A new phylogenetic tribal classification of the grape family (Vitaceae)

Vitaceae (the grape family) consist of 16 genera and ca. 950 species primarily distributed in tropical regions. The family is well‐known for the economic importance of grapes, and is also ecologically significant with many species as dominant climbers in tropical and temperate forests. Recent phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses of sequence data from all three genomes have supported five major clades within Vitaceae: (i) the clade of Ampelopsis, Nekemias, Rhoicissus, and Clematicissus; (ii) the Cissus clade; (iii) the clade of Cayratia, Causonis, Cyphostemma, Pseudocayratia, Tetrastigma, and an undescribed genus “Afrocayratia”; (iv) the clade of Parthenocissus and Yua; and (v) the grape genus Vitis and its close tropical relatives Ampelocissus, Pterisanthes and Nothocissus, with Nothocissus and Pterisanthes nested within Ampelocissus. Based on the phylogenetic and morphological (mostly inflorescence, floral and seed characters) evidence, the new classification places the 950 species and 16 genera into five tribes: (i) tribe Ampelopsideae J.Wen & Z.L.Nie, trib. nov. (47 species in four genera; Ampelopsis, Nekemias, Rhoicissus and Clematicissus); (ii) tribe Cisseae Rchb. (300 species in one genus; Cissus); (iii) tribe Cayratieae J.Wen & L.M.Lu, trib. nov. (370 species in seven genera; Cayratia, Causonis, “Afrocayratia”, Pseudocayratia, Acareosperma, Cyphostemma and Tetrastigma); (iv) tribe Parthenocisseae J.Wen & Z.D.Chen, trib. nov. (ca. 16 spp. in two genera; Parthenocissus and Yua); and (v) tribe Viteae Dumort. (ca. 190 species in two genera; Ampelocissus and Vitis).     

Phylogenetic analysis of the grape family (Vitaceae) based on three chloroplast markers

Seventy-nine species representing 12 genera of Vitaceae were sequenced for the trnL-F spacer, 37 of which were subsequently sequenced for the atpB-rbcL spacer and the rps16 intron. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined data provided a fairly robust phylogeny for Vitaceae. Cayratia, Tetrastigma, and Cyphostemma form a clade. Cyphostemma and Tetrastigma are each monophyletic, and Cayratia may be paraphyletic. Ampelopsis is paraphyletic with the African Rhoicissus and the South American Cissus striata nested within it. The pinnately leaved Ampelopsis form a subclade, and the simple and palmately leaved Ameplopsis constitutes another with both subclades containing Asian and American species. Species of Cissus from Asia and Central America are monophyletic, but the South American C. striata does not group with other Cissus species. The Asian endemic Nothocissus and Pterisanthes form a clade with Asian Ampelocissus, and A. javalensis from Central America is sister to this clade. Vitis is monophyletic and forms a larger clade with Ampelocissus, Pterisanthes, and Nothocissus. The eastern Asian and North American disjunct Parthenocissus forms a clade with Yua austro-orientalis, a species of a small newly recognized genus from China to eastern Himalaya. Vitaceae show complex multiple intercontinental relationships within the northern hemisphere and between northern and southern hemispheres.     

Floral anatomy and systematics of Bretschneidera (Bretschneideraceae)

External morphology and anatomy of the flower and pollen of Bretschneidera sinensis Hemsl. are described to clarify the position of the family Bretschneideraceae relative to the Sapindales and the glucosinolate-producing families. Anatomical and micromorphological characters are investigated and sections are used to understand the structure of the flower. Observation of buds and sections reveal that the flower is obliquely monosymmetric, with the symmetry line running from one petal to a sepal. The upper petal shields the stamens and pistil and becomes positioned apically by the partial resupination of the pedicel. The octomerous androecium is characterized by variable empty positions which are related to the variable insertion of the three carpels. The loss of stamens is linked with a displacement of the remaining stamens. Floral anatomy demonstrates the presence of a nectary extending on the hypanthium from the base of the filaments to the base of the gynoecium. Details of floral anatomy are compared with members of Sapindaceae, Hippocastanaceae, Moringaceae, Akaniaceae, Tropaeolaceae and Capparaceae. Comparison with other characters supports a close relationship with Akaniaceae and Tropaeolaceae in an order Tropaeolales, in concordance with macromolecular results, either at the base of the glucosinolate clade, or in remote connection with the Sapindales. A number of floral anatomical characters with a strong phylogenetic signal are highlighted. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 139 , 29–45.     

