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Angiosperms are the cornerstone of most terrestrial ecosystems and human livelihoods 1,2 . A robust understanding of angiosperm evolution is required to explain their rise to ecological dominance. So far, the angiosperm tree of life has been determined primarily by means of analyses of the plastid genome 3,4 . Many studies have drawn on this foundational work, such as classification and first insights into angiosperm diversification since their Mesozoic origins 5-7 . However, the limited and biased sampling of both taxa and genomes undermines confidence in the tree and its implications. Here, we build the tree of life for almost 8,000 (about 60%) angiosperm genera using a standardized set of 353 nuclear genes 8 . This 15-fold increase in genus-level sampling relative to comparable nuclear studies 9 provides a critical test of earlier results and brings notable change to key groups, especially in rosids, while substantiating many previously predicted relationships. Scaling this tree to time using 200 fossils, we discovered that early angiosperm evolution was characterized by high gene tree conflict and explosive diversification, giving rise to more than 80% of extant angiosperm orders. Steady diversification ensued through the remaining Mesozoic Era until rates resurged in the Cenozoic Era, concurrent with decreasing global temperatures and tightly linked with gene tree conflict. Taken together, our extensive sampling combined with advanced phylogenomic methods shows the deep history and full complexity in the evolution of a megadiverse clade., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Changes in chromosome numbers are a prominent driver of plant evolution, impacting ecological diversification, stress tolerance, and phenotypes. ChromEvol is a widely used software tool for deciphering patterns of chromosome-number change along a phylogeny of interest. It evaluates the fit of alternative models to the data, estimates transition rates of different types of events, and infers the expected number of events along each branch of the phylogeny. We introduce ChromEvol v.3, featuring multiple novel methodological advancements that capture variation in the transition rates along a phylogeny. This version better allows researchers to identify how dysploidy and polyploidy rates change based on the number of chromosomes in the genome, with respect to a discrete trait, or at certain subclades of the phylogeny. We demonstrate the applicability of the new models on the Solanaceae phylogeny. Our analyses identify four chromosome-number transition regimes that characterize distinct Solanaceae clades and demonstrate an association between self-compatibility and altered dynamics of chromosome-number evolution. ChromEvol v.3, available at https://github.com/anatshafir1/chromevol, offers researchers a more flexible, comprehensive, and accurate tool to investigate the evolution of chromosome numbers and the various processes affecting it., (© 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Mutualisms between plants and fruit-eating animals were key to the radiation of angiosperms. Still, phylogenetic uncertainties limit our understanding of fleshy-fruit evolution, as in the case of Solanum, a genus with remarkable fleshy-fruit diversity, but with unresolved phylogenetic relationships. We used 1786 nuclear genes from 247 species, including 122 newly generated transcriptomes/genomes, to reconstruct the Solanum phylogeny and examine the tempo and mode of the evolution of fruit color and size. Our analysis resolved the backbone phylogeny of Solanum, providing high support for its clades. Our results pushed back the origin of Solanum to 53.1 million years ago (Ma), with most major clades diverging between 35 and 27 Ma. Evolution of Solanum fruit color and size revealed high levels of trait conservatism, where medium-sized berries that remain green when ripe are the likely ancestral form. Our analyses revealed that fruit size and color are evolutionary correlated, where dull-colored fruits are two times larger than black/purple and red fruits. We conclude that the strong phylogenetic conservatism shown in the color and size of Solanum fruits could limit the influences of fruit-eating animals on fleshy-fruit evolution. Our findings highlight the importance of phylogenetic constraints on the diversification of fleshy-fruit functional traits., (© 2024 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

The Neotropical region is the most diverse on the planet, largely owing to its mosaic of tropical rainforests. Multiple tectonic and climatic processes have been hypothesized to contribute to generating this diversity, including Andean orogeny, the closure of the Isthmus of Panama, the GAARlandia land bridge and historical connections among currently isolated forests. Micrathena spiders are diverse and widespread in the region, and thus a complete phylogeny of this genus allows the testing of hypotheses at multiple scales. We estimated a complete, dated phylogeny using morphological data for 117 Micrathena species and molecular data of up to five genes for a subset of 79 species. Employing event-based approaches and biogeographic stochastic mapping while considering phylogenetic uncertainty, we estimated ancestral distributions, the timing and direction of dispersal events and diversification rates among areas. The phylogeny is generally robust, with uncertainty in the position of some of the species lacking sequences. Micrathena started diversifying around 25 Ma. Andean cloud forests show the highest in-situ speciation, while the Amazon is the major dispersal source for adjacent areas. The Dry Diagonal generated few species and is a sink of diversity. Species exchange between Central and South America involved approximately 23 dispersal events and started ~20 Ma, which is consistent with a Miocene age for the Isthmus of Panama closure. We inferred four dispersal events from Central America to the Antilles in the last 20 Myr, indicating the spiders did not reach the islands through the GAARlandia land bridge. We identified important species exchange routes among the Amazon, Andean cloud forests and Atlantic forests during the Plio-Pleistocene. Sampling all species of the genus was fundamental to the conclusions above, especially in identifying the Andean forests as the area that generated the majority of species. This highlights the importance of complete taxonomic sampling in biogeographic studies., (© 2024 Willi Hennig Society.)

