A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of Eugenia (Myrtaceae: Myrteae), with a focus on Neotropical species

• Published in: Kew bulletin Vol. 69; no. 2; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Mazine, Fiorella Fernanda, Souza, Vinicius Castro, Sobral, Marcos, Forest, Félix, Lucas, Eve
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer 01.06.2014; Springer London
• Subjects: Biological taxonomies; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Boards of trustees; Botanical gardens; Flower buds; Genera; Inflorescences; Life Sciences; Maximum parsimony; Pedicels; Phylogenetics; Plant Ecology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Taxa; South America; Brazil; Mata Atlântica
• ISSN: 0075-5974; 1874-933X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12225-014-9497-x

A first phylogenetic hypothesis of Neotropical Eugenia, including associated genera and species from Africa and the Pacific was produced using DNA sequence data from the nuclear (ITS, ETS) and plastid (psbA-trnH) genomes. This analysis aimed to investigate the validity of the currently recognised infrageneric groups within Eugenia as well as suites of supporting morphological characters, to determine relationships between groups and produce a framework for future taxonomic research. A total of 70 samples were analysed and the resulting topology confirms the inclusion of Neotropical genera Calycorectes, Hexachlamys, Phyllocalyx and Stenocalyx in Eugenia to preserve the monophyly of Eugenia. Within Eugenia s.l., nine clades are identified as morphologically diagnosable groups and are assigned to two genera (Eugenia and Myrcianthes). Their morphological synapomorphies are discussed. Some lineages identified by previous classifications are also supported. Preliminary phylogenetic results presented here combined with morphology point towards the need for a new subgeneric classification for Eugenia.