2011/08/01 by Loretta Goetsch, Lyn A. Craven, Benjamin D. Hall · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions #Plant Diversity and Evolution #Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
paper · doi:10.1002/tax.604006
openalex publication_date 2011/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Abstract The species within Rhododendron sect. Schistanthe (= sect. Vireya ), a taxon unique for its tropical habitat, distinctive leaf scales, and tailed seeds, have diversified greatly in morphological features. The section contains over 300 species, occurring mainly on the Malay Peninsula, New Guinea, and the islands between. An analysis based on the combined sequences of three nuclear genes supports a phylogeny in which sect. Schistanthe (less R . santapaui ) is monophyletic, with well‐defined clades corresponding to subsections Euvireya , Malayovireya , Pseudovireya , and Discovireya . Within subsect. Euvireya , molecular‐phylogenetic groupings follow geography more closely than traditional taxonomic groupings based upon morphology. One of the two most derived clades contains exclusively species from New Guinea, Australia, and the Solomon Islands. The results are consistent with a stepwise phylogeographic history of sect. Schistanthe , beginning in Asia, proceeding eastward and reaching New Guinea within the last 15 Ma, when movement of the Australian tectonic plate brought New Guinea into the Malesian domain.