Phylogenetic relationships within the South American fish family Anostomidae (Teleostei,Ostariophysi, Characiformes)

Analysis of a morphological dataset containing 152 parsimony‐informative characters yielded the first phylogenetic reconstruction spanning the South American characiform family Anostomidae. The reconstruction included 46 ingroup species representing all anostomid genera and subgenera. Outgroup comparisons included members of the sister group to the Anostomidae (the Chilodontidae) as well as members of the families Curimatidae, Characidae, Citharinidae, Distichodontidae, Hemiodontidae, Parodontidae and Prochilodontidae. The results supported a clade containing Anostomus, Gnathodolus, Pseudanos, Sartor and Synaptolaemus (the subfamily Anostominae sensu Winterbottom) albeit with a somewhat different set of relationships among the species within these genera. Anostomus as previously recognized was found to be paraphyletic and is split herein into two monophyletic components, a restricted Anostomus and the new genus Petulanos gen. nov. , described herein. Laemolyta appeared as sister to the clade containing Anostomus, Gnathodolus, Petulanos, Pseudanos, Sartor and Synaptolaemus. Rhytiodus and Schizodon together formed a well‐supported clade that was, in turn, sister to the clade containing Anostomus, Gnathodolus, Laemolyta, Petulanos, Pseudanos, Sartor and Synaptolaemus. Anostomoides was sister to the clade formed by these nine genera. Leporinus as currently defined was not found to be monophyletic, although certain clades within that genus were supported, including the species with subterminal mouths in the former subgenus Hypomasticus which we recognize herein as a genus. Abramites nested in Leporinus, and Leporellus was found to be the most basal anostomid genus. The presence of cis‐ and trans‐Andean species in Abramites, Leporellus, Leporinus and Schizodon, all relatively basal genera, suggests that much of the diversification of anostomid species pre‐dates the uplift of the Andean Cordilleras circa 11.8 million years ago. Several important morphological shifts in anostomid evolution are illustrated and discussed, including instances of convergence and reversal. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 154 , 70–210.     

Monophyly and generic relationships of polemoniaceae based on matK Sequences

Polemoniaceae are often considered a model family for studying evolutionary processes, yet a reliable phylogeny for the family is only now beginning to emerge. To test the monophyly of this family and to elucidate intergeneric relationships, we employed comparative sequencing of the chloroplast gene matK. Parsimony analysis of matK sequences representing 18 genera of Polemoniaceae and nine families from Asteridae sensu lato places Polemoniaceae apart from Solanaceae near Fouquieriaceae, Ericaceae, Sarraceniaceae, and Diapensiaceae. Both this and a subsequent analysis of 59 species of Polemoniaceae indicate that Cobaea is derived from within Polemoniaceae, rather than being the sister to Polemoniaceae as suggested by some authors. The tropical genera Bonplandia, Cantua, and Cobaea form a clade, and the remaining, primarily temperate genera, excluding Acanthogilia, form a second monophyletic group. Acanthogilia is placed ambiguously as sister to either the tropical or temperate groups depending on the location of the root for Polemoniaceae. Within the temperate lineage, Polemonium is sister to three large clades: a well-supported clade comprising Phlox, Gymnosteris, Linanthus, Leptodactylon, and Gilia filiformis; a moderately well-supported clade comprising Allophyllum, Collomia, Navarretia, and several species of Gilia; and a weakly supported clade comprising Eriastrum, Ipomopsis, Langloisia, Loeseliastrum, Loeselia, and several species of Gilia. In addition to revealing the extreme polyphyly of Gilia, this analysis suggests that Ipomopsis and Linanthus are also polyphyletic.     

Remarkable consistency of exon-intron structure of hatching enzyme genes and molecular phylogenetic relationships of teleostean fishes

The phylogenetic positions of various fishes in the Teleostei are frequently confused. One such confusion is in the phylogenetic relationships among Salmoniformes, Esociformes, Osmeriformes, Argentiniformes and Alepocephaliformes. While morphology-based phylogenetic studies suggested that all of these belong to Euteleostei, molecule-based phylogenetic analyses indicated that the former four orders belong to the Euteleostei, and the Alepocephaliformes to the Otocephala. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships among the former four orders have not been established: morphological studies have proposed various hypotheses, while molecular analyses have suggested esociforms and salmoniforms to be sister groups at the basal position in euteleosts. In this study, we examined their controversial phylogenetic positions using exon-intron structures of hatching enzyme genes. The gene structures of alepocephaliforms were characteristic to those of lower otocephalans. Those of argentiniforms and osmeriforms were the same as those of higher euteleosts, but different from those of salmoniforms and esociforms. The results suggest that alepocephaliforms are closely related to otocephalans, and salmoniforms form a sister group to esociforms in euteleosts. Therefore, changes in exon-intron structure of hatching enzyme genes correspond well with the molecular phylogenetic relationship estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences.     