Islands are renowned as evolutionary laboratories and support many species that are not found elsewhere 1,2 . Islands are also of great conservation concern, with many of their endemic species currently threatened or extinct 3 . Here we present a standardized checklist of all known vascular plants that occur on islands and document their geographical and phylogenetic distribution and conservation risk. Our analyses of 304,103 plant species reveal that 94,052 species (31%) are native to islands, which constitute 5.3% of the global landmass 4 . Of these, 63,280 are island endemic species, which represent 21% of global plant diversity. Three-quarters of these are restricted to large or isolated islands. Compared with the world flora, island endemics are non-randomly distributed within the tree of life, with a total of 1,005 billion years of unique phylogenetic history with 17 families and 1,702 genera being entirely endemic to islands. Of all vascular plants assigned International Union for Conservation of Nature conservation categories 5 , 22% are island endemics. Among these endemic species, 51% are threatened, and 55% of all documented global extinctions have occurred on islands. We find that of all single-island endemic species, only 6% occur on islands meeting the United Nations 30×30 conservation target. Urgent measures including habitat restoration, invasive species removal and ex situ programmes are needed to protect the world's island flora. Our checklist quantifies the uniqueness of island life, provides a basis for future studies of island floras, and highlights the urgent need to take actions for conserving them., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

The Cenozoic topographic development of the Himalaya-Tibet orogen (HTO) substantially affected the paleoenvironment and biodiversity patterns of High Asia. However, concepts on the evolution and paleoenvironmental history of the HTO differ massively in timing, elevational increase and sequence of surface uplift of the different elements of the orogen. Using target enrichment of a large set of transcriptome-derived markers, ancestral range estimation and paleoclimatic niche modelling, we assess a recently proposed concept of a warm temperate paleo-Tibet in Asian spiny frogs of the tribe Paini and reconstruct their historical biogeography. That concept was previously developed in invertebrates. Because of their early evolutionary origin, low dispersal capacity, high degree of local endemism, and strict dependence on temperature and humidity, the cladogenesis of spiny frogs may echo the evolution of the HTO paleoenvironment. We show that diversification of main lineages occurred during the early to Mid-Miocene, while the evolution of alpine taxa started during the late Miocene/early Pliocene. Our distribution and niche modelling results indicate range shifts and niche stability that may explain the modern disjunct distributions of spiny frogs. They probably maintained their (sub)tropical or (warm)temperate preferences and moved out of the ancestral paleo-Tibetan area into the Himalaya as the climate shifted, as opposed to adapting in situ. Based on ancestral range estimation, we assume the existence of low-elevation, climatically suitable corridors across paleo-Tibet during the Miocene along the Kunlun, Qiangtang and/or Gangdese Shan. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and processes of faunal evolution in the HTO., (© 2024 The Author(s). Molecular Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Geographical barriers like mountain ranges impede genetic exchange among populations, promoting diversification. The effectiveness of these barriers in limiting gene flow varies between lineages due to each species' dispersal modes and capacities. Our understanding of how the Andes orogeny contributes to species diversification comes from well-studied vertebrates and a few arthropods and plants, neglecting organisms unable to fly or walk long distances. Some arachnids, such as Gasteracantha cancriformis, have been hypothesized to disperse long distances via ballooning (i.e. using their silk to interact with the wind). Yet, we do not know how the environment and geography shape its genetic diversity. Therefore, we tested whether the Andes contributed to the diversification of G. cancriformis acting as an absolute or semi-permeable barrier to genetic connectivity between populations of this spider at opposite sides of the mountain range. We sampled thousands of loci across the distribution of the species and implemented population genetics, phylogenetic, and landscape genetic analyses. We identified two genetically distinct groups structured by the Central Andes, and a third less structured group in the Northern Andes that shares ancestry with the previous two. This structure is largely explained by the altitude along the Andes, which decreases in some regions, possibly facilitating cross-Andean dispersal and gene flow. Our findings support that altitude in the Andes plays a major role in structuring populations in South America, but the strength of this barrier can be overcome by organisms with long-distance dispersal modes together with altitudinal depressions., (© 2024 The Authors. Molecular Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The Solanaceae is a plant family of great economic importance. Despite a wealth of phylogenetic work on individual clades and a deep knowledge of particular cultivated species such as tomato and potato, a robust evolutionary framework with a dated molecular phylogeny for the family is still lacking. Here we investigate molecular divergence times for Solanaceae using a densely-sampled species-level phylogeny. We also review the fossil record of the family to derive robust calibration points, and estimate a chronogram using an uncorrelated relaxed molecular clock., Results: Our densely-sampled phylogeny shows strong support for all previously identified clades of Solanaceae and strongly supported relationships between the major clades, particularly within Solanum. The Tomato clade is shown to be sister to section Petota, and the Regmandra clade is the first branching member of the Potato clade. The minimum age estimates for major splits within the family provided here correspond well with results from previous studies, indicating splits between tomato and potato around 8 Million years ago (Ma) with a 95% highest posterior density (HPD) 7-10 Ma, Solanum and Capsicum c. 19 Ma (95% HPD 17-21), and Solanum and Nicotiana c. 24 Ma (95% HPD 23-26)., Conclusions: Our large time-calibrated phylogeny provides a significant step towards completing a fully sampled species-level phylogeny for Solanaceae, and provides age estimates for the whole family. The chronogram now includes 40% of known species and all but two monotypic genera, and is one of the best sampled angiosperm family phylogenies both in terms of taxon sampling and resolution published thus far. The increased resolution in the chronogram combined with the large increase in species sampling will provide much needed data for the examination of many biological questions using Solanaceae as a model system.

Nicotiana (Solanaceae) provides an ideal system for understanding polyploidization, a pervasive and powerful evolutionary force in plants, as this genus contains several groups of allotetraploids that formed at different times from different diploid progenitors. However, the parental lineages of the largest group of allotetraploids, Nicotiana section Suaveolentes, have been problematic to identify. Using data from four regions of three low-copy nuclear genes, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and regions of the plastid genome, we have reconstructed the evolutionary origin of sect. Suaveolentes and identified the most likely diploid progenitors by using a combination of gene trees and network approaches to uncover the most strongly supported evidence of species relationships. Our analyses best support a scenario where a member of the sect. Sylvestres lineage acted as the paternal progenitor and a member of either sect. Petunioides or sect. Noctiflorae that also contained introgressed DNA from the other, or a hypothetical hybrid species between these two sections, was the maternal progenitor. Nicotiana exemplifies many of the factors that can complicate the reconstruction of polyploid evolutionary history and highlights how reticulate evolution at the diploid level can add even greater complexity to allopolyploid genomes., (© 2012 The Author(s). Evolution© 2012 The Society for the Study of Evolution.)

Interspecies relationships in Nicotiana (Solanaceae) are complex because 40 species are diploid (two sets of chromosomes) and 35 species are allotetraploid (four sets of chromosomes, two from each progenitor diploid species). We sequenced a fragment (containing four introns) of the nuclear gene 'chloroplast-expressed glutamine synthetase' (ncpGS) in 65 species of Nicotiana. Here we present the first phylogenetic analysis based on a low-copy nuclear gene for this well studied and important genus. Diploid species have a single-copy of ncpGS, and allotetraploids as expected have two homeologous copies, each derived from their progenitor diploid. Results were particularly useful for determining the paternal lineage of previously enigmatic taxa (for which our previous analyses had revealed only the maternal progenitors). In particular, we were able to shed light on the origins of the two oldest and largest allotetraploid sections, N. sects. Suaveolentes and Repandae. All homeologues have an intact reading frame and apparently similar rates of divergence, suggesting both remain functional. Difficulties in fitting certain diploid species into the sectional classification of Nicotiana on morphological grounds, coupled with discordance between the ncpGS data and previous trees (i.e. plastid, nuclear ribosomal DNA), indicate a number of homoploid (diploid) hybrids in the genus. We have evidence for Nicotiana glutinosa and Nicotiana linearis being of hybrid origin and patterns of intra-allelic recombination also indicate the possibility of reticulate origins for other diploid species., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cities are hotspots of plant species richness, harboring more species than their rural surroundings, at least over large enough scales. However, species richness does not necessarily cover all aspects of biodiversity such as phylogenetic relationships. Ignoring these relationships, our understanding of how species assemblages develop and change in a changing environment remains incomplete. Given the high vascular plant species richness of urbanized areas in Germany, we asked whether these also have a higher phylogenetic diversity than rural areas, and whether phylogenetic diversity patterns differ systematically between species groups characterized by specific functional traits. Calculating the average phylogenetic distinctness of the total German flora and accounting for spatial autocorrelation, we show that phylogenetic diversity of urban areas does not reflect their high species richness. Hence, high urban species richness is mainly due to more closely related species that are functionally similar and able to deal with urbanization. This diminished phylogenetic information might decrease the flora's capacity to respond to environmental changes.

