Anna Trias-Blasi

Multi-gene Region Phylogenetic Analysis of the Grape Family (Vitaceae)

Abstract— Phylogenetic relationships of 34 species and 11 out of 14 Vitaceae genera, were evaluated using parsimony and Bayesian analyses of four plastid DNA sequence regions (trnL intron, trnL-trnF spacer, atpB-rbcL spacer, and rps16 intron). Vitaceae were shown to be monophyletic and at infrafamilial level, well-supported groups included a Cayratia-Cyphostemma-Tetrastigma clade, an Ampelopsis-Cissus striata-Rhoicissus clade, and a Nothocissus-Pterisanthes clade. However, the relationships among the remaining genera remained unresolved. Cyphostemma, Tetrastigma, and Vitis were clearly monophyletic, while both Ampelopsis and Cayratia were paraphyletic and Cissus was polyphyletic. Parsimony based studies of character evolution suggested that 5-merous flowers, leaf-opposed inflorescences, and a hermaphroditic sexuality are ancestral character states in the family.

Cayratia emarginata (Vitaceae), a new species from Thailand and Vietnam

Herbaceous climber. Stem cylindrical, 1–3 mm diam, branched, hairy with soft villous hairs to 1 mm long, ridged; tendril 2–3-furcate, slender, wiry, leaf-opposed, cylindrical, peduncle straight, 1.5–4 cm by 0.5–1 mm, then bifurcating and coiling for 2–7 cm, hairy as stem. Leaves 3-foliolate, alternate; petiole 1–3.5 by c. 1 mm, hairy as stem, central petiolule 0.5–1.5 cm long, lateral petiolules 0.3–0.7 mm long, hairy as stem; central leaflet blade oval to ovate, 3–6 by 1.5–3 cm, base truncate to subauriculate; lateral leaflet blades semi-cordate, 3–5 by 2–2.5 cm, base oblique to cordate; margin deeply dentate with triangular teeth to 4 by 5 mm, apex cuspidate; adaxial and abaxial sides hairy with appressed hairs to 1 mm long, veins protruding, 1 main basal vein, 6 pairs of secondary veins. Inflorescence ramified, axillary, mostly dividing dichotomously, corymbose, 1–2 cm long; peduncle 3.5–4 cm by c. 1 mm, hairy as stem, pedicel 1.5–2 mm long, puberulent with hairs to 0.1 mm long. Buds globose to ovoid, 1.5–2 by 1–1.5 mm. Calyx cupuliform, entire, margin sinuate, c. 0.5 by 1.5 mm, hairy as pedicel. Petals 4, ovate, 2–2.3 by 1–1.5 mm, apex cucullate, farinose, hairless. Stamens 4; filaments flattened, broadening at the base, c. 1.3 mm long; anthers elliptic, medifixed, c. 0.8 mm long. Ovary adnate to the disc; disc with 4 distinct lobes, cupulate, 0.5–1 by c. 1.5 mm, glabrous. Style conical, c. 0.8 mm long; stigma inconspicuous. Fruit unavailable. Distribution — Thailand and Vietnam. A disjunct distribution, not yet collected in Cambodia, Laos and E/SE Thailand. Habitat & Ecology — Growing on limestone at ≤ 50 m. Flowering in July.

Cissus amplexicaulis (Vitaceae), a new endemic species from Thailand

SummaryThe newly discovered, endemic Thai species Cissus amplexicaulis Trias-Blasi & J. Parn. is validly published. A latin diagnosis, a full description and an illustration are provided.

Cyphostemma auriculatum (Roxb.) P. Singh & B. V. Shetty (Vitaceae): typification and a new generic record confirmed for Thailand

SummaryThe presence of the predominantly Indian Cyphostemma auriculatum (Roxb.) P. Singh & B. V. Shetty is confirmed for Thailand. An updated generic key for the Vitaceae of Thailand is included. Full typification is undertaken and presented together with an illustration of the lectotype, a description and a distribution map of the species in Thailand.