Five long-distance dispersals shaped the major intercontinental disjunctions in Tectariaceae s.l. (Polypodiales, Polypodiopsida).

Intercontinental disjunct distributions can arise either from vicariance, from long-distance dispersal, or through extinction of an ancestral population with a broader distribution. Tectariaceae s.l., a clade of ferns in Polypodiales with ca. 300 species mainly distributed in the tropics and subtropics, provide an excellent opportunity to investigate global distribution patterns. Here, we assembled a dataset of eight plastid markers and one nuclear marker of 636 (92% increase of the earlier largest sampling) accessions representing ca. 210 species of all eight genera in Tectariaceae s.l. (Arthropteridaceae, Pteridryaceae, and Tectariaceae s.s.) and 35 species of other families of eupolypods Ⅰ. A new phylogeny is reconstructed to study the biogeography and trait-associated diversification. Our major results include: (1) a distinct lineage of Tectaria sister to the rest of the American Tectaria is identified; (2) Tectariaceae s.l., and the three families: Arthropteridaceae (Arthropteris), Pteridryaceae (Draconopteris, Malaifilix, Polydictyum, Pteridrys), and Tectariaceae s.s. (Hypoderris, Tectaria, and Triplophyllum), might have all originated in late Cretaceous; (3) only five intercontinental dispersals occurred in Pteridryaceae and Tectariaceae s.s. giving rise to their current intercontinental disjunction; (4) we provide the second evidence in ferns that a long-distance dispersal between Malesia and Americas during the Paleocene to Eocene led to the establishment/origin of a new genus (Draconopteris); and (5) diversification rate of each state of leaf dissection is different, and the lowest is in the simple-leaved taxa.

Phylogeny, biogeography, and character evolution of the genus Sophora s.l. (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae).

The papilionoid legume genus Sophora (Fabaceae) exhibits a worldwide distribution, but a phylogenetic framework to understand the evolution of this group is lacking to date. Previous studies have demonstrated that Sophora is not monophyletic and might include Ammodendron, Ammothamnus, and Echinosophora, but the relationships among these four genera (defined as Sophora s.l.) are unclear. Here we used a nuclear DNA dataset (ETS, ITS, SQD1) and a plastid DNA dataset (matK, rbcL, rpl32-trnL, trnL-F) of 654 accession sequences to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships, estimate the divergence times and ancestral range of Sophora s.l., and infer the evolution of chromosome number and morphological characteristics. Our major aim was to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships to test monophyly and elucidate relationships within the genus. Our results indicated that Ammodendron, Ammothamnus, and Echinosophora are embedded within Sophora s.s. and that nine well-supported clades can be recognized within comprise Sophora s.l. Ancestral character state estimation revealed that the most recent common ancestor of Sophora s.l. was a deciduous shrub that lacks rhizome spines and has unwinged legumes. Divergence times estimation and ancestral area reconstruction showed that Sophora s.l. originated in Central Asia and/or adjacent Southeast China in the early Oligocene (ca. 31 Mya) and dispersed from these regions into East and South Asia's adjacent areas and North America via the Bering land bridge. The analyses also supported a South American origin for S. sect. Edwardsia, which experienced rapid radiation with its major lineages diversifying over a relatively narrow timescale (8 Mya).

Phylogeny, biogeography, and character evolution in the fern family Hypodematiaceae.

The Old World fern genera Hypodematium and Leucostegia had long been placed in the families Dryopteridaceae and Davalliaceae, respectively, before the advent of molecular phylogenetics. Recent molecular studies confirmed the recognition of the family Hypodematiaceae composed of these two genera, but the relationships within each of these two genera have been unclear. In the present study we performed phylogenetic analyses (MP, ML, BI) based on DNA data from six plastid markers (atpB, atpB-rbcL, matK, rbcL, rps4 & rps4-trnS, and trnL & trnL-F) of 165 accessions representing 31 species in two genera of Hypodematiaceae as the ingroup and 26 accessions representing Cystopteridaceae, Didymochlaenaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Davalliaceae, Oleandraceae, and Woodsiaceae as the outgroups. Our analyses supported the monophyly of the currently defined Hypodematiaceae only including Hypodematium and Leucostegia and found that the family to be sister to the remaining eupolypods I. Our data resolved three taxa of Leucostegia into two clades. In Hypodematium, 28 taxa are resolved into seven strongly supported clades or single-accession clades. The evolution of important morphological characters are inferred in the phylogenetic context. Our dated phylogeny suggested a latest Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous origin of the family and Upper Cretaceous origin of two genera, with Hypodematiaceae originated from East Asia; extant lineages of Hypodematium originated from East Asia and subsequently into Africa, the Indian region, the Madagascar region, and Southeast Asia; and Leucostegia originated from East Asia and/or Southeast Asia.