For Nicotiana, with 75 naturally occurring species (40 diploids and 35 allopolyploids), we produced 4656bp of plastid DNA sequence for 87 accessions and various outgroups. The loci sequenced were trnL intron and trnL-F spacer, trnS-G spacer and two genes, ndhF and matK. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses yielded identical relationships for the diploids, and these are consistent with other data, producing the best-supported phylogenetic assessment currently available for the genus. For the allopolyploids, the line of maternal inheritance is traced via the plastid tree. Nicotiana and the Australian endemic tribe Anthocercideae form a sister pair. Symonanthus is sister to the rest of Anthocercideae. Nicotiana sect. Tomentosae is sister to the rest of the genus. The maternal parent of the allopolyploid species of N. sect. Polydicliae were ancestors of the same species, but the allopolyploids were produced at different times, thus making such sections paraphyletic to their extant diploid relatives. Nicotiana is likely to have evolved in southern South America east of the Andes and later dispersed to Africa, Australia, and southwestern North America.

Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Nicotiana were investigated using parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). In addition, origins of some amphidiploid taxa in Nicotiana were investigated using the techniques of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), and the results of both sets of analyses were used to evaluate previous hypotheses about the origins of these taxa. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS nrDNA data were performed on the entire genus (66 of 77 naturally occurring species, plus three artificial hybrids), comprising both diploid and polyploid taxa, and on the diploid taxa only (35 species) to examine the effects of amphidiploids on estimates of relationships. All taxa, regardless of ploidy, produced clean, single copies of the ITS region, even though some taxa are hybrids. Results are compared with a published plastid (matK) phylogeny using fewer, but many of the same, taxa. The patterns of relationships in Nicotiana, as seen in both analyses, are largely congruent with each other and previous evolutionary ideas based on morphology and cytology, but some important differences are apparent. None of the currently recognized subgenera of Nicotiana is monophyletic and, although most of the currently recognized sections are coherent, others are clearly polyphyletic. Relying solely upon ITS nrDNA analysis to reveal phylogenetic patterns in a complex genus such as Nicotiana is insufficient, and it is clear that conventional analysis of single data sets, such as ITS, is likely to be misleading in at least some respects about evolutionary history. ITS sequences of natural and well-documented amphidiploids are similar or identical to one of their two parents-usually, but not always, the maternal parent-and are not in any sense themselves 'hybrid'. Knowing how ITS evolves in artificial amphidiploids gives insight into what ITS analysis might reveal about naturally occurring amphidiploids of unknown origin, and it is in this perspective that analysis of ITS sequences is highly informative.

The Solanaceae contains many species of agricultural importance. Several of these are cultivated for their fruits, such as the tomato, the pepper and the aubergine. The family is very diverse in fruit type with capsules, drupes, pyrenes, berries, and several sorts of dehiscent non-capsular fruits occurring in the 90+ genera. In this paper, recent work on fruit type evolution in angiosperms is reviewed in relation to dispersal agents and habitat ecology. Defining fruit types in the Solanaceae in a simple five state system, then mapping them onto a previously published molecular phylogeny based on chloroplast DNA allows discussion of the evolution of these fruit types in a phylogenetic framework. Capsules are plesiomorphic in the family, and although berries are a synapomorphy (shared derived character) for a large clade including the genus Solanum (tomatoes and aubergines), they have arisen several times in the family as a whole. Problems with homology of drupes and pyrenes are discussed, and areas for future investigation of fruit structure homology identified. The distribution of fruit types in the large and diverse genus Solanum is also discussed in the light of monophyletic groups identified using chloroplast gene sequences. This variety is related to recent advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of fruit development. Finally, several key areas of future comparative, phylogenetic investigation into fruit type evolution in the family are highlighted.

Brazil has high levels of biodiversity and has received strong criticism for the increasing country-wide deforestation that threatens it. Although a significant percentage of land area in Brazil is protected, the areas are insufficient and unevenly distributed. Many studies have contributed to the biogeographical knowledge of Brazilian flora, but no endemicity analysis (EA) has been conducted including all endemic angiosperms. We investigated the spatial component, drawing on a huge and taxonomically diverse dataset based on 827 016 records collected over the last two centuries. We conducted an EA for 15 034 species from 173 families using an optimality criterion with 2° and 3° grid sizes, in order to search for distributional concordance, to identify the biogeographical units and discuss the implications for conservation. Six analyses were run for basal angiosperms, monocots and eudicots. The EA recovered 66 consensus areas (CAs). The concordance of CAs enabled the identification of five best-supported areas of endemism--three in the Atlantic and Parana Forest and two areas in the Cerrado province--supported by species of 120 families. The age of divergence for some genera that contributed significantly to the identification of areas recovered in the Cerrado coincides with the recent, <10 Ma, estimated age of that province. By contrast, the areas in the Atlantic and Parana Forest are supported by genera with earlier diversification >30 Ma, supporting an ancient origin. Most areas in the Atlantic Forest are partially superimposed with the limits of the protected areas, however, big gaps were identified in the Cerrado. Protecting Brazilian biomes was at the heart of Brazil's environmental policy. Regrettably, this scenario has radically changed based on misleading divergences in conservation policy. Areas of endemism are pivotal for biodiversity conservation due to the common evolutionary history shared by their endemic taxa. Thus, we hope that these congruent patterns of endemism support the establishment of biodiversity priorities., (© The Willi Hennig Society 2020.)

If particular traits consistently affect rates of speciation and extinction, broad macroevolutionary patterns can be interpreted as consequences of selection at high levels of the biological hierarchy. Identifying traits associated with diversification rates is difficult because of the wide variety of characters under consideration and the statistical challenges of testing for associations from comparative phylogenetic data. Ploidy (diploid vs polyploid states) and breeding system (self-incompatible vs self-compatible states) are both thought to be drivers of differential diversification in angiosperms. We fit 29 diversification models to extensive trait and phylogenetic data in Solanaceae and investigate how speciation and extinction rate differences are associated with ploidy, breeding system, and the interaction between these traits. We show that diversification patterns in Solanaceae are better explained by breeding system and an additional unobserved factor, rather than by ploidy. We also find that the most common evolutionary pathway to polyploidy in Solanaceae occurs via direct breakdown of self-incompatibility by whole genome duplication, rather than indirectly via breakdown followed by polyploidization. Comparing multiple stochastic diversification models that include complex trait interactions alongside hidden states enhances our understanding of the macroevolutionary patterns in plant phylogenies., (© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.)

