Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Roman, Maria Jose [1], Urbina-Casanova, Rafael [1], Ramirez, Pamela [1], Scherson, Rosa Amelia [1].

Tecophilaeaceae in Chile: A phylogenetic study of a highly endemic geophyte clade.

Tecophilaeaceae is a small geophyte family (Monocot, Asparagales), with only eight genera and about 27 species, distributed in California, Africa and Chile. There are three genera in Chile, all endemic with many of their species listed as having conservation problems: Conanthera Ruiz & Pav., Tecophilaea Bertero ex Colla and Zephyra D. Don., the three forming a well-supported clade. Taxonomy in this clade has been controversial, and the number of species varies among revisions. A recent phylogenetic study (Buerki et al., 2013) proposes to fuse the-until recently-monotypic genus Zephyra and Tecophilaea since the first appeared nested within the latter. However, the study did not include the recently described species Zephyra compacta C. Ehrh. There is also still much discussion as to the number of species within Conanthera. Some authors consider the species Conanthera sabulosa Ravenna and Conanthera variegata Fenzl ex Reichardt as synonyms of Conanthera campanulata Lindl. Buerki (2013) did not find support for these three species as a clade, but the study did not include all species in the genus. Figuring out the correct taxonomy in this group is important for conservation, since all its species are narrow endemics and clear taxonomic entities are needed to prioritize conservation efforts. The present study presents a Bayesian phylogeny using a combined molecular data matrix with three chloroplast regions (matK, atpB-rbcL and trnL-trnF) and the nuclear region ITS, including all species in the Chilean clade for the first time (except for Conanthera variegata, which original description and morphology was analyzed and assimilated within the variability of C. campanulata). In addition, a morphological data matrix was assembled with 45 characters, and analyzed by parsimony. None of the analyses could establish clear relationships within Conanthera, even though the monophyly of the genus is highly supported. This, plus the many intermediate morphs observed in the field, suggests that recent hybridization events could account for the taxonomic uncertainties. Bayesian analysis of the combined chloroplast data highly supports that both species of Zephyra are nested within Tecophilaea. However, in the ITS phylogeny both of these genera appear as sister clades, also with very high support. Morphological analyses also show Zephyra and Tecophilaea as separate groups, suggesting interesting hypotheses about processes such as introgression, and/or ancestral polymorphism. Additional analyses are needed to tell apart these processes and figure out the correct phylogenetic history in this interesting group. Funded by Fondecyt 11121579

1 - Universidad de Chile, Departamento de Silvicultura y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Santa Rosa 11315, Santiago, Chile

Keywords:
Tecophilaeaceae
Geophyte
Phylogeny
endemism.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY013
Abstract ID:1081
Candidate for Awards:None