Molecular systematics of bats of the genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae) suggests deterministic ecomorphological convergences.

Based on extensive phenetic analyses, bats of the genus Myotis have been classically subdivided into four major subgenera each of which comprise many species with similar morphological and ecological adaptations. Each subgenus thus corresponds to a distinct "ecomorph" encompassing bat species exploiting their environment in a similar fashion. As three of these subgenera are cosmopolitan, regional species assemblages of Myotis usually include sympatric representatives of each ecomorph. If species within these ecomorphs are monophyletic, such assemblages would suggest extensive secondary dispersal across geographic areas. Conversely, these ecomorphological adaptations may have evolved independently through deterministic processes, such as adaptive radiation. In this case, phylogenetic reconstructions are not expected to sort species of the same ecomorph into monophyletic clades. To test these predictions, we reconstructed the phylogenetic history of 13 American, 11 Palaearctic, and 6 other Myotis species, using sequence data obtained from nearly 2 kb of mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and nd1). Separate or combined analyses of these sequences clearly demonstrate the existence of several pairs of morphologically very similar species (i.e., sibling species) which are phylogenetically not closely related. None of the three tested subgenera constitute monophyletic units. For instance, Nearctic and Neotropical species currently classified into the three subgenera were clustered in a single, well-supported monophyletic clade. These species thus evolved independently of their ecological equivalents from the Palaearctic region. Independent adaptive radiations among species of the genus Myotis therefore produced strikingly similar evolutionary solutions in different parts of the world. Furthermore, all phylogenetic reconstructions based on mtDNA strongly supported the existence of an unsuspected monophyletic clade which included all assayed New World species plus M. brandtii (from the Palaearctic Region). This "American" clade thus radiated into a morphologically diverse species assemblage which evolved after the first Myotis species colonized the Americas. Molecular reconstructions support paleontological evidence that species of the genus Myotis had a burst of diversification during the late Miocene-early Pliocene epoch.     

Molecular phylogeny and systematic in the genus Brachycaudus (Homoptera: Aphididae): insights from a combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes

Phylogenetic relationships among members of the Aphid genus Brachycaudus (Homoptera: Aphididae) were inferred from partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome B oxidase (CytB), two partial fragments of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and the internal transcribed spacer II (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA. Twenty-nine species, with several specimens per species, were included, representing all the historically recognized species-groups and subgenera used in the genus except the monospecific subgenus Mordvilkomemor. Results indicate that the genus Brachycaudus is a well-supported monophyletic group. While our results validate the monophyly of subgenera Thuleaphis , Appelia and Brachycaudus s. str. , they reveal two discrepancies in the classical taxonomy. First, the monotypic subgenus Nevskyaphis does not appear valid. Second, the traditionally defined Acaudus subgenus is not monophyletic. On the other hand, our phylogenetic trees corroborate Andreev's recent definition of Acaudus and Brachycaudina. However, they clearly show that the subgenera Prunaphis , Nevskyaphis and Scrophulaphis as defined by this author do not form monophyletic groups. Our results also highlight a highly supported clade that has not been discussed by previous authors; this clade could form a new subgenus, the subgenus Nevskyaphis . Finally, our study shows that molecular data and morphology meet the same limits in delimiting species groups and species themselves. Species groups in which taxonomic treatment is difficult are polytomous. Furthermore, except for one node clustering Brachycaudus s. str . and Appelia, intersubgeneric relationships remain poorly resolved even when several genes are added to the phylogenetic analysis. These results, together with previous studies in other aphid groups suggest that diversification might have been a rapid process in aphids.     

Systematics of the subgenus Oligocephalus (Teleostei: Percidae: Etheostoma) with complete subgeneric sampling of the genus Etheostoma

The genus Etheostoma is the most diverse clade of freshwater fishes in North America. While studies have been performed with complete sampling of a single subgenus, none have included representatives of all remaining subgenera. The subgenus Oligocephalus is the largest, consisting of 25-27 species in four species groups, and its monophyly has never been clearly demonstrated. The monophyly of this subgenus and its constituent groups was tested using parsimony and Bayesian analyses of ND2 (mtDNA) and the first intron of S7 (nDNA) with complete species sampling from Oligocephalus and complete subgeneric sampling from Etheostoma. Although the subgenus Oligocephalus was not recovered as a monophyletic group in any analyses, monophyletic E. whipplei, Southwestern Darter, and E. spectabile (in part) species groups were recovered in all analyses. All analyses agree that E. okaloosae and both subspecies of E. hopkinsi are not closely related to other members of the subgenus Oligocephalus. E. exile is, however, presenting the strongest evidence yet that recognition of the subgenus Boleichthys is unwarranted.     