Deeper Insight into the Volatile Profile of Rosa willmottiae with Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and GC-MS Analysis.

As the distribution center of Rosa in the world, China has abundant wild germplasm resources, which can contribute to the breeding of modern roses. To explore the potential value of wild roses distributed in the Sichuan-Tibet region, solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Rosa willmottiae flowers at three flowering stages (bud stage, initial flowering stage, full flowering stage). Meanwhile, we compared the VOCs of R. willmottiae with different phenotypes (double flowers and single flowers). A total of 74 volatile compounds were identified. The results show that the essential substances belong to alcohols and terpenoids. The main volatile organic compounds are 2-phenyl ethanol (20.49%), benzyl alcohol (10.69%), ß-maaliene (8.66%), geranyl acetate (8.47%), and (+)-α-long pinene (6.127%). Different flowering stages had great influence on the volatile profile, from the bud stage to full flowering stage; the content of terpenoids released decreased by 6.17%, whereas alcohols and esters increased by 8.58% and 11.56%, respectively. The chemical diversity and the content of the main components with a different phenotype were not significantly different. Our result will provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of Rosa willmottiae in Sichuan and Tibet.

Phylogeny and classification of the tribe Lepisoreae (Polypodiaceae; pteridophyta) with the description of a new genus, Ellipinema gen. nov., segregated from Lepisorus.

Lepisoroid ferns (tribe Lepisoreae, Polypodiaceae) are arguably one of the most confusing fern groups in Polypodiaceae in terms of delimitation of genera largely because of their simple morphology. Previous molecular studies either had very small taxon sampling of the non-Lepisorus genera and did not well resolve the relationships among these genera, or had a relatively large sampling at species level but the critical species were missing or their relationships were not well resolved. A recent study resolved the newly sampled Lepisorus jakonensis as sister to the remaining genera in Lepisoreae excluding Paragramma, and the authors lumped all the six well recognized genera into Lepisorus. In the present study, to infer a phylogeny we used DNA sequences of five plastid markers (matK, rbcL, rbcL-atpB, rps4 &rps4-trnS, trnL &trnL-F) of 172 accessions representing ca. 44 species of non-Lepisorus genera and 54 accessions representing ca. 50 species of Lepisorus as ingroup, and 10 non-Lepisoreae accessions from the most closely related four genera (Leptochilus, Microsorum, Phymatosorus, and Goniophlebium) in Microsoroideae and one genus (Pyrrosia) in Platycerioideae. Our major results include: (1) All seven currently defined genera except Lepisorus in Lepisoreae are confirmed to be monophyletic; (2) The Lepisorus jakonensis clade is confirmed to be the second earliest diverged lineage in Lepisoreae; (3) Neolepisorus is resolved as sister to the rest in a clade containing all non-Lepisorus genera except Paragramma; (4) Lemmaphyllum is sister to a clade containing Lepidomicrosorium, Neocheiropteris, and Tricholepidium; and (5) Ellipinema gen. nov. is segregated from Lepisorus based on the phylogeny and morphology in order to stabilize the current usage of the existing six non-Lepisorus genera and species names in these genera. A key to all eight genera of Lepisoreae is provided.

Evolutionary relationships of the ancient fern lineage the adder's tongues (Ophioglossaceae) with description of Sahashia gen. nov.

