Phylogenomic analyses of Sapindales support new family relationships, rapid Mid-Cretaceous Hothouse diversification, and heterogeneous histories of gene duplication.

Sapindales is an angiosperm order of high economic and ecological value comprising nine families, c. 479 genera, and c. 6570 species. However, family and subfamily relationships in Sapindales remain unclear, making reconstruction of the order's spatio-temporal and morphological evolution difficult. In this study, we used Angiosperms353 target capture data to generate the most densely sampled phylogenetic trees of Sapindales to date, with 448 samples and c. 85% of genera represented. The percentage of paralogous loci and allele divergence was characterized across the phylogeny, which was time-calibrated using 29 rigorously assessed fossil calibrations. All families were supported as monophyletic. Two core family clades subdivide the order, the first comprising Kirkiaceae, Burseraceae, and Anacardiaceae, the second comprising Simaroubaceae, Meliaceae, and Rutaceae. Kirkiaceae is sister to Burseraceae and Anacardiaceae, and, contrary to current understanding, Simaroubaceae is sister to Meliaceae and Rutaceae. Sapindaceae is placed with Nitrariaceae and Biebersteiniaceae as sister to the core Sapindales families, but the relationships between these families remain unclear, likely due to their rapid and ancient diversification. Sapindales families emerged in rapid succession, coincident with the climatic change of the Mid-Cretaceous Hothouse event. Subfamily and tribal relationships within the major families need revision, particularly in Sapindaceae, Rutaceae and Meliaceae. Much of the difficulty in reconstructing relationships at this level may be caused by the prevalence of paralogous loci, particularly in Meliaceae and Rutaceae, that are likely indicative of ancient gene duplication events such as hybridization and polyploidization playing a role in the evolutionary history of these families. This study provides key insights into factors that may affect phylogenetic reconstructions in Sapindales across multiple scales, and provides a state-of-the-art phylogenetic framework for further research.

An updated infra-familial classification of Sapindaceae based on targeted enrichment data.

PREMISE: The economically important, cosmopolitan soapberry family (Sapindaceae) comprises ca. 1900 species in 144 genera. Since the seminal work of Radlkofer, several authors have attempted to overcome challenges presented by the family's complex infra-familial classification. With the advent of molecular systematics, revisions of the various proposed groupings have provided significant momentum, but we still lack a formal classification system rooted in an evolutionary framework. METHODS: Nuclear DNA sequence data were generated for 123 genera (86%) of Sapindaceae using target sequence capture with the Angiosperms353 universal probe set. HybPiper was used to produce aligned DNA matrices. Phylogenetic inferences were obtained using coalescence-based and concatenated methods. The clades recovered are discussed in light of both benchmark studies to identify synapomorphies and distributional evidence to underpin an updated infra-familial classification. KEY RESULTS: Coalescence-based and concatenated phylogenetic trees had identical topologies and node support, except for the placement of Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. Twenty-one clades were recovered, which serve as the basis for a revised infra-familial classification. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty tribes are recognized in four subfamilies: two tribes in Hippocastanoideae, two in Dodonaeoideae, and 16 in Sapindoideae (no tribes are recognized in the monotypic subfamily Xanthoceratoideae). Within Sapindoideae, six new tribes are described: Blomieae Buerki & Callm.; Guindilieae Buerki, Callm. & Acev.-Rodr.; Haplocoeleae Buerki & Callm.; Stadmanieae Buerki & Callm.; Tristiropsideae Buerki & Callm.; and Ungnadieae Buerki & Callm. This updated classification provides a backbone for further research and conservation efforts on this family.

New Guinea has the world's richest island flora.

New Guinea is the world's largest tropical island and has fascinated naturalists for centuries1,2. Home to some of the best-preserved ecosystems on the planet3 and to intact ecological gradients-from mangroves to tropical alpine grasslands-that are unmatched in the Asia-Pacific region4,5, it is a globally recognized centre of biological and cultural diversity6,7. So far, however, there has been no attempt to critically catalogue the entire vascular plant diversity of New Guinea. Here we present the first, to our knowledge, expert-verified checklist of the vascular plants of mainland New Guinea and surrounding islands. Our publicly available checklist includes 13,634 species (68% endemic), 1,742 genera and 264 families-suggesting that New Guinea is the most floristically diverse island in the world. Expert knowledge is essential for building checklists in the digital era: reliance on online taxonomic resources alone would have inflated species counts by 22%. Species discovery shows no sign of levelling off, and we discuss steps to accelerate botanical research in the 'Last Unknown'8.

