Skip to main content
Log in

Phylogeny and classification of the subfamily Rubioideae (Rubiaceae)

  • Published:
Plant Systematics and Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We performed phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily Rubioideae (Rubiaceae) based on three different pieces of chloroplast DNA, the protein codingrbcL gene, the spacer sequence betweenatpB andrbcL (atpB-rbcL), and the recently published (Andersson and Rova 1999)rps16 intron data. NewrbcL sequences have been produced for 41 taxa and there are 52 newatpB-rbcL spacer sequences. All analyses gave similar results concerning the phylogeny, but they differ slightly in resolution and support for the various branches. The minor tribes Ophiorrhizeae, Urophylleae, Lasiantheae, and Coussareeae form a grade to the rest of the subfamily, which consists of two well-supported branches, the Psychotrieae alliance and the Spermacoceae alliance, including a majority of all genera and species. Based on the resulting phylogenies we present a revised classification of the Rubioideae. We accept 16 tribes of which 12 more or less correspond to earlier tribal circumscriptions: Anthospermeae, Argostemmateae, Craterispermeae, Gaertnereae, Morindeae, Paederieae, Psychotrieae, Schradereae, Spermacoceae, Rubieae, Theligoneae, and Urophylleae; two tribes have received new and very different circumscriptions: Ophiorrhizeae and Coussareeae; and two are new to science: Lasiantheae and Danaideae.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersson L., Rova J. H. (1999) Therps16 intron and the phylogeny of the Rubioideae (Rubiaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 214: 161–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreasen K., Bremer B. (1996) Phylogeny of the subfamily Ixoroideae (Rubiaceae). Opera Bot. Belgica 7: 119–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelius B. (1987) The genusLerchea (Rubiaceae). Blumea 32: 91–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelius B. (1990) The genusXanthophytum (Rubiaceae) — Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography. Blumea 34: 425–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backlund M., Oxelman B., Bremer B. (2000) Phylogenetic relationships within the Gentianales based onndhF andrbcL sequences, with particular reference to the Loganiaceae. Am. J. Bot. 87: 1029–1043.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bir S. S., Singh G., Gill B. S. (1984) Cromosome number reports LXXXII. In: Löve R. (ed.) Rubiaceae. Taxon 33: 128–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremekamp C. E. B. (1952) The African species ofOldenlandia L. sensu Hiern et K. Schumann. Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch., Afd. Naturk., Tweede Sect. 48 (2): 1–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremekamp C. E. B. (1954) Les sous-familles et les tribus des Rubiacées. Huitiéme congrès international de botanique, rapports et communications, Paris Sect. 2–6: 113–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremekamp C. E. B. (1966) Remarks on the position, the delimitation and the subdivison of the Rubiaceae. Acta Bot. Neerlandica 15: 1–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B. (1979) The genusNeurocalyx (Rubiaceae-Argostemmateae) in Ceylon. Bot. Not. 132: 399–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B. (1984) The genusSteenisia (Rubiaceae) and its taxonomic position. Nord. J. Bot. 4: 333–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B. (1989) The GenusArgostemma (Rubiaceae-Argostemmateae) in Borneo. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 76: 7–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B. (1996a) Phylogenetic studies within Rubiaceae and relationships to other families based on molecular data. Opera Bot. Belgica 7: 33–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B. (1996b) Combined and separate analyses of morphological and molecular data in the plant family Rubiaceae. Cladistics 12: 21–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B., Andreasen K., Olsson D. (1995) Subfamilial and tribal relationships in the Rubiaceae based onrbcL sequence data. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 82: 383–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B., Jansen R. K. (1991) Comparative restriction site mapping of the chloroplast DNA implies new phylogenetic relationships within the Rubiaceae. Am. J. Bot. 78: 198–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B., Backlund M., Lantz H., Kim K. J. (1999) More characters or more taxa for a robust phylogeny — case study from the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Syst. Biol. 48: 413–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer B., Thulin M. (1998) Collapse of Isertieae, re-establishment of Mussaendeae, and a new genus of Sabiceeae (Rubiaceae); phylogenetic relationships based onrbcL data. Plant Syst. Evol. 211: 71–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchner R., Puff C. (1993) The genus complexDanais-Schismatoclada-Payera (Rubiaceae). Character states, generic delimitation and taxonomic position. Adansonia 1–4: 23–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darwin S. P. (1976) The pacific species ofOphiorrhiza L. (Rubiaceae). Lyonia 1: 47–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer J. D. (1966) Notes on Coussareeae (Rubiaceae), especially the Panamanian species. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 53: 368–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmgren P. K., Holmgren N. H., Barnett L. C. (eds.) (1990) Index herbariorum, Part I: The herbaria of the world. Regnum Veg.

