PHYLOGENETIC IMPLICATIONS OF CHLOROPLAST DNA RESTRICTION SITE VARIATION IN THE MUTISIEAE (ASTERACEAE)

Phylogenetic relationships among 13 species in the tribe Mutisieae and a single species from each of three other tribes in the Asteraceae were assessed by chloroplast DNA restriction site mapping. Initially, 211 restriction site mutations were detected among 16 species using 10 restriction enzymes. Examination of 12 of these species using nine more enzymes revealed 179 additional restriction site mutations. Phylogenetic analyses of restriction site mutations were performed using both Dolio and Wagner parsimony, and the resulting monophyletic groups were statistically tested by the bootstrap method. The phylogenetic trees confirm an ancient evolutionary split in the Asteraceae that was previously suggested by the distribution of a chloroplast DNA inversion. The subtribe Barnadesiinae of the tribe Mutisieae is shown to be the ancestral group within the Asteraceae. The molecular phylogenies also confirm the paraphyly of the Mutisieae and provide statistical support for the monophyly of three of its four currently recognized subtribes (Barnadesiinae, Mutisiinae, and Nassauviinae). The fourth subtribe, Gochnatiinae, is shown to be paraphyletic. Within the subtribes, several closely related generic pairs are identified. Chloroplast DNA sequence divergence among genera of the Asteraceae ranges between 0.7 and 5.4%, which is relatively low in comparison to other angiosperm groups. This suggests that the Asteraceae is either a relatively young family or that its chloroplast DNA has evolved at a slower rate than in other families.     

Molecular phylogeny of the beetle tribe Oxypodini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

This is the first study to comprehensively address the phylogeny of the tribe Oxypodini Thomson and its phylogenetic relationships to other tribes within the staphylinid subfamily Aleocharinae. Using the hitherto largest molecular dataset of Aleocharinae comprising of 4599 bp for representatives of 22 tribes, the Oxypodini are recovered as non‐monophyletic. Members of the tribe belong to three distantly related lineages within the Aleocharinae: (i) the Amarochara group as sister clade to the tribe Aleocharini, (ii) the subtribe Tachyusina within a clade that also includes the tribes Athetini and Hygronomini, (iii) all other Oxypodini in a clade that also includes the tribes Placusini, Hoplandriini and Liparocephalini. Based on the inferred phylogeny, five subtribes of the Oxypodini are recognized: Dinardina Mulsant & Rey, Meoticina Seevers, Microglottina Fenyes, Oxypodina Thomson and Phloeoporina Thomson. The following changes in the classification of the Aleocharinae are proposed: (i) Amarochara Thomson is removed from the Oxypodini and placed in the tribe Aleocharini; (ii) the subtribe Taxicerina Lohse of the Athetini is reinstated as tribe Taxicerini to include Discerota Mulsant & Rey, Halobrecta Thomson (both removed from the Oxypodini) and Taxicera Mulsant & Rey; (iii) the subtribe Tachyusina Thomson is excluded from the Oxypodini and provisionally treated as tribe Tachyusini; (iv) the oxypodine subtribe name Blepharhymenina Klimaszewski & Peck is placed in synonymy with the subtribe name Dinardina Mulsant & Rey.     

利用低拷贝核基因重建菊科紫菀亚科族间系统发育关系

紫菀亚科(Asteroideae)是菊科最大的一个亚科, 包含的种数多于被子植物的绝大多数科。目前, 紫菀亚科族间的系统发育关系主要依赖于叶绿体基因信息, 但是叶绿体基因为单亲遗传, 并不能完整反映进化历史。鉴于杂交现象在菊科普遍存在, 故利用核基因可以反映更完整的紫菀亚科进化历史。该研究首次使用从转录组数据(20个新测+11个从NCBI数据库下载)中筛选出的47个直系同源低拷贝核基因来研究紫菀亚科的系统发育关系, 共选取了29个物种, 代表了紫菀亚科20个族中的13个族。用超矩阵分析方法和溯祖推测分析方法各获得了1个稳定的紫菀亚科系统树, 每个树上绝大多数分支都得到了高度支持, 且2个树之间没有明显的冲突。新的紫菀亚科族间系统发育关系揭示了千里光超族应并入紫菀超族, 春黄菊族可能是千里光族与紫菀族杂交起源的, 金鸡菊族很可能也是杂交起源的。该研究结果显示低拷贝核基因可以更好地解决科以下分类阶元的系统发育关系, 对菊科乃至被子植物其它科的系统发育研究具有重要的借鉴意义。     