Generic delimitations, biogeography and evolution in the tribe Coleeae (Bignoniaceae), endemic to Madagascar and the smaller islands of the western Indian Ocean.

This study presents the most complete generic phylogenetic framework to date for the tribe Coleeae (Bignoniaceae), which is endemic to Madagascar and the other smaller islands in the western part of the Indian Ocean. The study is based on plastid and nuclear DNA regions and includes 47 species representing the five currently recognized genera (including all the species occurring in the western Indian Ocean region). Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses supported (i) the monophyly of the tribe, (ii) the monophyly of Phylloctenium, Phyllarthron and Rhodocolea and (iii) the paraphyly of Colea due to the inclusion of species of Ophiocolea. The latter genus was also recovered paraphyletic due to the inclusion of two species of Colea (C. decora and C. labatii). The taxonomic implications of the mutual paraphyly of these two genera are discussed in light of morphological evidence, and it is concluded that the two genera should be merged, and the necessary new nomenclatural combinations are provided. The phylogenetic framework shows Phylloctenium, which is endemic to Madagascar and restricted to dry ecosystems, as basal and sister to the rest of the tribe, suggesting Madagascar to be the centre of origin of this clade. The remaining genera are diversified mostly in humid ecosystems, with evidence of multiple dispersals to the neighboring islands, including at least two to the Comoros, one to Mauritius and one to the Seychelles. Finally, we hypothesize that the ecological success of this tribe might have been triggered by a shift of fruit-dispersal mode from wind to lemur.

Antiproliferative Diterpenes from a Malleastrum sp. from the Madagascar dry forest.

An ethanol extract of leaves of the plant species Malleastrum sp. collected in northern Madagascar afforded the new clerodane diterpene 18-oxo-cleroda-3,13-dien-16,15-olide (1), together with the three known clerodane diterpenes 16,18-dihydroxykolavenic acid lactone (2), solidagolactone (3) and (-)-kolavenol (4), and the known labdane diterpene 3-oxo-ent-Iabda-8(17),13-dien-15,16-olide (5). Compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed moderate antiproliferative activities against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line, with the IC50 values of 3.01 ± 0.8, 7.84 ± 0.2, and 17.9 ± 3 µM, respectively. The structure elucidations of all compounds were carried out based on analysis of NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The relative stereochemistry of compound 1 was determined by NOESY NMR spectrum.

A Synthetic Butenolide Diterpene is now a Natural Product Isolated from Metaporana sericosepala, a Plant from the Madagascar Dry Forest.

Antiproliferative bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the endemic Madagascan plant Metaporana sericosepala led to the first natural product isolation of a butenolide diterpene, which was synthesized during an anti-inflammatory study in 1988. The structure of the compound was elucidated as 3-homofarnesyl-4-hydroxybutenolide (1) by analysis of its spectroscopic data, including 1D- and 2D-NMR data and chemical evidence. The once synthetic compound can now also be considered as a natural product. Compound 1 had modest antiproliferative activity towards the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line,with an IC50 value of 8 µM.

Antiproliferative Compounds from Cleistanthus boivinianus from the Madagascar Dry Forest.

