The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study

Background and Aims Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions. Methods The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated. Key Results Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented. Conclusions Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades

The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study

Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions.The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated.Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented.Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades

Une nouvelle espèce de <i>Verbascum</i> L. (Scrophulariaceae) de la province de Gilan (Iran), basée sur des caractères morphologiques et moléculaires

Une nouvelle espèce endémique de la province de Gilan dans le nord de l’Iran : Verbascum parsana Sotoodeh, Attar &amp; Civeyrel, sp. nov. est décrite. Considérant la combinaison de certaines caractéristiques comme des fleurs solitaires et sans bractéoles, des poils violets sur les filaments des anthères, la taille du pédoncule floral entre 3 et 10 mm, les feuilles basales pétiolées et les poils étoilés ou glanduleux, cette nouvelle espèce est proche de Verbascum punalense Boiss. &amp; Buhse, mais diffère par plusieurs caractères concernant la forme des anthères, la longueur du pétiole des feuilles basales, la taille de la corolle et les poils du calice. Nous avons réalisé une analyse de distance en comparant les séquences de ces espèces avec ITS et des régions plastidiques (trnS-G, trnL-F, trnH-psbA et une partie de matK) et les caractères morphologiques. Les analyses de distance morphologique comme moléculaire avec les espèces proches ont montré une séparation significative avec les autres Verbascum et permettent de conclure qu’il s’agit bien d’une espèce distincte. Photos et carte de distribution sont présentées.A new endemic species from north of Iran: Verbascum parsana Sotoodeh, Attar &amp; Civeyrel, sp. nov. is described. Considering the combination of some characteristics like ebracteolate and single flowers, violet hairs on filaments, pedicel size between 3 to 10 mm and stellate-glandular indumentum, the new species is related to Verbascum punalense Boiss. &amp; Buhse, but several differences have been observed between the two species: the shape of the anthers, the petiole of basal leaves, the corolla size and the calyx hairs. We investigate the genetic distance of the new species with close genera using ITS and plastid regions (trnS-G, trnL-F, trnH-psbA and partial matK). The new species showed significant molecular and morphological distance from closely related species. Photos and distribution map are presented.</p

Phylogenetic Relationships of Secamonoideae Based on the Plastid Gene matK, Morphology, and Biomechanics

Volume: 88Start Page: 583End Page: 60

A second species of the Malagasy genus Secamonopsis (Asclepiadaceae)

Volume: 6Start Page: 144End Page: 14

Focus sur trois taxa de du genre &lt;i&gt;Verbascum&lt;/i&gt; L. (Scrophulariaceae) de la &lt;i&gt;Flore d&#039;Iran&lt;/i&gt;

Nous avons examiné trois espèces de Verbascum : Verbascum kermanense Hub.-Mor., V. carmanicum (Bornm.) Hub.-Mor. et V. gabrielae (Bornm.) Hub.-Mor. (Scrophulariaceae) pour établir leurs relations de parenté en utilisant à la fois des traits morphologiques et moléculaires. Verbascum kermanense qui avait été mis en synonymie avec V. gabrielae, est une sous-espèce de V. carmanicum, alors que V. gabrielae est bien une espèce valide d’après ses caractéristiques morphologiques et moléculaires. Le présent article traite des analyses de classifications morphologique et hiérarchique des caractères-clés de ces taxons, et fournit une évaluation de leur état de conservation et leur répartition pour l’Iran.We analyzed Verbascum kermanense Hub.-Mor., V. carmanicum (Bornm.) Hub.-Mor. and V. gabrielae (Bornm.) Hub.-Mor. (Scrophulariaceae) to resolve their classification using morphological traits and molecular evidence. Verbascum kermanense previously synonymized with V. gabrielae is presented as a subspecies of V. carmanicum, and V. gabrielae as a valid species based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The present article discusses morphological and hierarchical clustering analyses of key characters of these taxa, and provides their conservation status assessment and their distribution map for Iran.</p

A new species of Pentopetia (Asclepiadaceae) from Madagascar

Volume: 19Start Page: 267End Page: 27