葡萄科植物叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

在光学显微镜和扫描电镜下,对葡萄科Vitaceae11属37种代表植物的叶表皮特征进行了观察,发现该科植物叶表皮细胞形状为无规则形或多边形,垂周壁一般为平直、弓形或浅波状;气孔器通常仅分布在下表皮（火筒树属Leea偶尔可在上表皮观察到）,除无规则型（地锦属Parthenocissus、俞藤属Yua、葡萄属Vitis、蛇葡萄属Ampelopsis和酸蔹藤属Ampelocissus）最为常见外,不等细胞型（火筒树属）、短平列型（白粉藤属Cissus、乌蔹莓属Cayratia和崖爬藤属Tetrastigma）、     

Relationships among extant and fossil echimyids (Rodentia: Hystricognathi)

The echimyid rodents are the most diverse group of Neotropical hystricognaths, with approximately 40 extant and fossil genera. Craniodental characters are proposed in order to formulate hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships within the Echimyidae. A data matrix of 54 taxa and 50 characters is constructed and submitted to parsimony analyses using PAUP and WinClada programs. Analysis of the complete data set results in 47 448 most parsimonious trees 107 steps long. These trees are summarized in a strict consensus tree, which is taken as the main phylogenetic hypothesis resulting from this study. The monophyly of several currently recognized supraspecific taxa is not corroborated. These are: the subfamilies Eumysopinae, Echimyinae, Myocastorinae and Adelphomyinae; and the genera Proechimys , Echimys and Makalata . Conversely, the monophyly of Dactylomyinae and Trinomys is supported. New associations are proposed: (1) a clade comprising the extant Carterodon , Clyomys and Euryzygomatomys and the fossil Pampamys and Theridomysops placed at the base of the crown-group Echimyidae; (2) a clade uniting Proechimys , Hoplomys and Trinomys , which is the sister-taxon of (3) a clade including Mesomys , Lonchothrix , Myocastor and a clade with extant dactylomyines and echimyines and associated fossil taxa. Based on this phylogenetic hypothesis, patterns of tooth evolution in Echimyidae are discussed, and minimum ages for the divergence events within the family are estimated.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 142 , 445–477.     

Morphological phylogenetic analysis of Ophrys (Orchidaceae): insights from morpho‐anatomical floral traits into the interspecific relationships in an unresolved clade

Reconstructing the phylogeny of the sexually deceptive orchid genus Ophrys is crucial to our understanding of the evolution of its complex floral morphology. Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that section Pseudophrys forms a well supported clade with Ophrys bombyliflora, O. tenthredinifera and O. speculum, but were unable to elucidate the relationships between these four groups of taxa. Here we conduct a morphological phylogenetic analysis of this unresolved clade of Ophrys based on a data matrix of 45 macro‐ and micromorphological and anatomical floral characters, using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. Our cladistic analysis yielded a single most parsimonious tree and a Bayesian 50% majority‐rule consensus tree which differed in their overall topology but agreed that O. tenthredinifera and O. bombyliflora are not sister groups. The phylogenetic placement of O. tenthredinifera was ambiguous since it shares six valid synapomorphies each with the cluster of O. speculum–O. bombyliflora and with section Pseudophrys. In contrast, O. bombyliflora is most likely the sister group to O. speculum, a finding that rejects an earlier morphological phylogenetic hypothesis and favours the existing molecular trees based on nuclear ITS rather than plastid data. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 454–476.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the leaf epidermis in Arundinarieae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): evolutionary implications of selected micromorphological features

Arundinarieae (temperate woody bamboos) is a taxonomically challenging group and the taxa in this tribe show a low level of DNA sequence variation, especially for plastid markers. As a result of the scarcity of flowering collections, species identification mainly depends on vegetative features, and leaf epidermal micromorphology has proven to be useful in bamboo taxonomy. In this study, we used scanning electron microscopy to investigate the abaxial leaf epidermal micromorphology of 94 species in 24 genera of Arundinarieae and three species of Bambuseae. Leaf epidermal characteristics differed mainly in the number and distribution pattern of papillae. Seven papilla forms were assigned, which had little taxonomic value at the generic and subtribal levels. However, the papilla patterns combined with other leaf epidermal features were useful in the discrimination of several species. Most papilla types were shared between tribes Arundinarieae and Bambuseae. We assessed the phylogenetic implications of the leaf epidermal micromorphology based on recently published molecular phylogenetic analyses. With one exception, none of the papilla types corresponded to a particular clade in the plastid or nuclear phylogenetic trees. Based on these results, the papilla patterns have limited phylogenetic value. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 176 , 46–65.     