As an ancient lineage of ferns, Ophioglossaceae are evolutionarily among the most fascinating because they have the highest chromosome count of any known organism as well as the presence of sporophores, subterranean gametophytes, eusporangiate sporangia without annuli, and endophytic fungi. Previous studies have produced conflicting results, identifyingsome lineages with unresolved relationships, and have paid much attention to the subfamily Botrychioideae. But the other species-rich subfamily, Ophioglossoideae, has remained largely understudied and only up to 12 accessions of Ophioglossoideae have been sampled. In this study, DNA sequences of seven plastid markers of 149 accessions (75 in Ophioglossoideae) representing approximately 82 species (approximately 74% of estimated species diversity sensu J. Syst. Evol., 2016, 54, 563) in the family, and two Marattiaceae and two Psilotaceae, are used to infer a phylogeny. Our major results include: (1) Ophioglossaceae are resolved as monophyletic with strong support, and so are all four subfamilies and genera sensu PPG I except Botrypus and Ophioglossum; (2) a new genus Sahashia is segregated from Botrypus so that the monophyly of Botrypus can be retained; (3) the monophyly of Ophioglossum in its current circumscription is uncertain in spite of our large character sampling; (4) there is substantial cryptic speciation in Ophioderma detected by our molecular and morphological study; (5) the recognition of Holubiella is advocated based on its morphology and its sister relationship with Sceptridium; and (6) a novel sister relationship between Botrychium and the JHS clade (Japanobotrychium + (Holubiella + Sceptridium)) is discovered.

A global plastid phylogeny of the fern genus Asplenium (Aspleniaceae).

The infrageneric relationships and taxonomy of the largest fern genus, Asplenium (Aspleniaceae), have remained poorly understood. Previous studies have focused mainly on specific species complexes involving a few or dozens of species only, or have achieved a large taxon sampling but only one plastid marker was used. In the present study, DNA sequences from six plastid markers (atpB, rbcL, rps4, rps4-trnS, trnL and trnL-F) of 1030 accessions (616 of them newly sequenced here) representing c. 420 species of Asplenium (60% of estimated species diversity), 16 species of Hymenasplenium, three Diplaziopsidaceae, and four Rhachidosoraceae were used to produce the largest genus-level phylogeny yet for ferns. Our major results include: (i) Asplenium as broadly circumscribed is monophyletic based on our inclusion of representatives of 32 of 38 named segregate genera; (ii) 11 major clades in Asplenium are identified, and their relationships are mostly well-resolved and strongly supported; (iii) numerous species, unsampled in previous studies, suggest new relationships and numerous cryptic species and species complexes in Asplenium; and (iv) the accrued molecular evidence provides an essential foundation for further investigations of complex patterns of geographical diversification, speciation and reticulate evolution in this family.

A plastid phylogeny of the Old World fern genus Leptochilus (Polypodiaceae): Implications for cryptic speciation and progressive colonization from lower to higher latitudes.

The newly defined fern genus Leptochilus contains about 50 species occurring in subtropical to tropical Asia and adjacent Pacific islands. The circumscription and phylogeny of the genus have been ambiguous and its species had been included in various genera such as Colysis, Dendroglossa, Kontumia, Microsorum, and Paraleptochilus. Previous molecular studies sampled only 2-4 molecular markers and 2-16 accessions of Leptochilus. In the present study, DNA sequences of six plastid markers of 105 accessions representing ca. 40 species of Leptochilus, including types of Colysis, Kontumia, Leptochilus, and Paraleptochilus, 39 species of six non-Leptochilus genera of Microsoroideae, and one species of Pyrrosia, are used to infer a phylogeny. Our major results include: (1) Leptochilus is monophyletic and resolved as nested within the microsoroid ferns, but its relationships with other members of Microsoroideae are not well resolved; (2) Six well-supported major clades in Leptochilus are recognized, differing from one another in molecular, morphological, and geographical features; (3) Species related to L. macrophyllus representing earliest split in Leptochilus are identified; (4) The inclusion of Microsorum pteropus in Leptochilus is confirmed, whereas M. insigne is closely related to Leptochilus but not resolved as a member of the genus; (5) The species number of the genus is likely to double the most recent estimate following our study, and quite a few cryptic species should be recognized; and (6) A basal grade formed by three major clades is recovered and they are composed of species almost exclusively distributed at lower latitudes (the Malay Archipelago), whereas the shallow-level clades contain species distributed at mainly higher latitudes, suggesting that Leptochilus might have evolved at lower latitudes and progressively dispersed to and colonized higher latitudes.

A plastid phylogeny of the fern genus Arachniodes (Dryopteridaceae).

