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Taxonomy, slime molds, and the questions we ask
Andrew R Swanson1, Frederick W Spiegel, James C Cavender
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
Mycologia
|December 16, 2010
Summary
The classical taxonomy of cellular slime molds does not reflect their evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that neither the families nor genera are monophyletic groups, indicating a weak phylogenetic signal in current classifications.
Area of Science:
- * Mycology
- * Evolutionary Biology
- * Taxonomy
Background:
- * Classical taxonomy of cellular slime molds (Dictyosteliales) was established without phylogenetic considerations.
- * Existing taxonomic categories may not accurately represent evolutionary lineages.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To evaluate the phylogenetic signal within the characters used in the classical taxonomy of cellular slime molds.
- * To test the monophyly of established families and genera within the Dictyosteliales.
Main Methods:
- * Rooted cladistic analyses were performed on 19 described taxa.
- * Data were analyzed using PAUP* v 4.0b4a software.
- * Taxa included representatives from Acytosteliaceae, Dictyosteliaceae, Acytostelium, Dictyostelium, and Polysphondylium.
Main Results:
- * Neither the family-level nor the genus-level classifications were found to be monophyletic.
- * The characters supporting the classical taxonomy demonstrated a weak phylogenetic signal.
- * Acytosteliaceae, Dictyosteliaceae, Acytostelium, Dictyostelium, and Polysphondylium do not represent natural evolutionary groups.
Conclusions:
- * The classical taxonomy of dictyostelid cellular slime molds has limited phylogenetic relevance.
- * Phylogenetic scrutiny of taxonomic characters is crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships.
- * Conclusions regarding the evolution of developmental systems in Dictyostelium should be drawn with caution due to taxonomic uncertainties.
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