Molecular Systematics of Bats of the Genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae) Suggests Deterministic Ecomorphological Convergences

Based on extensive phenetic analyses, bats of the genus Myotis have been classically subdivided into four major subgenera each of which comprise many species with similar morphological and ecological adaptations. Each subgenus thus corresponds to a distinct “ecomorph” encompassing bat species exploiting their environment in a similar fashion. As three of these subgenera are cosmopolitan, regional species assemblages of Myotis usually include sympatric representatives of each ecomorph. If species within these ecomorphs are monophyletic, such assemblages would suggest extensive secondary dispersal across geographic areas. Conversely, these ecomorphological adaptations may have evolved independently through deterministic processes, such as adaptive radiation. In this case, phylogenetic reconstructions are not expected to sort species of the same ecomorph into monophyletic clades. To test these predictions, we reconstructed the phylogenetic history of 13 American, 11 Palaearctic, and 6 other Myotis species, using sequence data obtained from nearly 2 kb of mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and nd1). Separate or combined analyses of these sequences clearly demonstrate the existence of several pairs of morphologically very similar species (i.e., sibling species) which are phylogenetically not closely related. None of the three tested subgenera constitute monophyletic units. For instance, Nearctic and Neotropical species currently classified into the three subgenera were clustered in a single, well-supported monophyletic clade. These species thus evolved independently of their ecological equivalents from the Palaearctic region. Independent adaptive radiations among species of the genus Myotis therefore produced strikingly similar evolutionary solutions in different parts of the world. Furthermore, all phylogenetic reconstructions based on mtDNA strongly supported the existence of an unsuspected monophyletic clade which included all assayed New World species plus M. brandtii (from the Palaearctic Region). This “American” clade thus radiated into a morphologically diverse species assemblage which evolved after the first Myotis species colonized the Americas. Molecular reconstructions support paleontological evidence that species of the genus Myotis had a burst of diversification during the late Miocene–early Pliocene epoch.     

Phylogeny of Iris based on chloroplast matK gene and trnK intron sequence data

Phylogenetic analyses of 46 species of Iris, representing all subgenera and all sections except Regelia, Brevituba, and Monolepis, utilized matK gene and trnK intron sequence data. Sequence data show that Iris is paraphyletic because Belamcanda chinensis is resolved within the genus. The two largest subgenera, Iris and Limniris, are both resolved as polyphyletic. With the removal of section Hexapogon, subgenus Iris is weakly supported as monophyletic. Relationships within subgenus Limniris are more complex with the subgenus as currently circumscribed representing eight independent origins among the species included in this study. Several potential monophyletic groups are identified including subgenus Scorpiris, series Spuria (subgenus Limniris section Limniris), and a clade of section Limniris species from North America and Asia.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the genus Ceratitis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Afrotropical fruit fly genus Ceratitis MacLeay is an economically important group that comprises over 89 species, subdivided into six subgenera. Cladistic analyses of morphological and host use characters have produced several phylogenetic hypotheses for the genus. Only monophyly of the subgenera Pardalaspis and Ceratitis (sensu stricto) and polyphyly of the subgenus Ceratalaspis are common to all of these phylogenies. In this study, the hypotheses developed from morphological and host use characters are tested using gene trees produced from DNA sequence data of two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 6) and a nuclear gene (period). Comparison of gene trees indicates the following relationships: the subgenus Pardalaspis is monophyletic, subsection A of the subgenus Pterandrus is monophyletic, the subgenus Pterandrus may be either paraphyletic or polyphyletic, the subgenus Ceratalaspis is polyphyletic, and the subgenus Ceratitis s. s. might not be monophyletic. In addition, the genera Ceratitis and Trirhithrum do not form reciprocally monophyletic clades in the gene trees. Although the data statistically reject monophyly for Trirhithrum under the Shimodaira-Hasegawa test, they do not reject monophyly of Ceratitis.     

