A revised generic circumscription of Exocarpos (Santalaceae), including the transfer of Omphacomeria to Exocarpos

Abstract

A molecular phylogenetic study was conducted to clarify the relationships between three genera of Santalaceae, the mostly Oceanic Exocarpos Labill., the Australian endemic and monotypic Omphacomeria (Endl.) A.DC., and the monotypic Elaphanthera N.Hallé, endemic to the main island of New Caledonia. Omphacomeria acerba (R.Br.) A.DC. was found to be nested in Exocarpos, while Elaphanthera baumanii (Stauffer) N.Hallé was sister to Exocarpos. Placement of Elaphanthera and Omphacomeria in an expanded Exocarpos is proposed on the basis of molecular data, supported by morphology. A new combination, Exocarpos acerbus (R.Br.) Lepschi, comb nov., is provided to accommodate Omphacomeria acerba in Exocarpos