| Abstract Detail
Pteridology Testo, Weston [1], Sessa, Emily [2], Barrington, David [3]. Phylogenetic systematics, morphological evolution, and natural groups in Neotropical Phlegmariurus (Lycopodiaceae) . The lycophyte genus Phlegmariurus includes approximately 150 described species in the Neotropics, which previous work has demonstrated form a monophyletic clade. Compared to most other lycophyte lineages, this group exhibits exceptional morphological and ecological diversity, especially in the tropical Andes. Because of their simple morphology, apparent convergent evolution, and the recentness of the group’s diversification, the delimitation of species and species groups has remained challenging. Here, we present a robustly supported phylogeny of Neotropical Phlegmariurus based on six chloroplast markers for ca. 70% of known species, use ancestral character state reconstruction to investigate morphological evolution in the clade, and define natural species groups. The Neotropical species of Phlegmariurus form a clade that also includes a small number of Afro-Madagascan species. A morphologically and ecologically variable group of species from southeastern Brazil form a monophyletic group constituting a radiation parallel to the remaining, principally Andean lineages. We find support for 11 morphologically cohesive and well-supported species groups in Neotropical Phlegmariurus. Previously recognized species groups based on morphology are not monophyletic. Thus, morphological homoplasy is revealed to be common in Phlegmariurus and complicates infrageneric classification of the Neotropical taxa. Our results provide a useful framework for identifying species groups and understanding patterns of morphological evolution in Neotropical Phlegmariurus as well as other challenging lycophyte groups.
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1 - University Of Florida, 313 NW 2nd St, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
2 - University Of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
3 - University Of Vermont, Plant Biology, 111 Jeffords Hall, 63 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05405, United States
Keywords:
lycophyte
phylogeny
Systematics
Andes
morphology.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 5, Pteridology I
Location: 108/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 5003
Abstract ID:274
Candidate for Awards:None |
