New Systematics

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Systematics, Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Classification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 18784

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Guest Editor
Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: plant systematics; molecular phylogeny; polyploidy; cryptic species; speciation; DNA barcoding
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Guest Editor
Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: plant molecular phylogeny; genomics; evolution; cytogenetics; chromosomes; chromatin; speciation; hybridization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The last decade of the 20th and the first decade of the 21st centuries have brought major changes in plant systematics, expressed at all taxonomic levels. The increasingly large-scale introduction of the molecular approach significantly transformed this very old scientific discipline and led to significant changes in plant macrosystematics—the relations of many families and orders turned out not to be the same, as they were seen in the framework of traditional approaches. Consideration of these relationships from a new angle of view, in turn, entailed a revision of some previously established views on the evolution of morphological and other non-molecular characters. Molecular phylogeny and the introduction and application of an approach known as DNA barcoding revealed the existence of previously unknown cryptic species and made us take a fresh look at the intraspecific taxonomy in many species, and how speciation processes can take place.

In this Special issue “New Systematics”, we plan to publish articles, brief reports and reviews, illustrating how new approaches and methods lead to the new concepts in the taxonomy of land plant taxa at different levels, supply new evidence of hybridization, reveal cryptic species, and other related research.

Dr. Victoria Shneyer
Dr. Alexander Rodionov
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Plant systematics
  • Molecular phylogeny
  • Evolution
  • Speciation
  • Cryptic species
  • Hybrids

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3262 KiB  
Article
Origin of the Rare Hybrid Genus ×Trisetokoeleria Tzvelev (Poaceae) According to Molecular Phylogenetic Data
by Alexander A. Gnutikov, Nikolai N. Nosov, Tatiana M. Koroleva, Elizaveta O. Punina, Nina S. Probatova, Victoria S. Shneyer and Alexander V. Rodionov
Plants 2022, 11(24), 3533; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243533 - 15 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1309
Abstract
In our article, we analyzed new data on the origin of the hybrid genus ×Trisetokoeleria. According to the morphological criteria ×T. jurtzevii is a hybrid between Koeleria asiatica s. l. and Trisetum spicatum, ×T. taimyrica, and originated [...] Read more.
In our article, we analyzed new data on the origin of the hybrid genus ×Trisetokoeleria. According to the morphological criteria ×T. jurtzevii is a hybrid between Koeleria asiatica s. l. and Trisetum spicatum, ×T. taimyrica, and originated from Koeleria asiatica s. l. and Trisetum subalpestre, ×T. gorodkowii, a hybrid between Koeleria asiatica and Trisetum ruprechtianum. Later ×T. taimyrica was transferred to Koeleria. Parental taxa are prone to active hybridization themselves, thus, new methods of next-generation sequencing (NGS) were needed to clarify the relationships of these genera. For NGS we used the fragment 18S rDNA (part)–ITS1–5.8S rDNA (totally 441 accessions). We analyzed ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2 region, trnL–trnF and trnK–rps16 from eight samples of the five species, using the Sanger method: ×Trisetokoeleria jurtzevii, ×T. taimyrica, Koeleria asiatica, Sibirotrisetum sibiricum (=Trisetum sibiricum), and Trisetum spicatum. We also studied the pollen fertility of ×Trisetokoeleria and its possible progenitors. Our data partly contradicted previous assumptions, based on morphological grounds, and showed us a picture of developed introgression within and between Koeleria and Trisetum. ×T. jurtzevii, a totally sterile hybrid formed rather recently. We can suppose that ×T. jurtzevii is a hybrid between K. asiatica and some Trisetum s. str. Species, but not T. spicatum. ×T. gorodkowii, a hybrid in the stage of primary stabilization; it has one unique ribotype related to T. spicatum s. l. The second parental species is unrelated to Trisetum ruprechtianum. ×T. taimyrica and is a stabilized hybrid species; it shares major ribotypes with the T. spicatum/T. wrangelense group and has a minor fraction of rDNA related to genus Deyeuxia s. l. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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22 pages, 2726 KiB  
Article
Relationships within Mcneillia Indicate a Complex Evolutionary History and Reveal a New Species of Minuartiella (Caryophyllaceae, Alsinoideae)
by Daniele De Luca, Emanuele Del Guacchio, Fabio Conti, Duilio Iamonico and Paolo Caputo
Plants 2022, 11(16), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11162118 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1621
Abstract
The genus Mcneillia has been recently segregated from Minuartia L. based on molecular results, also supported by morphology. However, to date, a comprehensive study on the phylogenetic relationships within this genus is lacking. In this paper, we provide a multigene phylogeny of all [...] Read more.
