Conflicting phylogenies of balsaminoid families and the polytomy in Ericales: combining data in a Bayesian framework

Abstract

The balsaminoid Ericales, namely Balsaminaceae, Marcgraviaceae, Tetrameristaceae, and Pellicieraceae have been confidently placed at the base of Ericales, but the relations among these families have been resolved differently in recent analyses. Sister to this basal group is a large polytomy comprising all other families of Ericales, which is associated with short internodes. Because there are more than 13 kb of sequences for a large sampling of representatives, a thorough examination of the available data with novel methods seemed in place. Because of its computational speed, Bayesian phylogenetics allows for the use of parameter-rich models that can accommodate differences in the evolutionary process between partitions in a simultaneous analysis. In addition, there are recently proposed Bayesian strategies of assessing incongruence between partitions. We have applied these methods to the current problems in Ericales phylogeny, taking into account reported pitfalls in Bayesian analysis such as model selection uncertainty. Based on our results we infer several, previously unresolved relationships in the order Ericales. In balsaminoid families, we find that the closest relatives of Balsaminaceae are Marcgraviaceae. In the Ericales polytomy, we find strong support for Pentaphylacaceae sensu APG II as the sister group of Maesaceae. In addition, Symplocaceae receive a position as sister to Theaceae and these families form a monophyletic group together with Styracaceae-Diapensiaceae. At the base of this clade are Actinidiaceae and Clethraceae. The positions of Ebenaceae and Lecythidaceae remain uncertain.

Diversity and evolution of floral structure among early diverging lineages in the Ericales

“…The balsaminoid clade was first identified in a molecular study by Morton et al (1996) and is one of the few larger ericalean clades that repeatedly has found strong support in phylogenetic studies dealing with the order (Källersjö et al 1998;Anderberg et al 2002;Bremer et al 2002;Geuten et al 2004;Schö nenberger et al 2005). Interfamilial relationships in the clade, however, are problematic, apparently because of conflicting phylogenetic signals from chloroplast and mitochondrial data (Geuten et al 2004;Schö nenberger et al 2005). The clade comprises ca 1136 species in 12 genera.…”

Phylogenetics of <I>Impatiens</I> and <I>Hydrocera</I> (Balsaminaceae) Using Chloroplast <I>atpB-rbcL</I> Spacer Sequences

“…Although many earlier studies at family level or above showed that Balsaminaceae are part of the basal clade in Ericales, the use of only very few Impatiens species in those surveys could not provide a definite answer regarding the monophyly of the family Soltis et al 2000;Albach et al 2001;Anderberg et al 2002;Bremer et al 2002;APG 2003;Geuten et al 2004). Yuan et al (2004) included adequate taxon sampling to test and affirm the monophyly of Balsaminaceae.…”

“…Fresh material, silica dried specimens, and herbarium specimens of 86 Impatiens species are used in this molecular study. Recent molecular results confirmed a well supported clade of Tetrameristaceae and Marcgraviaceae with Balsaminaceae (Morton et al 1996;Savolainen et al 2000;Soltis et al 2000;Albach et al 2001;Anderberg et al 2002;Bremer et al 2002;APG 2003;Geuten et al 2004). Therefore, we used representatives of Marcgraviaceae (Marcgravia umbellata, M. maguire, Norantea guianensis, Souroubea sp.…”

Phylogenetic utility of the AP3/DEF K-domain and its molecular evolution in Impatiens (Balsaminaceae)

“…Amplification reactions were carried out on a GeneAmp PCR system 9700 (Applied Biosystems). Cycle sequencing reactions were performed as in Geuten et al (2004).…”

“…According to the phylogeny of the cloned AP3/DEF-like genes, MuDEF is sister of both Impatiens copies, suggesting the occurrence of a duplication in the AP3/DEF lineage subsequent to the divergence of Marcgraviaceae and Balsaminaceae. Impatiens is one of the two genera belonging to the Balsaminaceae family, which is considered to be closely related to the neotropical Marcgraviaceae Bremer et al, 2002;Geuten et al, 2004;Schö nenberger et al, 2005).…”