Phylogeny of Drosophila and related genera: conflict between molecular and anatomical analyses

Drosophila species are extensively used in biological research; yet, important phylogenetic relationships within the genus and with related genera remain unresolved. The combined data for three genes (Adh, Sod, and Gpdh) statistically resolves outstanding issues. We define the genus Drosophila inclusively so as to include Scaptomyza and Zaprionus (considered distinct genera in the taxonomy of Wheeler, 1981) but excluding Scaptodrosophila. The genus Drosophila so defined is monophyletic. The subgenus Sophophora (including the melanogaster, obscura, and willistoni groups) is monophyletic and the sister clade to all other Drosophila subgenera. The Hawaiian Drosophila (including Scaptomyza) is a monophyletic group, but the subgenus Drosophila is not monophyletic, because the immigrans group is more closely related to the subgenus Hirtodrosophila than to other species of the subgenus Drosophila, such as the virilis and repleta groups.     

The Genus Uroleucon Mordvilko (Insecta, Aphidoidea) in South America, with a key and descriptions of four new species

Uroleucon is one of only two genera of Aphidinae to have undergone significant speciation in South America, with a group of about 14 endemic, morphologically similar species feeding on native Compositae, especially Baccharis . Multivariate morphometrics (canonical variates analysis, CVA) was used to discriminate between these species and compare them with the North American subgenus Lambersius , in which most of them have hitherto been placed. It is concluded that they probably form a separate monophyletic group. Four new species are described in this group— brevisiphon, essigi, petrohuense and pseudomuennosum— and five names are placed in synonymy. Of the other species of Uroleucon in South America, U. lizerianum is widespread and feeds on many species of native and introduced Compositae; it is morphometrically inseparable from the North American species U. ambrosiae and is probably an introduced form of that species, but has consistently fewer secondary rhinaria. A key is provided to the 19 available species of Uroleucon recorded from South America.     

The evolutionary history of Eryngium (Apiaceae, Saniculoideae): rapid radiations, long distance dispersals, and hybridizations

Eryngium is the largest and arguably the most taxonomically complex genus in the family Apiaceae. Infrageneric relationships within Eryngium were inferred using sequence data from the chloroplast DNA trnQ-trnK 5'-exon and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS regions to test previous hypotheses of subgeneric relationships, explain distribution patterns, reconstruct ancestral morphological features, and elucidate the evolutionary processes that gave rise to this speciose genus. In total, 157 accessions representing 118 species of Eryngium, 15 species of Sanicula (including the genus Hacquetia that was recently reduced to synonymy) and the monotypic Petagnaea were analyzed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods. Both separate and simultaneous analyses of plastid and nuclear data sets were carried out because of the prevalence of polyploids and hybrids within the genus. Eryngium is confirmed as monophyletic and is divided into two redefined subgenera: Eryngium subgenus Eryngium and E. subgenus Monocotyloidea. The first subgenus includes all examined species from the Old World (Africa, Europe, and Asia), except Eryngium tenue, E. viviparum, E. galioides, and E. corniculatum. Eryngium subgenus Monocotyloidea includes all examined species from the New World (North, Central and South America, and Australia; herein called the "New World sensu stricto" clade) plus the aforementioned Old World species that fall at the base of this clade. Most sectional and subgeneric divisions previously erected on the basis of morphology are not monophyletic. Within the "New World sensu stricto" group, six clades are well supported in analyses of plastid and combined plastid and nuclear data sets; the relationships among these clades, however, are unresolved. These clades are designated as "Mexican", "Eastern USA", "South American", "North American monocotyledonous", "South American monocotyledonous", and "Pacific". Members of each clade share similar geographical distributions and/or morphological or ecological traits. Evidence from branch lengths and low sequence divergence estimates suggests a rapid radiation at the base of each of these lineages. Conflict between chloroplast and nuclear data sets is weak, but the disagreements found are suggestive that hybrid speciation in Eryngium might have been a cause, but also a consequence, of the different rapid radiations observed. Dispersal-vicariance analysis indicates that Eryngium and its two subgenera originated from western Mediterranean ancestors and that the present-day distribution of the genus is explained by several dispersal events, including one trans-Atlantic dispersal. In general, these dispersals coincide with the polytomies observed, suggesting that they played key roles in the diversification of the genus. The evolution of Eryngium combines a history of long distance dispersals, rapid radiations, and hybridization, culminating in the taxonomic complexity observed today in the genus.     

