Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Freire-Fierro, Alina [1], Horn, James W. [2], Forest, Felix [3], Devey, Dion D. [3], Pastore, José Floriano B. [5], Bien, Walter F. [6].

Systematics and Character Evolution in Monnina (Polygalaceae).

Endemic to the Neotropics, Monnina is the second largest genus of Polygalaceae, yet little is known about its phylogenetic history and morphological character evolution. Because Monnina demonstrates extensive morphological variability among species, we conducted a molecular phylogenetic study of the genus with the aim of elucidating the evolutionary history of biologically significant traits within the clade. We used Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F regions to delimit the placement of Monnina in Polygalaceae and resolve major clades within the genus. The results demonstrate that Monnina is monophyletic and suggest its subdivision into six subclades (Clades A–F). Ancestral character state reconstructions reveal that Monnina and most of its major subclades have diagnostic synapomorphies. An indehiscent, 1- to 2-seeded fruit is synapomorphic for Monnina. Clade A is herbaceous, lacks extra-floral nectaries (EFNs), includes a tubular keel apex and has 2-seeded dry fruits. The tubular apex of the keel of the corolla is a unique synapomorphy for Clade A. Members of Clade B are also herbaceous, but differ from all other Monnina species in having glandular hairs. Such hairs are a unique synapomorphy for Clade B. We did not discover any structural synapomorphies for Clade C, which includes species that vary with respect to habit, EFN presence and fruit type. An irreversible decrease in the number of seeds to one per fruit evolved in the common ancestor of Clades D, E and F. Although the many members of Clade D are similar to herbaceous members of Clade C, a nested subclade (D1) is characterized by its fire adaptations and distribution restricted to the Cerrado in southeastern South America. Clade E contains herbaceous plants with stipitate EFNs (synapmorphic character). Clade F has the widest distribution of the six subgeneric subclades (northern Andes and Central America) and contains many woody species with fleshy fruits, but lacks EFNs. Further molecular phylogenetic studies will be required to elucidate the biogeographic and among-lineage diversification histories within Monnina.

1 - Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Botany, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA
2 - Smithsonian Institution, Department Of Biology, MRC 166 PO Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA
3 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Jodrell Laboratory, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK
4 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Jodrell Laboratory, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK
5 - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Biologia Vegetal, Campus Curitibanos, Caixa Postal 101, Rod. Ulysses Gaboardi, km 3, Curitibanos, Curitibanos, SC, 89.520-0004, Brazil
6 - Drexel University, Laboratory of Pinelands Research, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

Keywords:
Monnina
Polygalaceae
fleshy fruits evolution
Trait evolution
Neotropics
extra-floral nectaries.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 31
Location: Salon 4/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2015
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 31010
Abstract ID:1275
Candidate for Awards:George R. Cooley Award