Phylogenetic evidence reshapes the taxonomy of Cacao and its allies (Theobroma and Herrania; Malvaceae, Byttnerioideae).
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1000.92 KB
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
May 14, 2024
Abstract
(Malvaceae, Byttnerioideae), the cacao genus, has a taxonomic history spanning over two centuries. Currently, it comprises 23 species of trees from lowland forests from the Tropical Americas. , a closely related genus described later, includes 17 additional species commonly referred to as “wild cacaos.” Phylogenetic relationships and morphological circumscriptions between and have been the subject of debate. While has traditionally been treated as a separate genus based on evident morphological differences in leaf and petal features, it shares similarities with in terms of habit, inflorescence, and fruit types. Recent phylogenetic evidence, incorporating a broader taxonomic sampling and a total-evidence analysis, suggested that is paraphyletic, with nested within it. This finding supports the restoration of a classical circumscription of wherein is considered a section of the former genus. Here, we provide a detailed account of the taxonomic history at infrageneric levels and propose one new subsection, two names at new ranks (to better allocate the diversity within sect. ), and nine new combinations encompassing this expanded circumscription of . In our study, we delimit with forty species divided into six sections: sect. (14 spp.), sect. (17 spp.), sect. (5 spp.), sect. (1 sp.), sect. (2 spp.), and sect. (1 sp.). Furthermore, we recognize three subsections within sect. . Alongside these newly proposed changes, we present a section-level identification key and provide diagnostic characters for each taxon.
Project(s)
Priority 4: Accelerated Taxonomy
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil | 2020/01375-1 - 2021/08635-1 - 2020/10206-9 |
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil | |
International Association for Plant Taxonomy, Slovakia | |
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, United Kingdom | UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) GROW Colombia grant (BB/P028098/1) |
Journal title
Brittonia
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Place of publication
Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany
ISSN
0007-196X
eISSN
1938-436X
Date accepted
February 21, 2024
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright
Additional information
IF = 0.758 (2023-2024)