Relationships, classification and evolution of Scleranthus (Caryophyllaceae) as inferred from analysis of morphological characters

Study of floral anatomy, micromorphology, palynology and onotogeny has revealed new characters for phylogenetic analysis in the genus Scleranthus . Cladistic analysis of these characters, along with those previously available, suggests that the genus consists of Eurasian/Mediterranean and Australasian sister clades. Gynoecial morphology and development are closely similar in all species, suggesting the genus is monophyletic despite its disjunct northern and southern hemisphere distribution. Variation in pollen:ovule ratios and their implications for the evolution of Scleranthus species are also discussed and it is concluded that a range of breeding strategies intermediate between autogamy and xenogamy exists in the genus. Single-stamened species of Scleranthus are likely to be obligate autogams, despite their comparatively high pollen:ovule ratios in relation to autogamic species of other genera.  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 140 , 15–29.     

A taxonomic revision of Encyclia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) in Costa Rica

A taxonomic revision of Encyclia (Orchidaceae) in Costa Rica is presented. The taxonomic history of the genus and its phylogenetic position are discussed. Characters of vegetative and floral morphology are described and their taxonomic significance is discussed. The genus is treated as comprising nine species in the country and a key to species is provided. Each taxon is described on the basis of Costa Rican material, illustrated in a composite plate, and its distribution within the country is assessed. Distribution maps for all the taxa are given. Overall distribution, derivation of name, synonymy, notes on species ecology and diagnostic features are presented for each taxon. The names Encyclia tonduziana and Epidendrum mooreanum are typified. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 395–448.     

The systematic relationships of glucosinolate-producing plants and related families: a cladistic investigation based on morphological and molecular characters

A cladistic analysis is performed using 94 morphological and biochemical characters for 42 genera to compare a phylogeny based on morphological data with those obtained using different genes ( rbc L, atp B, 18S RNA, mat K) or their combination with morphological data, and to understand the floral evolution within the expanded Brassicales (Capparales) relative to Sapindales and Malvales. The tree produced with morphological data is congruent with those obtained from macromolecular studies in obtaining a well-supported glucosinolate-producing clade and an expanded Sapindales. The combined analysis of the morphological and molecular characters is generally well resolved with support for many of the relationships. The inclusion of the fossil taxon Dressiantha demonstrates the value of inserting fossil evidence in phylogenetic analyses. However, the fossil appears to be related to the Anacardiaceae and not to the Brassicales. The core Brassicales are well supported by a number of synapomorphies, although the internal position of Tovariaceae and Pentadiplandraceae is not well resolved. Emblingiaceae appears to be related to Bataceae and Salvadoraceae. Several significant morphological characters are mapped on the combined trees and their evolutionary significance is discussed. Within Brassicales and Sapindales several well supported clades can be recognized which merit ordinal or subordinal status, putting the present orders at a higher level; these include: Tropaeolales, Setchellanthales, Batidales, Brassicales (Brassiciflorae), Burserales, Sapindales and Rutales (Sapindiflorae). The present scheme of affinities within the Brassicales corresponds well with a gradual morphological evolution in the order.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 453–494.     

Comparative floral structure and systematics in the balsaminoid clade including Balsaminaceae,Marcgraviaceae and Tetrameristaceae (Ericales)

