Ana Paula Fortuna-Perez

A new subfamily classification of the leguminosae based on a taxonomically comprehensive phylogeny

The classification of the legume family proposed here addresses the long-known non-monophyly of the traditionally recognised subfamily Caesalpinioideae, by recognising six robustly supported monophyletic subfamilies. This new classification uses as its framework the most comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of legumes to date, based on plastid matK gene sequences, and including near-complete sampling of genera (698 of the currently recognised 765 genera) and ca. 20% (3696) of known species. The matK gene region has been the most widely sequenced across the legumes, and in most legume lineages, this gene region is sufficiently variable to yield well-supported clades. This analysis resolves the same major clades as in other phylogenies of whole plastid and nuclear gene sets (with much sparser taxon sampling). Our analysis improves upon previous studies that have used large phylogenies of the Leguminosae for addressing evolutionary questions, because it maximises generic sampling and provides a phylogenetic tree that is based on a fully curated set of sequences that are vouchered and taxonomically validated. The phylogenetic trees obtained and the underlying data are available to browse and download, facilitating subsequent analyses that require evolutionary trees. Here we propose a new community-endorsed classification of the family that reflects the phylogenetic structure that is consistently resolved and recognises six subfamilies in Leguminosae: a recircumscribed Caesalpinioideae DC., Cercidoideae Legume Phylogeny Working Group (stat. nov.), Detarioideae Burmeist., Dialioideae Legume Phylogeny Working Group (stat. nov.), Duparquetioideae Legume Phylogeny Working Group (stat. nov.), and Papilionoideae DC. The traditionally recognised subfamily Mimosoideae is a distinct clade nested within the recircumscribed Caesalpinioideae and is referred to informally as the mimosoid clade pending a forthcoming formal tribal and/or cladebased classification of the new Caesalpinioideae. We provide a key for subfamily identification, descriptions with diagnostic charactertistics for the subfamilies, figures illustrating their floral and fruit diversity, and lists of genera by subfamily. This new classification of Leguminosae represents a consensus view of the international legume systematics community; it invokes both compromise and practicality of use.

Leaflet secretory structures of five taxa of the genus Zornia J.F. Gmel. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) and their systematic significance

A survey of the secretory structures of leaflets has been carried out for five taxa of the genus Zornia J.F. Gmel. to assess possible taxonomic value of the glands, taking into account that these taxa, Zornia curvata Mohlenbr., Z. gemella Willd. ex Vogel, Z. glabra Desv., Z. latifolia Sm. and Z. reticulata Sm., have overlapping diagnostic characters. The leaflet secretory structures of the five studied taxa of Zornia were mucilage epidermis, mucilage cavities, and idioblasts secreting phenolic compounds. Mucilage epidermis is found in all five aforementioned taxa. Mucilage cavities are observed on both epidermal surfaces of the leaflets in four taxa, the exception being Z. glabra, whose cavities occur only on the abaxial surface. Idioblasts secreting phenolic compounds were detected only in the mesophyll of Z. latifolia and Z. reticulata. The joint occurrence of mucilage epidermis with mucilage cavities seems to be of unifying value for the five taxa analyzed. The position of mucilage cavities and the occurrence of secretory idioblasts in the mesophyll of the leaflets are of diagnostic value, providing a key to enable identification of the taxa studied. This study reveals that the secretory structures provide important information in support of systematic studies of the Leguminosae. In relation to the five taxa of Zornia studied, current results suggest recognition of four species: Z. curvata, Z. glabra, Z. latifolia, and Z. reticulata.

Stylosanthes (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae-Dalbergiae) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Stylosanthes Sw. comprises 48 species with a pantropical distribution. The genus is a member of the informal Pterocarpus - Dalbergioid clade. This work presents a taxonomic study of the genus Stylosanthes for Sao Paulo state, through analysis of specialized literature and material from national herbaria. Nine species were recognized: S. acuminata M.B. Ferreira & Sousa Costa, S. bracteata Vogel, S. capitata Vogel, S. humilis Kunth, S. gracilis Kunth, S. grandiflora M.B. Ferreira & Sousa Costa, S guianensis (Aubl.) Sw., S. scabra Vogel and S. viscosa Sw., differing mainly in habit, inflorescence form, number of articles per loment, aspect of the rostrum in the loments and seed aspect. Descriptions, illustrations, comments on affinities between species based on morphology, geographic distribution and a key for the recognition of the taxa are provided.

Nomenclatural Changes for Zornia (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) in Brazil

Abstract.  While studying the species of Zornia J. F. Gmel. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) from Brazil for taxonomic revision of the genus, eight lectotypifications are proposed: Hedysarum bifolium Vell., Z. diphylla (L.) Pers. var. bernardinensis Chodat & Hassl., Z. diphylla var. elatior Benth., Z. diphylla f. ciliata Chodat & Hassl., Z. myriadena Benth., Z. perforata Vogel, Z. reticulata Sm., and Z. sericea Moric., as well as two neotypifications for Z. brasiliensis Vogel and Z. ovata Vogel. A new combination, Z. vichadana (Killip ex Mohlenbr.) Fort.-Perez & A. M. G. Azevedo is proposed, based upon Z. pardina Mohlenbr. var. vichadana Kilip ex Mohlenbr. Eighteen new synonymizations are also included.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Zornia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Dalbergieae)