Arachniodes (Dryopteridaceae) is one of the most confusing and controversial fern genera in terms of its circumscription, nomenclature, and taxonomy. Estimates of species number range from 40 to 200. Previous molecular works included only 2-17 accessions representing 2-12 species of Arachniodes and allied genera, leaving most of the Asian species remain unsampled and the infragneric relationships unclear. In this study DNA sequences of seven plastid markers of 343 accessions representing ca. 68 species of Arachniodes (275 accessions), and 64 outgroup accessions from subfam. Dryopteridoideae and subfam. Polybotryoideae were used to infer a phylogeny with maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and maximum parsimony approaches. Our major results include: (1) Two species currently assigned in Arachniodes (A. macrostegia and A. ochropteroides are resolved outside of the core Arachniodes making the currently defined Arachniodes polyphyletic, confirming earlier findings; (2) Lithostegia, Leptorumohra, and Phanerophlebiopsis are indeed synonyms of Arachniodes; (3) Leptorumohra is confirmed to be monophyletic, but Phanerophlebiopsis is polyphyletic; (4) The New World species of Arachniodes are confirmed to be not monophyletic with A. denticulata being nested within the Old World species, suggesting that this species is dispersed from the Old World; (5) Arachniodes s.s is resolved into 12 major clades, some of which are further divisable into recognizable subclades and groups, with A. mutica from Japan being resolved as the sister to the rest of the genus; (6) A number of systematic implications of the phylogeny have been suggested; and (7) the genus is estimated to contain ca. 83 species.

A global plastid phylogeny uncovers extensive cryptic speciation in the fern genus Hymenasplenium (Aspleniaceae).

The fern genus Hymenasplenium (Aspleniaceae) is one of the two genera in the family. It is generally recognized among modern pteridologists. However, its infrageneric relationships and species diversity have been unclear and controversial. The molecular studies so far have had small taxon and character sampling. In the present study, DNA sequences of six plastid markers of 158 accessions representing ca. 40 out of ca. 50 known species of Hymenasplenium, and 16 species of Asplenium were used to infer a phylogeny with maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and maximum parsimony approaches. Our major results include: (1) Hymenasplenium as currently defined is strongly supported as monophyletic; (2) three major clades representing early splits in Hymenasplenium are identified, with the Old World species being strongly supported as monophyletic; it is ambiguous if the New World species are monophyletic; (3) extensive cryptic speciation in the Old World is discovered demonstrating the complexity of evolution of the genus; and (4) six strongly or moderately supported subclades in the Old World clade are revealed, differing from one another in molecular, morphological, and geographical features.

Molecular phylogenetics and historical biogeography of Sorbus sensu stricto (Rosaceae).

Explaining how plants from eastern Asia migrated to other Northern Hemisphere regions is still challenging. The genus Sorbus sensu stricto (including c. 88 species) is considered as a good example to illuminate this scenario, due to the wide distribution in the temperate zone and high diversity in the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains. Based on four nuclear markers (LEAFY-2, GBSSI-1, SBEI and WD) and one chloroplast marker (rps16-trnK), we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationship of Sorbus using 54 taxa (60% of the genus representing all subgenera, sections, or series and geographical areas in the previous classifications), and estimated divergence time and historical biogeography of the genus. Phylogenetic analyses supported that the subgenera Sorbus and Albo-carmesinae, as defined by traditional morphological characters (such as fruit color), are suitable. However, five clades defined by phylogenetic analysis of the genus are not consistent with traditionally defined sections or series. Molecular dating and biogeographic reconstruction showed that the age of the most recent common ancestor was estimated at 41mya (95% HPD: 49-35mya) in eastern Asia. Four dispersal events are assumed to explain the wide distribution of Sorbus in the temperate zone and diversification in the edges of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Species dispersed from eastern Asia to the Tianshan Mountains, North America and Europe during the Oligocene and Miocene period. We found that polyploidization occurred multiple times in the subgenus Albo-carmesinae, in the Tianshan Mountains, Himalayas, and H-D Mountains. Finally, we suggest that apomixis, polyploidization, and hybridization may have combined with the multistage uplifting of Himalayas and H-D Mountains (and the subsequent increases in geologic, ecological and climatic heterogeneity) to drive the striking species diversity of Sorbus in this region.

A global phylogeny of the fern genus Tectaria (Tectariaceae: Polypodiales) based on plastid and nuclear markers identifies major evolutionary lineages and suggests repeated evolution of free venation from anastomosing venation.

