The circumscription and phylogenetic relationships of Callitropsis and the newly described genus Xanthocyparis (Cupressaceae)

Abstract

A new species of conifer was recently discovered in northern Vietnam. In a preliminary phylogenetic analysis of morphological data a possible sister species, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach, was identified; however, because of the presumed phylogenetic remoteness of these two species to the remainder of the Cupressaceae, a new genus-Xanthocyparis-was described to accommodate both species. Here an analysis of ITS (nrDNA), matK, and rbcL sequence data in combination with 58 informative morphological characters was aimed at testing the monophyly of the remainder of Chamaecyparis and evaluating the placement and monophyly of Xanthocyparis. Chamaecyparis, minus C. nootkatensis, was resolved as a monophyletic group, remote from Cupressus and Xanthocyparis. Cupressus, Juniperus, and Xanthocyparis formed a very highly supported monophyletic group. However, Cupressus was not monophyletic. Instead the Old World species sampled were resolved sister to a clade containing a monophyletic Juniperus, a monophyletic Xanthocyparis, and a clade of New World Cupressus species. If both species of Xanthocyparis are to be treated as members of the same genus, then due to the principal of priority they will have to be recognized in the genus Callitropsis. Research is continuing to resolve the status of New World and Old World Cupressus.

Historical biogeography of the genus Chamaecyparis (Cupressaceae, Coniferales) based on its fossil record

“…A recent proposal to revise the genus Chamaecyparis and to remove Chamaecyparis nootkatensis from the genus (Jagel and Stützel 2001;Farjon et al 2002;Little et al 2004;Xiang and Li 2005) will influence our interpretation of the fossil record of Chamaecyparis s.s. For example, the oldest report of Chamaecyparis, Ch. corpulenta (Bell) McIver 1994, from the Upper Cretaceous of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, will have to be removed from the fossil record of the genus, as noted by Kotyk et al (2003), because the seed cones of Ch.…”

The Botanical Source of Chinese Cedarwood Oil:Cupressus funebrisor Cupressaceae Species?

“…Franco. However, Little, using DNA sequencing data (5,6), has clearly shown that all the Cupressus of the eastern hemisphere form a clade that is distinct from the clades Chamaecyparis, Juniperus, and Cupressus (now Callitropsis) of the western hemisphere Therefore, Cupressus funebris is the correct name.…”

Cypress Surrogate Mother Produces Haploid Progeny From Alien Pollen

“…The large genetic distance between these species as compared to the proximity between the two Mediterranean species may explain this feature. According to recent studies, the genus Cupressus is paraphyletic (Little et al 2004;Little 2006). Cypresses from the New World, now recombined into the genus Callitropsis, and cypresses from the Old Word (Mediterranean and Asian species), keeping the genus name Cupressus, do not share the same phylogenetic origin.…”