基于2个核糖体DNA序列的国产白酒草属、小舌菊属和歧伞菊属（菊科紫菀族）分子系统学研究

国产白酒草亚族（菊科紫菀族）由白酒草属（Conyza）、小舌菊属（Microglossa）和歧伞菊属（Thespis）3个小属组成,且国产白酒草亚族各属间及其与非洲白酒草属植物之间的分子系统发育关系尚无报道,故本研究利用核糖体DNA ITS和ETS序列并采用最大简约法和贝叶斯分析法,重建了国产白酒草亚族的分子系统发育树。结果表明,国产4种白酒草属植物、歧伞菊和非洲白酒草属植物组成一支,而劲直白酒草的两变种和小舌菊嵌入田基黄亚族分支;小舌菊与Psiadia pascalii近缘。基于这些结果,我们认为：（1）劲直白酒草和Conyza incisa应处理为田基黄亚族的一个独立的属;（2）国产4种白酒草属植物和歧伞菊以及大多数非洲白酒草属植物属于Eschenbachia属,而且Eschenbachia属代表一个新的亚族,歧伞菊可处理为Eschenbachia属的一个组。Eschenbachia属可能从非洲经数次长距离传播到达我国南部;（3）Welwitschiella 和小舌菊属应保持属的地位,Psiadia pascalii、Conyza scabrida和C. pyrrhopappa可并入小舌菊属。     

基于2个核糖体DNA序列的国产白酒草属、小舌菊属和歧伞菊属(菊科紫菀族)分子系统学研究(英文)

国产白酒草亚族(菊科紫菀族)由白酒草属(Conyza)、小舌菊属(Microglossa)和歧伞菊属(Thespis)3个小属组成,且国产白酒草亚族各属间及其与非洲白酒草属植物之间的分子系统发育关系尚无报道,故本研究利用核糖体DNA ITS和ETS序列并采用最大简约法和贝叶斯分析法,重建了国产白酒草亚族的分子系统发育树。结果表明,国产4种白酒草属植物、歧伞菊和非洲白酒草属植物组成一支,而劲直白酒草的两变种和小舌菊嵌入田基黄亚族分支;小舌菊与Psiadia pascalii近缘。基于这些结果,我们认为:(1)劲直白酒草和Conyza incisa应处理为田基黄亚族的一个独立的属;(2)国产4种白酒草属植物和歧伞菊以及大多数非洲白酒草属植物属于Eschenbachia属,而且Eschenbachia属代表一个新的亚族,歧伞菊可处理为Eschenbachia属的一个组。Eschenbachia属可能从非洲经数次长距离传播到达我国南部;(3)Welwitschiella和小舌菊属应保持属的地位,Psiadia pascalii、Conyza scabrida和C.pyrrhopappa可并入小舌菊属。     