  • Igersheim A. (1992) The ovary, fruit and seed development ofCraterispermum (Rubiaceae). Belgian J. Bot. 125: 101–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igersheim A., Puff C., Leint P., Erbar C. (1994) Gynoecial development ofGaertnera Lam. and of presumbly allied taxa of the Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae): secondarily “superior” vs. inferior ovaries. Bot. Jahrb. 116: 401–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igersheim A., Robbrecht E. (1993) The character states and relationships of the Prismatomerideae (Rubiaceae-Rubioideae). Opera Bot. Belgica 6: 61–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igersheim A., Rohrhofer U. (1993) The tribal position ofOtiophora (Rubiaceae): new evidence from gynoecium structure and development. S. Afr. J. Bot. 59: 431–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen S., Robbrecht E., Beeckman H., Smets E. (1996)Gaertnera andPagamea: genera within the Psyhotrieae or consistituting the tribe Gaertnereae? A wood anatomical and palynological approach. Bot. Acta 109: 466–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson J. T. (1987)Motleyia, a new genus of the Rubiaceae from Borneo. Blumea 32: 149–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson J. T. (1987) Revision of the genusPrismatomeris Thw. (Rubiaceae, Morindeae). Opera Bot. 94: 1–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson J. T. (1989) Revision of the genusRennellia Korth. (Rubiaceae-Rubioideae). Blumea 34: 3–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson J. T. (1994) The genusMorinda (Morindeae, Rubioideae, Rubiaceae) in New Caledonia: taxonomy and phylogeny. Opera Bot. 122: 1–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiehn M. (1986) Karyosystematic studies on Rubiaceae: Chromosome counts from Sri Lanka. Plant Syst. Evol. 154: 213–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiehn M. (1995) Chromosome survey of the Rubiaceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 82: 398–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirkbride J. H. (1976) A revision of the genusDeclieuxia (Rubiaceae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 28 (4): 1–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manen J.-F., Natali A. (1996) The chloroplastatpB-rbcL spacer in Rubiaceae. Opera Bot. Belgica 7: 51–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manen J. F., Natali A. (1995) Comparison of the evolution of ribulose-1, 5-biphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) andatpB-rbcL noncoding spacer sequences in a recent plant group, the tribeRubieae (Rubiaceae). J. Mol. Evol. 41: 920–927.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manen J. F., Natali A., Ehrendorfer F. (1994) Phylogeny of Rubiaceae-Rubieae inferred from the sequence of a cpDNA intergene region. Plant Syst. Evol. 190: 195–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mena P. (1990) A revision of the genusArcytophyllum (Rubiaceae: Hedyotideae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 60: 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Natali A., Manen J.-F., Kiehn M., Ehrendorfer F. (1995) Phylogeny of the Rubiaceae-Rubioideae, in particular the tribe Rubieae: evidence from a non-coding chloroplast DNA sequence. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 82: 428–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Natali A., Manen J.-F., Ehrendorfer F. (1996) Tribal, generic and specific relationships in the Rubioideae-Rubieae (Rubiaceae) based on sequence data of the cpDNA intergene spacer. Opera Bot. Belgica 7: 193–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepokroeff M., Bremer B., Sytsma K. J. (1999) Reorganization of the genusPsychotria (Rubiaceae) inferred from ITS andrbcL sequence data. Syst. Bot. 24: 5–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olmstead R. G., Bremer B., Scott K. M., Palmer J. D. (1993) A parsimony analysis of the Asteridaesensu lato based onrbcL sequences. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 80: 700–722.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C. (1982) The delimitation of the tribe Anthospemeae and its affinities to the Paederieae (Rubiaceae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 84: 355–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C. (1986) A biosystematic study of the African and Madagascan Rubiaceae-Anthospermeae. Plant Syst. Evol. [Suppl.] 