Phylogenomics of the Merianieae (Melastomataceae) bring new perspectives for its systematics, biogeography and macroevolution
- Author(s)
- Léo-Paul Dagallier, Frank Almeda, Lucas Bacci, Agnes Dellinger, Diana Fernández-Fernández, Robin Fernandez Hilario, Renato Goldenberg, Humberto Mendoza-Cifuentes, Jhon S. Murillo-Serna, Carmen Ulloa Ulloa, Lucas C. Majure, Fabián A. Michelangeli
- Abstract
The tribe Merianieae (Melastomataceae) is a group of trees, lianas and herbs distributed in the American tropics. It contains ca. 288 species within 7 genera. The tribe is distributed in both lowland and highland rainforests, from southern Mexico and Central America, the Greater Antilles to the Central Andes, and eastwards to the Atlantic rain forest. We present the most up-to-date phylogenetic reconstruction of the tribe based on phylogenomic sequence data, including 184 species (ca. 64 %) and hundreds of nuclear loci. We used different phylogenetic reconstruction approaches including paralogy resolution steps, and secondary calibration to date the tree. Phylogenetic results are consistent with previous studies based on Sanger sequence data, but phylogenetic placement of some clades (Adelobotrys, Macrocentrum, Salpinga) remains problematic. Indeed, we recovered many gene tree conflicts at both deep and shallow nodes in the Merianieae phylogeny and relate them to reticulate processes of evolution, possibly linked to introgression and rapid radiations. Macrocentrum is not monophyletic and recovered in three clades. Meriania likewise is not monophyletic, because one group (Adelbertia) is more closely related to Adelobotrys, and Axinaea is embedded within the remaining Meriania. Graffenrieda and Centronia form a well-supported clade. The group seems to have originated in the Guiana Shield, but most of the diversity is in the Andes, as result of two distinct radiations (one in Graffenrieda and one in Meriania). Secondary radiations also occurred in the Guayana Shield and the Atlantic Forest. We discuss the impact of the Andes in generating the diversity and the biogeographic history of the clade.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
- External organisation(s)
- New York Botanical Garden, California Academy of Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, National Institute of Biodiversity, CORBIDI, Federal University of Parana, Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Universidad de Antioquia, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Pages
- 57
- Publication date
- 2024
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 106008 Botany, 106042 Systematic botany, 106012 Evolutionary research
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/98237750-808d-4f03-9d81-3ebff52e9c8b