Ricardo Callejas

A Phylogeny of the Tropical Genus Piper Using Its and the Chloroplast Intron psbJ–petA

Abstract Piper is one of the largest genera of flowering plants. The uniformity of its small flowers and the vast number of species in the genus has hindered the development of a stable infrageneric classification. We sampled 575 accessions corresponding to 332 species of Piper for the ITS region and 181 accessions for the psbJ–petA chloroplast intron to further test previous hypotheses about the major clades within Piper. Phylogenetic analyses were performed for each marker separately and in combination. The ITS region alone resolves eleven major clades within Piper, whereas the psbJ–petA intron fails to recover four of these major groupings and provides no resolution at the base of the phylogeny. The combined analysis provides support for ten monophyletic groups and offers the best hypothesis for relationships in Piper. Our massive ITS dataset allows us to assign confidently a large number of species in this “giant” genus to a major clade. Piper is here divided into ten major clades for which we provide a morphological description. Various clades and subclades are newly identified here: Peltobryon, Schilleria, Isophyllon, P. cinereum/P. sanctum. The clades described here provide a solid framework for future, and more focused, evolutionary studies. New names and combinations proposed herein include Piper bullulatum, P. hooglandii, and P. melchior.

Current Perspectives on the Classification and Phylogenetics of the Genus Piper L.

Piper is one of the most diverse genera among the basal lineages of angiosperms, and one of the most diverse genera in tropical wet forests around the world. Piper species are shrubs, climbers, and herbs abundant in the understory of tropical wet forests. Ecologically, Piper species are important structural components of the forest understory, especially in the Neotropics (Gentry 1990); they also make up a significant portion of the diet of frugivorous bats in the subfamilies Caroliinae and Sternodermatinae (Fleming 1981, 1985). A few species of Piper are known for their economic value. The most important of these is black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), the best known agricultural product in the genus. In addition, there are other species exploited by indigenous peoples in different parts of the geographic range of Piper: P. belle L., the 201Cbetle leaf201C is chewed with the betle nut in Asia, whereas P. methysticum Forst.f., Kava Kava, is a traditional drink from the South Pacific that has been introduced to Europe and North America as an herbal medicine. Both of these species are used in traditional practices for their narcotic properties. Other species of Piper are used as condiments: P. auritum HBK, acuyo, is used in Mexico and P. lolot C.DC., blot leaves, is used in Viet Nam. Many species of Piper are also used by traditional societies in tropical countries around the world for their antiinflammatory and analgesic properties; as such, they may have immense potential for the pharmaceutical industry (Ehringhaus 1997).

The dangers of carbon-centric conservation for biodiversity: a case study in the Andes

Carbon-centric conservation strategies such as the United Nations program to Reduce CO2 Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), are expected to simultaneously reduce net global CO2 emissions and mitigate species extinctions in regions with high endemism and diversity, such as the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot. Using data from the northern Andes, we show, however, that carbon-focused conservation strategies may potentially lead to increased risks of species extinctions if there is displacement (i.e., “leakage”) of land-use changes from forests with large aboveground biomass stocks but relatively poor species richness and low levels of endemism, to forests with lower biomass stocks but higher species richness and endemism, as are found in the Andean highlands (especially low-biomass non-tree growth forms such as herbs and epiphytes that are often overlooked in biological inventories). We conclude that despite the considerable potential benefits of REDD+ and other carbon-centric conservation strategies, there is still a need to develop mechanisms to safeguard against possible negative effects on biodiversity in situations where carbon stocks do not covary positively with species diversity and endemism.

A reappraisal of Trianaeopiper Trelease: convergence of dwarf habit in some Piper species of the Choco

The genus Trianaeopiper Trealese was described to have axillary inflorescences, a rare character within Piperaceae. Here we present phylogenetic evidence suggesting that Trianaeopiper is not monophyletic and should not berecognized as a distinct genus (new names and combinations are provided). The structure interpreted as an axillary inflorescence is a reduced axillary branch, a by-product of generalized reduction of shoots in these species. Reduction of plant size to a dwarf condition is a phenomenon observed in other angiosperms of the wet tropics. The dwarf habit is correlated with shady environments, suggesting that dwarfism may be an adaptation to the shady understory of wet tropical forests.

PIPERACEAE TYPES FROM THE T. G. YUNCKER HERBARIUM (DPU) NOW FILED IN THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN HERBARIUM (NY)

Five hundred sixty-one type specimens, representing 522 basionyms, of Piperaceae have been verified among the specimens of Piperaceae acquired by the New York Botanical Garden (NY) in the purchase of the Truman G. Yuncker Herbarium of DePauw University (DPU) in 1987. Included are types of 319 names published by T. G. Yuncker, as well as smaller numbers of types of names published by Trelease, C. de Candolle, Miquel, and others. Geographic emphasis of the specimens is on tropical America, particularly Brazil and Honduras, and the South Pacific. An index to the types, which includes basionym, place of publication, kind of type, and country of origin and collection number of type, is included.

Studies in neotropical Piperaceae. II. Four new species and a new combination from Colombia and Peru

Peperomia boekei, an endemic from Peru, andPeperomia antioquiensis, Piper perpusillum, andPiper valdivianum, all known only from the Department of Antioquia (Colombia), are described and illustrated, and their relationships are discussed. A new combination,Piper enckeaespicum (Trel. & Yuncker) Callejas, is proposed.

Tributes to Truman G. Yuncker and Ethel Claflin Yuncker

In looking back ove r m y years at DePauw Univers i ty there is one outs tanding lesson I learned f rom the teaching o f Dr. Yuncker and Dr. Welch. This is the value of individual discussion and at tent ion given to the student by the instructor. I have tried to follow this phi losophy o f teaching in m y own work, 30 years of teaching and research at West Virginia Univers i ty . I a m grateful to Drs. Yuncker and Welch for this impor t an t lesson and for setting such a fine example.--HORACE L. BARNETT, Emeri tus Professor of Mycology, Divis ion o f Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia Universi ty , 401 Brooks Hall, P.O. Box 6057, Morgantown, WV 26506-6057.