Abstract Detail

Systematics

Flickinger, Jonathan A. [1], Jestrow, Brett [2], Oviedo Prieto, Ramona [3], Santiago-Valentín, Eugenio [4], Sustache-Sustache, Jose [5], Jiménez-Rodríguez, Francisco [6], Campbell, Keron [7], Commock, Tracy [7], Francisco-Ortega, Javier [1].

A Phylogenetic Survey of Myrtaceae in the Greater Antilles.

Neotropical Myrtaceae (tribe Myrteae) are a common and diverse group of trees and shrubs including cultivated guava and allspice. Though easily recognized as a group, Myrteae are taxonomically challenging due to the large number of species and difficulty of circumscribing morphologically coherent clades. Approximately 500 species of Myrtaceae are endemic to the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot, but few have been included in phylogenetic studies to date. To address this, a phylogenetic study of Myrtaceae from across the Greater Antilles, the heart of the biodiversity hotspot, was conducted to identify the main lineages present in the region and potential clades for further study. Species of Myrtaceae representing all genera native to the Greater Antilles were collected in the field and sequenced for one nuclear (ITS) and four plastid (psbA-trnH, ndhF-rpl32, trnL intron and trnL-trnF) regions. Sequence data from non-Caribbean species were also included to provide representation of each major group of genera and each section of Eugenia. Sequence alignments were analyzed using maximum parsimony and likelihood methods to infer a phylogeny for 157 species of Myrteae, including 89 Caribbean endemics. Major results include the emergence of Calycorectes ekmanii and Calycorectes moana within the Myrtus group of genera, placement of Cuban species of Plinia within Myrciaria and a non-monophyletic Mitranthes. All sampled species of Eugenia endemic to the Caribbean fall within sects. Excelsae, Racemosae, and Umbellatae except for Eugenia cycloidea, which is associated with sect. Jossinia. Within Eugenia sect. Umbellatae, Caribbean-endemic species form two major clades containing Calyptrogenia, Hottea, a polyphyletic Pseudanamomis sensu Bisse and a novel clade of species centered in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. These results necessitate several taxonomic changes and will inform future systematic and floristic studies. This study also highlights unique lineages for conservation priority within a global hotspot of biodiversity.

1 - Florida International University, Dept. Biological Sciences, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
2 - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, FL, 33156, USA
3 - Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente, Habana, Cuba
4 - Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras, Dept. Biología, San Juan, PR, 00931, USA
5 - Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, San Juan, PR, 00936, USA
6 - Jardín Botánico Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
7 - Natural History Museum of Jamaica, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica

Keywords:
Caribbean 
systematics
biodiversity hotspot.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: SYS2, Systematics II: Rosids part 1 to Asterids part 1
Location: Tucson G/Starr Pass
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: SYS2010
Abstract ID:717
Candidate for Awards:None