The genus Zornia has a pantropical distribution and comprises 80 species in two subgenera (Myriadena, Zornia) and three sections (Zornia, Isophylla, Anisophylla). The genus is characterized mainly by flowers arranged in a spiciform inflorescence, with paired peltate bracteoles protecting each flower, and stipules that resemble the bracteoles. Phylogenetically Zornia is a member of the informal Adesmia clade of the Dalbergioid group, being most closely related to the predominantly South American genera Poiretia and Amicia. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the plastid trnL-trnF intron and spacer, including multiple accessions of species of all subgenera and sections, support the monophyly of Zornia and indicate that Poiretia is sister to Zornia. All traditional subgenera and sections of Zornia are resolved as paraor polyphyletic in our study. Nevertheless, two major clades can be recognized. Time-calibrated phylogenetic analyses suggest that most Zornia species diverged 8–10 Ma and reveal that only one migratory event occurred within the genus ca. 5 Ma from America to the Old World probably via long-distance dispersal.

Eriosema hatschbachii (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae), a new species from Minas Gerais, Brazil

SummaryEriosema hatschbachii, a new species of Leguminosae (Papilionoideae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The taxon is morphologically similar to E. floribundum Benth. and E. pycnanthum Benth. var. pycnanthum, but differs mainly in having many parallel secondary veins on the leaflets (similar to the venation seen on nearly all species of the genus Tephrosia) and erect stems with leaves only near the apex.

Revisiting the Leaflet Secretory Structures in Subtribe Cajaninae Benth. (Leguminosae, Phaseoleae)

Premise of research. Cajaninae is the most speciose subtribe of the legume tribe Phaseoleae, comprising ca. 490 species distributed in 10 genera. The group is characterized by peculiar secretory structures, such as bulbous-based trichomes and vesicular glands. The taxonomic importance of these secretory structures in the tribe Phaseoleae was considered in earlier publications, although few taxa in subtribe Cajaninae were included in those studies. To evaluate the secretory structures on and in the leaflets of representatives of subtribe Cajaninae, anatomical and micromorphological studies were performed. Methodology. Cross sections of the leaflets were studied using LM and SEM, and trichome types were identified for 164 taxa in nine genera of Cajaninae. Pivotal results. A great diversity of trichome forms exists in the studied group, including capitate trichomes, secretory-base trichomes, bulbous-based trichomes, vesicular glands, and secretory idioblasts in the midrib. These are distributed on or in the leaflet blades of 164 taxa in nine genera belonging to Cajaninae and vary in morphology, abundance, and occurrence. For the first time, we describe the glands and idioblasts found within Cajaninae and can confirm that the vesicular glands are the sole type that can be considered as a unifying character of the subtribe. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that caution is needed when interpreting the morphological variation of the types of secretory structures because within the same trichome type there can be different cell numbers and forms. This article expands on earlier findings and revisits in detail gland types reported in previous studies.

A New Infrageneric Classification of Mucuna (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae): Supported by Morphology, Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeography

Abstract The previous infrageneric classification of Mucuna (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) recognized two subgenera, M. subg. Mucuna and M. subg. Stizolobium, but that classification is not supported fully by molecular phylogenetic analyses, which reveal three main clades in Mucuna (rather than the traditional two). A new taxon M. subg. Macrocarpa is proposed based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic analysis, supported by fruit characters and biogeography. Historically, the representatives of this new subgenus were considered as members of M. subg. Mucuna, but species of subgenus Macrocarpa differ from species of the other two subgenera by their longer ovaries containing a higher number of ovules and, consequently, longer pods containing more seeds, and by the different fruit length to width ratio. This study presents a new infrageneric classification of the genus Mucuna. The six species of M. subg. Macrocarpa are reviewed, and species descriptions, typifications (including five new lectotypes), a distribution map, and a species identification key are presented.

A Noteworthy New Species of Eriosema (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae) from Goiás State, Brazil, Including an Identification Key

Abstract Eriosema macrostipulatum, a noteworthy new species from Goiás State, was discovered during a taxonomic study of the genus in Brazil. It is herein described, illustrated, and has its morphological and anatomical affinities with related species presented. The geographical distribution, conservation status, and information about flowering and fruiting are provided. Additionally, a dichotomous key to the taxa of Eriosema that occur in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Alto Paraíso de Goiás municipality (Goiás State) is provided.

Ultrastructure and secretion of glandular trichomes in species of subtribe Cajaninae Benth (Leguminosae, Phaseoleae)

The subtribe Cajaninae of papilionoid legumes has a pantropical distribution and comprises approximately 490 species. These species have diversified throughout dry environments where there are high temperatures and strong light. The subtribe stands out because all its representatives have vesicular glands. In addition, bulbous-based and capitate trichomes are important secretory structures present in all genera of the Cajaninae. We analyzed the ultrastructure and histochemistry of these glandular trichome types in leaflets of the three species of the subtribe. Using transmission electron microscopy and histochemical analyses, we link the glandular secretions to subcellular structures. We here report for the first time the type of exudate and ultrastructure of the glands of subtribe Cajaninae. Terpenoids and phenolics were confirmed by histochemistry tests, and we observed that the organelles responsible for biosynthesis of oils are the most representative in these glands. Each glandular trichome showed particular ultrastructural features compatible with the compounds produced. We suggest that these glandular trichomes, with their respective exudates, act in defense against herbivory and against possible damage by ultraviolet radiation.