Chloroplast phylogenomics of the New World grape species (Vitis,Vitaceae)

Vitis L. (the grape genus) is the economically most important fruit crop, as the source of grapes and wine. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus have been highly controversial. Herein, we employ sequence data from whole plastomes to attempt to enhance Vitis phylogenetic resolution. The results support the New World Vitis subgenus Vitis as monophyletic. Within the clade, V. californica is sister to the remaining New World Vitis subgenus Vitis. Furthermore, within subgenus Vitis, a Eurasian clade is robustly supported and is sister to the New World clade. The clade of Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera and V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris is sister to the core Asian clade of Vitis. Several widespread species in North America are found to be non‐monophyletic in the plastome tree, for example, the broadly defined Vitis cinerea and V. aestivalis each needs to be split into several species. The non‐monophyly of some species may also be due to common occurrences of hybridizations in North American Vitis. The classification of North American Vitis by Munson into nine series is discussed based on the phylogenetic results. Analyses of divergence times and lineage diversification support a rapid radiation of Vitis in North America beginning in the Neogene.     

The genus Sorex (Mammalia, Soricidae)–distribution and evolutionary aspects of Eurasian species

There are about 60 species of shrews of the genus Sorex distributed over the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions; these are usually divided into the subgenera Sorex, Otisorex and Microsorex . The Old World species are listed and their phylogeny discussed, with special emphasis laid on the karyotypes. It is proposed that the Old World forms should be divided into the subgenera Homalurus, Sorex and Otisorex . It is also suggested that the subgenus Sorex could be divided into at least three taxonomic units.     

Phylogeny of the African and Asian Phortica (Drosophilidae) deduced from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences

Phylogenetic relationships of 26 Phortica species were investigated based on DNA sequence data of two mitochondrial (ND2, COI) and one nuclear (28S rRNA) genes. Five monophyletic groups were recovered in the genus Phortica, of which three were established as new subgenera, Alloparadisa, Ashima, and Shangrila. The subgenus Allophortica was suggested as the most basal lineage in Phortica, followed by the lineage of P. helva + P. sobodo + P. varipes. The remaining Phortica species, most of Oriental distribution, formed a monophyletic group, and were subdivided into three lineages (i.e., the subgenera Ashima, Phortica, and Shangrila). The subgenera Shangrila and Phortica were suggested as sister taxa, and four clades were recovered in the subgenus Ashima. The result of reconstruction of ancestral distribution and estimation of divergence times indicates that, the ancestor of the genus Phortica restricted to Africa, its initial diversification was dated back to ca. 23 Mya (coinciding with the Oligocene/Miocene boundary); sympatric speciation and an Africa-to-Asia dispersal was proposed to account for the current distribution of Allophortica and the rest Phortica; most of the rest diversification of Phortica occurred in southern China, and the divergence between the African clade and its Oriental counterpart was suggested as a result of vicariance following a dispersal of their ancestral species from southern China to Africa.     

Phylogenetic relationships in family Magnoliaceae inferred from ndhF sequences

The ndhF sequences of 99 taxa, representing all sections in extant Magnoliaceae, were analyzed to address phylogenetic questions in the family. Magnolia macrophylla and M. dealbata, North American species of Magnolia section Rytidospermum, are placed at the base in the subfamily Magnolioideae although its supporting value is low. In the remaining taxa, several distinctive lineages are recognized: (1) Magnolia, the biggest genus in the family, is not monophyletic; (2) Michelia, including section Maingola of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia, is closely related with Elmerrillia and sections Alcimandra and Aromadendron of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia; (3) the associates of Michelia are grouped with Magnolia subgenus Yulania and section Gynopodium of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia; (4) Pachylarnax forms a clade with sections Manglietiastrum and Gynopodium of Magnolia; (5) a well-supported Manglietia clade is recognized; (6) Caribbean species of section Theorhodon of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia, which are section Splendentes sensu Vázquez-Garcia, are closely allied with New World members of Magnolia subgenus Talauma; and (7) section Rytidospermum of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia and subgenus Talauma are polyphyletic. The separated clades in the molecular tree are considerably different from traditional taxonomic dispositions in the family. The molecular data strongly suggest that a taxonomic realignment of infrafamilial delimitations and compositions should be considered.     

Phylogeny of the Callandrena subgenus of Andrena (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data: polyphyly and convergent evolution

We propose a phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within Callandrena, a North American subgenus of the bee genus Andrena, based on both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Our data included 695 aligned base pairs comprising parts of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II and the intervening tRNA-leucine and 767 aligned base pairs of the F2 copy of the nuclear gene elongation factor-1alpha. We also suggest a preliminary hypothesis of relationships of the North American subgenera in the genus. Our analyses included 54 species of Callandrena, 42 species of Andrena representing 24 additional subgenera, and 11 outgroup species in the family Andrenidae. Parsimony analyses of each marker separately suggested that Callandrena was polyphyletic, with a combined analysis suggesting that there were at least two phylogenetically independent clades of bees with similar morphological features. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses supported this conclusion, as did the non-parametric bootstrapping SOWH test. Convergence in morphological characters was likely due to their common use of members of Asteraceae as pollen hosts.     