基于28S rRNA D2序列的内茧蜂亚科的分子系统发育

首次利用同源28S rRNA D2基因序列对内茧蜂亚科Rogadinae （昆虫纲Insecta：膜翅目Hymenoptera：茧蜂科Braconidae）进行了分子系统学研究。本研究从95%～100%乙醇浸渍保存的标本中提取基因组DNA并扩增了10种内群种类和5种外群种类的28S rDNA D2片段并测序（GenBank序列号AY167645-AY167659）,利用BLAST搜索相关的同源序列, 采用了GenBank中13个种类的28S rRNA D2同源序列,然后据此进行分子分析。利用3个外群（共8个种类）和3种建树方法 (距离邻近法distance based neighbor joining, NJ; 最大俭约法maximum parsimony, MP; 和最大似然法maximum likelihood, ML)分析了内茧蜂亚科内的分子系统发育关系。结果表明,由分子数据产生的不同的分子系统树均显示内茧蜂亚科是一个单系群。内茧蜂亚科内依据形态和生物学特征的分群（族和亚族）及其系统发育关系得到部分支持。NJ、MP和ML分析结果均表明内茧蜂族Rogadini不是一个单系,而是一个并系,其余3族则得到不同程度的支持。内茧蜂族可分成2个分支：“脊茧蜂属Aleiodes+弓脉茧蜂属Arcaleiodes”和“沟内茧蜂属Canalirogas+锥齿茧蜂属Conspinaria+刺茧蜂属Spinaria+内茧蜂属Rogas”,二者不是姐妹群。脊茧蜂属Aleiodes和弓脉茧蜂属Arcaleiodes始终是姐妹群。脊茧蜂属Aleiodes是一个单系,并可分成2个姐妹分支,这与依据形态和生物学特征的亚属分群相一致。弓脉茧蜂属Arcaleiodes Chen et He,1991是一个独立的属。分支“沟内茧蜂属Canalirogas+锥齿茧蜂属Conspinaria+刺茧蜂属Spinaria+内茧蜂属Rogas”的单系性仅得到部分分子数据的支持;因形态特异（腹部成甲壳状）而列为亚族级的刺茧蜂属Spinaria,分子分析没有证实这一点。横纹茧蜂族Clinocentrini是个单系,并在内茧蜂亚科的系统发育中处于基部（原始）的位置。我们研究结果还表明,阔跗茧蜂属Yelicones和潜蛾茧蜂属Stiropius相对应的阔跗茧蜂族Yeliconini和潜蛾茧蜂族Stiropiini为2个独立的分支, 与形态和生物学的结果一致,但它们在内茧蜂亚科的系统发育的位置不明,有待今后进一步研究。     

Flavonoids as chemotaxonomic markers for Asteraceae

Flavonoids have been shown to be good taxonomic markers for Asteraceae. More than 800 compounds comprising 4700 flavonoid occurrences were included in a computational system specially made for chemotaxonomic purposes. Some implications of flavonols, flavones and other types as well as structural features of them are discussed for tribes and subtribes of Asteraceae.     

A comprehensive generic-level phylogeny of the sunflower family: Implications for the systematics of Chinese Asteraceae

The sunflower family (Asteraceae) is the largest and the most diverse flowering plant family, comprising 24 000–30 000 species and 1600–1700 genera. In China, Asteraceae are also the largest family, with approximately 2336 indigenous species in 248 genera. In the past two decades, molecular phylogenetic analyses has contributed greatly to our understanding of the systematics of Asteraceae. Nevertheless, the large-scale analyses and knowledge about the relationships of Chinese Asteraceae at the generic level as a whole are far from complete due to difficulties in sampling. In this study, we presented a three-marker (rbcL, ndhF, and matK) phylogeny of Asteraceae, including 506 genera (i.e., approximately one-third of Asteraceae genera). The study sampled 200 Chinese genera (i.e., approximately 80% of Chinese Asteraceae genera). The backbones of the new phylogeny were largely congruent with earlier studies, with 13 subfamilies and 45 tribes recognized. Chinese Asteraceae were distributed in 7 subfamilies (Mutisioideae, Wunderlichioideae, Carduoideae, Pertyoideae, Gymnarrhenoideae, Cichorioideae, and Asteroideae) and 22 tribes (Mutiseae, Hyalideae, Cardueae, Pertyeae, Gymnarrheneae, Vernonieae, Cichorieae, Doroniceae, Senecioneae, Astereae, Anthemideae, Gnaphalieae, Calenduleae, Inuleae, Athroismeae, Helenieae, Coreopsideae, Neurolaeneae, Tageteae, Millieae, Eupatorieae, and Heliantheae). Chinese Asteraceae lacked 6 basal subfamilies and 23 tribes. Several previously ambiguous relationships were clarified. Our analyses also resolved some unplaced genera within Chinese Asteraceae. Finally, our phylogenetic tree was used to revise the classification for all genera of Chinese Asteraceae. In total, 255 genera, 22 tribes, and 7 subfamilies in China are recognized.     