Based on molecular phylogenetic studies, Balsaminaceae, Tetrameristaceae (including Pellicieraceae) and Marcgraviaceae form the strongly supported first branching clade in the asterid order Ericales. Marcgraviaceae and Tetrameristaceae were proposed to be closely related in pre‐molecular studies, but the systematic position of Balsaminaceae has been controversial for some time and a relationship with the other two families was never suggested in pre‐molecular/pre‐cladistic times. However, interfamilial relationships in the clade are still unclear because of conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses from molecular analyses. In order to assess the validity of these molecular hypotheses from a morphological point of view, the floral morphology, anatomy and histology of Balsaminaceae, Tetrameristaceae and Marcgraviaceae are comparatively studied in detail. In addition, earlier literature is reviewed. The monophyly of the balsaminoid clade is strongly supported by floral structure, and a series of potential floral synapomorphies is identified for the clade. Prominent features shared by the three families include broad and dorsiventrally flattened filaments, thread‐like structures lining the stomia of dehisced anthers, secretory inner morphological surfaces of the gynoecium, ovules intermediate between uni‐ and bitegmic, incompletely tenuinucellar ovules, fruits with persistent style and stigma, seeds lacking endosperm and several anatomical/histological traits. The families are also distinctive because the bracts and/or sepals are petaloid and nectariferous. Further, the floral structure supports a sister group relationship between Balsaminaceae and Tetrameristaceae rather than any of the other possible interfamilial relationships. These two families share a caducous calyx, post‐genital fusion/coherence of filaments and ovary surface, latrorse anther dehiscence, commissural carpel lobes and ovules with a thickened funiculus and a constricted chalazal region. The occurrence of these features in Ericales is discussed. Future structural studies in other ericalean lineages and additional molecular studies are needed to further test these features with respect to their systematic value for the balsaminoid clade. Some may turn out to be true synapomorphies, whereas others may be recognized as plesiomorphies, as they may be more widely spread in Ericales than currently thought. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 325–386.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the genera of Lejeuneaceae (Hepaticae)

The Lejeuneaceae are the largest family of the liverworts (Hepaticae), with almost a thousand species in 91 currently accepted genera. We analysed phylogenetic relationships of 69 genera, representing all major subfamilies and tribes recognized in the family, by using 49 informative morphological characters (31 gametophytic, 18 sporophytic), one chemical character, and applying equal and successive weighting of characters and parsimony analysis. In all trees recovered, the Lejeuneaceae were monophyletic with Nipponolejeunea (subfam. Nipponolejeuneoideae) forming the basalmost lineage. The remaining genera clustered in two major groups, the monophyletic Lejeuneoideae (52 genera) and the paraphyletic Ptychanthoideae (16 genera). Within each, several multigeneric lineages corresponding in part to previously described taxa were recovered: the Acrolejeuneinae and Ptychanthinae clades in the Ptychanthoideae, and the Brachiolejeuneinae, Lejeuneeae and Tuyamaella–Cololejeunea clades in the Lejeuneoideae. Bryopteris , a genus sometimes treated as a separate family, was nested in the Ptychanthinae clade. The Tuyamaella–Cololejeunea lineage corresponded with three previously recognized subfamilies (Cololejeuneoideae, Myriocoleoideae and Tuyamaelloideae) and contained genera with neotenic features, in two subclades. These features seemed to have originated by multiple heterochronic events: single origins were detected for 'protonemal neoteny' and 'primary neoteny', whereas 'secondary neoteny' probably evolved twice. Relationships within the large Lejeuneeae clade (43 genera) remained largely unresolved, although several putative lineages were detected in majority rule trees. Additional characters such as DNA sequences may provide better phylogenetic resolution in this group.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 143 , 391–410.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the leafhopper genus Apogonalia (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and comments on the biogeography of the Caribbean islands

A phylogenetic analysis of the leafhopper genus Apogonalia was conducted based on a matrix of 40 terminal taxa and 147 morphological characters. The analysis yielded 1391 equally most‐parsimonious trees, which do not support the monophyly of Apogonalia in the strict consensus. A successive weighting procedure yielded 62 trees in which the genus appeared as a monophyletic group. The strict consensus of these 62 trees is almost entirely dichotomous, showing only two polytomies. The test of phylogenetic integrity was applied for distinct variations of three species: A. germana, A. sanguinipes, and A. histrio. Only for the first species was the conjecture that its variations belong to the same entity corroborated. The best‐supported clade within Apogonalia, which has several synapomorphies and high branch support indices, comprises nine Antillean endemic species. This distributional pattern probably was originated by vicariance in the Late Cretaceous, when the Proto‐Antillean archipelago was pushed north‐eastward by the Caribbean Plate to become the modern Greater Antilles. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 548–570.     

