Phylogeny of the Dipsacales s.l. based on chloroplast trnL-F and ndhF sequences

Sequences of the chloroplast trnL-F region and 3(') end ndhF gene were used to elucidate phylogenetic relationships and the delimitation of families within Dipsacales s.l. Parsimony analyses of individual and combined data were conducted using maximum parsimony method. The most parsimonious tree based on combined trnL-F and 3(') end ndhF data set recognizes seven major clades of Dipsacales s.l. with the following relationships: Apiales (Adoxaceae ((Diervillaceae, Caprifoliaceae s.str.) (Linnaeaceae (Morinaceae (Dipsacaceae, Valerianaceae))))). Both Sambucus and Viburnum have close relationships with Adoxaceae, supporting their inclusion in this family. Caprifoliaceae s.l. (excluding Sambucus and Viburnum) is polyphyletic, and comprises three clades or families, i.e., Linnaeaceae (Abelia, Dipelta, Kolkwitzia, and Linnaea), Diervillaceae (Weigela and Diervilla) and Caprifoliaceae s.str. (Heptacodium, Leycesteria, Lonicera, Symphoricarpos, and Triosteum). This study focuses on the systematic position of Heptacodium, Triplostegia, and Morinaceae; and suggests that Heptacodium is closely related to the other Caprifoliaceae s.str.; Triplostegia is a sister to Dipsacaceae; Morinaceae, which has an affinity with Dipsacaceae, is possibly a sister group with Dipsacaceae-Valerianaceae clade. Our results are highly congruent with those of and.     

A search for the phylogenetic position of the seven-son flower (Heptacodium, Dipsacales): Combining molecular and morphological evidence

A first report on the problematic phylogenetic position ofHeptacodium (2 spp.; China) using molecular data from chloroplast DNA is presented. Amplification of ORF2280 homolog region was executed in a number of representative taxa in order to determine ifHeptacodium shows similar structural rearrangements as other Dipsacales. DNA sequences ofndhF were generated to clarify the phylogenetic position ofHeptacodium among Caprifoliaceae (s.l.). Six outgroup taxa and fifteen representatives of Dipsacales were sampled and more than 2100 basepairs ofndhF sequence were used in a cladistic analysis. Parsimony analysis produced two shortest trees and showedHeptacodium as sister to all members of Caprifoliaceae (s.str.), although weakly supported. Additionally, trees were constructed withndhF data supplemented with availablerbcL sequences and a morphological data set. Results of all analyses support an unresolved basal position forHeptacodium among Caprifoliaceae (s.l.), which in part explains the difficulty experienced previously in classifying the genus.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the disputed genus Triplostegia based on trnL-F sequences

The phylogenetie relationships of Triplostegia Wall. ex DC., comprising two species of perennial herbs from southeastern Asia, have long been in dispute. This genus was placed in either Dipsacaceae or Valerianaceae or in a family of its own, Triplostegiaceae. In this paper, the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) trn L-F regions of 21 species in the Dipsacales s. l. (including Valerianaceae, Dipsacaceae, Triplostegia, Morina, Caprifoliaceae s. l. and Adoxaceae) and an outgroup Panax schin-seng Nees. were amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic relationships among these 22 species were constructed based on trn L-F sequences. The results demonstrated that Valerianaceae, Dipsacaceae, Triplostegia, Morina and four genera from the Caprifoliaceae s. l. form a monophyletic group with a strong support (100% bootstrap). Triplostegia, a sister group to Dipsacaceae, is close enough to be placed in the Dipsacaceae as a subfamily. The traditional Caprifoliaceae s.l. are polyphyletic, and relationships of Morina among the groups within Dipsacales s. l. are uncertain. Key words Triplostegia; Caprifoliaceae s. l.; Morina; Dipsacales s. l.; trnL-F sequences; Sys-tematic position     

从叶绿体DNA trnL-F序列论双参属的归属问题

双参属Triplostegia Wall．ex DC．由分布于东南亚地区的2个种组成,为多年生草本植物。它的归属一直存在争议,有时置于川续断科Dipsacaceae或败酱科Valerianaceae,有时单立一科,即双参科Triplostegiaceae。本研究对广义川续断目Dipsacales s．l．的21种植物(分别来自于败酱科、川续断科、双参属、刺参属Morina、广义忍冬科Caprifoliaceae s. l．、五福花科 Adoxaceae)和外类群人参Panax schin-seng Nees．的叶绿体 DNA trnL-F区进行了测序,并建立系统发育树状图。结果显示,败酱科、川续断科、双参属、刺参属和广义忍冬科的4个属(双盾木属Dipelta、虫胃实属Kolkwitzia、六道木属Abelia和北极花属Linnaea)形成 了一个单系群并得到了很强的支持(100％ bootstrap);双参属与川续断科有更近的关系,建议作为一个亚科置于川续断科;广义忍冬科为一多系类群;而刺参属与其他广义川续断目类群之间的关系尚不能确定。     