Beyond the wasp‐waist: structural diversity and phylogenetic significance of the mesosoma in apocritan wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

A comprehensive data set of hymenopteran mesosomal anatomy is presented and analysed. Eighty‐nine taxa, including three outgroups, were scored for 273 characters. Analyses were carried out under different weighting conditions (equal and implied weights). Topologies retrieved for the non‐apocritan Hymenoptera were highly congruent with previously published results. Apocrita were always retrieved as monophyletic, as were most superfamilies. Relationships amongst apocritan superfamilies were mostly weakly corroborated. Stephanoidea were almost always the sister group to the remaining Apocrita. Evaniomorpha were usually retrieved, Ceraphronoidea being the sister group to Megalyroidea, and Evanioidea to Trigonaloidea. Aculeata did not always come out as monophyletic, and of the aculeate superfamilies, only Apoidea was retrieved. Ichneumonoidea were always monophyletic and often the sister group of Aculeata. Maamingidae and Mymarommatoidea were usually sister groups; together, they often form the sister group of Chalcidoidea. A large clade comprising Cynipoidea, Platygastroidea, and Proctotrupoidea was usually retrieved, the two former superfamilies being nested within Proctotrupoidea. Cynipoidea were usually closely related to some of the Diapriidae. Platygastroidea were usually the sister group of a clade comprising Heloridae, Pelecinidae, Proctotrupidae, and Vanhorniidae. The mesosomal region proved to be a very substantial source of phylogenetically relevant information. The results of the present analyses indicate that a reclassification, especially of Proctotrupoidea, is required, but this should be carried out after thorough analyses of more comprehensive combined data sets. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159 , 22–194.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Podostemaceae: implications for taxonomy of major groups

The river‐weed family Podostemaceae (c. 300 species in c. 54 genera) shows a number of morphological innovations to be adapted to its unusual aquatic habitat, and its unique or rare bauplan features have been reflected in the traditional (i.e. non‐molecular) classification recognizing numerous monotypic or oligospecific genera. The infrasubfamilial relationships of many genera remained unclear. The present study used molecular phylogenetic analysis of matK sequences for 657 samples (c. 132 species/c. 43 genera). The family was traditionally divided into three subfamilies (Podostemoideae, Tristichoideae and Weddellinoideae). American Podostemoideae were shown to be polyphyletic and divided into four clades, i.e. Ceratolacis, Diamantina, Podostemum and all other genera. Among the podostemoid clades, Diamantina was the first branching clade and a clade comprising Mourera and the Apinagia subclade was then sister to the remainder of the New World and Old World Podostemoideae with low statistic supports. The Old World Podostemoideae comprised four monophyletic clades, i.e. two African clades, one Madagascan clade and one Asian clade, although the relationships among these clades and American Ceratolacis and Podostemum were poorly resolved. African Podostemoideae were polyphyletic, with Saxicolella pro parte being weakly supported as sister to the remaining Old World Podostemoideae plus Ceratolacis and Podostemum. In contrast to the American and African clades, monophyly of four Asian subclades was well supported. Plants of Tristicha (Tristichoideae) and of Weddellina (Weddellinoideae), which are currently treated as monospecific, had great matK differentiation equivalent to at least interspecific variation. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 169 , 461–492.     

