Ochagavia

Abstract: A reconstruction of the phylogeny of Bromeliaceae based on sequence data from three noncoding chloroplast DNA markers (trnL intron, trnT-trnL, and trnT-trnF intergenic spacer [IGS]) is presented, including 26 genera and 33 species. Relationships of Bromelioideae and phylogeny within this subfamily were analyzed in more detail on the basis of two of these markers (trnL intron and trnL-trnF IGS) using a set of 37 genera/74 species of Bromeliaceae, including 28 genera/60 species of Bromelioideae. Sister group relationships of Bromelioideae were not resolved with sufficient reliability, but the most likely candidates are the genera Fosterella and Puya. The basal phylogeny of Bromelioideae also was not resolved. Greigia, Ochagavia/Fascicularia/Fernseea, Deinacanthon, Bromelia, and a "core group" of the remaining Bromelioideae formed a basal polytomy. Within Bromelioideae, the AFLP technique was applied to assess relationships among selected groups of genera. In the Ochagavia/Fascicularia group (5 species and subspecies/16 accessions), AFLP data fully confirmed the systematic relationships based on morphological and anatomical characters. Investigation of 30 Aechmea species (33 accessions), including all subgenera and one species each from the related genera Ursulaea, Portea, Chevaliera, and Streptocalyx produced no resolution for several of the species. Clades that received good bootstrap support generally did not correspond with the delimitation of subgenera of Aechmea. Additionally, leaf blade anatomy of these species was investigated. The results corresponded partly with those of the AFLP analysis. Generic rank for Ursulaea and Portea was not supported.

Abstract: Of the eight subfamilies currently recognized in Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae is perhaps the most poorly understood. Generic circumscriptions are unclear, and an exceptionally diverse morphology coupled with an unusually low rate of sequence divergence within Bromeliaceae has made it difficult to resolve phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily. Although recent molecular studies have begun elucidating relationships among species in Bromeliaceae, most have not sampled deeply and/or broadly across Bromelioideae. The purpose of this study was to conduct a phylogenetic analysis within subfamily Bromelioideae using three chloroplast DNA regions (matK, psbA-trnH, and trnL-trnF), with the inclusion of multiple species from a broad sampling of bromelioid genera. Ochagavia, Deinacanthon, Fascicularia, Bromelia and Fernseea diverged relatively early in the history of the subfamily, with the remaining taxa being placed in a large and poorly resolved eubromelioid clade. Bromelia and Cryptanthus were fo...