We review and extend data showing concerted evolution of parental 18–5.8–26S nuclear ribosomal DNA (18–26S rDNA) gene families in three natural Nicotiana allotetraploids ( N. tabacum, N. rustica and N. arentsii, each 2 n = 4 x = 48) and one synthetic N. tabacum line (Th37, ♀ N. sylvestris (2 n = 24) × ♂ N. tomentosiformis (2 n = 24)). The origin of the gene families was analysed by sequence polymorphisms in the intergenic spacer (IGS) region and the number of chromosomal loci by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH revealed that the number and locations of 18–26S rDNA in the natural allopolyploids was the sum of those found in the diploid progenitors. However, the rDNA restriction patterns showed polymorphisms in the IGS that were not additive, suggesting that parental rDNA clusters were partially ( N. tabacum, N. rustica) or completely ( N. arentsii) overwritten by hybrid-specific units. Thus the Nicotiana allotetraploids show evidence of concerted evolution, including both intralocus and interlocus gene conversion. A feral N. tabacum collected in Bolivia had a higher proportion of unconverted parental rDNA units than cultivated tobacco varieties, suggesting either that rDNA homogenization is accelerated by inbreeding or multiple origins of tobacco. There is no evidence for the elimination of N. sylvestris-derived rDNA units in the synthetic Th37 tobacco line as occurred in natural tobacco, although several novel rDNA unit variants were found in most but not all the hybrid plants. Factors that may control the occurrence and extent of rDNA homogenization are discussed for allopolyploids in Nicotiana and other taxa. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 82, 615–625. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal diversity is rapidly expanding, with numerous species being discovered worldwide. While plant debris is a habitat favoring the survival and multiplication of various microbial species. In this study, several kirschsteiniothelia-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unidentified perennial dicotyledonous plants. Based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, and SSU sequences data using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference, three new species of Kirschsteiniothelia, namely K. ganzhouensis, K. jiangxiensis, and K. jiulianshanensis, were introduced, and one known species, K. inthanonensis, was recorded for the first time from China. To improve our comprehensive knowledge of the species diversity of Kirschsteiniothelia, all accepted Kirschsteiniothelia species with morphological characteristics, sequence data, asexual morphs, habitat, host, and locality are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex phylogenetic relationship of polyploid species provides an opportunity for a comprehensive study of gene introgression. Oil camellias refer to a class of important woody oil plant in the camellia genus, including octoploid, hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid plants, but the phylogeny relationship of these species remains poorly investigated. Here, based on multiple types of evidence, including phylogenetic conflict, gene flow analysis, and representative metabolite, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationship of oil camellias. Camellia shensiensis and C. grijsii formed a distinct branch. Phylogenetic conflict suggested that hexaploid C. oleifera probably originated from hybridization and clustered with diploid C. kissi and tetraploid C. meiocarpa. Tetraploid C. confusa probably originated from crossing the ancestor of C. kissi and C. brevistyla, and C. brevistyla probably was the maternal progenitor of hexaploid C. sasanqua. Furthermore, the composition of anthocyanin in tender leaves showed a strong correlation with phylogenetic distinctions. This study proves the feasibility of using iconic metabolic components to solve phylogenetic relationships and lays a foundation for analyzing genetic breeding and utilizing oil camellia resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circumscription of the large genus Pultenaea Sm. has been contentious since shortly after description. We draw on recently generated phylogenomic data to provide a fully resolved phylogeny of Pultenaea and related genera based on near-complete species level sampling for the genus. Phylogenomic data divide Pultenaea sens. lat. into five independent lineages, corresponding to previously identified clades, that we recognise as distinct genera. Pultenaea sens. str. contains most of the currently recognised species and as circumscribed here, all of the species are endemic to eastern Australia except for P. tenuifolia R.Br. & Sims that extends across the Nullarbor into Western Australia. The genus Euchilus R.Br. is reinstated for eight species, all endemic to south-west Western Australia except for E. elachistus (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia that also occurs in South Australia. Three new genera are described, with all of the constituent species endemic to south-west Western Australia: Grievea R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Orthia, with two species, Jennata R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Orthia, with nine species and Loricobbia R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Orthia with six species. Pultenaea adunca Turcz. remains unplaced but we exclude this species from our concept of Pultenaea. Twenty-one new combinations are made: Euchilus aridus (E.Pritz.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia, E. calycinus subsp. proxenus (Orthia & Chappill) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, E. daena (Orthia & Chappill) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, E. elachistus (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia, Grievea brachytropis (Benth. ex Lindl.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia, G. craigiana (C.F.Wilkins, Orthia & Crisp) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, Jennata brachyphylla (Turcz.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. empetrifolia (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. ericifolia (Benth.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. indira (Orthia & Crisp) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, J. indira subsp. monstrosita (Orthia) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, J. indira subsp. pudoides (Orthia) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, J. radiata (H.B.Will.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. strobilifera (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. verruculosa (Turcz.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, Loricobbia aspalathoides (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. ochreata (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. pauciflora (M.B.Scott) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. pinifolia (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. reticulata (Sm.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl. and L. skinneri (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl. The bush-pea genus (Pultenaea) is one of the larger legume genera in Australia but has been difficult to define. We present a new classification of the group, recognising five genera instead of one using a large DNA based analysis of relationships. Three genera are newly described and one genus is reinstated, and these are almost entirely restricted to south-west Western Australia, with true Pultenaea being mostly restricted to eastern Australia. (Photograph by Russell Barrett.) This article belongs to the collection Genomics for Australian Plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downy mildews are cosmopolitan obligate biotrophic parasites of flowering plants. They are fungus-like eukaryotes of the kingdom Straminipila, and most species are highly specialised, often parasitising only a single host species. Due to the prevalence of a broad species concept before the advent of molecular phylogenetics and the paucity of differentiating characteristics in some groups, many widespread species are still undescribed. This is also the case for some downy mildews in the clade containing the type species of Peronospora, Peronospora rumicis. Spurred by the discovery of the undescribed species parasitising Rumex acetosa at the Blávík research station in East Iceland, three new widespread species of Peronospora are introduced in this article: Peronospora blauvikensis parasitic to Rumex acetosa, P. boylei parasitic to Rumex thyrsiflorus, and P. spergulariae parasitic to Spergula marina. As the species are morphologically highly similar, a set of diagnostic bases is given for each species, allowing a quick identification via molecular barcoding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrothallus is a genus of globally distributed lichenicolous fungi, species of which inhabit various lichens with foliose and fruticose thalli. This paper focuses on species that grow on members of Peltigeraceae and Pannariaceae families. By combining DNA sequence data and morphological observations, we describe three new species – Abrothallus diederichii on Lobaria pulmonaria (Austria, Norway, Russia, Sweden), A. epiclathratus on Crocodia crocata (Bolivia, Kenya), and A. nitassinan on Erioderma (Canada, Colombia, Russia); we synonymize A. puntilloi with A. lobariae and provide new phylogenetic and distributional information for A. halei and A. canariensis. A host-based identification key is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vepris Comm. ex A. Juss. is a genus of 96 species extending from Africa to India that are distinct in their unarmed stems and their digitately (1-)3(-5) foliolate leaflets, and whose many secondary compounds earn them uses in traditional medicine. Mziray (1992) subsumed six related genera into Vepris, with Vepris amaniensis (Engl.) Mziray becoming somewhat of a dustpan for ambiguous specimens (Cheek & Luke, 2023). This study, using material from the Kew herbarium, sought to pull out novel species from those previously incorrectly filed as Vepris amaniensis, and here describes the new species Vepris usambarensis sp. nov. This species is morphologically distinct from Vepris amaniensis with its canaliculate to winged petioles, 0.5–2.3 cm long inflorescences, 1–3 foliolate leaflets, and hairs on inflorescences and stem apices. Phytochemical analysis attributed seven compounds to Vepris usambarensis: tecleanthine (1), evoxanthine (2), 6-methoxytecleanthine (3), tecleanone (4), 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1,2,3-propanetriol (5), lupeol (6), and arborinine (7). This is a unique mixture of compounds for a species of Vepris, though all are known to occur in the genus, with the exception of 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1,2,3-propanetriol (5) which was characterized from a species in the Asteraceae. An attempt at constructing a phylogeny for Vepris using the ITS and trnL-F regions was made, but these two regions could not be used to differentiate at species level and it is suggested that 353 sequencing is used for further research. Originally more than one new species was hypothesized to be within the study group; however, separating an additional species was unsupported by the data produced. Further phylogenetic analysis is recommended to fully elucidate species relationships and identify any cryptic species that may be present within Vepris usambarensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims - Bulbophyllum, the largest genus in Orchidaceae, exhibits a diverse morphology in both reproductive and vegetative characters. While trait diversity and evolution has been extensively studied in Malagasy species and within the Cirrhopetalum alliance clade, the evolution of reproductive and vegetative characters at the whole level of the Asian clade remains largely unexplored. Material and methods - We reconstructed the phylogeny of approximately 11% of all Asian Bulbophyllum species using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood estimation based on nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (matK, psbA-trnH) DNA sequence data. This phylogenetic framework allowed us to examine the evolution of two vegetative and four floral characters through ancestral state reconstruction. Key results and conclusion - The ancestral character states of the Asian clade of Bulbophyllum include a single leaf, distinct pseudobulbs, multiple-flowered inflorescences, and lateral and dorsal sepals similar in length. One-leaved pseudobulbs evolved into two-leaved pseudobulbs multiple times. Distinct pseudobulbs gave rise to indistinct pseudobulbs twice. Multiple-flowered inflorescences shifted to solitary flowers and 2-3-flowered inflorescences multiple times, with some instances of evolutionary reversal. Lateral sepal elongation also presents a convergent evolutionary scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloroplast (cp.) genome, also known as plastome, plays crucial roles in plant survival, adaptation, and evolution. The stable genetic structure of cp. genomes provides an ideal system for investigating species evolution. We sequenced three complete cp. genome sequences of Capsicum species and analyzed them using sequences of various Capsicum species retrieved from the NCBI database. The cp. genome of Capsicum species maintains a well-preserved quadripartite structure consisting of two inverted repeats (IRs) flanked by a large single copy (LSC) region and a small single copy (SSC) region. The sizes of cp. genome sequences ranged from 156,583 bp (C. lycianthoides) to 157,390 bp (C.pubescens). A total of 127–132 unique genes, including 83–87 protein-coding, 36–37 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes, were predicted. Comparison of cp. genomes of 10 Capsicum species revealed high sequence similarity in genome-wide organization and gene arrangements. Fragments of trnT-UGU/trnL-UAA, ccsA, ndhD, rps12, and ycf1 were identified as variable regions, and nucleotide variability of LSC and SSC was higher than that of IR. Phylogenetic speciation analysis showed that the major domesticated C. annuum species were the most extensively divergent species and closely related to C. tovarii and C. frutescens. Analysis of divergent times suggested that a substantial range of speciation events started occurring ~ 25.79 million years ago (Mya). Overall, comparative analysis of cp. genomes of Capsicum species not only offers new insights into their genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships, but also lays a foundation for evolutionary history, genetic diversity, conservation, and biological breeding of Capsicum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achyranthes in its traditional sense (excluding Achyropsis that phylogenetically falls into Achyranthes) has been considered to contain a restricted (three to four) number of species in Africa and one or two species in the Arabian Peninsula. The morphology of the type species of the genus, A. aspera, has been treated as highly polymorphic, with several varieties recognised by various authors. Not surprisingly, a recent extended phylogeny revealed a non-monophyly of A. aspera. We present a deeper insight into morphological characters of the A. aspera aggregate together with taxonomic, nomenclatural, ecological, and chorological data based on field investigations and herbarium studies. Instead of one polymorphic species, we accept A. aspera s.str., A. abyssinica, A. acuminata, A. annua, A. mauritiana, A. porphyrostachya, A. sicula, and A. seychellensis sp. nov., all being native to different parts of Africa. In most herbaria, the vast majority of African specimens labelled as A. aspera belong to other species, which are being reinstated here. In addition, two well-recognized species, A. fasciculata and A. talbotii from Tropical East and West Africa, respectively, are also discussed. Moreover, we found that the type of A. aspera var. pubescens as listed in the African and Arabian floras and checklists belongs in fact to an American species A. fruticosa, which is absent in the Old World. In place of the misapplied A. aspera var. pubescens, we accept A. porphyrostachya, a species described from Myanmar, as a correct name for the populations growing in Africa and Arabia. According to our results, at least 10 native species of Achyranthes occur in Africa (or 16 species if Achyropsis is merged with Achyranthes), which is a major diversity center of the genus. Four species are recorded from the Arabian Peninsula (A. abyssinica, A. annua, A. aspera s.str., A. porphyrostachya), and two of them (A. abyssinica and A. annua) reach their easternmost range limit in this region. As a result, the distribution as well as ecological conditions of each species is now clarified or circumscribed for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papaveraceae tribus Papavereae includes an American and a mainly Eurasian group of genera. The latter is proposed here to include eight genera. Amongst these, the recently described genus Oreomecon is phylogenetically a sister group to Meconopsis, a genus from Himalaya and central China, which is reviewed here as including 95 species and 21 subspecies. By contrast, Oreomecon has a circumpolar northern alpine and Arctic distribution, including incompletely understood taxa, many threatened by climatic warming. Based on a review of literature and phylogenies, it is proposed here that Oreomecon includes 68 species and 29 subspecies. Oreomecon aurantiaca, O. cornwallisensis, O. keelei, O. ochotensis and O. uschakovii, 29 subspecies and four varieties