Molecular phylogeny of the snubnose darters, subgenus Ulocentra (genus Etheostoma, family Percidae)

Snubnose darters comprise one of the largest subgenera of the percid genus Etheostoma. Many species are described based on differences in male breeding coloration. Few morphological synapomorphies have been proposed for the subgenus and their relatives, making it difficult to delineate monophyletic clades. The phylogenetic relationships of the 20 snubnose darter species of the subgenus Ulocentra and 11 members of its proposed sister subgenus Etheostoma were investigated with partial mitochondrial DNA sequences including 1033 bp encompassing the entire mitochondrial control region, the tRNA-Phe gene, and part of the 12S rRNA gene. Two hypotheses on the relationship and monophyly of the two subgenera were evaluated. Both maximum-parsimony and neighbor-joining analyses supported monophyly of the subgenus Ulocentra and resolved some species-level relationships. The banded darter, E. zonale, and its sister taxon, E. lynceum, were not closely related to the snubnose darters and appear to be diverged from the other members of the subgenus Etheostoma, fitting their former distinction as the recognized subgenus Nanostoma. The sister group to Ulocentra appears to be a restricted species assemblage within the subgenus Etheostoma containing E. blennioides, E. rupestre, E. blennius, and the E. thalassinum species group. The placement of the harlequin darter, E. histrio, is problematic, and it may represent a basal member of Ulocentra or of the restricted subgenus Etheostoma. Despite recent estimates of divergence times between nominal Ulocentra taxa, each species exhibits its own unique set of mtDNA haplotypes, providing no direct evidence for current genetic exchange between species. The nominal taxa of snubnose darters thus appear to be evolving independently from each other and therefore constitute valid species under the Phylogenetic Species Concept.     

基于Cytb和COⅠ基因部分序列的15种麻蝇之间的系统发育关系(双翅目：麻蝇科)

本研究通过测序Cytb基因和COⅠ基因的部分序列来推定15种麻蝇之间的系统发育关系。在世界麻蝇名录中,本研究的15种麻蝇能够代表麻蝇属Sarcophaga的6个亚属。连接序列（972 bp）被用于系统发育分析;分析方法包括了了最大简约法、最大似然法以及贝叶斯法。我们的结果提示了亚麻蝇亚属Parasarcophaga、别麻蝇亚属Boettcherisca以及红麻蝇亚属Liopygia的单系性,同时也表明蛇麻蝇亚属Liosarcophaga和德麻蝇亚属Pandelleisca并不是单源的。不过,目前的研究并不能分辨野德麻蝇S. (Pandelleisca) similis和峨眉叉麻蝇S. (Robineauella) coei的系统发育位置。此外,最大简约分析和似然功能分析在scopariiformis-iwuensis进化枝和polystylata-hui进化枝的关系上产生了不一致的系统发育推断。因此,后续研究不仅需要其他的分子标记,也需要更多的分类取样。     

Phylogenetic relationships among Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Several members of the dipteran family Tephritdae are serious pests because females lay eggs in ripening fruit. The genus Bactrocera is one of the largest within the family with over 500 described species arranged in 28 subgenera. The phylogenetic relationships among the various species and subgenera, and the monophyly of specific groups have not been examined using a rigorous phylogenetic analysis. Therefore, phylogenetic relationships among 24 Bactrocera species belonging to 9 subgenera were inferred from DNA sequence of portions of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase II, tRNA(Lys), and tRNA(Asp) genes. Two morphological characters that traditionally have been used to define the four groups within the subgenus Bactrocera were evaluated in a phylogenetic context by mapping the character states onto the parsimony tree. In addition, the evolutionary trend in male-lure response was evaluated in a phylogenetic context. Maximum parsimony analyses suggested the following relationships: (1) the genus Bactrocera is monophyletic, (2) the subgenus B. (Zeugodacus) is paraphyletic, (3) the subgenus B. (Daculus) is a sister group to subgenus B. (Bactrocera), and (4) the subgenus B. (Bactrocera) is monophyletic. The mapping analyses suggested that the morphological characters exhibit a simple evolutionary transition from one character state to another. Male-lure response was identified as being a labile behavior that has been lost on multiple occasions. Cue-lure response was plesiomorphic to methyl-eugenol response, and the latter has evolved independently within the Bactrocera and Zeugodacus groups of subgenera. The implications of our results for devising a coherent, consolidated classification for Bactrocera is discussed.     

