The pantropical flowering plant family Annonaceae is the most species-rich of Magnoliales. Despite long-standing interest in systematics Annonaceae, no authoritative classification has yet been published light recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. Here, using largest, representative, dataset compiled on to date, we present, for first time, a robust family-wide tree and subsequent classification. We used supermatrix up eight plastid markers sequenced from 193 ingroup seven outgroup species....

Annonaceae are a pantropically distributed family found predominantly in rainforests, so they megathermal taxa, whereas Rhamnaceae cosmopolitan that tend to be xeric regions and may classified as mesothermal. Phylogenetic analyses of these families presented based on rbcL trnL-F plastid DNA sequences. Likelihood ratio tests revealed rate heterogeneity both phylogenetic trees were therefore made ultrametric using non-parametric smoothing penalized likelihood. Divergence times then estimated...

Aim Rain forest-restricted plant families show disjunct distributions between the three major tropical regions: South America, Africa and Asia. Explaining these disjunctions has become an important challenge in biogeography. The pantropical family Annonaceae is used to test hypotheses that might explain diversification distribution patterns biota: museum hypothesis (low extinction leading steady accumulation of species); dispersal Asia via Indian rafting versus boreotropical geodispersal....

According to the Grant–Stebbins model of pollinator-driven divergence, plants that disperse beyond range their specialized pollinator may adapt a new pollination system. Although this provides compelling explanation for ecotype formation, few studies have directly tested its validity in nature. Here we investigate distribution and biology several subspecies shrub Erica plukenetii from Cape Floristic Region South Africa. We analyse these data phylogenetic context combine results with...

The disproportionate species richness of the world's biodiversity hotspots could be explained by low extinction (the evolutionary "museum") and/or high speciation "hot-bed") models. We test these models using largest rich plant groups that characterise botanically diverse Cape Floristic Region (CFR): genus Erica L. generate a novel phylogenetic hypothesis informed nuclear and plastid DNA sequences c. 60 % 800 (of which 690 are endemic to CFR), use this estimate clade ages (using RELTIME;...

Abstract Aim We test biogeographical hypotheses regarding the origin of Andean‐centred plant groups by reconstructing phylogeny in short‐branch clade (SBC) Annonaceae, and estimating timing diversifications four apparently genera: Cremastosperma R.E.Fr., Klarobelia Chatrou, Malmea R.E.Fr. Mosannona Chatrou. The SBC includes species distributed both Old New World tropics. A number Neotropical genera display ‘Andean‐centred’ distribution patterns, with high richness on sides Andes mountain...

C 4 photosynthesis is a fascinating example of parallel evolution complex trait involving multiple genetic, biochemical and anatomical changes. It seen as an adaptation to deleteriously high levels photorespiration. The current scenario for inferred from grasses that it originated subsequent the Oligocene decline in CO 2 levels, promoted open habitats, acts pre-adaptation drought resistance, and, once gained, not subsequently lost. We test generality these hypotheses using dated phylogeny...

To support the work of Global Conservation Consortium for

Species identification is fundamental to all aspects of biology and conservation. The process can be challenging, particularly in groups including many closely related or similar species. problem confounded by the absence an up-to-date taxonomic revision, but even with such a resource professional botanists may struggle recognise key species, presenting substantial barrier vital work as surveys, threat assessments, seed collection for ex situ Genus

The tribe Miliuseae (Annonaceae) comprises six genera distributed in Asia: Alphonsea , Mezzettia Miliusa Orophea Platymitra and Phoenicanthus . A phylogenetic study to investigate the putative monophyly of intergeneric relationships is presented here. Nucleotide sequences plastid gene rbcL, trnL intron, ‐ trnF intergenic spacer were analyzed from 114 Annonaceae taxa, including 24 species two outgroups using maximum parsimony Bayesian inference. data sets ( rbcL regions) separately...

We explore the potential impact of conflicting gene trees on inferences evolutionary history above species level. When conflict between is discovered, it common practice either to analyze data separately or combine having excluded taxa partitions for those (which are then recoded as missing). demonstrate an alternative approach, which involves duplicating in matrix, such that each duplicate represented by one partition only. This allows combination all available standard phylogenetic...

