A revised subtribal classification of Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Gnaphalieae are one of the larger tribes of the daisy family Asteraceae (Compositae) with c. 2100 species in 178 genera, occurring globally across a wide range of temperate habitats. Recent years have seen considerable advances in our understanding of their phylogenetics and evolution, but there is no widely accepted, stable subtribal classification. The present paper summarises the taxonomic history and presents the various major clades that have been named informally in phylogenetic studies. We also provide the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data to date, including over 1000 species. Based on published studies and our new phylogenetic analyses, we suggest a subdivision of the tribe into two subtribes. These are a largely African-endemic Relhaniinae (124 species in 11 genera) and a much enlarged Gnaphaliinae, the latter accounting for more than 90% of the species diversity (c. 2000 species in 167 genera). Although a finer division of Gnaphaliinae sensu amplo may be desirable, there are at present several obstacles to such a classification, in particular contradictory or ambiguous inferences of relationships.

Phylogenomic data reveal four major clades of Australian Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae)

“…The placement of Fitzwillia outside of the Australasian clade in the COS phylogeny is unexpected, as it was placed in that clade in the ribosomal phylogeny of Nie & al. (2016) and the chloroplast tree of Smissen & al. (2020).…”

“…The consistent placement of monotypic Parantennaria as sister to the ingroup and its excessive terminal branch length suggest that the genus may be misplaced in Gnaphalieae. This placement is unexpected given its inclusion in the Australasian clade in a recent analysis of ribosomal sequences (Smissen & al., 2020). More data from other tribes of Asteroideae are needed to confirm its tribal affiliation.…”

“…The Gnaphalieae are one of the largest tribes of Asteraceae. Although 1240 species are sometimes cited as its size (Nie & al., 2013(Nie & al., , 2016, estimated numbers for the largest genera (Ward & al., 2009) suggest that the true diversity is above 2000 species (Smissen & al., 2020). The tribe's centres of diversity are South Africa and Australia.…”

Daisies Down Under: Review of the state of taxonomy and phylogenetics of native Australian Asteraceae

“…With few exceptions in Gnaphalium L. and Pseudognaphalium Kirp., the Australian Gnaphalieae are all par t of a single clade, the Australasian clade (Smissen et al, 2020). This informal clade name contrasts with the other clade names in the tribe, which are derived from genus names.…”

Andicolea, a replacement name for Loricaria (Compositae, Gnaphaliinae)

“…Loricaria Wedd. ( 1855) is a genus of Andean Asteraceae from the subtribe Gnaphaliinae (Smissen et al 2020) characterised by distichous branches with densely imbricate coriaceous leaves that conceal the capitula when flowering (Hind 2004), making them a very recogniseable genus at high altitudes. It comprises twenty species (Cuatrecasas 1954;Dillon & Sagástegui-Alva 1986;Hind 2004).…”