Premise To date, phylogenetic relationships within the monogeneric Brunelliaceae have been based on morphological evidence, which does not provide sufficient phylogenetic resolution. Here we use target‐enriched nuclear data to improve our understanding of phylogenetic relationships in the family. Methods We used the Angiosperms353 toolkit for targeted recovery of exonic regions and supercontigs (exons + introns) from low copy nuclear genes from 53 of 70 species in Brunellia, and several outgroup taxa. We removed loci that indicated biased inference of relationships and applied concatenated and coalescent methods to infer Brunellia phylogeny. We identified conflicts among gene trees that may reflect hybridization or incomplete lineage sorting events and assessed their impact on phylogenetic inference. Finally, we performed ancestral‐state reconstructions of morphological traits and assessed the homology of character states used to define sections and subsections in Brunellia. Results Brunellia comprises two major clades and several subclades. Most of these clades/subclades do not correspond to previous infrageneric taxa. There is high topological incongruence among the subclades across analyses. Conclusions Phylogenetic reconstructions point to rapid species diversification in Brunelliaceae, reflected in very short branches between successive species splits. The removal of putatively biased loci slightly improves phylogenetic support for individual clades. Reticulate evolution due to hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting likely both contribute to gene‐tree discordance. Morphological characters used to define taxa in current classification schemes are homoplastic in the ancestral character‐state reconstructions. While target enrichment data allows us to broaden our understanding of diversification in Brunellia, the relationships among subclades remain incompletely understood.
The tribe Juanulloeae is composed of seven to nine Neotropical genera of lianas and epiphytic or terrestrial shrubs that exhibit a wide variety of floral morphologies and pollination syndromes. Their commonly epiphytic habit in the forest canopy and relatively infrequent flowering has resulted in few and fragmentary specimens and has complicated taxonomic study of the tribe so that many of its genera remain poorly understood. Solandra, currently included in the monotypic tribe Solandreae, is morphologically very similar to the Juanulloeae but its phylogenetic affinities are unclear. In this study, a phylogeny of the Juanulloeae and Solandra was inferred from maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of nuclear and plastid DNA sequences (ITS, waxy, trnT‐trnF, rps16‐trnK). Solandra was strongly supported as sister to the Juanulloeae and the two tribes are combined here under the older name Solandreae. Many genera within the group, notably Juanulloa, Markea, and Trianaea, are not monophyletic as currently circumscribed. We review the morphological characteristics of the genera and clades in light of the phylogenetic evidence presented here and highlight the need to re‐evaluate the morphological characters used to delimit genera of the tribe. On the basis of our results, we propose to (1) broaden the circumscription of tribe Solandreae to include tribe Juanulloeae, (2) recognize nine genera in the Solandreae, including the reinstatement of Poortmannia and Hawkesiophyton, and (3) make two new species‐level combinations, propose one new species‐level synonym, and designate a lectotype for Trianaea neovisae.
Three new species of Markea from Colombia are described and their morphological affinities and conservation status are discussed. Markea hunzikeri is different from other species of Markea because it presents a 3-lobed calyx and 3-lobed stigma. Markea huilensis shows affinity with Markea lopezii and Markea epifita, from which it differs by its exerted anthers, tubular-campanulate corolla and fruit with leathery, black, non-translucent exocarp when dry. Markea purpurea is clearly differentiated from other species in this genus by its very reduced, extra-axillary, short-pedunculate inflorescence, generally bearing one short-pedicellate or sessile flower with corolla dark purple or black inside. For new species illustrations, photographs of live plants and distribution maps are presented. As a tool for species identification of Markea, this paper is accompanied by a key to all species currently recognized in the genus. Additionally, photographs of live plants for most of the species of the genus are included.Key words: Colombia, Hawkesiophyton, Juanulloeae, Markea, Solanaceae, taxonomy ResumenSe describen tres especies nuevas de Markea para Colombia y se discuten sus afinidades morfológicas y estado de conservación. Markea hunzikeri se distingue fácilmente de otras especies de Markea por su cáliz y estigma 3-lobulados. Markea huilensis es semejante a Markea lopezii y Markea epifita, de las que se diferencia por sus anteras exertas, corola tubular-campanulada y fruto con exocarpo coriáceo, negro y no translúcido en material de herbario. Markea purpurea se diferencia fácilmente de otras especies del género por su inflorescencia muy reducida, corto pedunculada, de posición extra-axilar, generalmente con una flor cortamente pedicelada o sésil, de corola púrpura en su interior. Para las nuevas especies se presentan ilustraciones, fotografías en vivo y mapas de distribución. Como herramienta para la identificación de las especies de Markea, este artículo va acompañado de una clave para todas las especies reconocidas actualmente en el género. Adicionalmente, se incluyen fotos en vivo para muchas de las especies del género.
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