This article addresses the challenges involved in estimating ages of clades using fossils and DNA sequences. We review principles problems placing trees extant taxa them to constrain nodes molecular dating analyses. Endressinia Futabanthus provide minimum 112 Mya for stem lineage 89 crown group Annonaceae, diversity endosperm ruminations seeds from London Clay indicates that four main Annonaceae had diverged by 50 Mya. Ages inferred these constraints a plastid phylogenetic tree particularly...

Targeted high-throughput sequencing using hybrid-enrichment offers a promising source of data for inferring multiple, meaningfully resolved, independent gene trees suitable to address challenging phylogenetic problems in species complexes and rapid radiations. The targets question can either be adopted directly from more or less universal tools, custom made particular clades at considerably greater effort. We applied scripts select sets homologous sequence markers transcriptome WGS use the...

To support the work of Global Conservation Consortium for Erica and update checklist in World Flora Online (WFO), we have curated taxonomic backbone WFO by expanding it to include updated nomenclatural information from IPNI, missing names present WCVP, BODATSA, International register heather database, a data source not readily available online. We also comment on correct orthography heleophila Guthrie & Bolus michellensis Dulfer, validity tegetiformis E.G.H.Oliv., clarify use adunca...

Estimates of the number vascular plant species currently under threat extinction are shockingly high, with highest rates reported for narrow-range, woody plants, especially in biodiversity hotspots Mediterranean and tropical climates. The large genus Erica is a prime example, as proportion its 851 species, all shrubs or small trees, endemic to Cape Floristic Region (CFR) South Africa. Almost two hundred known be threatened further ‘Data Deficient’. We need target...

We present a new generic classification of the largely Southern Hemisphere grass subfamily Danthonioideae. This is based on an almost completely sampled and well-resolved molecular phylogeny complete morphological data set. have attempted to delimit monophyletic genera (complicated by presence apparent intergeneric hybridization), which are diagnosable, as well morphologically ecogeographically coherent. recognize 17 genera, including five (Austroderia N. P. Barker & H. Linder, Capeochloa...

We present a rapid and inexpensive alternative to DNA isolation for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from plants. •The method involves direct PCR material macerated in one buffer, followed by dilution incubation second buffer. describe the procedure demonstrate its application nuclear plastid across broad range of vascular is fast, easy perform, cost-effective, consequently ideal large sample numbers. It represents considerable simplification approaches requiring prior will be...

Potato virus Y (PVY) is a major agricultural disease that reduces crop yields worldwide. Different strains of PVY are associated with differing degrees pathogenicity, which the most common and economically important known to be recombinant. We need know evolutionary origins pathogens prevent further escalations diseases, but putatively reticulate genealogies challenging reconstruct standard phylogenetic approaches. Currently available hypotheses for either limited non-recombinant strains,...

Abstract Aim We sought to understand the variables that limit distribution range of a clade (here danthonioid grasses). tested time, area origin, habitat suitability, disjunction width and nature, wind direction as possible determinants. Location Global, but predominantly Southern Hemisphere. Methods mapped subfamily Danthonioideae, used 39,000 locality records an ensemble modelling approach define areas with suitable habitat. well‐sampled, dated phylogeny estimate number historical...

Abstract The rate and direction of biotic exchange between the Palaeotropical arid floras Asia, Africa, Australia is poorly understood because a lack phylogenetic hypotheses for relevant plant groups. Periodic aridification may have facilitated migrations arid-adapted plants southwestern Africa Horn as recently last glacial maximum, allowing further with Asia. However, no conclusive evidence age such been documented. We use molecular phylogeny Zygophylloideae to infer biogeographic scenario...

Abstract Gene trees from independent molecular markers often differ. Simple data matrix concatenation cannot represent the various biologically meaningful processes that underlie these differences, and in an age of high‐throughput DNA sequencing coalescent‐based species tree inference methods, approach seems increasingly quaint. I argue still has its place our suite approaches, but care should be taken when deciding which might combined under what circumstances. present recommendations for...