A revised phylogenetic classification of tribe Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae)

Phytotaxa, vol. 540, pp. 1–100

Abstract

The majority of tribe Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae) is currently placed in the paraphyletic genus Phyllanthus and discussions have persisted on how to resolve this issue. Here, we split Phyllanthus into ten monophyletic genera, which are all reinstatements of former genera, but with changes made to the circumscription and constituent species of each group. The genera Breynia, Glochidion and Synostemon were recently found to be nested within Phyllanthus and discussions ensued whether or not to subsume everything into Phyllanthus s.l. Instead of combining all these genera, we here implement the solution of splitting Phyllanthus into strictly monophyletic genera to ensure that the classification is consistent with the latest phylogenetic results. The new classification is based on a phylogenetic framework combined with differences in habit, branching type, floral, fruit and pollen morphology. With this new division of the genus Phyllanthus, tribe Phyllantheae will consist of the following 18 genera: Breynia, Cathetus, Cicca, Dendrophyllanthus, Emblica, Flueggea, Glochidion, Heterosavia, Kirganelia, Lingelsheimia, Lysiandra, Margaritaria, Moeroris, Nellica, Nymphanthus, Phyllanthus, Plagiocladus and Synostemon. As a result of the reinstated genera, five new names for illegitimate combinations or previous overlooked nomenclatural anomalies and 645 new combinations are proposed. Several keys are provided to distinguish the reinstated genera. Full species lists are given for the reinstated genera treated here except for Breynia, Synostemon and Glochidion.

Authors 9

1. Roderick W. Bouman Aachen Hortus Botanicus Leiden Institute of Biology Leiden Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Hortus botanicus Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9500, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Hortus botanicus Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9500, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

2. PAUL J.A. KEΒLER Aachen Hortus Botanicus Leiden Institute of Biology Leiden

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Hortus botanicus Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9500, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Hortus botanicus Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9500, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Ian Telford

   University of New England

   Affiliation as printed

   Botany and N. C. W. Beadle Herbarium, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia

4. Jeremy James Bruhl

   University of New England

   Affiliation as printed

   Botany and N. C. W. Beadle Herbarium, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia

5. Joeri S. Strijk

   Universiti Brunei Darussalam · Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Jalan Tungku Link, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam; Alliance for Conservation Tree Genomics, Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, PO Box 959, 06000 Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

   Alliance for Conservation Tree Genomics, Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, PO Box 959, 06000 Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

   Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Jalan Tungku Link, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam

6. RICHARD M. K. SAUNDERS

   University of Hong Kong

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China

7. Hans‐Joachim Esser

   Botanische Staatssammlung München

   Affiliation as printed

   Botanische Staatssammlung München, Menzinger Strasse 67, D-80638 München (Munich), Germany

8. Banessa Falcón Hidalgo

   University of Havana

   Affiliation as printed

   Jardin Botánico Nacional, Unisversidad de La Habana, Carretera “El Rocío” km 3.5, Calabazar, Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba

   Jardin Botánico Nacional, Unisversidad de La Habana, Carretera "El Rocío" km 3.5, Calabazar, Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba

9. Peter C. van Welzen Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands