Phylogenetic relationships among New Caledonian Sapotaceae (Ericales): molecular evidence for generic polyphyly and repeated dispersal

The phylogeny of a representative group of genera and species from the Sapotaceae tribe Chrysophylleae, mainly from Australia and New Caledonia, was studied by jackknife analyses of sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The phylogeny conflicts with current opinions on generic delimitation in Sapotaceae. Pouteria and Niemeyera, as presently circumscribed, are both shown to be nonmonophyletic. In contrast, all species currently assigned to these and other segregate genera confined to Australia, New Caledonia. or neighboring islands, form a Supported clade. Earlier classifications in which more genera are recognized may better reflect relationships among New Caledonian taxa. Hence, there is need for a revision of generic boundaries in Chrysophylleae, and particularly within the Pouteria complex, including Leptostylis, Niemeyera, Pichoniet, Pouteria pro parte (the main part of section Oligotheca), and Pycnandra. Section Oligotheca have been recognized as the separate genus Planchonella, a monophyletic group that needs to be resurrected. Three clades with strong support in our jackknife analysis have one Australian species that is sister to a relatively large group of New Caledonian endemics, suggesting Multiple dispersal events between this small and isolated tropical island and Australia. The phylogeny also suggests an interesting case of a relatively recent and rapid radiation of several lineages of Sapotaceae within New Caledonia

Phylogenetic classification of Ericaceae: molecular and morphological evidence

A new classification of Ericaceae is presented based on phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequence data, morphology, anatomy, and embryology. Eight subfamilies and 20 tribes are recognized. In this classification Epacridaceae are included as Styphelioideae and Empetraceae as tribe Empetreae within the Ericoideae. The herbaceous taxa previously recognized as Pyrolaceae and Monotropaceae by some authors are also included within Ericaceae, in the subfamily Monotropoideae. A key, morphological descriptions, and representative images are provided for all named groups. Two new combinations inKalmia (K. buxifolia andK. procumbens) are made, and three new taxa are described: Oligarrheneae, Richeeae, and Cosmelieae (all within Styphelioideae)

A revised subtribal classification of Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae)

Gnaphalieae are one of the larger tribes of the daisy family Asteraceae (Compositae) with c. 2100 species in 178 genera, occurring globally across a wide range of temperate habitats. Recent years have seen considerable advances in our understanding of their phylogenetics and evolution, but there is no widely accepted, stable subtribal classification. The present paper summarises the taxonomic history and presents the various major clades that have been named informally in phylogenetic studies. We also provide the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data to date, including over 1000 species. Based on published studies and our new phylogenetic analyses, we suggest a subdivision of the tribe into two subtribes. These are a largely African-endemic Relhaniinae (124 species in 11 genera) and a much enlarged Gnaphaliinae, the latter accounting for more than 90% of the species diversity (c. 2000 species in 167 genera). Although a finer division of Gnaphaliinae sensu amplo may be desirable, there are at present several obstacles to such a classification, in particular contradictory or ambiguous inferences of relationships.Fil: Smissen, Rob D.. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research; Nueva ZelandaFil: Bayer, Randall J.. University of Memphis; Estados UnidosFil: Bergh, Nicola G.. University of Cape Town; Sudáfrica. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens; SudáfricaFil: Breitwieser, Ilse. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research; Nueva ZelandaFil: Freire, Susana Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Galbany Casals, Mercè. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Schmidt Lebuhn, Alexander N.. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; AustraliaFil: Ward, Josephine M.. University of Canterbury; Nueva Zeland

Comparison of similarity coefficients based on RAPD markers in the common bean

The alterations caused by eight different similarity coefficients were evaluated in the clustering and ordination of 27 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars analyzed by RAPD markers. The Anderberg, simple matching, Rogers and Tanimoto, Russel and Rao, Ochiai, Jaccard, Sorensen-Dice, and Ochiai II's coefficients were tested. Comparisons among the coefficients were made through correlation analysis of genetic distances obtained by the complement of these coefficients, dendrogram evaluation (visual inspection and consensus fork index - CIC), projection efficiency in a two-dimensional space, and groups formed by Tocher's optimization procedure. The employment of different similarity coefficients caused few alterations in cultivar classification, since correlations among genetic distances were larger than 0.86. Nevertheless, the different similarity coefficients altered the projection efficiency in a two-dimensional space and formed different numbers of groups by Tocher's optimization procedure. Among these coefficients, Russel and Rao's was the most discordant and the Sorensen-Dice was considered the most adequate due to a higher projection efficiency in a two-dimensional space. Even though few structural changes were suggested in the most different groups, these coefficients altered some relationships between cultivars with high genetic similarity.<br>Foram avaliadas as alterações provocadas por oito diferentes coeficientes de similaridade no agrupamento de 27 cultivares de feijão analisados por marcadores RAPD. Foram testados os coeficientes de Anderberg, simple matching, Rogers e Tanimoto, Russel e Rao, Ochiai, Jaccard, Sorensen-Dice e Ochiai II, sendo as comparações entre eles realizadas pelas correlações entre as distâncias genéticas obtidas pelo complemento destes coeficientes, e também pela avaliação dos dendrogramas (inspeção visual e índice CIC), eficiência da projeção no espaço bidimensional e grupos formados pelo método de otimização de Tocher. Os resultados evidenciaram que a utilização de diferentes coeficientes de similaridade provocou poucas alterações na classificação dos cultivares em grupos, sendo as correlações obtidas entre as distâncias genéticas maiores que 0,86. Apesar disso, foi observado que diferentes coeficientes alteraram a eficiência da projeção no espaço bidimensional e formaram número diferenciado de grupos pelo método de otimização de Tocher. Dentre estes, o de Russel e Rao apresentou resultados mais discordantes em relação aos demais e o de Sorensen-Dice foi considerado o mais adequado devido a uma maior eficiência de projeção no espaço bidimensional. Mesmo provocando poucas mudanças na estrutura dos grupos mais diferenciados, estes coeficientes alteraram alguns relacionamentos entre cultivares com alta similaridade genética