Molecular phylogeny and evolution of inflorescence types in Eperua

Hans Ter Steege*, Elenice Aparecida Fortes, Danaë M A Rozendaal, Roy H J Erkens, Daniel Sabatier, Gerardo Aymard, Elza Duijm, Marcel Eurlings, Felix Grewe, Maihyra Marina Pombo, Vitor Freitas Gomes, Vidal de Freitas Mansano, Sylvia Mota de Oliveira

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

PREMISE: The Amazonian hyperdominant genus Eperua (Fabaceae) currently holds 18 described species and has two strongly different inflorescence and flower types, with corresponding different pollination syndrome. The evolution of these vastly different inflorescence types within this genus was unknown and the main topic in this study. METHODS: We constructed a molecular phylogeny, based on the full nuclear ribosomal DNA and partial plastome, using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, to test whether the genus is monophyletic, whether all species are monophyletic and if the shift from bat to bee pollination (or vice versa) occurred once in this genus. KEY RESULTS: All but two species are well supported by the nuclear ribosomal phylogeny. The plastome phylogeny, however, shows a strong geographic signal suggesting strong local hybridization or chloroplast capture, rendering chloroplast barcodes meaningless in this genus. CONCLUSION: With our data we cannot fully resolve the backbone of the tree to clarify sister genera relationships and confirm monophyly of the genus Eperua. Within the genus the shift from bat to bee and bee to bat pollination has occurred several times but, in the latter, not always leading to a pendant inflorescence. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere16229
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican journal of botany
Volume110
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Eperua
  • inflorescence morphology
  • molecular phylogeny
  • pollen
  • pollination
  • pollinator shift

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