Phylogeny of the Spiny African Daisies (Compositae, tribe Arctotideae, subtribe Gorteriinae) based on trnL-F, ndhF, and ITS sequence data

The tribe Arctotideae (African Daisies), of the flowering plant family Compositae (Asteraceae), is a diverse and interesting group with a primarily southern African distribution (ca. 13 genera, 215 species) and many species in the Cape Floristic Region. It is divided into two subtribes: Arctotidinae (ca. 5 genera, 85 species) and Gorteriinae (ca. 8 genera, 130 species). The monophyly of the genera within the subtribe Gorteriinae and their relationship to one another was investigated using 71 samples/212 sequences including 64/141 of which are newly reported from three phylogenetic markers, two from chloroplast DNA (trnL-F and ndhF) and one from the nuclear genome (ITS). The outgroup was composed of seven members from the sister subtribe. Results show the subtribe Gorteriinae to be divided into three monophyletic groups, the Gazania-Hirpicium-Gorteria group, the Didelta group, and the Berkheya-Cullumia group. Within these three groups are 13 sub-groups, one of which has sub-clades. The genus Berkheya Ehrh. is paraphyletic, falling into five different sub-groups. The two monotypic genera, Cuspidia and Heterorhachis are not nested within any of the Berkheya clades. Hirpicium and Cullumia each have most of their taxa in a monophyletic group, but they also have one or two taxa associated with other clades. Four of the five sub-groups of Berkheya have morphologically recognizable shared characters, such as habit and spines that have been recognized by past studies. However, the grouping of one species with Didelta is difficult to explain. Support for the major clades and most of the sub-groups is strong but the relationships among some of the terminal taxa are variable.     

Sesquiterpene lactone-based classification of three Asteraceae tribes: a study based on self-organizing neural networks applied to chemosystematics

This work describes an application of artificial neural networks on a small data set of sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) of three tribes of the family Asteraceae. Structurally different types of representative STLs from seven subtribes of the tribes Eupatorieae, Heliantheae and Vernonieae were selected as input data for self-organizing neural networks. Encoding the 3D molecular structures of STLs and their projection onto Kohonen maps allowed the classification of Asteraceae into tribes and subtribes. This approach allowed the evaluation of structural similarities among different sets of 3D structures of sesquiterpene lactones and their correlation with the current taxonomic classification of the family. Predictions of the occurrence of STLs from a plant species according to the taxa they belong to were also performed by the networks. The methodology used in this work can be applied to chemosystematic or chemotaxonomic studies of Asteraceae.     

Flowering phenology of co-occurring Asteraceae: a matter of climate,ecological interactions,plant attributes or of evolutionary relationships among species?

We analyzed the flowering phenodynamics of 43 Asteraceae species co-occurring in natural populations of Chaco Serrano forests in central Argentina. We explored the potential influence of factors such as photoperiod and climate (variations in temperature, rainfall, and frost), animal-plant interactions (richness of floral visitors, frequency of visits), some plant attributes (plant growth form, seed dispersal mechanism), and evolutionary relationships among species on flowering phenodynamics. Cluster Analysis (CA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were the multivariate statistical methods used to analyze emerging patterns associated with these co-occurring species. Null-model analyses were used to evaluate whether flowering times are aggregated, segregated, or random. Results showed that flowering phenology was significantly correlated with the seasonal variation in temperature, photoperiod, rainfall, and frost. The multivariate statistical methods separated all the species in three groups: 1) species with short flowering time, large plant floral display, high frequency of visits by a large number of species of floral visitors, anemochorous fruits, and shrubby growth form, with a tendency to a segregated flowering pattern; 2) species with long flowering time, small plant floral display, low frequency of visits by few insect species, anemochorous fruits, and herbaceous growth form; and 3) species with long flowering time, small plant floral display, intermediate values for frequency of visits and number of species of floral visitors, seed dispersal mechanisms other than anemochory, and herbaceous growth form. In addition, all but one species belonging to early-branching tribes (tribes phylogenetically close to the root of the Asteraceae tree) were grouped together and clustered in the same region of the two-dimensional PCA ordination. All species belonging to the late-branching tribes (Asteroideae subfamily tribes) included in group 1 were separated from the other Asteroideae species in the PCA. In conclusion, it seems that climatic factors restrict the phenological period of most species, and that plant attributes and taxonomic membership are strongly related to flowering phenodynamics in this group of Asteraceae studied.     