The genus Mcneillia has been recently segregated from Minuartia L. based on molecular results, also supported by morphology. However, to date, a comprehensive study on the phylogenetic relationships within this genus is lacking. In this paper, we provide a multigene phylogeny of all the species and subspecies of Mcneillia employing two nuclear and six chloroplast markers. We documented extensive gene flow between taxa, sometimes separated at specific rank. In addition, Mcneillia as currently circumscribed, is not monophyletic. In fact, Mcneillia graminifolia subsp. brachypetala, strictly endemic to Greece, truly belongs to Minuartiella, a genus otherwise limited to South-West Asia. Moreover, even after removal of this taxon, our results do not support the monophyly of the taxa included in M. graminifolia s.l., the most variable and widespread species of the genus. Further controversial subspecies of Mcneillia graminifolia, i.e., subsp. hungarica and subsp. rosanoi, are shown to deserve taxonomic recognition as separate species, whereas Mc. moraldoi is not distinct at specific rank. In addition, Mc. saxifraga subsp. tmolea is here regarded as a further distinct species. A consistent taxonomic treatment is therefore proposed with six new combinations and nomenclatural notes, providing the necessary typifications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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20 pages, 3393 KiB  
Article
Phylogeny and Taxonomic Synopsis of the Genus Bougainvillea (Nyctaginaceae)
by Mary Ann C. Bautista, Yan Zheng, David E. Boufford, Zhangli Hu, Yunfei Deng and Tao Chen
Plants 2022, 11(13), 1700; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131700 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3735
Abstract
Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss. is one of the renowned genera in the Nyctaginaceae, but despite its recognized horticultural value, the taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus is not well-studied. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on plastid genomes showed that B. pachyphylla and B. peruviana are [...] Read more.
Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss. is one of the renowned genera in the Nyctaginaceae, but despite its recognized horticultural value, the taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus is not well-studied. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on plastid genomes showed that B. pachyphylla and B. peruviana are basal taxa, while B. spinosa is sister to two distinct clades: the predominantly cultivated Bougainvillea clade (B. spectabilis, B. glabra, B. arborea, B. cultivar, B. praecox) and the clade containing wild species of Bougainvillea (B. berberidifolia, B. campanulata, B. infesta, B. modesta, B. luteoalba, B. stipitata, and B. stipitata var. grisebachiana). Early divergence of B. peruviana, B. pachyphylla and B. spinosa is highly supported, thus the previously proposed division of Bougainvillea into two subgenera (Bougainvillea and Tricycla) was not reflected in this study. Morphological analysis also revealed that leaf arrangement, size, and indumentum together with the perianth tube and anthocarp shape and indumentum are important characteristics in differentiating the species of Bougainvillea. In the present study, 11 species and one variety are recognized in Bougainvillea. Six names are newly reduced to synonymy, and lectotypes are designated for 27 names. In addition, a revised identification key and illustrations of the distinguishing parts are also provided in the paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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8 pages, 1008 KiB  
Communication
Compensatory Base Changes and Varying Phylogenetic Effects on Angiosperm ITS2 Genetic Distances
by Ruixin Cao, Shuyan Tong, Tianjing Luan, Hanyun Zheng and Wei Zhang
Plants 2022, 11(7), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11070929 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1474
Abstract
A compensatory base change (CBC) that coevolves in the secondary structure of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) influences the estimation of genetic distance and thus challenges the phylogenetic use of this most popular genetic marker. To date, however, the CBC effect on [...] Read more.
