North American endemics. Together with the monotypic European genus Melittis and the Asian genus Chelonopsis, these taxa have been classified as subtribe Melittidinae. Previous morphological studies have failed to uncover synapomorphic characters for this group. We sequenced the plastid trnL‐trnF region and trnS‐trnG spacer and the nuclear ribosomal 5S non‐transcribed spacer (5S‐NTS) to assess phylogenetic relationships within Melittidinae. Standard parsimony and direct optimization (POY) analyses show Melittis, the type genus of the subtribe, as sister to Stachys. Thus, the monophyly of subtribe Melittidinae is not supported either by molecular or morphological data. However, the North American endemics form a monophyletic group that can be recognized as the recircumscribed tribe Synandreae. The molecular relationships among these genera are corroborated by both morphological and cytological data. The expected close relationship between the south‐central endemics Warnockia and Brazoria and their sister relationship to the widespread genus Physostegia is confirmed. Nevertheless, most of the North American endemics are restricted to the south‐east of the continent. Dispersal westwards and northwards is correlated with an increase in chromosome numbers. No specific Eurasian origin (i.e., transatlantic or transpacific) can be determined, but Synandreae are clearly distinct from the large Stachys clade, and therefore represent a separate migration into North America. © The Willi Hennig Society 2007.