Evolution of host-parasite relationships of Golovinomyces (Ascomycete: Erysiphaceae) inferred from nuclear rDNA sequences

To understand the evolution of host-parasite relationships in the genus Golovinomyces (Ascomycete: Erysiphaceae), which are obligate parasitic fungi of plants, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of the genus based on 60 internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 41 28S rDNA sequences. Five major groups, each represented by isolates from a single tribe of the Asteraceae, were identified in the taxa analyzed in this study. Host plants of four groups were strictly restricted to the Asteraceae. The fifth group, the Lactuceae group, is a large group composed of isolates collected from the tribe Lactuceae of the Asteraceae and all other plant families, which suggests a close affinity between Golovinomyces and the Asteraceae in the early stages of their evolution. Tree topology comparisons between the asteraceous hosts and their parasites suggest that Golovinomyces diverged along with the phylogeny of host tribes Carsueae, Astereae, Heliantheae, and Lactuceae of the Asteraceae. However, a conflict of branching order between the tribe Anthemideae and their parasites suggests that host-jumping has occurred in the tribe Anthemideae. Consequently, we suggest that there are two different phases in the evolutionary history of the host-parasite relationships of Golovinomyces. One phase is divergence in accord with the phylogeny of their hosts, which occurred within the Asteraceae. The another phase is host-jumping, which occurred from the Asteraceae to other families and within the Asteraceae.     

Phylogeny of the tribe Fumarieae (Papaveraceae s.l.) based on chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences: Evolutionary and biogeographic implications

? Premise of the Study: Little research has been done at the molecular level on the tribe Fumarieae (Papaveraceae). Papaveraceae is a model plant group for studying evolutionary patterns despite the lack of a reference phylogeny for this tribe. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe to complete the molecular data for this family in order to help understand its character evolution and biogeographic pattern. ? Methods: We used maximum-parsimony and Bayesian approaches to analyze five DNA regions for 25 species representing 10 of the 11 Fumarieae genera and five outgroups. Evolutionary pathways of four characters (habit, life span, type of fruit, and number of seeds per fruit) were inferred on the phylogeny using parsimony. The ancestral distribution areas were reconstructed using dispersal-vicariance analysis. ? Key Results: Fumarieae is monophyletic and includes three groups that agree with the morphology-based subtribes: Discocapninae, Fumariinae, and Sarcocapninae. Within subtribes, the relationships among genera were different from those obtained with morphological data. Annual life span, nonchasmophytic habit, and a several-seeded capsule were the basal character states for the tribe. The ancestor occupied a continuous area between West Eurasia and Africa. Vicariances explain the divergence between lineages Discocapninae (South Africa) and Fumariinae-Sarcocapninae (Mediterranean), and the disjunction of Fumariinae (Mediterranean-Central Asia). ? Conclusions: Molecular phylogeny confirms the subtribal classification of Fumarieae based on morphology. However it provides different results regarding the relationships among genera within each subtribe, which affects the inference of the evolutionary pathway followed by the four selected characters. The disjunct distribution of the tribe is explained by different vicariance scenarios.     

Molecular phylogeny of the mega‐diverse rove beetle tribe Staphylinini (Insecta,Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

Chatzimanolis, S., Cohen, I. M., Schomann, A. & Solodovnikov, A. (2010). Molecular phylogeny of the mega‐diverse rove beetle tribe Staphylinini (Insecta, Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 436–449. Phylogeny of the rove beetle tribe Staphylinini is explored by parsimony and Bayesian analyses of sequences of four genes (COI, wingless, Topoisomerase I, and 28S) for 43 ingroup (various genera of Staphylinini) and eight outgroup (two genera of Paederinae, six genera of other tribes of Staphylininae) taxa. Analyses were conducted for each gene independently and for the concatenated data set. Results of the most robust combined analyses were compared with the morphology‐based phylogenies of Staphylinini (‘test phylogeny’), and with the conventional classification of this tribe. Molecular results were congruent with the ‘test phylogeny’ in the following: ancestors of Staphylinini were ‘Quediina‐like’ lineages; formal subtribe Quediina mixes at least two relatively basal groups, ‘Quediina propria’ and ‘southern Quediina’; specialized subtribe Amblyopinina is an internal clade within ‘southern Quediina’; a relatively deeply nested ‘Staphylinini propria’ that unites current subtribes Staphylinina, Eucibdelina, Anisolinina, Xanthopygina and Philonthina is well supported as a monophyletic group. In strong contrast with morphology, molecular data place the tribes Othiini and Xantholinini nested within Staphylinini. Molecular results strongly conflict with morphology by uniting morphologically very different genera Holisus and Atanygnathus in one clade that has uncertain position within Staphylinini. Consistently with the most congruent areas of the morphology‐ and molecular‐based phylogenies, taxonomic changes are implemented for the formal subtribes Quediina and Amblyopinina.     