are placed in Oreomecon here, 29 of these as recombinations, the remaining ones as nomenclatural novelties. A total of 21 existing Oreomecon names are placed into synonymy. The taxonomically challenging O. alpina group from Central Europe is treated as comprising three species, with the remaining entities positioned at the subspecies level pending further studies. The much-studied Nordic species O. radicata is treated with eight subspecies here, based on morphometric studies, whereas four accepted entities are provisionally recombined at the variety level. The name Papaver tenellum and the basionyms of Oreomecon alborosea, O. alpina subsp. corona-sancti-stephani, O. alpina subsp. degenii, O. anomala, O. lapeyrouseana subsp. endressii, O. lapponica subsp. laestadiana and O. nivalis are lectotypified here. Two replacement names, Oreomecon alpina subsp. markgrafiana and O. radicata subsp. knabeniana, are introduced. Papaver, as currently understood, is recircumscribed here to represent four genera. The isolated section Horrida, from southern Africa, is raised to genus level with the new name Afropapaver and its only species is recombined as Afropapaver aculeatum. Papaver sect. Californica from California and adjacent Mexico is treated as the genus Stylomecon. The name has been applied to one of the two species of this group and we now recombine the other one as S. crassifolia, based on an older basionym replacing Papaver californicum. Papaver cambricum is accepted in its alternative position as the monotypic genus Parameconopsis. As reviewed here, Papaver comprises 59 species and 14 subspecies and is only the third-largest genus in the group. Based on the distribution of its closest relatives and oldest sections, it is hypothesised here that Papaver arose in the western Mediterranean. Its poricidal capsule dehiscence serves as an excellent adaptation to seed dispersal in open, arid environments, possibly explaining its later success in the Türkiye-Caucasus-Middle East area, where its diversity both at species and section level is highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2011, massive new strandings of holopelagic Sargassum have been reported on the coasts of the Caribbean, northern Brazil, Guiana, and West Africa, causing severe economic and ecological damage. Three common morphotypes (S. fluitans III, S. natans I, and S. natans VIII) were identified as responsible for these catastrophic events, with dominance shifts between them over time. However, the taxonomic status of these holopelagic Sargassum morphotypes remains unclear. Using an integrative taxonomy framework, combining a morphological study and molecular analyses, this study aimed to clarify their taxonomic status. Morphological analyses of 54 characters revealed no intermediate form between the three morphotypes, with the overall shape, nature of the axis, and size and shape of blades and vesicles being the most discriminating. An analysis of mitochondrial (IGS, cox2, cox3, mt16S rRNA, and nad6) and plastid (rbcL) markers confirmed the genetic divergence among the three morphotypes, with a lower level of divergence between the two S. natans morphotypes. Without additional molecular characterization, these morphotypes cannot be classified as three distinct species. However, due to their distinct morphological characteristics and sympatry within drifting aggregations, a revision of holopelagic species names is proposed, with Sargassum fluitans var. fluitans (for S. fluitans III), Sargassum natans var. natans (for S. natans I), and S. natans var. wingei (for S. natans VIII). This revision provides necessary clarity on the species involved in inundations of the tropical Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Exploring the relationship between parasitic plants and answering taxonomic questions is still challenging. The subtribe Scurrulinae (Loranthaceae), which has a wide distribution in Asia and Africa, provides an excellent example to illuminate this scenario. Using a comprehensive taxon sampling of the subtribe, this study focuses on infer the phylogenetic relationships within Scurrulinae, investigate the phylogeny and biogeography of the subtribe, and establish a phylogenetically-based classification incorporating both molecular and morphological evidence. We conducted phylogenetic, historical biogeography, and ancestral character state reconstruction analyses of Scurrulinae based on the sequences of six DNA regions from 89 individuals to represent all five tribes of the Loranthaceae and the dataset from eleven morphological characters. Results The results strongly support the non-monophyletic of Scurrulinae, with Phyllodesmis recognized as a separate genus from its allies Taxillus and Scurrula based on the results from molecular data and morphological character reconstruction. The mistletoe Scurrulinae originated in Asia during the Oligocene. Scurrulinae was inferred to have been widespread in Asia but did not disperse to other areas. The African species of Taxillus, T. wiensii, was confirmed to have originated in Africa from African Loranthaceae ca. 17 Ma, and evolved independently from Asian members of Taxillus. Conclusions This study based on comprehensive taxon sampling of the subtribe Scurrulinae, strongly supports the relationship between genera. The taxonomic treatment for Phyllodesmis was provided. The historical biogeography of mistletoe Scurrulinae was determined with origin in Asia during the Oligocene. Taxillus and Scurrula diverged during the climatic optimum in the middle Miocene. Taxillus wiensii originated in Africa from African Loranthaceae, and is an independent lineage from the Asian species of Taxillus. Diversification of Scurrulinae and the development of endemic species in Asia may have been supported by the fast-changing climate, including cooling, drying, and the progressive uplift of the high mountains in central Asia, especially during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of an ongoing inventory of Ascomycota in Yunnan, China, carried out as part of the research project series "Exploring ascomycete diversity in Yunnan". From over 100 samples collected from diverse host substrates, microfungi have been isolated, identified and are currently being documented. The primary objective of this research is to promote the discovery of novel taxa and explore the ascomycete diversity in the region, utilising a morphology-phylogeny approach. This article represents the second series of species descriptions for the project and introduces three undocumented species found in the families Bambusicolaceae, Dictyosporiaceae and Periconiaceae, belonging to the suborder Massarineae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). These novel taxa exhibit typical morphological characteristics of Bambusicola, Periconia and Trichobotrys, leading to their designation as Bambusicola hongheensis, Periconia kunmingensis and Trichobotrys sinensis. Comprehensive multigene phylogenetic analyses were conducted to validate the novelty of these species. The results revealed well-defined clades that are clearly distinct from other related species, providing robust support for their placement within their respective families. Notably, this study unveils the phylogenetic affinity of Trichobotrys within Dictyosporiaceae for the first time. Additionally, the synanamorphism for the genus Trichobotrys is also reported for the first time. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and updated phylogenies of the novel species are provided, and thus presenting a valuable resource for researchers and mycologists interested in the diversity of ascomycetes in Yunnan. By enhancing our understanding of the Ascomycota diversity in this region, this research contributes to the broader field of fungal taxonomy and their phylogenetic understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Papaveraceae, Corydalis sunhangii, in the section Trachycarpae, is described and illustrated from Nyingchi City, Xizang, China. The new species has some resemblance to Corydalis kingdonis, but differs by radical leaves prominent, usually several, blade tripinnate (vs. insignificant, few, blade bi‐ to triternate); cauline leaf usually one, much smaller than radical leaves, usually situated in lower half of stem (vs. usually two, larger than radical leaves, concentrated in upper third of stem); racemes densely 13–35‐flowered (vs. rather lax, 4–11‐flowered); claw of lower petal shallowly saccate (vs. very prominently and deeply saccate); capsule oblong, with raised lines of dense papillae (vs. broadly obovoid, smooth). