Neotropical Anacardiaceae (cashew family)

Abstract

Anacardiaceae is an ecologically and economically important plant family of about 200 species in 32 genera in the Neotropics. The family is particularly diverse in leaf architecture and fruit morphology, making it a model family to study the evolution of structural diversity as it correlates with lineage diversification. This fruit diversity is the primary reason 11 of the Neotropical genera are monotypic and that so many genera are recognized in the Anacardiaceae. The economic value of the family is driven by the global markets for cashews, mangoes, and pistachios, but there is great potential value in its medicinal properties. At least 10 Neotropical genera cause contact dermatitis, which is a rich area for research in the family. Here presented is a review of the systematics and structural diversity of the family. Particular attention is given to the morphology, economic botany, paleobotany, ecology, and taxonomy of native and naturalized genera. Keys to Neotropical Anacardiaceae subfamilies and genera are provided along with descriptions of native genera.

Phylogenomic analyses of Sapindales support new family relationships, rapid Mid-Cretaceous Hothouse diversification, and heterogeneous histories of gene duplication

“…A close relationship of Burseraceae and Anacardiaceae is well-established, with both families previously included in the family Terebinthaceae and sharing the synapomorphies of vertical intercellular secretory canals in the primary and secondary phloem and the ability to synthesise biflavonyls ( Wannan et al., 1985 ; Wannan, 1986 ; Wannan and Quinn, 1990 ; Wannan and Quinn, 1991 ; Terrazas, 1994 ). More recent molecular studies support Anacardiaceae and Burseraceae as monophyletic, although infra-familial classifications are in need of revision ( Gadek et al., 1996 ; Pell, 2004 ; Weeks et al., 2014 ; Muellner-Riehl et al., 2016 ; Mitchell et al., 2022 ). Morphological studies have shown a close affinity in floral structure of members of the monogeneric family Kirkiaceae to Anacardiaceae and Burseraceae ( Bachelier and Endress, 2008 ), and, together, these families form a moderately to well-supported clade in recent molecular studies ( Muellner et al., 2007 ; Muellner-Riehl et al., 2016 ; Li et al., 2021 ).…”