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Abstract Detail



Systematics Section/ASPT

Costea, Mihai [1], García, Miguel [2], Stefanović, Saša [3].

First phylogenetic classification of parasitic genus Cuscuta (dodders, Convolvulaceae).

Cuscuta (dodders, Convolvulaceae) is one of the largest and most economically important lineages of parasitic plants. The genus has a sub-cosmopolitan distribution with more than 75% of the species diversifying in the New World. The last monograph, published by Truman George Yuncker in 1932, provided a solid species-level taxonomic foundation. However, as revealed by recent phylogenetic studies, its infrageneric classification has been in great need of a taxonomic reappraisal, mainly because the morphological characters used in the previous classifications have been greatly affected by convergent evolution. Several recent phylogenetic and character evolution studies with broad sampling, as well as species-level revisions, have illustrated the deficiencies of previous classifications and provided an explicit and robust phylogenetic framework. Here we propose a new phylogenetic classification that places all 194 currently accepted species of Cuscuta into four subgenera and 18 sections. Sections have a strong morphological and biogeographical predictive value and include from one to 31 species. Thirteen section names are new or applied for the first time at the sectional rank: Babylonicae (Yunck.) M. A. Garcia, Subulatae (Engelm.) Costea and Stefanovic, Obtusilobae (Engelm.) Costea and Stefanovic, Prismaticae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Ceratophorae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Umbellatae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Gracillimae Costea and Stefanovic, Californicae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Indecorae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Oxycarpae (Engelm. ex Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Racemosae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic, Partitae Costea and Stefanovic, and Denticulatae (Yunck.) Costea and Stefanovic.


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Related Links:
Costea, M. 2007-onwards. Digital atlas of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae). Ontario, Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Herbarium.


1 - Wilfrid Laurier University, Biology, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N/A, N2L3C5, Canada
2 - University of Toronto Mississauga,, Department of Biology, 3359 Mississauga Rd., Mississauga, Ontario, L5L1C6, Canada
3 - University Of Toronto Mississauga, Department Of Botany, 3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada

Keywords:
Cuscuta
Convolvulaceae
infrageneric classification
Phylogeny
morphology
systematics
taxonomy.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 60
Location: Salon 2/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
Time: 8:45 AM
Number: 60004
Abstract ID:90
Candidate for Awards:None


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