Microsatellite marker development for the threatened orchid Masdevallia solomonii (Orchidaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers for Masdevallia solomonii were developed to serve as a tool in future population genetic studies of this threatened species from the Bolivian Yungas. ? Methods and Results: Thirteen microsatellite primers were characterized by cloning an intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) library. From these, 10 loci presented considerable variation in allele number (3-10), expected heterozygosity (0.537-0.865), and polymorphic information content per locus (0.500-0.848). ? Conclusions: The markers obtained for M. solomonii are the first in the genus and subtribe. The observed polymorphism will make it possible to assess genetic diversity and structure of this species and will serve to propose effective conservation actions.     

Paranepheliinae亚族(菊科,Liabeae族)的系统发育和可能的属间杂交

The nuclear ribosomal ITS region and the chloroplast trnL-trnF (trnLF) intergenic region were sequenced for 45 accessions of Paranephelius and six accessions of Pseudonoseris, the two genera of the subtribe Paranepheliinae (Liabeae, Asteraceae) distributed in the alpine regions of the Andes. This data set was used to estimate relationships between these genera and within each genus to aid in evaluating morphological variation and classification. Our results with both ITS and trnLF markers support the monophyly of subtribe Paranepheliinae, and place Pseudonoseris discolor as the first diverged taxon sister to the clade containing Paranephelius. Pseudonoseris szyszylowiczii exhibited intraspecific divergence supporting intergeneric hybridization between Pseudonoseris and Paranephelius. Within Paranephelius, genetic divergence is low and not adequate to fully resolve phylogenetic relationships at the species level, but two genetically and morphologically recognizable groups were revealed by the ITS data. Several accessions possessing multiple ITS sequences represent putative hybrids between the two groups. These putative hybrids have caused some taxonomic confusion and difficulties in establishing species boundaries in Paranephelius. The divergence time estimates based on ITS sequences indicated that the stem of subtribe Paranepheliinae dates to 13 million years ago, but the diversification of the crown clade of the extant members began in the early Pleistocene or late Pliocene, perhaps associated with the uplift of the Andes and the climatic changes of global cooling.     

Phylogeny and systematics of the subfamily Bryocorinae based on morphology with emphasis on the tribe Dicyphini sensu Schuh,

The classification of the hyperdiverse true bug family Miridae is far from settled, and is particularly contentious for the cosmopolitan subfamily Bryocorinae. The morphological diversity within the subfamily is pronounced, and a lack of explicit character formulation hampers stability in the classification. Molecular partitions are few and only a handful of taxa have been sequenced. In this study the phylogeny of the subfamily Bryocorinae has been analysed based on morphological data alone, with an emphasis on evaluating the tribe Dicyphina sensu Schuh, 1976, within which distinct groups of taxa exist. A broad sample of taxa was examined from each of the bryocorine tribes. A broad range of outgroup taxa from most of the other mirid subfamilies was also examined to test for bryocorine monophyly, ingroup relationships and to determine character polarity. In total a matrix comprising 44 ingroup, 15 outgroup taxa and 111 morphological characters was constructed. The phylogenetic analysis resulted in a monophyletic subfamily Bryocorinae sensu Schuh (1976, 1995), except for the genus Palaucoris, which is nested within Cylapinae. The tribe Dicyphini sensu Schuh (1976, 1995) has been rejected. The subtribe Odoniellina is synonymized with the subtribe Monaloniina and the subtribes Dicyphina, Monaloniina and Eccritotarsina are now elevated to tribal level, with the Dicyphini now restricted in composition and definition. The genus Felisacus is highly autapomorphic and a new tribe – the Felisacini – is erected for the included taxa. This phylogeny of the tribes of the Bryocorinae comprises the following sister‐group relationships: Dicyphini ((Bryocorini + Eccritotarsini)(Felisicini + Monaloniini)).     