Evolution of fruit and seed characters in the Diervilla and Lonicera clades (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacales)

Background and Aims

The Diervilla and Lonicera clades are members of the family Caprifoliaceae (Dipsacales sensu Donoghue et al., 2001, Harvard Papers in Botany 6: 459–479). So far, the intergeneric relationships of the Lonicera clade and the systematic position of Heptacodium remain equivocal. By studying fruit and seed morphology and anatomy, an attempt is made to clarify these issues. In addition, this study deals with the evolution of fruit and seed characters of the Diervilla and Lonicera clades with reference to allied taxa.

Methods

Light and scanning electron microscopy were used for the morphological and anatomical investigations. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out by applying the parsimony and Bayesian inference optimality criteria. Character evolution was studied by means of parsimony optimization and stochastic character mapping.

Key Results

Diervilla and Weigela (Diervilla clade) are characterized by several unique traits in Dipsacales, including capsules with numerous seeds, seed coats without sclerified outer tangential exotestal cell walls, and dehiscent fruits. Seeds with completely sclerified exotestal cells and fleshy fruits characterize the Lonicera clade. Leycesteria and Lonicera have berries, ovaries without sterile carpels and several seeds per locule, whereas Symphoricarpos and Triosteum have drupes, ovaries with one or two sterile carpels and a single seed per locule. Heptacodium shares several characteristics with members of the Linnina clade, e.g. achenes, single-seeded fruits and a compressed, parenchymatous seed coat.

Conclusions

The results confirm the monophyly of the Diervilla and Lonicera clades and allow us to hypothesize a close relationship between Leycesteria and Lonicera and between Symphoricarpos and Triosteum. Fruit and seed morphology and anatomy point to a sister relationship of Heptacodium with the Linnina clade, rather than with the Lonicera clade.Key words: Diervilla, Weigela, Symphoricarpos, Lonicera, Triosteum, Leycesteria, Heptacodium, Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacales, fruit, seed, evolution     

Essential‐Oil Constituents and Alkanes of Cephalaria ambrosioides Roem. & Schult. (Family Caprifoliaceae,Subfamily Dipsacaceae) and (Chemo)taxonomic Discernment of the Subfamilies Dipsacaceae and Morinaceae

Herein, the results of the first study of the volatile and alkane profiles of Cephalaria ambrosioides Roem. & Schult . (Caprifoliaceae, subfamily Dipsacaceae) were reported. The GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses of the essential oils hydrodistilled from leaves and stems (CA1) and flowers (CA2) of C. ambrosioides allowed the identification of 284 different components. The main compounds of the studied oil samples were palmitic acid (24.3 and 32.5% for CA1 and CA2, resp.), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (1.4 and 10.8% for CA1 and CA2, resp.), (Z)‐hex‐3‐en‐1‐ol (7.0 and <0.1% for CA1 and CA2, resp.), and linoleic acid (1.9 and 6.5% for CA1 and CA2, resp.). Essential‐oil compositional data of selected plant species belonging to the Dipsacaceae (15) and Morinaceae (2) subfamilies were used to resolve taxonomical ambiguities regarding the genus Cephalaria and its infrageneric relations, especially concerning the subfamily Morinaceae (formerly a genus within Dipsacaceae). The results of multivariate statistical analyses (25 different essential‐oil samples) supported the exclusion of Morina species from the Dipsacaceae subfamily. The relative abundances of alkanes from n‐, iso‐, and anteiso‐series followed a (distorted) Gaussian‐like distribution and suggested that the biosyntheses of n‐ and branched alkanes in C. ambrosioides are possibly not controlled by the same elongase. Also, the obtained results suggested that there was a difference in the biosynthesis/accumulation of alkanes in the vegetative and reproductive parts of C. ambrosioides.     