A global phylogeny of apple snails: Gondwanan origin, generic relationships, and the influence of outgroup choice (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae)

Apple snails (Ampullariidae) are a diverse family of pantropical freshwater snails and an important evolutionary link to the common ancestor of the largest group of living gastropods, the Caenogastropoda. A clear understanding of relationships within the Ampullariidae, and identification of their sister taxon, is therefore important for interpreting gastropod evolution in general. Unfortunately, the overall pattern has been clouded by confused systematics within the family and equivocal results regarding the family's sister group relationships. To clarify the relationships among ampullariid genera and to evaluate the influence of including or excluding possible sister taxa, we used data from five genes, three nuclear and two mitochondrial, from representatives of all nine extant ampullariid genera, and species of Viviparidae, Cyclophoridae, and Campanilidae, to reconstruct the phylogeny of apple snails, and determine their affinities to these possible sister groups. The results obtained indicate that the Old and New World ampullariids are reciprocally monophyletic with probable Gondwanan origins. All four Old World genera, Afropomus, Saulea, Pila, and Lanistes, were recovered as monophyletic, but only Asolene, Felipponea, and Pomella were monophyletic among the five New World genera, with Marisa paraphyletic and Pomacea polyphyletic. Estimates of divergence times among New World taxa suggest that diversification began shortly after the separation of Africa and South America and has probably been influenced by hydrogeological events over the last 90 Myr. The sister group of the Ampullariidae remains unresolved, but analyses omitting certain outgroup taxa suggest the need for dense taxonomic sampling to increase phylogenetic accuracy within the ingroup. The results obtained also indicate that defining the sister group of the Ampullariidae and clarifying relationships among basal caenogastropods will require increased taxon sampling within these four families, and synthesis of both morphological and molecular data. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98 , 61–76.     

An assessment of the status of Polycirridae genera (Annelida: Terebelliformia) and evolutionary transformation series of characters within the family

A phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine the monophyly of non‐monotypic genera of the terebelliform family Polycirridae, i.e. Polycirrus, Amaeana, Lysilla, and Hauchiella, and the evolution of characters among members of this clade. The monotypic genera, Enoplobranchus and Biremis, were also included, together with members of both known species in Hauchiella. Representative species were included for remaining genera: 14 species of Polycirrus, six species of Amaeana, and six species of Lysilla. Out‐groups consisted of representatives of Spionidae, Cirratulidae, and Sabellariidae, as well as several species of Telothelepodidae. A total of 40 in‐ and out‐group species were coded for 50 subjects (‘characters’) and 117 subject–predicate relationships (‘states’). Although results are consistent with recent phylogenetic studies within Terebelliformia that suggest Polycirridae monophyly, only Hauchiella was found to be monophyletic, albeit part of the more inclusive clade comprising remaining polycirrid genera. Evolutionary transformation series are discussed for selected characters in relation to the non‐monophyly of Polycirrus, Lysilla, and Amaeana. Implications for the use of supraspecific taxa as ‘taxonomic surrogates’ are highlighted. The definition of Polycirridae is emended. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

MULTIGENE ANALYSES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC EUGLENOIDS AND NEW FAMILY,PHACACEAE (EUGLENALES)1

Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood (ML) analyses of the combined multigene data (nuclear SSU rDNA, and plastid SSU and LSU rDNA) were conducted to evaluate the phylogeny of photosynthetic euglenoids. The combined data set consisted of 108 strains of photosynthetic euglenoids including a colorless sister taxon. Bayesian and ML analyses recovered trees of almost identical topology. The results indicated that photosynthetic euglenoids were divided into two major clades, the Euglenaceae clade (Euglena, Euglenaria, Trachelomonas, Strombomonas, Monomorphina, Cryptoglena, Colacium) and the Phacaceae clade (Phacus, Lepocinclis, Discoplastis). The Euglenaceae clade was monophyletic with high support and subdivided into four main clades: the Colacium, the Strombomonas and Trachelomonas, the Cryptoglena and Monomorphina, and the Euglena and Euglenaria clades. The genus Colacium was positioned at the base of the Euglenaceae and was well supported as a monophyletic lineage. The loricate genera (Strombomonas and Trachelomonas) were located at the middle of the Euglenaceae clade and formed a robust monophyletic lineage. The genera Cryptoglena and Monomorphina also formed a well‐supported monophyletic clade. Euglena and the recently erected genus Euglenaria emerged as sister groups. However, Euglena proxima branched off at the base of the Euglenaceae. The Phacaceae clade was also a monophyletic group with high support values and subdivided into three clades, the Discoplastis, Phacus, and Lepocinclis clades. The genus Discoplastis branched first, and then Phacus and Lepocinclis emerged as sister groups. These genera shared a common characteristic, numerous small discoid chloroplasts without pyrenoids. These results clearly separated the Phacaceae clade from the Euglenaceae clade. Therefore, we propose to limit the family Euglenaceae to the members of the Euglena clade and erect a new family, the Phacaceae, to house the genera Phacus, Lepocinclis, and Discoplastis.     

