Barfuss et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Tillandsioideae

Phylogeny and morphology demand a revised classification of Bromeliaceae subfamily Tillandsioideae

Author(s):—M. Barfuss, W. Till, E. Leme, J. Pinzón E., J. Manzanares & H. Halbritter in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—Bromeliaceae subfam. Tillandsioideae is a morphologically and phylogenetically well characterized,monophyletic taxonomic group. Efforts to propose a complete, consistent, internal classification basedon morphological and molecular DNA data failed mainly due to restricted sampling in individual studies. However, traditional generic concepts and morphological characters used to delimit taxa have shown to be partly unpredictable, especially in species-rich genera. Therefore, in the last decade efforts were undertaken to expand the taxonomic coverage and re-evaluate morphological characters. Hence, a revised classification for Bromeliaceae subfam. Tillandsioideae is presented based on a multi-locus molecular phylogeny (viz., plastid rpoB-trnC-petN, trnK-matK-trnK, and ycf1, and nuclear PHYC) and morphology. Traditional morphological characters (e.g., petal morphology) were critically reviewed. Phylogenies based on DNA data werethen compared with traditional and new morphological evidence (e.g., stigma, ovule, anther, pollen and seed morphology). The four tribes proposed earlier are confirmed, but Catopsideae replaces the formerly used name Pogospermeae for the monotypic tribe of Catopsis. In addition, the two new subtribes Cipuropsidinae and Vrieseinae are proposed within tribe Vrieseeae. Alcantarea, Catopsis, Glomeropitcairnia, Guzmania, andWerauhia are confirmed and Racinaea is expanded. Several new genera are established to render taxonomic units monophyletic and morphologically well circumscribed. They represent segregates of either Mezobromelia,Tillandsia, or Vriesea. Two new subgenera are established and one subgenus is resurrected within Tillandsia.

Keywords:—Tillandsioideae; Phylogeny; Morphology.