Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae

The Apocynaceae comprise approximately 5,000 species and are widely distributed. The family belongs to the Gentianales and can be easily recognized by the presence of latex and a style-head derived from the fusion of two carpels at the apex of the styles. The largest subfamily in Apocynaceae is Ascl...

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Main Author: Alessandro Rapini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro
Series:Rodriguésia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2175-78602012000100007&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Alessandro Rapini
author_facet Alessandro Rapini
author_sort Alessandro Rapini
collection DOAJ
description The Apocynaceae comprise approximately 5,000 species and are widely distributed. The family belongs to the Gentianales and can be easily recognized by the presence of latex and a style-head derived from the fusion of two carpels at the apex of the styles. The largest subfamily in Apocynaceae is Asclepiadoideae. Treated as the Asclepiadaceae for almost two centuries, it comprises about 3,000 species and is defined by stamens with bisporangiate anthers and pollen transferred in specialized units called pollinaria. Since the 19th century, floristic studies and taxonomic monographs have significantly contributed to the taxonomy of Brazilian Asclepiadoideae. Nevertheless, advances in understanding the internal relationships in the subfamily were not done until this millennium, with the popularization of phylogenetic studies based on molecular data and powerful computer analyses. Advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae have provided new interpretations on the morphological evolution and biogeography of the family and have led to important changes in its classification. Nevertheless, several taxonomic rearrangements are still needed and it can be said that the taxonomy of Apocynaceae is "under construction". In this article, the major taxonomic changes in the family are reviewed, with special attention given to the systematics of Neotropical groups. A cladogram of the Apocynaceae is presented, which highlights the phylogenetic position of the Brazilian genera and their diversity in number of native species. The main studies and the diversity of Asclepiadoideae in Brazil are summarized and perspectives for future research on the subfamily are presented.
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spelling doaj.art-5fa2bf9e67e84d74ae39750b315e14a02022-12-21T17:45:32ZengInstituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de JaneiroRodriguésia2175-786063107508810.1590/S2175-78602012000100007S2175-78602012000100007Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian AsclepiadoideaeAlessandro Rapini0Universidade Estadual de Feira de SantanaThe Apocynaceae comprise approximately 5,000 species and are widely distributed. The family belongs to the Gentianales and can be easily recognized by the presence of latex and a style-head derived from the fusion of two carpels at the apex of the styles. The largest subfamily in Apocynaceae is Asclepiadoideae. Treated as the Asclepiadaceae for almost two centuries, it comprises about 3,000 species and is defined by stamens with bisporangiate anthers and pollen transferred in specialized units called pollinaria. Since the 19th century, floristic studies and taxonomic monographs have significantly contributed to the taxonomy of Brazilian Asclepiadoideae. Nevertheless, advances in understanding the internal relationships in the subfamily were not done until this millennium, with the popularization of phylogenetic studies based on molecular data and powerful computer analyses. Advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae have provided new interpretations on the morphological evolution and biogeography of the family and have led to important changes in its classification. Nevertheless, several taxonomic rearrangements are still needed and it can be said that the taxonomy of Apocynaceae is "under construction". In this article, the major taxonomic changes in the family are reviewed, with special attention given to the systematics of Neotropical groups. A cladogram of the Apocynaceae is presented, which highlights the phylogenetic position of the Brazilian genera and their diversity in number of native species. The main studies and the diversity of Asclepiadoideae in Brazil are summarized and perspectives for future research on the subfamily are presented.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2175-78602012000100007&lng=en&tlng=enAsclepiadaceaeBrasildados molecularesevolução morfológicafilogenia
spellingShingle Alessandro Rapini
Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae
Rodriguésia
Asclepiadaceae
Brasil
dados moleculares
evolução morfológica
filogenia
title Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae
title_full Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae
title_fullStr Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae
title_full_unstemmed Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae
title_short Taxonomy "under construction": advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae, with emphasis on the Brazilian Asclepiadoideae
title_sort taxonomy under construction advances in the systematics of apocynaceae with emphasis on the brazilian asclepiadoideae
topic Asclepiadaceae
Brasil
dados moleculares
evolução morfológica
filogenia
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2175-78602012000100007&lng=en&tlng=en
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