Tectaria (Tectariaceae) is one of the most confusing fern genera in terms of its circumscription and phylogeny. Since its original description, a number of genera had been moved into or related with this genus, while others had been segregated from it. Tectaria is also among the largest fern genera, comprising 150-210 mostly tropical species. Previous molecular studies have been far from comprehensive (sampling no more than 76 accessions from 52 species), limited in geographic scope (mainly restricted to Asia), and based exclusively on plastid markers. In the present study, DNA sequences of eight plastid and one nuclear marker of 360 accessions representing ca. 130 species of Tectaria, ca. 36 species of six non-Tectaria genera in Tectariaceae, 12 species of Davalliaceae, Oleandraceae, and Polypodiaceae, and 13 species of Lomariopsidaceae were used to infer a phylogeny with maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and maximum parsimony approaches. Our major results include: (1) the most recently proposed circumscription of Tectaria is strongly supported as monophyletic; (2) the genera Lenda, Microbrochis, Phlebiogonium, and Sagenia, sampled here for the first time, are resolved as part of Tectaria; (3) four superclades representing early splits in Tectaria are identified, with the Old World species being sister to the New World species; (4) 12 well-supported major clades in Tectaria are revealed, differing from one another in molecular, morphological, and geographical features; (5) evolution of 13 morphological characters is inferred in a phylogenetic context and morphological synapomorphies of various clades are identified; and in particular (6) free venation in Tectaria is inferred to be repeatedly derived from anastomosing venation, an evolutionary phenomenon not documented previously in vascular plants in a phylogenetic context based on both plastid and nuclear evidence.

A plastid phylogeny and character evolution of the Old World fern genus Pyrrosia (Polypodiaceae) with the description of a new genus: Hovenkampia (Polypodiaceae).

The Old World fern genus Pyrrosia (Polypodiaceae) offers a rare system in ferns to study morphological evolution because almost all species of this genus are well studied for their morphology, anatomy, and spore features, and various hypotheses have been proposed in terms of the phylogeny and evolution in this genus. However, the molecular phylogeny of the genus lags behind. The monophyly of the genus has been uncertain and a modern phylogenetic study of the genus based on molecular data has been lacking. In the present study, DNA sequences of five plastid markers of 220 accessions of Polypodiaceae representing two species of Drymoglossum, 14 species of Platycerium, 50 species of Pyrrosia, and the only species of Saxiglossum (subfamily Platycerioideae), and 12 species of other Polypodiaceae representing the remaining four subfamilies are used to infer a phylogeny of the genus. Major results and conclusions of this study include: (1) Pyrrosia as currently circumscribed is paraphyletic in relation to Platycerium and can be divided into two genera: Pyrrosia s.s. and Hovenkampia (gen. nov.), with Hovenkampia and Platycerium forming a strongly supported clade sister to Pyrrosia s.s.; (2) Subfamily Platycerioideae should contain three genera only, Hovenkampia, Platycerium, and Pyrrosia s.s.; (3) Based on the molecular phylogeny, macromorphology, anatomical features, and spore morphology, four major clades in the genus are identified and three of the four are further resolved into four, four, and six subclades, respectively; (4) Three species, P. angustissima, P. foveolata, and P. mannii, not assigned to any groups by Hovenkamp (1986) because of their unusual morphology, each form monospecific clades; (5) Drymoglossum is not monophyletic and those species previously assigned to this genus are resolved in two different subclades; (6) Saxiglossum is resolved as the first lineage in the Niphopsis clade; and (7) The evolution of ten major morphological characters in the subfamily is inferred based on the phylogeny and various morphological synapomorphies for various clades and subclades are identified.

Using a multilocus phylogeny to test morphology-based classifications of Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae), one of the largest fern genera.

BACKGROUND: Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae) is probably the third largest fern genus in the world and contains ca. 500 species. Species of Polystichum occur on all continents except Antarctica, but its highest diversity is found in East Asia, especially Southwest China and adjacent regions. Previous studies typically had sparse taxon sampling and used limited DNA sequence data. Consequently, the majority of morphological hypotheses/classifications have never been tested using molecular data. RESULTS: In this study, DNA sequences of five plastid loci of 177 accessions representing ca. 140 species of Polystichum and 13 species of the closely related genera were used to infer a phylogeny using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and maximum parsimony. Our analyses show that (1) Polystichum is monophyletic, this being supported by not only molecular data but also morphological features and distribution information; (2) Polystichum is resolved into two strongly supported monophyletic clades, corresponding to the two subgenera, P. subg. Polystichum and P. subg. Haplopolystichum; (3) Accessions of P. subg. Polystichum are resolved into three major clades: clade K (P. sect. Xiphophyllum), clade L (P. sect. Polystichum), and the HYMASO superclade dominated by accessions of P. sect. Hypopeltis, P. sect. Macropolystichum, and P. sect. Sorolepidium, while those of P. subg. Haplopolystichum are resolved into eight major clades; and (4) The monophyly of the Afra clade (weakly supported), the Australasian clade (weakly supported), and the North American clade (strongly supported) is confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 23 sections of Polystichum recognized in a recent classification of the genus, four (P. sect. Hypopeltis, P. sect. Neopolystichum, P. sect. Sorolepidium, P. sect. Sphaenopolystichum) are resolved as non-monophyletic, 16 are recovered as monophyletic, and three are monospecific. Of the 16 monophyletic sections, two (P. sect. Adenolepia, P. sect. Cyrtogonellum) are weakly supported and 14 are strongly supported as monophyletic. The relationships of 11 sections (five in P. subg. Haplopolystichum; six in P. subg. Polystichum) are well resolved.

