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Phylogeny of Lamiidae
Nancy F Refulio-Rodriguez1, Richard G Olmstead
1Department of Biology, Box 355325, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 USA.
American Journal of Botany
|February 11, 2014
Summary
This study resolves key phylogenetic relationships within the Lamiidae, a major flowering plant clade. The analysis clarifies the placement of orders and families, improving our understanding of plant evolution.
Area of Science:
- Plant Systematics
- Molecular Phylogenetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The Lamiidae clade represents approximately 15% of flowering plants, encompassing five orders and four unplaced families.
- Previous phylogenetic studies have improved understanding of Lamiidae relationships, but internal relationships among orders and families remain partly unresolved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Lamiidae clade.
- To include all families within a single phylogenetic analysis for the first time.
- To resolve previously elusive internal relationships within the Lamiidae.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analyses utilizing maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian approaches.
- Inclusion of nine plastid regions and one mitochondrial region.
- Sampling of 129 individuals representing all Lamiidae orders and unplaced families.
Main Results:
- High support for Boraginales sister to Lamiales, forming the core Lamiidae with Solanales and Gentianales.
- Garryales is poorly supported as sister to the core Lamiidae.
- A weakly supported clade of Icacinaceae, Metteniusaceae, and Oncothecaceae is sister to all other Lamiidae.
Conclusions:
- The presented phylogeny offers increased resolution and support for previously unresolved internal relationships within the Lamiidae.
- While resolution within Lamiales is improved, some family interrelationships remain challenging to ascertain.
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