Dating the Dipsacales: comparing models, genes, and evolutionary implications

Dipsacales is an asterid angiosperm clade of ca. 1100 species, with most of its lineages occupying temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. A recent phylogenetic analysis based on 7593 nucleotides of chloroplast DNA recovered a well-resolved and strongly supported phylogenetic hypothesis, which we use here to estimate divergence times within the group. A molecular clock is strongly rejected, regardless of data partition. We used recently proposed methods that relax the assumption of rate constancy among lineages (local clocks, nonparametric rate smoothing, penalized likelihood, and Bayesian relaxed clock) to estimate the ages of major lineages. Age estimates for Dipsacales varied widely among markers and codon positions, and depended on the fossils used for calibration and method of analysis. Some methods yielded dates for the Dipsacales diversification that appear to be too old (prior to the presumed 125 my [million years] age of eudicots), and others suggested ages that are too young based on well-documented Dipsacales fossils. Concordant penalized likelihood and Bayesian studies imply that Dipsacales originated in the Cretaceous, as did its two major lineages, Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae. However, diversification of crown Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae mainly occurred in the Tertiary, with the origin of major lineages within these clades mainly occurring during the Eocene. Another round of diversification appears to have occurred in the Miocene. Several radiations, such as Valerianaceae in South America and Dipsacaceae around the Mediterranean, are even more recent. This study demonstrates the wide range of divergence times that can be obtained using different methods and data sets, and cautions against reliance on age estimates based on only a single gene or methodology. Despite this variance, significant conclusions can be made about the timing of Dipsacales evolution.     

Genome size in Dipsacaceae and Morina longifolia (Morinaceae)

Dipsacaceae and Morinaceae have for a long time been regarded as separate but related families, whereas according to APG III they are included within the larger family Caprifoliaceae. Although genome size studies seldom provide conclusive characters for higher level systematics, they can yield useful information at a lower taxonomy level. In this study, we used DNA flow cytometry (supplemented by Feulgen densitometry) for measurement of genome size variation in the Dipsacaceae genera Cephalaria, Dipsacus, Knautia, Lomelosia, Pterocephalus, Scabiosa, Sixalix, Succisa, and Succisella, and Morina of the Morinaceae. At the monoploid level the Dipsacaceae genera (x = 7–10) vary 5.94-fold between 0.902 and 5.362 pg DNA (1Cx-value), whereas Morina longifolia (x = 17) has only 0.670 pg DNA. At the holoploid level 11.58-fold variation occurs between 0.902 and 10.446 pg DNA (1C-value). In Knautia sect. Trichera ploidy levels 2x, 4x, 6x are accompanied by corresponding increments of C-values, but genome downsizing is observed. In Knautia sect. Tricheroides the only investigated species K. integrifolia (2n = 20) has only 0.60-fold the mean genome size of sect. Trichera. Scabiosa canescens (2n = 2x = 16) has approximately double the C-value of all other Austrian Scabiosa species at the diploid level (pseudopolyploidy). These values raise concern against DNA-ploidy estimations at the interspecific level when chromosome numbers are unknown. The species sorted into two major clades of an existing phylogenetic tree of Dipsacaceae differ characteristically in their range of Cx-values. The Knautia–Cephalaria–Dipsacus–Succisella clade has the great majority of its Cx-values larger than those of the Scabiosa–Pterocephalus–Lomelosia clade.     

Phylogeny of Veneridae (Bivalvia) based on mitochondrial genomes

Veneridae is one of the most diverse families of bivalve molluscs. However, their phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies have been debated for years. To explore phylogenetic relationships of Veneridae, we sequenced 13 complete mitochondrial genome sequences from eight subfamilies and compared with available complete mitochondrial genome of other Veneridae taxa (18 previously reported sequences). Phylogenetic analyses using probabilistic methods recovered two highly supported clades. In addition, the protein‐coding gene order revealed a highly conserved pattern among the same subclade lineages. According to our molecular analyses, Tapetinae should be recognized as a valid subfamily, but the genera formed para‐polyphyletic clades. Chioninae was recovered not monophyletic that differs from a previously molecular phylogeny. Furthermore, the reconstructed chronogram calibrated with fossils recovered the Veneridae have originated during the early Permian (about 290 million years ago). Noticeably, programmed frameshift was found in the nad4 gene of Leukoma jedoensis, Anomalodiscus squamosus and Antigona lamellaris and cob gene of L. jedoensis. This is the first time that the presence of the programmed frameshift has been found in the protein‐coding genes of Heterodonta species. Our results improved the phylogenetic resolution within Veneridae, and a more taxonomic sampling analysis of the subfamily Chioninae is supposed to construct.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the Malvadendrina clade (Malvaceae s.l.) based on plastid DNA sequences

