Abstract Detail

Systematics

Foster, Charles [1], Cantrill, David [2], James, Elizabeth [2], Syme, Anna [2], Jordan, Rebecca [2], Douglas, Rachel [2], Ho, Simon [3], Henwood, Murray [3].

There goes Thecanthes: molecular phylogenetics clarifies the circumscription of Pimelea (Thymelaeaceae).

Pimelea Banks & Sol. Ex Gaertn. is a genus of flowering plants comprising approximately 90 species in Australia, and approximately 35 species in New Zealand. The genus is economically important, with the attractive flowers of some species having horticultural applications, and the presence of toxic compounds in several species proving poisonous to livestock. Pimelea grows in a variety of habitats ranging from arid to alpine, suggesting a complicated biogeographic history. The relationships within Pimelea remain largely ambiguous, despite previous attempts at clarification using molecular phylogenetics. However, it is clear that Pimelea is closely related to Thecanthes Wikstr., with the two genera forming the subtribe Pimeleinae. We used Bayesian and maximum-likelihood analyses of four plastid markers (matK, rbcL, rps16, trnL–F) and one nuclear ribosomal marker (ITS) to examine the phylogenetic relationships within Pimelea, including the relationship with Thecanthes. We found strong support for the monophyly of Pimeleinae, but, similar to previous studies, Pimelea was paraphyletic with respect to Thecanthes. Therefore, we have reduced Thecanthes to synonymy of Pimelea. This extends the known distribution of Pimelea into Papua New Guinea and Malesia, which introduces further biogeographic questions.

1 - University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Edgeworth David Building A11, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
2 - Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Private Bag 2000, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria, 3141, Australia
3 - University of Sydney, Edgeworth David Building A11, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

Keywords:
Pimelea
Thecanthes
Thymelaeaceae
Angiospermae
Systematics
phylogenetics
Biogeography.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Systematics Section/ASPT Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSY036
Abstract ID:431
Candidate for Awards:None