Phylogenetic relationships among sloths (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Tardigrada): the craniodental evidence

This study is undertaken in order to evaluate specific hypotheses of relationship among extant and extinct sloths (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Tardigrada). Questions of particular interest include the relationship among the three traditional family groupings of extinct ground sloths and the monophyletic or diphyletic origin of the two genera of extant tree sloths. A computer‐based cladistic investigation of the phylogenetic relationships among 33 sloth genera is performed based upon 286 osteological characteristics of the skull, lower jaw, dentition and hyoid arch. Characters are polarized via comparisons with the following successive outgroups, all members of the supraordinal grouping Edentata: the Vermilingua, or anteaters; the Cingulata, or armadillos and glyptodonts; the Palaeanodonta; and the Pholidota, or pangolins. The results of the analysis strongly corroborate the diphyly of living tree sloths, with the three‐toed sloth Bradypus positioned as the sister‐taxon to all other sloths, and the two‐toed sloth Choloepus allied with extinct members of the family Megalonychidae. These results imply that the split between the two extant sloth genera is ancient, dating back perhaps as much as 40 Myr, and that the similarities between the two taxa, including their suspensory locomotor habits, present one of the most dramatic examples of convergent evolution known among mammals. The monophyly of the three traditional ground sloth families Megatheriidae, Megalonychidae and Mylodontidae is confirmed in the present study, and the late Miocene–Pleistocene nothrotheres are shown to form a clade. It is suggested that this latter clade merits recognition as a distinct family‐level grouping, the family Nothrotheriidae. The monophyly of the Megatherioidea, a clade including members of the families Megatheriidae, Megalonychidae and Nothrotheriidae, is also supported. Within Megatherioidea, the families Nothrotheriidae and Megatheriidae form a monophyletic group called the Megatheria. The relationships within the families Megatheriidae and Mylodontidae are fully and consistently resolved, although the hypothesized scheme of relationships among the late Miocene to Pleistocene members of the mylodontid subfamily Mylodontinae differ strongly from any proposed by previous authors. Within the family Megalonychidae, Choloepus is allied to a monophyletic grouping of West Indian sloths, although the relationships within this clade are not fully resolved. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 140 , 255–305.     

Phylogenetics and classification of the pantropical fern family Lindsaeaceae

The classification and generic definition in the tropical–subtropical fern family Lindsaeaceae have been uncertain and have so far been based on morphological characters only. We have now studied the evolutionary history of the Lindsaeaceae by simultaneously optimizing 55 morphological characters, two plastid genes (rpoC1 and rps4) and three non‐coding plastid intergenic spacers (trnL‐F, rps4‐trnS and trnH‐psbA). Our data set included all genera associated with Lindsaeaceae, except Xyropteris, and c. 73% of the currently accepted species. The phylogenetic relationships of the lindsaeoid ferns with two enigmatic genera that have recently been included in the Lindsaeaceae, Cystodium and Lonchitis, remain ambiguous. Within the monophyletic lindsaeoids, we found six well‐supported and diagnostic clades that can be recognized as genera: Sphenomeris, Odontosoria, Osmolindsaea, Nesolindsaea, Tapeinidium and Lindsaea. Sphenomeris was shown to be monotypic; most taxa formerly placed in that genus belong to the Odontosoria clade. Ormoloma is embedded within Lindsaea and therefore does not merit recognition as a genus. Tapeinidium is sister to a clade with some species formerly placed in Lindsaea that are morphologically distinct from that genus and are transferred to Osmolindsaea and Nesolindsaea, proposed here as two new genera. We do not maintain the current subgeneric classification of Lindsaea itself, because neither of the two generally accepted subgenera (Lindsaea and Odontoloma) is monophyletic, and most of the sections also appear unnatural. Nesolindsaea shows an ancient biogeographical link between Sri Lanka and the Seychelles and many of the main clades within Lindsaea have geographically disjunct distributions. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 163 , 305–359.     