Phylogenetic relationships within Malvaceae s.l., a clade that includes the traditional families Bombacaceae, Malvaceae s.str., Sterculiaceae, and Tiliaceae, have become greatly clarified thanks to recent molecular systematic research. In this paper, we use DNA sequences of four plastid regions (atpB, matK, ndhF, and rbcL) to study relationships within Malvadendrina, one of the two major clades of Malvaceae s.l. The four data sets were generally in agreement, but five terminal taxa manifested highly unexpected affinities in the rbcL partition, and the non-coding sequences of the trnK intron were found to provide limited phylogenetic information for resolving relationships at the base of Malvadendrina. The remaining data strongly support the existence of six major clades within Malvadendrina: Brownlowioideae, Dombeyoideae, Helicteroideae, Malvatheca (comprising Bombacoideae and Malvoideae), Sterculioideae, and Tilioideae. These data also resolve the placement of two problematic taxa: Nesogordonia (in Dombeyoideae) and Mortoniodendron (in Tilioideae). The relationships among the six clades are not definitively resolved, but the best-supported topology has Dombeyoideae as sister to the remainder of Malvadendrina (posterior probability PP=80%) and Sterculioideae as sister to Malvatheca (PP=86%). This early branching position of Dombeyoideae is supported by similarities in floral characters between members of that clade and outgroup taxa in Byttnerioideae. Similarly, the sister-group relationship of Sterculioideae and Malvatheca receives support from androecial characteristics, like subsessile or sessile anthers and an absence of staminodes, shared by these two clades.     

Phylogenetic relationships and rate of early diversification of Australian Sphenomorphus group scincids (Scincoidea, Squamata)

The Australian Sphenomorphus group is a morphologically and ecologically diverse clade of lygosomine scincids, collectively comprising more than one‐half of the Australian scincid fauna. A previous phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA, and ND4 and adjacent tRNA sequences for a series of Australian Sphenomorphus group scincids recovered several well‐supported, major clades, although these were generally separated by relatively short branches associated with low support values. Applying a recently described methodology for inferring lineage‐level polytomies, I employ ATP synthetase‐β subunit intron sequences and the existing mitochondrial (mt)DNA data set (with sequences for additional taxa) to assess the hypothesis that the poorly resolved basal relationships within the Australian Sphenomorphus group are a consequence of the major clades having originated essentially simultaneously. Phylogenetic analyses of the separate mtDNA and intron sequence data reveal a number of congruent clades, including Anomalopus, Calyptotis, Ctenotus, Lerista, the Eulamprus quoyii group, the Glaphyromorphus crassicaudis group (including Glaphyromorphus cracens, Glaphyromorphus darwiniensis, and Glaphyromorphus fuscicaudis), Glaphyromorphus gracilipes + Hemiergis, Coeranoscincus reticulatus + Ophioscincus truncatus + Saiphos, and Eulamprus amplus + Eulamprus tenuis + Gnypetoscincus + Nangura. The relationships among these clades indicated by the two data sets, however, are generally incongruent. Although this may be partially ascribed to error in estimating phylogenetic relationships due to insufficient data, some incongruence is evident when uncertainty in inferred relationships is allowed for. Moreover, the congruent clades are typically separated by very short branches, several having a length insignificantly different from zero. These results suggest that initial diversification of Australian Sphenomorphus group scincids was rapid relative to the substitution rates of the mtDNA and intron fragments considered, if not essentially simultaneous. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 92 , 347–366.     

Phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, with particular reference to the embryology of Euphorbiaceae sens. str.

We present phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales, which are poorly understood with respect to relationships within the order, using sequences from rbcL, atpB, matK and 18SrDNA from 103 genera in 23 families. From several independent and variously combined analyses, a four-gene analysis using all sequence data provided the best resolution, resulting in the single most parsimonious tree. In the Malpighiales [bootstrap support (BS) 100%], more than eight major clades comprising a family or group of families successively diverged, but no clade containing more than six families received over 50% BS. Instead, ten terminal clades that supported close relationships between and among families (>50% BS) were obtained, between, for example, Balanopaceae and Chrysobalanaceae; Lacistemataceae and Salicaceae; and Phyllanthaceae and Picrodendraceae. The monophyly of Euphorbiaceae sens. str. were strongly supported (BS 100%), but its sister group was unclear. Euphorbiaceae sens. str. comprised two basally diverging clades (BS 100%): one leading to the Clutia group (Chaetocarpus, Clutia, Pera and Trigonopleura), and the other leading to the rest of the family. The latter shared a palisadal, instead of a tracheoidal exotegmen as a morphological synapomorphy. While both Acalyphoideae (excluding Dicoelia and the Clutia group) and Euphorbioideae are monophyletic, Crotonoideae were paraphyletic, requiring more comprehensive analyses.     

