Abstract Detail

Systematics Section

Uribe-Convers, Simon [1], Tank, David [2].

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Bartsia L. (Orobanchaceae): a mostly South American genus wrapped in a European Clade.

Relationships among the major lineages in Orobanchaceae have been well studied, but relationships among genera within these lineages are poorly understood in many clades. This study is focused on intergeneric relationships within the “European clade” of Orobanchaceae and specifically on interspecific relationships within Bartsia and closely allied genera. Bartsia (ca. 50 spp.) is primarily distributed in South America where 45 species are endemic to the Andes, but is also a noticeable element in the alpine flora of Europe and east Africa – with two representatives in the mountains of central eastern Africa (B. decurva and B. longiflora,) and one in the Alps and the Scandinavian region (B. alpina). Phylogenetic analyses of multiple cpDNA and nuclear DNA regions indicate that as currently circumscribed, Bartsia is polyphyletic with three distinct lineages corresponding to their disparate continental distributions. The polyphyly of Bartsia is strongly supported showing that 1) the European Bartsia alpina is sister to a large Euphrasia-Rhinanthus-Odontites-Bartsia s.l. clade, 2) African Bartsia (B. decurva and B. longiflora) are more closely related to the monotypic African genus Hedbergia than to other Bartsia species, and 3) the South American Bartsia species form a well-supported clade that is sister to the monotypic Mediterranean genera Bellardia and Parentucellia. Finally, short branches observed within the South American Bartsia clade may be the result of a recent and/or rapid radiation that coincides with the uplift of the northern Andes in the last 2 to 4 million years. We will discuss these phylogenetic results and their implications on the current taxonomy of Bartsia and allied genera in the European clade, as well as biogeographic hypotheses with respect to the diversification of the South American Bartsia clade.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium, P.O. Box 441133, Moscow, ID, 83844-1133, USA
2 - University of Idaho, Department of Forest Resources, Moscow, Idaho, 83844, USA

Keywords:
Andes
Bartsia
Biogeography
Orobanchaceae
Diversification rates
multigene phylogeny.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 50
Location: 555A/Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: 50013
Abstract ID:685