Molecular systematics of North American phoxinin genera (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) inferred from mitochondrial 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA sequences

The cyprinid fish fauna of North America is relatively large, with approximately 300 species, and all but one of these are considered phoxinins. The phylogenetic relationships of the North American phoxinins continue to pose difficulties for systematists. Results of morphological analyses are not consistent owing to differences interpreting and coding characters. Herein, we present phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA sequence data for representatives of nearly all genera of North American phoxinins. The data were analysed using parsimony, weighted parsimony, maximum likelihood and bayesian analyses. Results from weighted parsimony, likelihood and the bayesian analysis are largely consistent as they all account for differing substitution rates between transitions and transversions. Several major clades within the fauna can be recognized and are strongly supported by all analyses. These include the western clade, creek chub–plagopterin clade and the open posterior myodome clade. The shiner clade is nested in the open posterior myodome clade and is the most species-rich clade of North American phoxinins. Relationships within this clade were not well resolved by our analyses. This may reflect the inability of the mitochondrial RNA genes to resolve recent speciation events or taxon sampling within the shiner clade.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 139 , 63–80.     

The morphology and relationships of the Sphaerosepalaceae (Malvales)

The comparative vegetative and reproductive morphology and anatomy of the Malagasy endemic family Sphaerosepalaceae is examined in light of two current competing hypotheses of relationship from recent molecular studies. Sphaerosepalaceae are similar to Thymelaeaceae on the basis of leaf architecture, calyx vasculature and in having endostomal micropyles. Comparisons with Tepuianthus and Thymelaeaceae subfamily Octolepidoideae are drawn on the basis of seed structure, indument type, perianth structure and pollen. Resin-filled, sclerenchymatous idioblasts, floral (positional) monosymmetry, a single series of stamen trunk bundles and a well-developed bixoid chalaza in the seed of Dialyceras parvifolium link Sphaerosepalaceae with its other putative sister group: a clade containing Bixaceae, Cochlospermaceae and Diegodendraceae. Synapomorphies of Sphaerosepalaceae include: fused, intrapetiolar stipules, embryo structure, pollen with endoapertures encompassing the ectoapertures and a tetramerous perianth. The extremely well-developed apical septum in the eusyncarpous gynoecium of Rhopalocarpus suggests that the gynoterminal style present in this genus has been secondarily derived from an ancestor with a fully syncarpous, basistylous gynoecium, as in Dialyceras . The morphological and evolutionary nature of basistylous and apically septate gynoecia is discussed. A rosette arrangement of ovules in each carpel coccus of D. coriaceum expands the bauplan concept of Sphaerosepalaceae and is probably unique among angiosperms as a whole.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 1–40.     

Embryology of Eusideroxylon (Cryptocaryeae, Lauraceae) and character evolution in the family

Lauraceae are relatively well-known embryologically and embryological data are available for 23 of about 50 genera. In this paper we present the embryology of Eusideroxylon , an unstudied and key genus within Cryptocaryeae, which are positioned basally in the evolution of Lauraceae, and discuss the evolution of embryological characters in the family. Based on comparisons of over 50 characters, it was found that Eusideroxylon is consistent with Aspidostemon , the core Cryptocaryeae ( Beilschmiedia , Cryptocarya , Endiandra and Potameia ), Caryodaphnopsis and Cassytha in having a glandular anther tapetum. The core Cryptocaryeae further agrees with both Caryodaphnopsis and Cassytha in having an embryo sac protruding from the nucellus. In light of the phylogenetic trees available, both the glandular tapetum and the embryo sac protruding from the nucellus have evolved as homoplasies in Lauraceae, once each in a clade of Cryptocaryeae, and the Caryodaphnopsis and Cassytha clade, respectively. Such character-state distributions suggest that it is better to place both Caryodapnopsis and Cassytha in the same clade as the core Cryptocaryeae. Embryologically, Eusideroxylon appears to have an intermediate state between Hypodaphnis , a genus positioned basal-most in the family, and the core Cryptocaryeae. Supplementary data on the anther and seed of Hypodaphnis are also provided.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 187–201.     

Electrophoretic delineation of species boundaries within the genus Chelodina (Testudines: Chelidae) of Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia

A total of 281 specimens of long-necked chelid turtles ( Chelodina ) were obtained from drainages of Australia, Papua New Guinea and the island of Roti in Indonesia. Ten diagnosable taxa were identified using allozyme profiles at 45 presumptive loci. Chelodina expansa , C. parkeri , C. rugosa and C. burrungandjii are in a Group A clade, C. longicollis , C. novaeguineae , C. steindachneri , C. pritchardi and C. mccordi are in a Group B clade, and C. oblonga is in a monotypic Group C clade, with each clade thought to represent a distinct subgenus. Chelodina siebenrocki is synonymised with C. rugosa . An eleventh taxon, C. reimanni , could not be distinguished from C. novaeguineae on the basis of allozyme profiles, but it is morphologically distinct. Its status is therefore worthy of further investigation. Three instances of natural hybridization were detected. Chelodina rugosa and C. novaeguineae hybridize in the Gulf country of Queensland, with evidence of backcrossing to C. novaeguineae . Chelodina longicollis and C. novaeguineae hybridize in central coastal Queensland, and C. rugosa and C. burrungandjii hybridize along their zone of contact in the plateau escarpment streams and pools. A phylogeny for the Chelodina is presented. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 134 , 401–421.     