A compensatory base change (CBC) that coevolves in the secondary structure of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) influences the estimation of genetic distance and thus challenges the phylogenetic use of this most popular genetic marker. To date, however, the CBC effect on ITS2 genetic distance is still unclear. Here, ITS2 sequences of 46 more recent angiosperm lineages were screened from 5677 genera and phylogenetically analyzed in sequence-structure format, including secondary structure prediction, structure-based alignment and sequence partition of paired and unpaired regions. ITS2 genetic distances were estimated comparatively by using both conventional DNA substitution models and RNA-specific models, which were performed in the PHASE package. Our results showed that the existence of the CBC substitution inflated the ITS2 genetic distances to different extents, and the deviation could be 180% higher if the relative ratio of substitution rate in ITS2 secondary structure stems was threefold higher than that in the loops. However, the CBC effect was minor if that ratio was below two, indicating that the DNA model is still applicable in recent lineages in which few CBCs occur. We thus provide a general empirical threshold to take account of CBC before ITS2 phylogenetic analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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15 pages, 2475 KiB  
Article
Sequence Capture of Mitochondrial Genome with PCR-Generated Baits Provides New Insights into the Biogeography of the Genus Abies Mill.
by Vladimir L. Semerikov, Svetlana A. Semerikova, Yuliya Y. Khrunyk and Yuliya A. Putintseva
Plants 2022, 11(6), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060762 - 13 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2572
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), being maternally inherited in plants of the family Pinaceae, is an important source of phylogeographic information. However, its use is hindered by a low mutation rate and frequent structure rearrangements. In the present study, we tested the method of genomic [...] Read more.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), being maternally inherited in plants of the family Pinaceae, is an important source of phylogeographic information. However, its use is hindered by a low mutation rate and frequent structure rearrangements. In the present study, we tested the method of genomic libraries enrichment with mtDNA via the sequence capture method yielding mtDNA data which were further used to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree of the genus Abies. The baits for hybrid capture were obtained by long-range PCR using primers designed on the basis of the assembly of Abies sibirica Ledeb. mitochondrial genome. Mitochondrial genomes of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr., Larix sibirica Ledeb., and Keteleeria davidiana (Bertrand) Beissn. were used as an outgroup. The resulting phylogenetic tree consists of two sister branches, including the Eurasian and American species, respectively, with some exceptions. The subclade of A. sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Mast. and A. veitchii Lindl. (Japan and Sakhalin islands) occupies a basal position in the branch of American firs, probably due to the complex history of fir migrations from North America to Eurasia. The tree has high support for majority of clades. For species represented by more than one sample an intraspecific variability was found which is suitable to design mtDNA markers for phylogeographic and population studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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20 pages, 3357 KiB  
Article
Taxonomic Composition of Iris Subser. Chrysographes (Iridaceae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA and Morphological Analyses
by Eugeny V. Boltenkov, Elena V. Artyukova and Anna Trias-Blasi
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2232; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112232 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1902
Abstract
The species of Iris subser. Chrysographes are herbaceous perennials found mainly in southwestern and central China and also in the Eastern Himalayas. To date, six species have been recognized in this group. In the framework of its taxonomic revision, we have carried out [...] Read more.