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 68 protein‐coding plastid genes of 49 samples, shows that C. sunhangii is not closely related to any hitherto described species, which is consistent with our morphological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malpighiaceae has undergone unprecedented changes in its traditional classification in the past two decades due to several phylogenetic studies shedding light on the non-monophyly of all subfamilies and most tribes and genera. Even though morphological characters were used to reconstruct the last molecular generic phylogeny of Malpighiaceae, a new classification system has never been proposed for this family. Based on a comprehensive review of the last twenty years of published studies for this family, we propose a new classification system and provide a taxonomic synopsis for Malpighiaceae based on molecular phylogenetics, morphology, palynology, and chemistry as a baseline for the systematics, conservation, and taxonomy of this family worldwide. Malpighiaceae currently comprises two subfamilies (Byrsonimoideae and Malpighioideae), 12 tribes (Acmanthereae, Acridocarpeae trib. nov., Barnebyeae trib. nov., Bunchosieae trib. nov., Byrsonimeae, Galphimieae, Gaudichaudieae, Hiptageae, Hiraeeae, Malpighieae, Mcvaughieae trib. nov., and Ptilochaeteae trib. nov.), 72 genera (incl. Mamedea gen. nov.), and 1,499 accepted species (715 of which are currently under some kind of extinction threat). We present identification keys for all subfamilies, tribes, and genera, a full morphological description for the proposed new genus, the re-circumscription of ten genera alongside the needed new combinations, the proposition of several new synonyms, the typification of several names, and notes on the taxonomy, distribution, conservation, and ecology up to the genus rank. Morphological plates are also provided to illustrate the immense diversity of morphological traits used in the new classification and synopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the longstanding absence of a comprehensive phylogenetic backbone for the apple tribe Maleae, a deficiency attributed to limited taxon and marker sampling. We conducted an extensive taxon sampling, incorporating 563 plastomes from a diverse range of 370 species encompassing 26 presently recognized genera. Employing a range of phylogenetic inference methods, including RAxML and IQ-TREE2 for Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses, we established a robust phylogenetic framework for the Maleae tribe. Our phylogenomic investigations provided compelling support for three major clades within Maleae. By integrating nuclear phylogenetic data with morphological and chromosomal evidence, we propose an updated infra-tribal taxonomic system, comprising subtribe Malinae Reveal, subtribe Lindleyinae Reveal, and subtribe Vauqueliniinae B.B.Liu (subtr. nov.). Plastid phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the monophyly of most genera, except for Amelanchier, Malus, Sorbus sensu lato, and Stranvaesia. In addition, we present a comprehensive taxonomic synopsis of Photinia and its morphological allies in the Old World, recognizing 27 species and ten varieties within Photinia, three species and two varieties within Stranvaesia, and two species and three varieties within Weniomeles. Furthermore, we also lectotypified 12 names and made two new combinations, Photinia microphylla (J.E.Vidal) B.B.Liu and Weniomeles atropurpurea (P.L.Chiu ex Z.H.Chen & X.F.Jin) B.B.Liu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since volatile organic compounds (VOCs) shape plant defenses against pests, ecologists strive to understand their sources of variation. The worldwide distribution of tomato offers an ideal system to explore the ecological diversity of VOCs produced by plants supporting a large range of local adaptations. In this study, we analyzed the diversity of VOC profiles released by 29 accessions of tomato belonging to five species with different natural histories and including domesticated plants and wild relatives. In addition, olfactometer assays were performed on 10 accessions characterized by strong differences in VOC emissions to test the consequences on host-plant location by a major pest specialized on solanaceous plants, Tuta absoluta. Based on 77 VOCs detected, our results suggest that the large diversity of volatile profiles reflect different biogeographic areas. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to test phylogenetic drivers in VOC emissions. The richness of volatile profiles and sesquiterpenoid emissions were relatively high in ancestral branches and decreased exponentially with evolution according to early-burst patterns. In olfactometer assays, we identified four repellent accessions belonging to S. pennellii, S. habrochaites and S. cheesmaniae. This study points out the importance of inter- and intra-specific diversity of VOCs in antixenosis. Further, our results suggest that methyl salicylate, ß-myrcene and sesquiterpenoids such as (3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene or a-curcumene could serve as repellents against T. absoluta. In a greenhouse, we confirmed the biological relevance of agroecological research interested in screening repellent plants. Bridging chemical ecology with phylogenetic approaches helps to better understand the evolution of mechanisms supporting anti-herbivore plant defenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Caeoma mori (≡ Aecidium mori), known as the mulberry rust which is an anamorphic rust fungus forming only aecidioid uredinia, were found on Morus alba in Ibaraki and Saitama Prefectures, Japan. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the combined dataset of sequences from 28S and 18S of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene and Cytochrome-c-oxidase subunit 3 of the mitochondrial DNA revealed that this anamorphic rust fungus was a member of the clade composed of the genus Gymnosporangium. Therefore, a new combination, Gymnosporangium mori is proposed for this species. Additionally, a new combination, G. brucense for Roestelia brucensis is proposed by phylogenetic evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loxospora is a genus of crustose lichens containing 13 accepted species that can be separated into two groups, based on differences in secondary chemistry that correlate with differences in characters of the sexual reproductive structures (asci and ascospores). Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered these groups as monophyletic and support their recognition as distinct genera that differ in phenotypic characters. Species containing 2'-O-methylperlatolic acid are transferred to the new genus, Chicitaea Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer and four new combinations are proposed: C. assateaguensis (Lendemer) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer, C. confusa (Lendemer) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer, C. cristinae (Guzow-Krzem., Łubek, Kubiak & Kukwa) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer and C. lecanoriformis (Lumbsch, A. W. Archer & Elix) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer. The remaining species produce thamnolic acid and represent Loxospora s.str. Haplotype analyses recovered sequences of L. elatina in two distinct groups, one corresponding to L. elatina s.str. and one to Pertusaria chloropolia, the latter being resurrected from synonymy of L. elatina and, thus, requiring the combination, L. chloropolia (Erichsen) Ptach-Styn, Guzow-Krzem., Tønsberg & Kukwa. Sequences of L. ochrophaea were found to be intermixed within the otherwise monophyletic L. elatina s.str. These two taxa, which differ in contrasting reproductive mode and overall geographic distributions, are maintained as distinct, pending further studies with additional molecular loci. Lectotypes are selected for Lecanora elatina, Pertusaria chloropolia and P. chloropolia f. cana. The latter is a synonym of Loxospora chloropolia. New primers for the amplification of mtSSU are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barbula schensiana, endemic to China is transferred to the genus Didymodon as D. schensianus. It is shown that B. schensiana and its variety longifolia has incorrectly been considered conspecific with Didymodon vinealis and D. constrictus, respectively. Examination of other type specimens from East Asia such as Didymodon guangdongensis, Barbula altipes, Barbula nipponica and B. nipponica var. gracilis revealed that are new synonyms of D. schensianus. The range of the species is extended to Japan, Taiwan and Philippines. The species is described, lectotypified, illustrated and its distribution is mapped. Its distinction from and relationships with, similar species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has indicated that the Phyllagathis (raphides) clade (Sonerileae, Melastomataceae) is only distantly related to the type of Phyllagathis and should be separated as a distinct genus. Phylogeny of this clade is here reconstructed