Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Egan, Ashley N. [1], Cagle, William [2], Gao, Xin-fen [3].

Parsing polyphyletic Pueraria: delimiting distinct evolutionary lineages through phylogeny.

The genus Pueraria includes the notorious invasive vine, Kudzu (P. montana var. lobata), introduced into the U.S. from Asia in the late 1800’s. The relationship of Kudzu to its congeners is unknown. Previous work has suggested Pueraria (Fabaceae) to be polyphyletic based on a limited taxonomic sampling across chloroplast markers. Although several taxonomic treatments have recognized Pueraria as an unnatural grouping since its creation in 1825, no actual revision has been completed to remedy the problem, largely due to the lack of knowledge concerning inter- and intrageneric relationships. This work addresses this issue by sampling broadly across phaseoloid legumes with an initial target goal of 156 species including 15 of the ~20 species of Pueraria.  Ultimately, 104 species across 69 genera were sampled for the nuclear AS2 gene and 116 species across 64 genera for the chloroplast matK marker.  Phylogeny reconstruction was carried out using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference.  Both analyses yielded congruent tree topologies and similar support values. This work provides strong support for the existence of five separate lineages within the genus Pueraria spread over more than 25 million years of divergence across the phaseoloid legumes.  Taxonomic revisions are proposed, requiring the resurrection of the genus Neustanthus for P. phaseoloides along with the need to create a new genus each for P. stricta, P. peduncularis, and P. wallichii.

1 - Smithsonian Institution - NMNH, Botany, Mrc - 166, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013, USA
2 - Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, USA
3 - Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 416, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China

Keywords:
Pueraria
Kudzu
Polyphyly
Phylogeny
Fabaceae
Leguminosae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 18
Location: Salmon/Boise Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 9:00 AM
Number: 18005
Abstract ID:314
Candidate for Awards:None