TL;DR: A phylogenetic classification of Campanulidae with phylogenetic definitions for all well-supported major clades is provided and a number of enigmatic taxa are confidently placed, some whose relationships were previously unresolved and some never before included.
Abstract: Previous attempts to resolve relationships among the primary lineages of Campanulidae (e.g. Apiales, Asterales, Dipsacales) have mostly been unconvincing, and the placement of a number of smaller groups (e.g. Bruniaceae, Columelliaceae, Escalloniaceae) remains uncertain. Here we build on a recent analysis of an incomplete data set that was assembled from the literature for a set of 50 campanulid taxa. To this data set we first added newly generated DNA sequence data for the same set of genes and taxa. Second, we sequenced three additional cpDNA coding regions (ca. 8,000 bp) for the same set of 50 campanulid taxa. Finally, we assembled the most comprehensive sample of campanulid diversity to date, including ca. 17,000 bp of cpDNA for 122 campanulid taxa and five outgroups. Simply filling in missing data in the 50-taxon data set (rendering it 94% complete) resulted in a topology that was similar to earlier studies, but with little additional resolution or confidence. In contrast, the addition of the ca. 8,000 bp of sequence data provided resolution and support for a number of relationships. With the addition of many more campanulid taxa we recovered a well-resolved phylogeny for Campanulidae where, with the exception of the placement of Escalloniaceae, support was high for all major clades. In addition, we were able to confidently place a number of enigmatic taxa, some whose relationships were previously unresolved and some never before included. In light of these results, we briefly expand the discussion of floral symmetry and provide a phylogenetic classification of Campanulidae with phylogenetic definitions for all well-supported major clades.
TL;DR: Using the recently developed Bayesian approach to phylogenetic reconstruction, in combination with a dataset consisting of the atpB, ndhF and rbcL nucleotide sequences, a resolved and fairly well supported phylogeny of the Euasterids II could be reconstructed.
Abstract: The present study is concerned with the evolutionary relationships among the Euasterids II, a group of angiosperms that includes the orders Apiales, Aquifoliales, Asterales, and Dipsacales together with several small, poorly known families yet unplaced as to order.Parsimony analysis of nucleotide sequence data from the chloroplast genes atpB, ndhF and rbcL together with morphological data are used to construct a phylogeny of the order Asterals, which in the present sense includes 11 families and more than 26 000 species. It is argued that Rousseaceae should be expanded to include also Carpodetaceae (and thus contain four genera), and that Donatia should be re-merged with Stylidiaceae. The present study also strongly supports that the sister taxon to the largest plant family, Asteraceae (Compositae), is the small South American Calyceraceae. A new addition to Asterales is Platyspermation (formerly in Escalloniaceae).Using the recently developed Bayesian approach to phylogenetic reconstruction, in combination with a dataset consisting of the atpB, ndhF and rbcL nucleotide sequences, a resolved and fairly well supported phylogeny of the Euasterids II could be reconstructed. Based on this analysis, and furthermore supported by morphological characters, the South Hemispheric family Escalloniaceae is recircumscribed to include the monogeneric families Eremosynaceae, Tribelaceae and Polyosmaceae, and in this new circumscription it includes seven genera. The formerly escalloniacean member Quintinia, together with the monogeneric families Paracryphiaceae and Sphenostemonaceae, is argued to consitute a monophyletic family Paracryphiaceae sensu lato, supported by several morphological characters.
TL;DR: Comparative investigations of serological characters of seed proteins from taxa regarded as members of theSaxifragales result in the recognition of two distinct groups of related families, rich in iridoid compounds, has more derived morphological characters, and seems to represent a monophyletic line block.
Abstract: Comparative investigations of serological characters of seed proteins from taxa regarded as members of theSaxifragales result in the recognition of two distinct groups of related families. One consists of theSaxifragaceae, Grossulariaceae, andCrassulaceae; to itHamamelis, and possiblyPenthorum and theRosaceae may be connected. The second group contains theHydrangeaceae, Escalloniaceae, Roridulaceae, Cornaceae, andCaprifoliaceae; it is rich in iridoid compounds, has more derived morphological characters, and seems to represent a monophyletic line block. ThePittosporaceae were not found to be linked with either of the two groups, but rather show similarities with members of theApiales. All these data support systematic arrangements proposed byDahlgren (1975a).
TL;DR: Four types of ovule are defined by integument number and nucellar thickness and their distribution throughout the dicotyledons is summarized and their importance in defining major subclasses is advocated.
Abstract: Four types of ovule are defined by integument number and nucellar thickness Their distribution throughout the dicotyledons is summarized and their importance in defining major subclasses is advocated In particular, those families with ovules having a single integument are considered to form a complex of orders and families which includes most sympetalous and several polypetalous groups (including Cornales, Araliales, Escalloniaceae and Pittosporaceae) This complex (provisionally referred to as the Unitegminae) is believed to comprise the modern representative of a distinct evolutionary line within the dicotyledons
TL;DR: The phylogeny of the Elaeodendron group was inferred in a simultaneous analysis of morphological characters together with nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) and plastid (matK, trnL-F region) genes, supporting their previously inferred relationship.
Abstract: The phylogeny of the Elaeodendron group was inferred in a simultaneous analysis of morphological characters together with nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) and plastid (matK, trnL-F region) genes. The circumscription of genera in this group has long been controversial, particularly with respect to Cassine and Elaeodendron. Cassine, narrowly defined so as to include three species native to southern Africa, was unambiguously supported as distinct from Elaeodendron. The widely distributed genus Elaeodendron was supported as a natural group, sister to Pleurostylia. Brexia, which has been variously assigned to the Escalloniaceae, Brexiaceae, and Grossulariaceae, was unambiguously supported as the sister group to the clade of Elaeodendron and Pleurostylia. Preliminary species sampling supported Empleuridium, which had been classified within the Rutaceae, as closely related to Mystroxylon, Pseudosalacia, and Robsonodendron. Allocassine and Lauridia were resolved as closely related to one another, supporting th...