Phylogenetics, biogeography, and staminal evolution in the tribe Mentheae (Lamiaceae)

? Premise of the study: The mint family (Lamiaceae) is the sixth largest family of flowering plants, with the tribe Mentheae containing about a third of the species. We present a detailed perspective on the evolution of the tribe Mentheae based on a phylogenetic analysis of cpDNA and nrDNA that is the most comprehensive to date, a biogeographic set of analyses using a fossil-calibrated chronogram, and an examination of staminal evolution. ? Methods: Data from four cpDNA and two nrDNA markers representing all extant genera within the tribe Mentheae were analyzed using the programs BEAST, Lagrange, S-DIVA, and BayesTraits. BEAST was used to simultaneously estimate phylogeny and divergence times, Lagrange and S-DIVA were used for biogeographical reconstruction, and BayesTraits was used to infer staminal evolution within the tribe. ? Key results: Currently accepted subtribal delimitations are shown to be invalid and are updated. The Mentheae and all five of its subtribes have a Mediterranean origin and have dispersed to the New World multiple times. The vast majority of New World species of subtribe Menthinae are the product of a single dispersal event in the mid-late Miocene. At least four transitions from four stamens to two stamens have occurred within Mentheae, once in the subtribe Salviinae, once in the subtribe Lycopinae, and at least twice in the subtribe Menthinae. ? Conclusions: Worldwide cooling trends probably played a large role in the diversification and present day distribution of the tribe Mentheae. Additional work is needed to ascertain relationships within some Mentheae genera, especially in the subtribe Menthinae.     

Phylogeny of the cricket subfamily Eneopterinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Eneopteridae) based on four molecular loci and morphology

The phylogenetic relationships of 39 species of Eneopterinae crickets are reconstructed using four molecular markers (16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, cytochrome b, 18S rRNA) and a large morphological data set. Phylogenetic analysis via direct optimisation of DNA sequence data using parsimony as optimality criterion is done for six combinations of weighting parameter sets in a sensitivity analysis. The results are discussed in a twofold purpose: first, in term of significance of the molecular markers for phylogeny reconstruction in Ensifera, as our study represents the first molecular phylogeny performed for this insect suborder at this level of diversity; second, in term of corroboration of a previous phylogeny of Eneopterinae, built on morphological data alone. The four molecular markers all convey phylogenetic signal, although variously distributed on the tree. The monophyly of the subfamily, that of three over five tribes, and of 10 over 13 genera, are recovered. Finally, previous hypotheses on the evolution of acoustic devices and signals in the Eneopterinae clade are briefly tested, and supported, by our new data set.     

Evolutionary relationships in the showy mistletoe family (Loranthaceae)

Loranthaceae (73 genera and ca. 900 species) comprise mostly aerial hemiparasitic plants. Three monotypic genera considered relicts are root parasites. The family is diverse in tropical areas, but representatives are also found in temperate habitats. Previous classifications were based on floral and inflorescence morphology, karyological information, and biogeography. The family has been divided into three tribes: Nuytsiae, Elytrantheae (subtribes Elytranthinae and Gaiadendrinae), and Lorantheae (subtribes Loranthinae and Psittacanthinae). Nuytsiae and Elytrantheae are characterized by a base chromosome number of x = 12, whereas subtribes Loranthinae (x = 9) and Psittacanthinae (x = 8) numbers are derived via aneuploid reduction. To elucidate the phylogeny of the family, we analyzed sequences from five genes (nuclear small and large subunit rDNA and the chloroplast genes rbcL, matK, and trnL-F) representing most genera using parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian inference. The three root parasites, Nuytsia, Atkinsonia, and Gaiadendron, are supported as successive sister taxa to the remaining genera, resulting in a monophyletic group of aerial parasites. Three major clades are resolved each corresponding to a subtribe. However, two South American genera (Tristerix and Notanthera) and the New Zealand genus Tupeia, which were previously classified in subtribe Elytranthinae, are weakly supported as part of a clade representing the South American subtribe Psittacanthinae.