Phylogenetic relationships in Blumea (Asteraceae: Inuleae) as evidenced by molecular and morphological data

The present study, based on sequences of cpDNA (trnL-F & psbA-trnH) and nrDNA (ITS) and morphology, examined the evolutionary relationships in Blumea and its position among related genera. The results confirmed that the closest relatives of Blumea are Caesulia, Duhaldea and Pentanema p.p., and showed that the monotypic genera Blumeopsis and Merrittia are nested within Blumea. In Blumea s.l., two major, well-supported clades were recognised and a single species, the widespread Blumea balsamifera, that could not be placed with certainty relative to the two main clades. The two main clades differ in habit, ecology and distribution. The Blumea densiflora clade contains shrubs and subshrubs of evergreen forests, distributed from continental Asia to New Guinea and Polynesia, whereas the Blumea lacera clade is a widespread paleotropical group that comprises mostly annual, weedy herbs of open forests and fields.     

Phylogenetic relationships and generic delimitation in Inuleae subtribe Inulinae (Asteraceae) based on ITS and cpDNA sequence data

Phylogenetic relationships in Inuleae subtribe Inulinae (Asteraceae) were investigated. DNA sequence data from three chloroplast regions ( ndhF , trnL–F and psbA–trnH ) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were analysed separately and in combination using parsimony and Bayesian inference. A total of 163 ingroup taxa were included, of which 60 were sampled for all four markers. Conflicts between chloroplast and nuclear data were assessed using partitioned Bremer support (PBS). Rather than averaging PBS over several trees from constrained searches, individual trees were considered by evaluating PBS ranges. Criteria to be used in the detection of a significant conflict between data partitions are proposed. Three nodes in the total data tree were found to encompass significant conflict that could result from ancient hybridization. Neither of the large, heterogeneous and widespread genera Inula and Pulicaria is monophyletic. A monophyletic group ("the Inula complex") that comprises all species of Inula includes also Telekia , Carpesium , Chrysophthalmum , Rhanteriopsis , Amblyocarpum , and Pentanema sensu stricto . Two species of Pentanema were found to be closer to Blumea (including Blumeopsis and Merrittia ) and Caesulia . The monophyletic " Pulicaria complex" includes all taxa with heteromorphic pappus. Within this group, Francoeuria is distinct from Pulicaria and merits recognition as a separate genus.
 © The Willi Hennig Society 2009.