Monophyly, phylogenetic position and inter-familial relationships of the Alepocephaliformes (Teleostei) based on whole mitogenome sequences

Recent mitogenomic studies suggest a new position for the deep-sea fishes of the order Alepocephaliformes, placing them within the Otocephala in contrast to their traditional placement within the Euteleostei. However, these studies included only two alepocephaliform taxa and left several questions unsolved about their systematics. Here we use whole mitogenome sequences to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships for 11 alepocephaliform taxa, sampled from all five nominal families, and a large selection of non-alepocephaliform teleosts, to address the following three questions: (1) is the Alepocephaliformes monophyletic, (2) what is its phylogenetic position within the Teleostei and (3) what are the relationships among the alepocephaliform families? Our character sets, including unambiguously aligned, concatenated mitogenome sequences that we have divided into four (first and second codon positions, tRNA genes, and rRNA genes) or five partitions (same as before plus the transversions at third codon positions, using "RY" coding), were analyzed by the partitioned maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Our result strongly supported the monophyly of the Alepocephaliformes and its close relationship to the Clupeiformes and Ostariophysi. Altogether, these three groups comprise the Otocephala. Statistical comparison using likelihood-based SH test confidently rejected the monophyly of the Euteleostei when including the Alepocephaliformes. However, increasing the taxonomic sampling within the Alepocephaliformes did not resolve its position relative to the Clupeiformes and Ostariophysi. Within the Alepocephaliformes, our results strongly supported the monophyly of the platytroctid genera but not that of the remaining taxa. From one analysis to other, platytroctids were either the sister group of the remaining taxa or nested within the alepocephalids. Inferred relationships among alepocephaliform taxa were not congruent with any of the previously published phylogenetic hypotheses based on morphological characters.     

The gastropod–crustacean connection: towards the phylogeny and evolution of the parasitic copepod family Splanchnotrophidae

Amongst the most significant metazoan taxa associated with gastropod molluscs is the endoparasitic copepod family Splanchnotrophidae. Currently it contains five genera with highly modified morphology and exclusively infesting nudibranch and sacoglossan sea slug hosts. The present study is a first approach towards reconstructing their phylogeny and evolution. Cladistic analysis of 109 morphological characters including 24 known splanchnotrophid species resulted in a fully resolved strict consensus tree that is discussed in morphological, functional, and geographical frameworks. Alternative topologies are also explored. Originating from paraphyletic Philoblennidae, the Splanchnotrophidae emerge as sister group to the genus Briarella. Unique synapomorphies, such as the bizarre body shapes and successive reduction of mouthparts, are discussed as adaptive traits to endoparasitism that evolved only once within copepods infesting shell‐less heterobranch gastropods. The ancestrally Indo‐Pacific Splanchnotrophidae split up into a clade of the still Indo‐Pacific genera Ceratosomicola and Arthurius, sister to a clade composed of the monophyletic amphi‐American genus Ismaila and European Splanchnotrophus emerging from paraphyletic Lomanoticola. Although initial radiation of Briarella and Splanchnotrophidae is likely to have involved chromodoridid nudibranch hosts, later phylogenies of parasites and their hosts are incongruent; intriguingly, host shifts from nudibranch to only distantly related sacoglossan species occurred at least two times independently. Such remarkable ecological plasticity is assumed to have driven splanchnotrophid diversification. Topological hypotheses and historical biogeographical and evolutionary scenarios inferred herein can be tested by future molecular research. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Molecular systematics of threadfin breams and relatives (Teleostei,Nemipteridae)

Threadfin breams and relatives of the family Nemipteridae comprise 69 currently recognized species in five genera. They are found in the tropical and subtropical Indo‐West Pacific and most are commercially important. Using recently developed molecule‐based approaches exploiting DNA sequence variation among species/specimens, this study reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny of the Nemipteridae, examined the validity of species and explored the cryptic diversity of the family, and tested previous phylogenetic hypotheses. A combined data set (105 taxa from 41 morphospecies) with newly determined sequences from two nuclear genes (RAG1 and RH) and one mitochondrial gene (COI), and a data set with only COI gene sequences (329 newly obtained plus 328 from public databases from a total of 53 morphospecies) were used in the phylogenetic analysis. The latter was further used for species delimitation analyses with two different tools to explore species diversity. Our phylogenetic results showed that all the currently recognized genera were monophyletic. The monotypic genus Scaevius is the sister group of Pentapodus and they together are sister to Nemipterus. These three genera combined to form the sister group of the clade comprising Parascolopsis and Scolopsis. The validity of most of the examined species was confirmed except in some cases. The combined evidence from the results of different analyses revealed a gap in our existing knowledge of species diversity in the Nemipteridae. We found several currently recognized species contain multiple separately evolving metapopulation lineages within species; some lineages should be considered as new species for further assignment. Finally, some problematic sequences deposited in public databases (probably due to misidentification) were also revised in this study to improve the accuracy for prospective DNA barcoding work on nemipterid fishes.     