A well-sampled phylogenetic analysis of the polystichoid ferns (Dryopteridaceae) suggests a complex biogeographical history involving both boreotropical migrations and recent transoceanic dispersals.

Intercontinental disjunctions in ferns have often been considered as the result of long-distance dispersal (LDD) events rather than of vicariance. However, in many leptosporangiate groups, both processes appear to have played a major role in shaping current geographical distribution. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and inferred the ancestral distribution areas of the polystichoid ferns (Cyrtomium, Phanerophlebia, and Polystichum), to evaluate the relative impact of vicariance and LDD on the biogeography of this group. We used a molecular dataset including 3346 characters from five plastid loci. With 190 accessions our taxon coverage was about three times as large as any previous worldwide sampling. Biogeographical analyses were performed using S-DIVA and S-DEC and divergence times were estimated by integrating fossil and secondary calibrations. The polystichoid ferns are a monophyletic clade that may have originated in East Asia during the Eocene, an age much younger than previously estimated. Three transoceanic disjunctions between East Asia and New World were identified in the Paleogene: one for Phanerophlebia during late Eocene (34Ma, 19-51Ma), and two in Polystichum at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary (30Ma, 18-43Ma; 28Ma, 19-39Ma respectively). During the Neogene, further range expansions took place from Asia to Africa, Hawaii, and the Southwestern Indian Ocean region. Our results indicate that early transfers between the Old and the New World are compatible with a boreotropical migration scenario. After evolving in Asia during the Eocene, the polystichoid ferns reached the New World in independent migrations at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary through the boreotropical belt. However, although less likely, the alternative hypothesis of independent transoceanic dispersals from the Old to the New World cannot be ruled out. Further range expansion during the Neogene was most likely the result of long-distance dispersal (LDD).

A large-scale phylogeny of the lycophyte genus Selaginella (Selaginellaceae: Lycopodiopsida) based on plastid and nuclear loci.

The lycophyte genus Selaginella alone constitutes the family Selaginellaceae, the largest of the lycophyte families. The genus is estimated to contain 700-800 species distributed on all continents except Antarctica, with highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The monophyly of Selaginella in this broad sense has rarely been doubted, whereas its intrageneric classification has been notoriously contentious. Previous molecular studies were based on very sparse sampling of Selaginella (up to 62 species) and often used DNA sequence data from one genome. In the present study, DNA sequences of one plastid (rbcL) and one nuclear (ITS) locus from 394 accessions representing approximately 200 species of Selaginella worldwide were used to infer a phylogeny using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony methods. The study identifies strongly supported major clades and well resolves relationships among them. Major results include: (i) six deep-level clades are discovered representing the deep splits of Selaginella; and (ii) 20 major clades representing 20 major evolutionary lineages are identified, which differ from one another in molecular, macro-morphological, ecological and spore features, and/or geographical distribution.

Phylogeny of Rosa sections Chinenses and Synstylae (Rosaceae) based on chloroplast and nuclear markers.

Rosa sections Chinenses and Synstylae contain approximately 39 wild species mainly distributed in East Asia and are closely related according to previous studies. But the specific relationships within these two sections were still obscure due to limited sampling, low genetic variation of molecular markers, and complex evolutionary histories. In this study, we used four chloroplast (ndhC-trnV, ndhF-rpl32, ndhJ-trnF and psbJ-petA) and two nuclear (ribosomal ITS and GAPDH) markers with an extensive geographic and taxonomic sampling to explore their evolutionary history. Our phylogenetic analyses suggested that Rosa sections Chinenses and Synstylae defined in traditional taxonomic system are not monophyletic and close to sections Caninae and Gallicanae. Additionally, our results showed incongruence between chloroplast and nuclear markers, and the patterns of incongruence might be due to ancient hybridization (genetic introgression). One putative hybrid species and three samples identified as interspecific hybrids are further discussed in terms of topological incongruence, biological characters and distribution patterns.

