Combined Molecular and Morphological Phylogenetic Analyses of the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae)

A revised circumscription for the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae) with associated nomenclatural adjustments

“…Important references concerning the systematics of Blakea include (Almeda 1990, 2000a, 2000b, 2001a, 2001b, 2009, Gleason 1945, Wurdack 1973, 1980, Penneys 2007, Penneys and Judd 2011, in press). …”

“…Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that the two genera properly belong in the Blakeeae, forming a clade with ten species sister to Blakea (Penneys et al 2004, Penneys 2007, Penneys and Judd 2010, Penneys and Judd 2011, Penneys and Judd in press, Morales-P 2010, Morales-P and Penneys 2010, Morales-P et al submitted). Chalybea has been found to be nested within Huilaea (Morales-P 2010, Morales-P and Penneys 2010, Penneys and Judd 2010, Morales-P et al submitted), thus the species in the latter genus will be transferred (Morales-P 2010, Morales-P et al in prep) to Chalybea , which has nomenclatural priority.…”

“…However, morphological, molecular, and combined phylogenetic analyses (Penneys et al 2004; Penneys 2007; Penneys and Judd 2010, 2011, in press) have necessitated adjustments in the circumscription of the Blakeeae. Morphological characters pertaining to the androecium that have been used as a basis for separating these two genera have proven to be homoplasious and of limited taxonomic value (Penneys 2007, Penneys and Judd 2011, Penneys and Judd in press). Recognition of Topobea renders both that genus and Blakea polyphyletic, thus Topobea is here relegated to synonymy under Blakea .…”

Revision of the Lima clade (Miconia sect. Lima, Miconieae, Melastomataceae) of the Greater Antilles

“…ex DC., and Tococa Aubl. Miconieae can be recognized by their berry fruit, poorly developed anther appendages, the presence of druse crystals and associated lack of megastyloid crystals in various plant parts (Michelangeli et al 2008, Ionta et al 2012), and lack of two pairs of large, decussate bracts subtending each flower, as in tribe Blakeeae (Penneys and Judd 2013). …”

A new species of Chalybea (Blakeeae, Melastomataceae) from the Ecuador-Peru border

“…A second species of Chalybea from Peru has been described (Morales-Puentes & Penneys, 2010: 28). Recent phylogenetic studies based on morphological and molecular data demonstrated that these two genera form a clade within an expanded concept of the tribe Blakeeae (Morales-Puentes 2010; Penneys & Judd, 2011, 2013a; furthermore, morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated (Penneys & Judd, 2013b) that Chalybea is nested within Huilaea, thus the latter was placed within the synonymy of the former (Penneys & Judd 2013a. Chalybea as currently understood is characterized by the terrestrial habit, foliar pin-wheel type acarodomatia, truncate monotelic synflorescences, flowers subtended by a single pair of narrow, caducous bracts, lenticellate hypanthia, pseudocampanulate corollas, laterally rounded anthers that are white to cream in color, and yellowish-green fruits with a thick, leathery exocarp.…”