3: 1–535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C. (1988) Observation onCarphalea Juss. (Rubiaceae, Hedyotideae), with particular reference to the Madagascan taxa and its taxonomic position. Bull. Jard. Bot. Belg. 58: 271–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Andersson L., Rohrhofer U., Igersheim A. (1993) The tribe Schradereae (Rubiaceae) reexamined. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 114: 449–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Buchner R. (1994) Revision ofDanais Vent. (Rubiaceae) in Madagascar and the Comores. Adansonia 1: 11–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Buchner R. (1998)Lecananthus andLeucocodon, two genera to be added to the tribe Schradereae (Rubiaceae). Blumea 43: 265–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Buchner R., Greimler J. (1998a) Revision ofLecananthus (Rubiaceae-Schradereae). Blumea 43: 337–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Greimler J., Buchner R. (1998b) Revision ofSchradera (Rubiaceae-Schradereae) in Malesia. Blumea 43: 287–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Igersheim A. (1994) The character states and taxonomic position ofMetabolus Bl. (syn.Allaeophania Thw.) (Rubiaceae). Bull. Jard. Bot. Belg. 63: 241–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puff C., Robbrecht E. (1989) A survey of theKnoxieae (Rubiaceae-Antirheoideae). Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 110: 511–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbrecht E. (1982) Pollen morphology of the tribes Anthospermeae and Paederieae (Rubiaceae) in relation to taxonomy. Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 52: 349–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbrecht E. (1988) Tropical woody Rubiaceae. Opera Bot. Belgica 1: 1–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbrecht E., Puff C., Igersheim A. (1991) The generaMitchella andDamnacanthus. Evidence for their close alliance; comments on the campylotropy in the Rubiaceae and the circumscription of the Morindeae. Blumea 35: 307–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumann K. (ed.) (1891) Rubiaceae. Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien 4 (4). (Wilhelm) Engelmann, Leipzig.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seelanaen T., Schnabel A., Wendel J. F. (1997) Congruence and consensus in the cotton tribe. Syst. Bot. 22: 259–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow D. W. (1981) Tropical frugivorous birds and their food plants: a word survey. Biotropica 13: 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swofford D. L. (1993) PAUP: Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony. Version 3.1. 1. Computer program. Champaign, Illinois: Illinois Natural History Survey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor C. M. (1996a) Taxonomic revision ofCruckshanksia andOreopolus (Rubiaceae: Hedyotideae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 83: 461–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor C. M. (1996b) Overview of thePsychotrieae (Rubiaceae) in the Neotropics. Opera Bot. Belgica 7: 261–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson J. D., Higgins D. G., Gibson T. J. (1994) CLUSTAL W: improving the sensitivity of progressive multiple sequence alignment through sequence weighting, positions-specific gap penalties and weight matrix choice. Nucleic Acids Res. 22: 4673–4680.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thulin M. (1997)Gaillonia (Rubiaceae-Paederieae) in Africa and Arabia. Nord. J. Bot. 18: 31–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verdcourt B. (1958) Remarks on the classification of the Rubiaceae. Bull. Jard. Bot. État 28: 209–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wunderlich R. (1971) Die systematische Stellung vonTheligonum. Oesterr. Bot. Z. 119: 329–394.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bremer, B., Manen, J.F. Phylogeny and classification of the subfamily Rubioideae (Rubiaceae). Pl Syst Evol 225, 43–72 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985458

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985458

Key words

Navigation