Phylogenetic structure in the grass family (Poaceae) as inferred from chloroplast DNA restriction site variation

A cladistic analysis of chloroplast DNA restriction site variation among representatives of all subfamilies of the grass family (Poaceae), using Joinvillea (Joinvilleaceae) as the outgroup, placed most genera into two major clades. The first of these groups corresponds to a broadly circumscribed subfamily Pooideae that includes all sampled representatives of Ampelodesmeae, Aveneae, Brachypodieae, Bromeae, Diarrheneae, Meliceae, Poeae, Stipeae, and Triticeae. The second major clade includes all sampled representatives of four subfamilies (Panicoideae [tribes Andropogoneae and Paniceae], Arundinoideae [Arundineae], Chloridoideae [Eragrostideae], and Centothecoideae [Centotheceae]). Within this group (the “PACC” clade), the Panicoideae are resolved as monophyletic and as the sister group of the clade that comprises the other three subfamilies. Within the latter group, Danthonia (Arundinoideae) and Eragroslis (Chloridoideae) are resolved as a stable monophyletic group that excludes Phragmites (Arundinoideae); this structure is inconsistent with the Arundinoideae being monophyletic as currently circumscribed. The PACC clade is placed within a more inclusive though unstable clade that includes the woody Bambusoideae (Bambuseae) plus several disparate tribes of herbaceous grasses of uncertain affinity that are often recognized as herbaceous Bambusoideae (Brachyelytreae, Nardeae, Olyreae, Oryzeae, and Phareae). Among eight most-parsimonious trees resolved by the analysis, four include a monophyletic Bambusoideae sensu lato (comprising Bambuseae and all five of these herbaceous tribes) as the sister group of the PACC clade; in the other four trees these bambusoid elements are not resolved as monophyletic, and the PACC clade is nested among these tribes. These results are consistent with those of previous analyses that resolve a basal or near-basal branch within the family between Pooideae and all other grasses. However, resolution by the present analysis of the PACC clade, which includes Centothecoideae, Chloridoideae, and Panicoideae, but excludes Bambusoideae, is inconsistent with the results of previous analyses that place Bambusoideae and Panicoideae in a monophyletic group that excludes Centothecoideae and Chloridoideae.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the genera of Theaceae based on morphology

This work represents the first phylogenetic analysis of all genera belonging to the plant family Theaceae (sensu lato). The study is based on 60 morphological characters derived from herbarium specimens and an extensive literature review of 37 genera (including the outgroup). In contrast to the results from molecular data, Theaceae is here found to consist of one clade in which the recognition of two families or subfamilies would leave Theaceae s.s. paraphyletic. Within that clade, Ternstroemiaceae is supported as monophyletic and includes Adinandra, Anneslea, Archboldiodendron, Balthasaria, Cleyera, Eurya, Euryodendron, Ficalhoa, Freziera, Symplococarpon, Ternstroemia and Visnea. The paraphyletic Theaceae s.s. includes Apterosperma, Camellia, Dankia, Gordonia, Pyrenaria, Schima, and Stewartia. Tetrameristaceae (Pentamerista and Tetramerista) are supported as a monophyletic family, with Pellicieraceae (Pelliciera) as sister group, and that clade is sister to the rest of the taxa. Bonnetiaceae (Archytaea and Bonnetia) and Kielmeyeroideae of the Clusiaceae (Caraipa, Haploclathra, Kielmeyera, Mahurea, Marila, and Neotatea) are also supported as monophyletic. Given the differences between the results obtained from morphological and molecular data, we consider that there is still a need for further research, including combined analyses.     