The two new lignans 3α-O-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl)desoxypodophyllotoxin (1) and 4-O-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl)dehydropodophyllotoxin (2) were isolated from Cleistanthus boivinianus, together with the known lignans deoxypicropodophyllotoxin (3), (±)-ß-apopicropodophyllin (4), (-)-desoxypodophyllotoxin (5), (-)-yatein (6), and ß-peltatin-5-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7). The structures of all compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed potent antiproliferative activities against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line, with IC50 values of 33.0 ± 3.6, 63.1 ± 6.7, and 230 ± 1 nM, respectively. Compounds 2 and 7 showed only modest A2780 activities, with IC50 values of 2.1 ± 0.3 and 4.9 ± 0.1 µM, respectively, while compounds 3 and 6 had IC50 values of >10 µM. Compound 1 also had potent antiproliferative activity against the HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cell line, with an IC50 value of 20.5 nM, and compound 4 exhibited modest antiproliferative activity against the A2058 human caucasian metastatic melanoma and MES-SA human uterine sarcoma cell lines, with IC50 values of 4.6 and 4.0 µM, respectively.

Bioactive oleanane glycosides from Polyscias duplicata from the Madagascar dry forest.

As part of the International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG) program, in a search for antiproliferative compounds, an ethanol extract of Polyscias duplicata was investigated due to its antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cell cancer line (IC50 6 µg/mL). Seven known oleanane glycosides, 3ß-[(α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-16α-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1, IC50 8 µM), 3ß-[(α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-16α,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-18-oic acid (2, IC50 13 µM), 3ß-[(O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(t-->3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-16α-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (3, IC50 7 µM), 3ß-[(O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-16α-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (4, IC50 2.8 µM), 3ß-[(O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(l-->3)-α-L- arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-23-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (5, IC50 10 µM), ß-[(O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(-1.2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-23-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (6, IC50 3.4 µM), and 3ß-[(α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-23-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (7, IC50 3.4 µM) were isolated, and their structures determined using spectroscopic methods.

Neolignans and other metabolites from Ocotea cymosa from the Madagascar rain forest and their biological activities.

Ten new neolignans including the 6'-oxo-8.1'-lignans cymosalignans A (1a), B (2), and C (3), an 8.O.6'-neolignan (4a), ococymosin (5a), didymochlaenone C (6a), and the bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoids 7-10 were isolated along with the known compounds 3,4,5,3',5'-pentamethoxy-1'-allyl-8.O.4'-neolignan, 3,4,5,3'-tetramethoxy-1'-allyl-8.O.4'-neolignan, didymochlaenone B, virologin B, ocobullenone, and the unusual 2'-oxo-8.1'-lignan sibyllenone from the stems or bark of the Madagascan plant Ocotea cymosa. The new 8.O.6'-neolignan 4a, dihydrobenzofuranoid 5a, and the bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid 7a had in vitro activity against Aedes aegypti, while the new compounds 5a, 7a, 8, and 10a and the known virolongin B (4b) and ocobullenone (10b) had antiplasmodial activity. We report herein the structure elucidation of the new compounds on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including 1D and 2D NMR spectra, electronic circular dichroism, and mass spectrometry, and the biological activities of the new and known compounds.

Incorporating evolutionary history into conservation planning in biodiversity hotspots.

There is increased evidence that incorporating evolutionary history directly in conservation actions is beneficial, particularly given the likelihood that extinction is not random and that phylogenetic diversity (PD) is lost at higher rates than species diversity. This evidence is even more compelling in biodiversity hotspots, such as Madagascar, where less than 10% of the original vegetation remains. Here, we use the Leguminosae, an ecologically and economically important plant family, and a combination of phylogenetics and species distribution modelling, to assess biodiversity patterns and identify regions, coevolutionary processes and ecological factors that are important in shaping this diversity, especially during the Quaternary. We show evidence that species distribution and community PD are predicted by watershed boundaries, which enable the identification of a network of refugia and dispersal corridors that were perhaps important for maintaining community integrity during past climate change. Phylogenetically clustered communities are found in the southwest of the island at low elevation and share a suite of morphological characters (especially fruit morphology) indicative of coevolution with their main dispersers, the extinct and extant lemurs. Phylogenetically over-dispersed communities are found along the eastern coast at sea level and may have resulted from many independent dispersal events from the drier and more seasonal regions of Madagascar.

A long distance dispersal hypothesis for the Pandanaceae and the origins of the Pandanus tectorius complex.

