Phylogenetic relationships within the New World subfamily Larreoideae (Zygophyllaceae) confirm polyphyly of the disjunct genus Bulnesia

GODOY-BÜRKI, A. C.; ACOSTA, J. M.; AAGESEN, L.

SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Año: 2018 vol. 16 p. 453 - 468

1477-2000

The Larreoideae subfamily is the major representative of the family Zygophyllaceae in South America, where several of itsmembers are common to dominant in arid regions of the Southern Cone. However, there are currently no phylogeneticanalyses of the subfamily that may help to understand its origin and diversification. Additionally, there are taxonomicdiscrepancies around Bulnesia Gay (1845), one of its more important genera. Accordingly, we performed a phylogeneticanalysis combining chloroplast (rbcL and trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS) DNA sequences. Bayesian and Parsimony analyseswere performed to highlight the intergeneric relationships within Larreoideae. All genera with the exception of Bulnesiaare monophyletic and we propose to redefine Bulnesia, dividing it in two genera. Furthermore, other taxonomic issues ofthe remaining genera are solved. This study represents the first approximation to clarify the phylogenetic relationshipsamongst all Larreoideae genera, producing a phylogenetic framework that can be used in future macro-ecological studies.