with expanded taxon sampling. Four strongly supported subclades have been identified. The possible affinities of taxa that were not sampled in the analysis are discussed, based on morphological data. Perilimnastes is resurrected as the generic name of the Phyllagathis (raphides) clade. A generic description, colour figures, map of distribution, a list of included species and a key are provided for Perilimnastes. Fifteen new combinations are made plus the description of a new species. As interpreted here, Perilimnastes consists of twenty species and two varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit functions in seed protection and dispersal and belongs to many dry and fleshy types, yet their evolutionary pattern remains unclear in part due to uncertainties in the phylogenetic relationships among several orders and families. Thus we used nuclear genes of 502 angiosperm species representing 231 families to reconstruct a well supported phylogeny, with resolved relationships for orders and families with previously uncertain placements. Using this phylogeny as a framework, molecular dating supports a Triassic origin of the crown angiosperms, followed by the emergence of most orders in the Jurassic and Cretaceous and their rise to ecological dominance during the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution. The robust phylogeny allowed an examination of the evolutionary pattern of fruit and ovary types, revealing a trend of parallel carpel fusions during early diversifications in eudicots, monocots, and magnoliids. Moreover, taxa in the same order or family with the same ovary type can develop either dry or fleshy fruits with strong correlations between specific types of dry and fleshy fruits; such associations of ovary, dry and fleshy fruits define several ovary‐fruit "modules" each found in multiple families. One of the frequent modules has an ovary containing multiple ovules, capsules and berries, and another with an ovary having one or two ovules, achenes (or other single‐seeded dry fruits) and drupes. This new perspective of relationships among fruit types highlights the closeness of specific dry and fleshy fruit types, such as capsule and berry, that develop from the same ovary type and belong to the same module relative to dry and fleshy fruits of other modules (such as achenes and drupes). Further analyses of gene families containing known genes for ovary and fruit development identified phylogenetic nodes with multiple gene duplications, supporting a possible role of whole‐genome duplications, in combination with climate changes and animal behaviors, in angiosperm fruit and ovary diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During our ongoing survey of basidiomycetous yeasts associated with plant leaves in virgin forest, five Colacogloea strains were isolated in the Baotianman Nature Reserve, Henan Province, central China. Phenotypes from cultures and a phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene were employed to characterize and identify these isolates. As a result, two new species, namely Colacogloea celtidis sp. nov. and C. pararetinophila sp. nov., are introduced herein. In the phylogeny of combined ITS and LSU dataset, the new species C. celtidis sp. nov. formed a clade with the unpublished Colacogloea strain (KBP: Y-6832), and together these formed the sister group to C. armeniacae, while C. pararetinophila sp. nov. was retrieved as a sister to C. retinophila. A detailed description and illustration of both new species, as well as the differences between them and their closest relatives in the genus are provided. Results from the present study will add to our knowledge of the biodiversity of Colacogloea in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Czech Mycology is the property of Czech Scientific Society for Mycology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence indicate that Eleutherostylis Burret (Malvaceae, Grewioideae), a monotypic genus described from New Guinea, is best considered a synonym of Grewia L., a species-rich genus widespread across the Paleotropics and found in Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia and the western Pacific. A new combination, based on E. renistipulata Burret, G. renistipulata (Burret) Dorr, comb. nov., is proposed. Original material of the basionym could not be located and a neotype is designated. A lectotype is designated for G. morotaiensis Kosterm., a synonym of G. renistipulata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccoid cyanobacteria represent an important part of cyanobacterial freshwater diversity, with many studied strains in public databases identified as Synechococcus. This is a diverse genus, both morphologically and ecologically, with a global distribution. However, many of the so-called Synechococcus-like cyanobacteria strains could represent several independent genera that require further studies. In this work, four strains of a Synechococcus-like cyanobacteria isolated from freshwater lakes and terrestrial atmophytic habitats on São Miguel and Flores Islands (Azores archipelago) were studied genetically using the 16S rRNA and 16S–23S rRNA ITS, morphologically with light and transmission electron microscopy, and ecologically. A draft genome was produced from the reference strain by Illumina sequencing, which allowed a more complete phylogenetic study and a deeper taxonomic analysis, revealing a divergent phylogenetic evolution and low ANI and AAI values (69.4% and 66.3%, respectively) to Thermosynechococcus, the closest phylogenetic genus. Although morphologically similar to Synechococcus, the 16S rRNA and genome phylogenetic analysis placed the studied strains in a clade sister to Thermosynechococcus, inside the Thermosynechococcaceae. Thus, Pseudocalidococcus azoricus gen. sp. nov. is described as a new coccoid freshwater genus and species from the Azores archipelago. A detailed comparison with similar morphological taxa is provided, supporting the separation of the new genus. The 16S rRNA with a high genetic similarity to other strains from several continents identified as Synechococcus sp. suggests that the new genus probably has a worldwide distribution. Future studies should be performed to clarify the taxonomic identity of those strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Andropogon sensu lato is known to be polyphyletic. Accordingly, we here adjust part of the classification of the genus to reflect its evolutionary history and morphological diversity. A plastome phylogeny including 20 new plastome sequences confirms a well-supported clade of species broadly corresponding to Andropogon section Leptopogon. Morphological diversity was assessed across Andropogon sensu lato using specimens held at the K, MO, and A/GH herbaria, GrassBase, and photographs of spikelet pairs, with an emphasis on identifying members of this clade and their distinguishing features. The genus Anatherum is here reestablished, expanded to incorporate 45 of the 131 of Andropogon sensu lato species worldwide, and described and illustrated. Five species names in Anatherum are reinstated and new combinations are made for 40 species and one subspecies. Anatherum is most common and diverse in the Americas but also commonly found across Africa. Few species occur in Europe or Asia. Anatherum inflorescences generally have 2 branches, linear and slender internodes and pedicels with long trichomes, small elliptic to lanceolate spikelets, and flat to concave 2-keeled lower glumes with no intercarinal veins visible. Generic circumscription in this group is complicated by its polyploid history and limited understanding of the relationship between genomic composition and key morphological characters. Five species of doubtful generic affiliation are listed for future analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Henckelia hookeri (C.B.Clarke) D.J.Middleton & Mich.Möller and H. collegii-sancti-thomasii A.Joe, D.Borah, Taram & Sandhya are two lesser-known, narrow endemic species occurring in the eastern Himalaya of Arunachal Pradesh in India. In this study, the correct taxonomic identity of H. hookeri is discussed, and second-step lectotypification for its basionym, Chirita hookeri C.B.Clarke is carried out. Henckelia collegii-sancti-thomasii, a recent synonym of H. hookeri, is reinstated based on morphological and molecular evidence. The present study represents the first detailed documentation of H. hookeri. Taxonomic descriptions, colour photographs and a distributional map are provided for H. hookeri and H. collegii-sancti-thomasii. A table comparing significant morphological differences between H. hookeri, H. collegii-sancti-thomasii and their allied species, and a key to the species occurring in the Indian Himalayas and northeast India are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]