Towards a complete phylogeny of African Melastomateae : systematics of Dissotis and allies (Melastomataceae)

Nothodissotis (Melastomataceae), a new genus from Atlantic Central Africa, including the new species N. alenensis from Equatorial Guinea

Based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence, a new genus of Melastomataceae (Melastomateae), Nothodissotis Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, gen. nov., is described from Atlantic Central Africa. Nothodissotis is distinguished from other African Melastomateae genera by its calyx-lobes that are notched at apex and asymmetrical (vs. entire and symmetrical). Nothodissotis includes two species: the type species N.barteri (Hook.f.) Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, comb. nov. (syn. Dissotisbarteri Hook.f.), and the new species N.alenensis Veranso-Libalah & O. Lachenaud, sp. nov., described and illustrated here. Both species are restricted to open vegetation on rock outcrops w…

Multiple shifts to open habitats in Melastomateae (Melastomataceae) congruent with the increase of African Neogene climatic aridity

International audience; AimAfrican Melastomateae (Melastomataceae) comprise c. 185 species occurring in closed or open habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to reconstruct biogeographical and habitat history, and shifts in diversification rates of African Melastomateae using a well-sampled, dated molecular phylogeny.LocationAmericas, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, SE Asia.TaxonAngiosperms, Melastomataceae, African Melastomateae.MethodsPhylogenetic relationships were estimated based on an extensive sampling of New and Old World Melastomateae, using two nuclear and three plastid markers. Divergence times were estimated in BEAST based on three calibration priors under Bayesian unc…

Argyrella richardsiae, a new species of Melastomataceae from the wet miombo woodlands of south-central Africa

A new species from the wet miombo woodlands of Tanzania and Angola, Argyrella richardsiae Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, sp. nov. (Melastomataceae, Melastomateae), is described and illustrated. Although the widespread Argyrella canescens also occurs in Tanzania and northeastern Angola, A. richardsiae is morphologically most similar to Argyrella bambutorum known only from the Northwest of Cameroon, but differs by its indumentum of glandular trichomes on the entire plant (versus a mixture of stellate and glandular trichomes in other species of Argyrella), leaf-blades with serrulate margins (versus entire margins in A. bambutorum) and lateral nerves that become faint mid-way and never reach…

Phylogeny and systematics of African Melastomateae (Melastomataceae)

Melastomateae are the most species-rich (185 spp./13 gen.) and morphologically diverse tribe within the African Melastomataceae. In this study we present the first in-depth phylogenetic analysis of African Melastomateae using sequences generated from one nuclear (nrITS) and two plastid spacers (accD-psaI, psbK-psbL) sampling 183 accessions representing 75 African, 10 Madagascan and 7 Asian species and a broad outgroup sampling. We infer phylogenetic relationships using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian approaches and propose a revised generic classification of African Melastomateae based on our molecular trees in combination with a careful reassessment of morphological vari…

Phylogenetic placement of Cailliella praerupticola (Melastomataceae), a rare, monospecific lineage from Guinea, West Africa

The genus Cailliella includes a single species, C. praerupticola, restricted to a sandstone plateau region in Coyah, Dubreka, Forecariah and Kindia Prefectures, Guinea, West Africa. Until its rediscovery in 2016, this species was known only by the type gathering made in 1937. We provide an emended description, photographs of living material, locality and habitat data, and a discussion of its conservation status. We further designate a lectotype for C. praerupticola. On the basis of morphology, Cailliella had been considered an isolated member of the tribe Melastomateae, possibly sister to Melastomastrum. We tested the classification of Cailliella by means of a phylogenetic analysis of C. pr…