Pandanaceae (screwpines) is a monocot family composed of c. 750 species widely distributed in the Paleotropics. It has been proposed that the family may have a Gondwanan origin with an extant Paleotropical distribution resulting from the breakup of that supercontinent. However, fossils supporting that hypothesis have been recently reassigned to other families while new fossil discoveries suggest an alternate hypothesis. In the present study, nuclear and chloroplast sequences were used to resolve relationships among Pandanaceae genera. Two well-supported fossils were used to produce a chronogram to infer whether the age of major intra-familial lineages corresponds with the breakup of Gondwana. The Pandanaceae has a Late Cretaceous origin, and genera on former Gondwanan landmasses began to diverge in the Late Eocene, well after many of the southern hemisphere continents became isolated. The results suggest an extant distribution influenced by long-distance-dispersal. The most widespread group within the family, the Pandanus tectorius species complex, originated in Eastern Queensland within the past six million years and has spread to encompass nearly the entire geographic extent of the family from Africa through Polynesia. The spread of that group is likely due to dispersal via hydrochory as well as a combination of traits such as agamospermy, anemophily, and multi-seeded propagules which can facilitate the establishment of new populations in remote locations.

Bioactive compounds from Stuhlmannia moavi from the Madagascar dry forest.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the leaf and root extracts of the antiproliferative Madagascar plant Stuhlmannia moavi afforded 6-acetyl-5,8-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-7-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (stuhlmoavin, 1) as the most active compound, with an IC50 value of 8.1 µM against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line, as well as the known homoisoflavonoid bonducellin (2) and the stilbenoids 3,4,5'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-trans-stilbene (3), piceatannol (4), resveratrol (5), rhapontigenin (6), and isorhapontigenin (7). The structure elucidation of all compounds was based on NMR and mass spectroscopic data, and the structure of 1 was confirmed by a single crystal X-ray analysis. Compounds 2-5 showed weak A2780 activities, with IC50 values of 10.6, 54.0, 41.0, and 74.0 µM, respectively. Compounds 1-3 also showed weak antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values of 23, 26, and 27 µM, respectively.

A new bioactive diterpene glycoside from Molinaea retusa from the Madagascar dry forest.

In a continuing collaboration in a search for new antiproliferative compounds in Madagascar as part of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG), an ethanol extract of Molinaea retusa Radlk. (Sapindaceae) was investigated on the basis of its moderate antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line (IC50 16 microg/mL). One new compound, 2", 3", 4", 6'-de-O-acetylcupacinoside (1, IC50 15.4 microM) and two known compounds, cupacinoside (2, IC50 9.5 microM) and 6-de-O-acetylcupacinoside (3, IC50 10.9 microM), were isolated by bioassay-directed fractionation using liquid-liquid partitioning, column chromatography, and HPLC. Compounds 2 and 3 also had moderate antiplasmodial activities, with IC50 values of 4.0 and 6.4 microM, respectively, against Plasmodium falciparum, Dd2 strain. The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods.

Structure elucidation of antiproliferative bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Anisocycla grandidieri from the Madagascar dry forest.

Antiproliferative bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the stems of Anisocycla grandidieri led to the isolation of the known alkaloids stebisimine (1), (+)-1,2-dehydrotelobine (2), (+)-2'-norcocsuline (3) and puetogaline B (4). Herein, we report the full NMR assignments of all compounds and the X-ray crystallography of single crystals of compounds 1 and 3. Compounds 2 and 3 showed moderate antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line with IC50 values of 4.1 ± 0.3 and 2.7 ± 0.3 µM, respectively, and they also displayed selective activity toward the H460 (large cell lung cancer), MCF-7 (breast ductal carcinoma), and UACC-257 (melanoma) cell lines.

Antiproliferative and antiplasmodial dimeric phloroglucinols from Mallotus oppositifolius from the Madagascar Dry Forest (1).

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of the leaves and inflorescence of Mallotus oppositifolius collected in Madagascar led to the isolation of the two new bioactive dimeric phloroglucinols mallotojaponins B (1) and C (2), together with the known mallotophenone (3). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including their 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and an X-ray crystal structure. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, with IC50 values of 0.75 ± 0.30 and 0.14 ± 0.04 µM, while 3 was inactive in this assay. Compounds 1-3 also displayed strong antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line (IC50 1.10 ± 0.05, 1.3 ± 0.1 and 6.3 ± 0.4 µM, respectively).

