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A molecular phylogeny and classification of Verbenaceae
Author(s) -
Marx Hannah E.,
O'Leary Nataly,
Yuan YaoWu,
LuIrving Patricia,
Tank David C.,
Múlgura María E.,
Olmstead Richard G.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.1000144
Subject(s) - biology , phylogenetics , verbenaceae , evolutionary biology , zoology , molecular phylogenetics , botany , genetics , gene
• Premise of the study: Verbenaceae consist of trees, shrubs, lianas, and herbs distributed primarily in Latin America, where they occur in a wide array of ecosystems. A second center of diversity exists in Africa. Competing morphology‐based classifications that rely on different traits conflict in significant ways. A broad phylogenetic study was undertaken to assess those classifications and to examine the historical geography of the family. • Methods: Analysis of seven chloroplast DNA regions for 109 species, representing all genera except one monotypic genus, provide inference into evolutionary relationships in Verbenaceae. • Key results : The phylogeny shows that none of the traditional classifications reflect phylogenetic relationships very well. Eight clades are recognized as tribes (Casselieae, Citharexyleae, Duranteae, Lantaneae, Neospartoneae trib. nov., Petreeae, Priveae, and Verbeneae). Two genera, Dipyrena and Rhaphithamnus , remain unplaced in these larger clades. Petreeae, which consist of Neotropical lianas, are sister to the rest of the family. Lantaneae and Verbeneae together form a derived clade that comprises approximately two‐thirds of the species in Verbenaceae. • Conclusions: We present a new tribal classification, including one new tribe, Neospartoneae trib. nov., to accommodate three small genera of Argentine species ( Diostea , Neosparton , and Lampaya ). Phylogenetic inference suggests a South American origin for Verbenaceae, with approximately six colonization events having given rise to the Old World species.