Molecular and morphological patterns across Acanthocyclops vernalis‐robustus species complex (Copepoda,Cyclopoida)

Bláha, M., Hulák, M., Slouková, J. & Tě?itel, J. (2010). Molecular and morphological patterns across Acanthocyclops vernalis‐robustus species complex (Copepoda, Cyclopoida).—Zoologica Scripta, 39, 259–268. Morphological traits within Acanthocyclops (Kiefer, 1927) are highly variable, and morphology is too constrained to give complete information of phylogenetic relationships. This study combined morphological and molecular techniques to investigate the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of three species of Acanthocyclops (Acanthocyclops trajani, Acanthocyclops einslei and Acanthocyclops vernalis) inhabiting continental Europe. Morphological indices subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) separated sample populations into three distinct clusters corresponding with the taxonomic status of the species analysed. In addition, the taxonomy status of A. trajani and A. einslei was in agreement with molecular data; however, the intraspecific variation in sequences of 12S rRNA was lower in contrast to specimens morphologically determined as A. vernalis, which were divided into two deeply divergent clades, based on mtDNA sequence divergences. Moreover, high sequence divergence (26%) between these clades indicated the existence of another species that may not be a sister taxon of A. vernalis s.s. Results point to the need for further taxonomic work on Acanthocyclops.     

Phylogenetic analysis of eastern Asian and eastern North American disjunct Lespedeza (Fabaceae) inferred from nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid region sequences

Lespedeza (tribe Desmodieae, Fabaceae) follows a disjunct distribution in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Phylogenetic relationships among its species and related taxa were inferred from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid sequences (trnH‐psbA, psbK‐psbI, trnK‐matK and rpoC1). We examined 35 species of Lespedeza, two of Kummerowia and one of Campylotropis, the sole constituents of the Lespedeza group. An analysis of these data revealed that the genus Campylotropis is sister to the other two genera. However, we were unable to resolve the relationships between Kummerowia and Lespedeza in the strict consensus trees of parsimony analyses based on plastid and combined DNA data. In the genus Lespedeza, the Old World subgenus Macrolespedeza is monophyletic, whereas the transcontinental subgenus Lespedeza is paraphyletic. Monophyly of eastern Asian species and of North American species is strongly supported. Although inconsistent with the traditional classification, this phylogenetic finding is consistent with seedling morphology. Three subgroups recognized in subgenus Macrolespedeza were unresolved in our phylogenetic trees. An incongruence length difference (ILD) test indicated that the two partitions (nuclear ITS and plastid sequences) were significantly incongruent, perhaps because of hybridization between species in Lespedeza. Most of the primary clades of tribe Desmodieae are Asian, implying that the relatively few New World ones, such as those in Lespedeza, are more recently derived from Asia. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 164 , 221–235.     

Phylogeographic diversification of antelope squirrels (Ammospermophilus) across North American deserts

We investigated the biogeographic history of antelope squirrels, genus Ammospermophilus, which are widely distributed across the deserts and other arid lands of western North America. We combined range‐wide sampling of all currently recognized species of Ammospermophilus with a multilocus data set to infer phylogenetic relationships. We then estimated divergence times within identified clades of Ammospermophilus using fossil‐calibrated and rate‐calibrated molecular clocks. Lastly, we explored generalized distributional changes of Ammospermophilus since the last glacial maximum using species distribution models, and assessed responses to Quaternary climate change by generating demographic parameter estimates for the three wide‐ranging clades of A. leucurus. From our phylogenetic estimates we inferred strong phylogeographic structure within Ammospermophilus and the presence of three well‐supported major clades. Initial patterns of historical divergence were coincident with dynamic alterations in the landscape of western North America, and the formation of regional deserts during the Late Miocene and Pliocene. Species distribution models and demographic parameter estimates revealed patterns of recent population expansion in response to glacial retreat. When combined with evidence from co‐distributed taxa, the historical biogeography of Ammospermophilus provides additional insight into the mechanisms that impacted diversification of arid‐adapted taxa across the arid lands of western North America. We propose species recognition of populations of the southern Baja California peninsula to best represent our current understanding of evolutionary relationships among genetic units of Ammospermophilus. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109 , 949–967.     