Isolation and synthesis of two antiproliferative calamenene-type sesquiterpenoids from Sterculia tavia from the Madagascar rain forest.

Investigation of the endemic Madagascan plant Sterculia taiva Baill. (Malvaceae) for antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line led to the isolation of two new bioactive calamenene-type sesquiterpenoids, named tavinin A (2) and epi-tavinin A (3) together with the known sesquiterpenoid mansonone G (1). The structures of the two new compounds were elucidated based on analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra and mass spectrometric data, and were confirmed by de novo synthesis. The three isolated sesquiterpenoids (1-3) had modest antiproliferative activities against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line, with IC(50) values of 10.2, 5.5 and 6.7 µM, respectively.

Two antiproliferative saponins of Tarenna grevei from the Madagascar dry forest [1].

Antiproliferative bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the endemic Malagasy Rubiaceous plant Tarenna grevei led to the isolation of two new antiproliferative oxygenated oleanane triterpene saponins. The structures of the two active compounds were elucidated as 23-hydroxylongispinogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and longispinogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) by analyses of their spectral data including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and chemical evidence. Compounds 1 and 3 displayed moderate antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line with IC50 values of 7.6 and 4 microM, respectively.

Antiproliferative acetogenins from a Uvaria sp. from the Madagascar dry forest.

Investigation of the endemic Madagascan plant Uvaria sp. for antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line led to the isolation of two new acetogenins. The structures of these two compounds were elucidated on the basis of analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra, circular dichroism, and mass spectrometric data, together with chemical modification. The two acetogenins display weak antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer, the A2058 melanoma, and the H522 lung cancer cell lines.

A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF GOUANIA (RHAMNACEAE) IN MADAGASCAR AND THE OTHER ISLANDS OF THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN (THE COMORO AND MASCARENE ISLANDS, AND THE SEYCHELLES).

A taxonomic revision of the genus Gouania Jacq. (Rhamnaceae) is presented for Madagascar and the other western Indian Ocean islands. Seventeen species are recognized, of which nine are described and published as new (all endemic to Madagascar): G. ambrensis Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. callmanderi Buerki, G. cupreifolia Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. cupuliflora Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. gautieri Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. perrieri Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., G. phillipsonii Buerki, G. taolagnarensis Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., and G. zebrifolia Buerki, Phillipson & Callm. Sixteen species occur in Madagascar, of which 13 are endemic and three are common to Madagascar and one or more of the smaller Indian Ocean islands. The latter include G. laxiflora Tul., a species which is also present on mainland Africa. One species, G. mauritiana Lam., is endemic to Réunion Island. We recognize two subspecies within G. scandens (Gaertn.) R. B. Drumm.: G. scandens subsp. scandens and G. scandens subsp. glandulosa (Boivin ex Tul.) Buerki, Phillipson & Callm., the latter transferred from G. glandulosa Boivin ex Tul. Past confusion about the identity of this species is discussed. Five names are lectotypified: G. aphrodes Tul., G. glandulosa [= G. scandens subsp. glandulosa], G. laxiflora, G. lineata Tul., and G. tiliifolia Lam. Both lectotype and epitype are designated for G. mauritiana. Conservation assessments are provided for all species within their primary areas of occurrence.

Astrotricoumarin, an antiproliferative 4'-hydroxy-2',3'-dihydroprenylated methylcoumarin from an Astrotrichilia sp. from the Madagascar dry forest.

Bioassay guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of a new endemic species of the genus Astrotrichilia led to the isolation of the new antiproliferative 3-(4'-hydroxy-2',3'-dihydroprenyl)-4,6-dimethoxy-5-methylcoumarin, named astrotricoumarin (8) with an IC50 value of 6.8 microM against the A2780 cell line. The structure of compound 8 was elucidated on the basis of its physical and spectroscopic data, including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR analysis.