Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Ruhfel , Brad R [1], Braunreiter, Heidi [2], Ciocca, William [3].

Phylogenetic supermatrix analyses of the flowering plant family Podostemaceae.

Podostemaceae is the largest strictly aquatic flowering plant family. Their distribution is cosmopolitan in the tropics, though a few species occur in temperate regions. Several species are critically endangered and all species are restricted to rivers, an environment that is currently experiencing major human impacts, especially in tropical areas through the expanded use of hydropower. Several recent molecular studies have sought to clarify relationships within this group. Their results indicate that several genera are not monophyletic as currently circumscribed and several areas of the phylogeny are unresolved. However, data from these studies have not been combined in one comprehensive analysis and several taxa remain unsampled. Here we conduct supermatrix analyses of all currently available molecular data in a maximum likelihood framework. Approximately 170 species (~63% of the family) are included in a data set comprised of eight gene regions from three genomes: six plastid regions (matK, ndhF, rbcL, rpoC1, rpoB-trnC, and trnL), one mitochondrial region (matR), and one nuclear region (ITS). Taxon sampling and resolution within the clade are greatly improved compared to previous studies and provide a strong basis for improving the classification of the family, which will directly aid conservation efforts. Our results suggest that Diamantina is more closely related to the primarily Paleotropical clade of Podostemoideae, though support is weak. This placement differs from that proposed in previous studies. Additionally, several taxa are strongly supported as not monophyletic though several of these are likely the result of misidentifications in previous publications.  Results from this work will be used to guide ongoing phylogenetic research and monographic efforts on Neotropical taxa.

Related Links:
Ruhfel Homepage

1 - Eastern Kentucky University, Department Of Biological Sciences, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Moore Building, Rm 349, Richmond, KY, 40475, USA
2 - Eastern Kentucky University, Biological Sciences, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY, 40475, USA
3 - Eastern Kentucky University, Department Of Biological Sciences, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY, 40475, USA

Keywords:
Podostemaceae
clusioid clade
Malpighiales.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY023
Abstract ID:588
Candidate for Awards:None