Morphology-based phylogeny of the treehopper family Membracidae (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Membracoidea)

A parsimony‐based phylogenetic analysis of eighty‐three morphological characters of adults and immatures of seventy representatives of the tribes and subfamilies of Membracidae and two outgroup taxa was conducted to evaluate the status and relationships of these taxa. Centrotinae apparently gave rise to Nessorhinini and Oxyrhachini (both formerly treated as subfamilies, now syn.n. and syn.reinst., respectively, of Centrotinae). In contrast to previous analyses, a clade comprising Nicomiinae, Centronodinae, Centrodontinae, and the unplaced genera Holdgatiella Evans, Euwalkeria Goding and Antillotolania Ramos was recovered, but relationships within this clade were not well resolved. Nodonica bispinigera, gen.n. and sp.n., is described and placed in Centrodontini based on its sister‐group relationship to a clade comprising previously described genera of this tribe. Membracinae and Heteronotinae were consistently monophyletic. Neither Darninae nor Smiliinae, as previously defined, was monophyletic on the maximally parsimonious cladograms, but constraining both as monophyletic groups required only one additional step. The monophyly of Stegaspidinae, including Deiroderes Ramos (unplaced in Membracidae), was supported on some but not all equally parsimonious cladograms. More detailed analyses of individual subfamilies, as well as morphological data on the undescribed immatures of several membracid tribes and genera, will be needed to elucidate relationships among tribes and genera. A key to the subfamilies and tribes is provided.     

Gnidia (Thymelaeaceae) is not monophyletic: taxonomic implications for Thymelaeoideae and a partial new generic taxonomy for Gnidia

We address the generic limits of Gnidia (Thymelaeaceae) through a phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid rbcL, trnL intron and trnL‐F intergenic spacer regions. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference were used to produce trees and assess internal support. The most significant conclusion drawn from the molecular analysis is that Gnidia is polyphyletic as currently circumscribed, comprising at least four distinct lineages that are each related to other genera within Thymelaeoideae. Gnidia pinifolia and G. racemosa are members of a clade within which Struthiola is embedded; a second group of species allies with Drapetes as sister to Passerina; and a third lineage corresponds to the previously recognized genus Lasiosiphon. The remaining species of Gnidia included in this study are allied with the Australian genus Pimelea. The taxonomic implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the principle of monophyly. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 402–417.     

Large‐scale molecular phylogeny of metallic wood‐boring beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestoidea) provides new insights into relationships and reveals multiple evolutionary origins of the larval leaf‐mining habit

The family Buprestidae (jewel beetles or metallic wood‐boring beetles), contains nearly 15 000 species in 522 genera. Together with the small family Schizopodidae (seven species, three genera), they form the superfamily Buprestoidea. Adult Buprestoidea feed on flowers or foliage, whereas larvae are mostly internal feeders, boring in roots or stems, or mining the leaves of woody or herbaceous plants. The subfamilial and tribal classification of Buprestoidea remains unsettled, with substantially different schemes proposed by different workers based on morphology. Here we report the first large‐scale molecular phylogenetic study of the superfamily Buprestoidea based on data from four genes for 141 ingroup species. We used these data to reconstruct higher‐level relationships and to assess the current classification and the origins of the larval leaf‐mining habit within Buprestoidea. In our analyses, the monophyly of Buprestoidea was strongly supported, as was the monophyly of Schizopodidae and its placement sister to Buprestidae. Our results are largely consistent with the generally accepted major lineages of buprestoids, including clearly‐defined agrilines, buprestines–chrysochroines and early‐branching julodines–polycestines. In addition to Schizopodidae, three of the six subfamilies were monophyletic in our study: Agrilinae, Julodinae and the monogeneric Galbellinae (Galbella). Polycestinae was monophyletic with the exception of the enigmatic Haplostethini. Chrysochroinae and Buprestinae were not monophyletic, but were recovered together in a large mixed clade along with Galbella. The interrelationships of Chrysochroinae and Buprestinae were not well resolved; however they were clearly polyphyletic, with chrysochroine genera falling into several different well‐supported clades otherwise comprising buprestine genera. All Agrilinae were contained in a single strongly supported clade. Coraebini were dispersed throughout Agrilinae, with strong nodal support for several clades representing subtribes. Neither Agrilini nor Tracheini were monophyletic. The leaf‐mining genus Paratrachys (Paratracheini) was recovered within the Acmaeoderioid clade, consistent with the current classification, and confirming the independent origins of leaf‐mining within Polycestinae and Agrilinae. Additionally, our results strongly suggest that the leaf‐mining agriline tribe Tracheini is polyphyletic, as are several of its constituent subtribes. External root feeding was likely the ancestral larval feeding habit in Buprestoidea. The apparent evolutionary transitions to internal feeding allowed access to a variety of additional plant tissues, including leaves. Interestingly, the several genera of leaf‐mining agrilines do not form a monophyletic group. Many of these genera are diverse and highly specialized, possibly indicating adaptive radiations.