Phylogenetics, character evolution, and historical biogeography of the Neotropical genus Besleria (Gesneriaceae)

Abstract Besleria, a genus of perennial herbs, shrubs, or small trees growing in the understorey of rainforests, is one of the largest genera of neotropical Gesneriaceae, with over 165 species. Despite the ecological importance and ubiquity of Besleria in rainforest ecosystems, taxonomic and evoluti...

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Published inBotanical journal of the Linnean Society Vol. 206; no. 1; pp. 83 - 94
Main Authors Ferreira, Gabriel E, Clark, John L, Clavijo, Laura, Zuluaga, Alejandro, Chautems, Alain, Hopkins, Michael J G, Araujo, Andrea O, Perret, Mathieu
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published UK Oxford University Press 01.09.2024
Subjects
Biogeography
Chloroplast DNA
Chloroplasts
Classification
Current distribution
Distribution patterns
Genera
Gesneriaceae
Miocene
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Rainforests
Gesneriaceae
Beslerieae
Andes
molecular dating
phylogeny
Neotropics
systematics
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Summary:Abstract Besleria, a genus of perennial herbs, shrubs, or small trees growing in the understorey of rainforests, is one of the largest genera of neotropical Gesneriaceae, with over 165 species. Despite the ecological importance and ubiquity of Besleria in rainforest ecosystems, taxonomic and evolutionary studies of Besleria are limited. Here, we generated a phylogenetic analysis of Besleria using four nuclear and chloroplast DNA regions (ITS, matK, rps16, and trnL-trnF) covering more than 50% of the recognized species, along with two secondary calibration points to infer divergence times. Our results support the monophyly of Besleria and allowed us to revise the infrageneric classification and biogeographical history of the genus. We identified five major clades that do not correspond to sections or subsections in previous classifications. These clades are well circumscribed geographically but remain difficult to characterize using previously hypothesized morphological characters. Biogeographical reconstructions indicate an origin in the northern Andes during the Middle Miocene (ca. 15 Mya). The current distribution patterns of this plant group have been significantly shaped by geological and climatic events, particularly Andean uplift and the formation of the Panama Isthmus.
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ISSN:0024-4074
1095-8339
DOI:10.1093/botlinnean/boae007