A new species of Dyrosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Dyrosauridae) from the early Eocene of Morocco: phylogenetic implications

A new dyrosaurid is described from the Ypresian of the phosphatic deposits of the Oulad Abdoun Basin of Morocco. It is based on numerous cranial and postcranial remains, allowing an almost complete reconstruction. This new Dyrosaurus species, Dyrosaurus maghribensis sp. nov. , is currently only known from Morocco. It differs from D. phosphaticus , present in contemporaneous levels of Algeria and Tunisia, by several autapomorpies, including a smooth dorsal margin of the parietal and widely opened choanae. A phylogenetic analysis, using 47 taxa and 234 morphological characters, shows the dyrosaurids as the sister taxon of pholidosaurids, which include Elosuchus , Sarcosuchus , Terminonaris and Pholidosaurus , and the thalattosuchians. Goniopholididae is a non-monophyletic group; however, if dyrosaurids are not included in the analysis, the result differs and the goniopholidids form a distinct clade. If Thalattosuchia is excluded, both Goniopholididae and Pholidosauridae become paraphyletic assemblages. Thus, phylogenetic problems remain with respect to longirostrine clade, and more attention should be paid to resolving their evolutionary relationships amongst the crocodyliforms.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 148 , 603–656.     

A molecular perspective on the evolutionary affinities of an enigmatic neotropical frog, Allophryne ruthveni

The phylogenetic relationships of neobatrachian frogs remain poorly resolved below the subordinal level. The neotropical frog Allophryne ruthveni (Gaige) illustrates the difficulty in evaluating phylogenetic relationships within the Neobatrachia. Since its discovery in 1926, it has been variously placed within five different anuran families: Bufonidae, Leptodactylidae, Centrolenidae, Hylidae and in its own monotypic family, Allophrynidae. Here we examine the evolutionary relationships of Allophryne ruthveni using DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (16S and 12S rRNA). Our analyses suggest that Allophryne ruthveni is most closely allied to the glass frogs (Centrolenidae). Both 12S and combined data partitions support an Allophryne ruthveni–Cochranella midas– Centrolene geckoideum clade, with Allophryne ruthveni basally positioned. Considered alone, analyses of the 16S partition supports the placement of Allophryne ruthveni with the centrolenids only with neighbour-joining analyses. The placement of Allophryne ruthveni with the centrolenids supports Noble's (1931 ) hypothesis that Allophryne is an edentate centrolenid. More definitive statements of the evolutionary affinities of Allophryne ruthveni in particular, and the Neobatrachia in general, await greater sampling of taxa and both molecular and phenotypic (e.g. morphological and karyotypic) characters. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 134 , 335–346.     

Morphology of Maundia supports its isolated phylogenetic position in the early‐divergent monocot order Alismatales

According to recent molecular phylogenetic data, the rare Australian endemic Maundia triglochinoides does not form a clade with taxa traditionally classified as members of Juncaginaceae. Therefore, views on the morphological evolution and taxonomy of Alismatales require re‐assessment. As the morphology of Maundia is poorly known and some key features have been controversially described in the literature, the flowers, fruits, inflorescence axes and peduncles were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Inflorescences are bractless spikes with flowers arranged in trimerous whorls. Except in the inflorescence tip (where the flower groundplan is variable), flowers possess two tepals in transversal‐abaxial positions, six stamens in two trimerous whorls and four carpels in median and transversal positions. Fruits are indehiscent. The shared possession of orthotropous ovules supports the molecular phylogenetic placement of Maundia as sister to a large clade including Potamogetonaceae and related families. Maundia and Aponogeton spp. share the same highly unusual floral groundplan, a homoplastic similarity that can be explained by spatial constraints in developing inflorescences. The nucellar coenocyte of Maundia appears to be unique among monocots. As Maundia exhibits a mosaic of features characteristic of other families of tepaloid core Alismatales, its segregation as a separate family is plausible. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 12–45.