Phylogeny of the Andean genus Deprea (Physalideae, Solanaceae): testing the generic circumscription

Abstract

Deprea (Solanaceae) is a small South American genus of 10 species occurring in Andean areas from Venezuela to Bolivia. The circumscription of Deprea has been repeatedly modified in recent years, with new species being described and others transferred into or out of the genus. The relationships of Deprea to other genera of Solanaceae are still poorly understood, although it seems to be closely related to Larnax. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to test the monophyly of Deprea. Sequences from three molecular markers (nuclear ITS and waxy and chloroplast psbA-trnH) were analyzed by parsimony and Bayesian methods. All the species of Deprea and Larnax sampled were intermixed in a strongly supported clade in the consensus trees, and therefore the currently recognized Deprea species do not form a monophyletic group. At least four strongly supported clades could be recovered within the Deprea + Larnax assemblage, but the affinities of several species of both genera remained unresolved. Additional sampling including the majority of the Deprea + Larnax species and more representatives of genera in the Physalideae should be done to clarify relationships within the clade and to pinpoint the closest relatives of Deprea + Larnax.

Changes in the circumscription of Deprea (Physalideae, Solanaceae): thirty two new combinations

“…The phylogenetic evidence is further supported by results from recent extensive field collecting and taxonomic work which have shown that characters utilized to distinguish the two genera are not useful, and increasing number of species are found to have intermediate features between the two genera (see Table 1, Deanna et al 2014b; Carrizo et al submitted). Consequently, this paper synonymises Larnax under Deprea , expands the morphological circumscription of Deprea , and transfers the remaining Larnax species to Deprea , presenting all 32 new combinations, and a list of all currently accepted 45 names in Deprea .…”

“…Deprea and Larnax are interesting for their chemical and medicinal value (Cardona et al 2005, Misico et al 2011, Casero et al 2015), but also for their controversial circumscription and position within the Physalideae tribe (Olmstead et al 2008, Särkinen et al 2013, Carrizo García et al submitted). Various authors have transferred species between the two genera for many years (Miers 1849, D´Arcy 1973, 1993, Sawyer 2001, Leiva González et al 2005) and redefined their limits (Hunziker 2001, Sawyer 2005).…”

“…Here we deal with the new circumscription of the two genera under Deprea and the consequent new combinations of Larnax based on recent phylogenetic evidence that show Deprea and Larnax to be monophyletic when their species are merged (100% bootstrap support), where species, as Larnax sachapapa Hunz., are resolved nested within a group of Deprea species, or vice versa (Carrizo et al submitted). The phylogenetic evidence is further supported by results from recent extensive field collecting and taxonomic work which have shown that characters utilized to distinguish the two genera are not useful, and increasing number of species are found to have intermediate features between the two genera (see Table 1, Deanna et al 2014b; Carrizo et al submitted).…”

“…*species included in the phylogenetic analysis (Carrizo et al submitted)**characters which overlap in type species…”

Evolution of floral zygomorphy in androecium and corolla in Solanaceae

“…Other changes include the merging of Larnax Miers into Deprea Raf. (Carrizo García et al, ; Deanna et al, ) and the renaming of Leucophysalis viscosa (Schrad.) Hunz.…”