Phylogeny and biogeography of wild roses with specific attention to polyploids.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The genus Rosa (150-200 species) is widely distributed throughout temperate and sub-tropical habitats from the northern hemisphere to tropical Asia, with only one tropical African species. In order to better understand the evolution of roses, this study examines infrageneric relationships with respect to conventional taxonomy, considers the extent of allopolyploidization and infers macroevolutionary processes that have led to the current distribution of the genus. METHODS: Phylogenetic relationships among 101 species of the genus Rosa were reconstructed using sequences from the plastid psbA-trnH spacer, trnL intron, trnL-F spacer, trnS-G spacer and trnG intron, as well as from nuclear glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which was used to identify putative allopolyploids and infer their possible origins. Chloroplast phylogeny was used to estimate divergence times and reconstruct ancestral areas. KEY RESULTS: Most subgenera and sections defined by traditional taxonomy are not monophyletic. However, several clades are partly consistent with currently recognized sections. Allopolyploidy seems to have played an important role in stabilizing intersectional hybrids. Biogeographic analyses suggest that Asia played a central role as a genetic reservoir in the evolution of the genus Rosa. CONCLUSIONS: The ancestral area reconstruction suggests that despite an early presence on the American continent, most extant American species are the results of a later re-colonization from Asia, probably through the Bering Land Bridge. The results suggest more recent exchanges between Asia and western North America than with eastern North America. The current distribution of roses from the Synstylae lineage in Europe is probably the result of a migration from Asia approx. 30 million years ago, after the closure of the Turgai strait. Directions for a new sectional classification of the genus Rosa are proposed, and the analyses provide an evolutionary framework for future studies on this notoriously difficult genus.

A global plastid phylogeny of the brake fern genus Pteris (Pteridaceae) and related genera in the Pteridoideae.

The brake fern genus Pteris belongs to the Pteridaceae subfamily Pteridoideae. It contains 200-250 species distributed on all continents except Antarctica, with its highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The monophyly of Pteris has long been in question because of its great morphological diversity and because of the controversial relationships of the Australian endemic monospecific genus Platyzoma. The circumscription of the Pteridoideae has likewise been uncertain. Previous studies typically had sparse sampling of Pteris species and related genera and used limited DNA sequence data. In the present study, DNA sequences of six plastid loci of 146 accessions representing 119 species of Pteris (including the type of the genus) and 18 related genera were used to infer a phylogeny using maximum-likelihood, Bayesian-inference and maximum-parsimony methods. Our major results include: (i) the previous uncertain relationships of Platyzoma were due to long-branch attraction; (ii) Afropteris, Neurocallis, Ochropteris and Platyzoma are all embedded within a well-supported Pteris sensu lato; (iii) the traditionally circumscribed Jamesonia is paraphyletic in relation to a monophyletic Eriosorus; (iv) Pteridoideae contains 15 genera: Actiniopteris, Anogramma, Austrogramme, Cerosora, Cosentinia, Eriosorus, Jamesonia, Nephopteris (no molecular data), Onychium, Pityrogramma, Pteris, Pterozonium, Syngramma, Taenitis and Tryonia; and (v) 15 well-supported clades within Pteris are identified, which differ from one another on molecular, morphological and geographical grounds, and represent 15 major evolutionary lineages.

GLV reveal species differences and responses to environment in alpine shrub Rosa sericea complex.

Plant Volatile components are an ecological adaptation mechanism of plants that can reflect species differences and environment information where it is located. The alpine shrub Rosa sericea complex consists of several allied species, which are morphologically similar and difficult to distinguish, they are typical distribution along the elevation in the Himalayas and the Transverse Ranges. We selected two typical areas to find that the different species could be distinguished by their "green leaf volatile components" (GLV) composition as well as their geographical location, and it was evident that species with glands had higher sesquiterpene content. Correlation analysis revealed the relation between volatile components and ecology factors (climate factors, soil factors, phyllospheric microorganisms). Our study adds a new perspective and basis for the environmental adaptations of different species in the alpine shrub Rosa sericea complex from a chemical ecology perspective.