The species of Iris subser. Chrysographes are herbaceous perennials found mainly in southwestern and central China and also in the Eastern Himalayas. To date, six species have been recognized in this group. In the framework of its taxonomic revision, we have carried out molecular and morphological studies. For this, we have sequenced four chloroplast DNA regions (trnStrnG, trnL–trnF, rps4–trnSGGA, and psbAtrnH) for 25 samples across the major distribution ranges of the six species. Our phylogenetic analyses evidence that I. subser. Chrysographes is indeed a monophyletic group, which is sister to I. subser. Sibiricae. Within I. subser. Chrysographes, we have recovered four divergent lineages further supported by diagnosable morphological traits and geographical distributions. In this context, our data confirm the recognition of I. clarkei, I. delavayi, and I. wilsonii in their traditional concepts. Furthermore, both molecular and morphological data support the close affinities and similar distribution ranges of I. bulleyana, I. chrysographes, and I. forrestii, which suggests including I. chrysographes and I. forrestii as color forms in I. bulleyana. A revised taxonomic treatment for the group, including the notes on the species distributions and habitats, and also an identification key to the species are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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14 pages, 1688 KiB  
Article
Molecular Phylogeny of Trifolium L. Section Trifolium with Reference to Chromosome Number and Subsections Delimitation
by Hanan I. Sayed Ahmed, Abdelfattah Badr, Hanaa H. El-Shazly, Linda Watson, Ahmed S. Fouad and Faten Y. Ellmouni
Plants 2021, 10(10), 1985; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10101985 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2251
Abstract
The genus Trifolium is one of the largest genera of the legume family Fabaceae with ca. 255 species. The genus is divided into eight sections; the section Trifolium is a major section of the genus, comprising 73 species mainly distributed in the Mediterranean [...] Read more.
The genus Trifolium is one of the largest genera of the legume family Fabaceae with ca. 255 species. The genus is divided into eight sections; the section Trifolium is a major section of the genus, comprising 73 species mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region. We used nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and morphological variation to reconsider the delimitation and phylogenetic relationships of species in the section Trifolium with reference to chromosomal variations. Bayesian analysis of ITS data delimited the species as three clades based on the analysis of ITS sequence and informative indels in combination with morphological variation. The phylogeny of the species by different analyses methods does not support their current delimitation in 17 subsections. The basic chromosome number x = 8 is the number for the genus Trifolium, from which x = 7, 6 and 5 were derived through successive aneuploidy events. With reference to the distribution of these numbers in the species of the section Trifolium, species in clade III and clade II are more evolved than species in clade I. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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18 pages, 2704 KiB  
Article
Intraspecific Genetic Diversity of Cistus creticus L. and Evolutionary Relationships to Cistus albidus L. (Cistaceae): Meeting of the Generations?
by Brigitte Lukas, Dijana Jovanovic, Corinna Schmiderer, Stefanos Kostas, Angelos Kanellis, José Gómez Navarro, Zehra Aytaç, Ali Koç, Emel Sözen and Johannes Novak
Plants 2021, 10(8), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081619 - 06 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2654
Abstract
Cistus (Cistaceae) comprises a number of white- and purple-flowering shrub species widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Within genus Cistus, many taxa are subject to various taxonomic uncertainties. Cistus creticus, a prominent member of the purple-flowered clade, is a prime case of [...] Read more.
Cistus (Cistaceae) comprises a number of white- and purple-flowering shrub species widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Within genus Cistus, many taxa are subject to various taxonomic uncertainties. Cistus creticus, a prominent member of the purple-flowered clade, is a prime case of the current taxonomic troubles. Floras and databases approve different species names and utilise different or additional/fewer synonyms. Various intraspecific classification systems based on subspecies or varieties are in use. The inconsistent determination of plant material makes it difficult to compare literature regarding the phytochemical diversity and biological activities of plant material and impedes a systematic utilization of the manifold medicinal properties of C. creticus. In the present investigation, we used DNA sequence data from one nuclear region (ITS) and two chloroplast regions (trnL-trnF, rpl32-trnL) to test the intraspecific genetic diversity of C. creticus and its evolutionary relationships to the closely related C. albidus. The combined DNA data confirmed C. creticus as a rather heterogeneous species that integrates two major evolutionary lineages with clearly different genetic characteristics. The ‘Eastern Mediterranean clade’ seems to represent old and ancestral characteristics. This lineage exhibits a close relationship to the geographically distant C. albidus, expressed by very closely related ribotypes and an interspecifically shared chlorotype. The ‘Western Mediterranean clade’ is characterized by a distinctive ITS polymorphism (co-occurring paralogous ribotypes) and more distantly related chlorotypes. The formation of the genetically complex ‘Western Mediterranean clade’ seems to have involved hybridization and recurrent formation or migration movements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Systematics)
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