Phylogeny and infrageneric classification of Symplocos (Symplocaceae) inferred from DNA sequence data

Symplocos comprises ～300 species of woody flowering plants with a disjunct distribution between the warm-temperate to tropical regions of eastern Asia and the Americas. Phylogenetic analyses of 111 species of Symplocos based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the chloroplast genes rpl16, matK, and trnL-trnF yielded topologies in which only one of the four traditionally recognized subgenera (Epigenia; Neotropics) is monophyletic. Section Cordyloblaste (subgenus Symplocos; eastern Asia) is monophyletic and sister to a group comprising all other samples of Symplocos. Section Palura (subgenus Hopea; eastern Asia) is sister to a group comprising all other samples of Symplocos except those of section Cordyloblaste. Symplocos wikstroemiifolia (eastern Asia) and S. tinctoria (southeastern United States), both of subgenus Hopea, form a clade that groups with S. longipes (tropical North America) and the species of subgenus Epigenia. The remaining samples of subgenus Hopea (eastern Asia) form a clade. Section Neosymplocos (subgenus Microsymplocos; Neotropics) is well nested within a clade otherwise comprising the samples of section Symplocastrum (subgenus Symplocos; Neotropics). Section Urbaniocharis (subgenus Microsymplocos; Antilles) groups as sister to the clade comprising Symplocastrum and Neosymplocos. The data support the independent evolution of deciduousness among section Palura and S. tinctoria. The early initial divergence of sections Cordyloblaste and Palura from the main group warrants their recognition at taxonomic levels higher than those at which they are currently placed. An inferred eastern Asian origin for Symplocos with subsequent dispersal to the Americas is consistent with patterns from other phylogenetic studies of eastern Asian-American disjunct plant groups but contrary to a North American origin inferred from the earliest fossil occurrences of the genus.     

Phylogenetic relationships among bumble bees (Bombus, latreille) inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I sequences

We conducted a molecular study intending to derive an estimate of the relationships within the genus Bombus (bumble bees) by comparing the mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes from 19 species, spanning 10 of approximately 16 European subgenera and 3 subgenera from North and South America. Our trees differ from the most recent classifications of bumble bees. Although bootstrap values for deep branches are low, our sequences show significant data structure and low homoplasy, and all trees share some groups and patterns. In all cases, the subgenus Bombus s. str. clusters among the most derived bumble bees, contrary to other molecular studies. In all trees, B. funebris is the sister taxon of B. robustus, and in five of the six trees, B. wurflenii is the sister taxon to this clade. B. nevadensis is basal to the other species in the analysis of the cytochrome b gene, but appears to be among the most derived according to the analysis of the COI region. The species representing the subgenera Thoracobombus and Fervidobombus are consistently among the earliest diverged. Species that appear in very different positions in different trees are B. nevadensis, B. mesomelas, B. balteatus, and B. hyperboreus. All subgenera with two representatives in our analysis are apparently monophyletic except Fervidobombus, Melanobombus, and Pyrobombus. The groups formed by pocket makers and non-pocket makers within Bombus also appear to be paraphyletic, and therefore some subgenera may not accurately reflect phylogeny.     

Salvia (Lamiaceae) is not monophyletic: implications for the systematics, radiation, and ecological specializations of Salvia and tribe Mentheae

Salvia, with over 900 species from both the Old and New World, is the largest genus in the Lamiaceae. Unlike most members of the subfamily Nepetoideae to which it belongs, only two stamens are expressed in Salvia. Although the structure of these stamens is remarkably variable across the genus, generally each stamen has an elongate connective and divergent anther thecae, which form a lever mechanism important in pollination. In a preliminary investigation of infrageneric relationships within Salvia, the monophyly of the genus and its relationship to other members of the tribe Mentheae were investigated using the chloroplast DNA regions rbcL and trnL-F. Significant conclusions drawn from the data include: Salvia is not monophyletic, Rosmarinus and Perovskia together are sister to an Old World clade of Salvia, the section Audibertia is sister to subgenus Calosphace or the monotypic Asian genus Dorystaechas, and the New World members of section Heterosphace are sister to section Salviastrum. Owing to the non-monophyly of Salvia, relationships at the next clearly monophyletic level, tribe Mentheae, were investigated.