川续断目的花粉演化

以APGⅢ定义的川续断目(Dipsacales)忍冬科(Caprifoliaceae)和五福花科(Adoxaceae)为研究对象,基于已有的川续断目分子系统树和花粉形态数据,分析了忍冬科25属和五福花科5属的花粉形态多样性,采用简约法(Fitch Parsimony)推测花粉祖征和演化式样,寻找共衍征和分类性状.选择花粉萌发孔数目、萌发孔类型、花粉形状、大小和外壁纹饰五个关键性状推断了其演化式样.研究表明:三孔沟、近球形、较小花粉、网状纹饰是川续断目花粉祖征.长球型、中等和较大花粉,以及刺状纹饰是忍冬科的共衍征,支持忍冬科和科下分支为单系群.忍冬科花粉刺状纹饰和五福花科花粉网状纹饰明显将两个科区分开来.通过追溯性状演化分析,支持将七子花属(Heptacodium)置于忍冬族(Caprifolieae),以及Zabelia置于刺续断科的观点.     

Ultraconserved elements put the final nail in the coffin of traditional use of the genus Meliphaga (Aves: Meliphagidae)

Molecular systematics is bringing taxonomy into the 21st Century by updating our nomenclature to reflect phylogenetic relationships of taxa. This transformation is evidenced by massive changes in avian taxonomy, ranging from ordinal to subspecies changes. In this study, we employ target capture of ultraconserved elements to resolve genus‐level systematics of a problematic group of honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae). With near complete species‐level taxon sampling of the Australo‐Papuan species within the traditionally recognized Meliphaga and Oreornis, we investigate generic limits using a genomic dataset. Likelihood and species tree methods confirm two clades within this group and found the New Guinea endemic Oreornis chrysogenys embedded within one of these clades. Our study supports earlier recommendations that Meliphaga Lewin, 1808 should be restricted to three species, M. aruensis, M. lewinii and M. notata. We make a case for recognizing three genera in the remaining species, Oreornis van Oort, 1910, Microptilotis Mathews, 1912 and Territornis Mathews, 1924.     

The molecular phylogeny of the sea star Echinaster (Asteroidea: Echinasteridae) provides insights for genus taxonomy

In this study, we used sequences of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA, and one nuclear gene, 28S rRNA, to test the monophyly of the sea star genus Echinaster, and understand the phylogenetic relationships among species and subgenera within this genus. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods revealed three clades with high values of genetic divergence among them (K2P distances for COI over 23%). One of the clades grouped all Echinaster (Othilia) species, and the other two clades included Echinaster (non‐Othilia) species and Henricia species, respectively. Although the relationships among Henricia, Othilia, and Echinaster could not be completely clarified, the Othilia clade was a well‐supported group with shared diagnostic morphological characters. Moreover, the approximately unbiased test applied to the phylogenetic reconstruction rejected the hypothesis of the genus Echinaster as a monophyletic group. According to these results, we suggest the revalidation of Othilia as a genus instead of a subgenus within Echinaster. Our study clarifies important points about the phylogenetic relationships among species of Echinaster. Other important systematic questions about the taxonomic classification of Echinaster and Henricia still remain open, but this molecular study provides bases for future research on the topic.     

A phylogenetic appraisal of Sigmodontinae (Rodentia,Cricetidae) with emphasis on phyllotine genera: systematics and biogeography

Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences of rodents of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. The emphasis is placed on the large tribe Phyllotini; sampling includes for the first time in any molecular‐based phylogenetic analysis representatives of several genera traditionally considered to be phyllotines. Given the broad taxonomic sampling, results provide substantial improvements in our knowledge on both the structure of the sigmodontine radiation and of phyllotine phylogenetic relationships. For instance, the tribe Ichthyomyini was not recovered monophyletic. Similarly, in a novel hypothesis on the contents of the tribe Phyllotini, it is shown that unlike Galenomys, the genera Chinchillula, Neotomys and Punomys are not phyllotines. The later genera together with Andinomys, Euneomys, Irenomys and Juliomys form part of novel generic clades of mostly Andean sigmodontine rodents. More in general, results strongly suggest the occurrence of several instances of putative morphological convergence among distinct sigmodontine lineages (e.g. among now considered to be ichthyomyines; between Phyllotini and some Andean taxa; among Euneomys‐Neotomys and Reithrodon). Finally, we suggest that the historical biogeography of the sigmodontine rodents is far more complex than earlier envisioned.