Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Recognition of Miconia sect. Sagraeoides (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) and associated nomenclatural changes

  • Published:
Brittonia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recent phylogenetic studies incorporating DNA sequence data have corroborated the suspected non-monophyly of many currently recognized genera of tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae), which includes about 1800 species restricted to the Neotropics. The genus Mecranium, comprising 24 species endemic to the Greater Antilles and their satellite islands, appears to be a monophyletic exception within the tribe. However, the continued recognition of Mecranium as a genus, at best, would render Miconia paraphyletic. The most practical solution to the problem of non-monophyletic circumscription of genera in the Miconieae is the recognition of a broadly defined Miconia, with the taxonomic recognition of its subclades as subgenera and sections. Here the Mecranium clade is recognized as a section within a broadly circumscribed Miconia, all recognized species are listed, and 26 new names and nomenclatural combinations are published. In addition, the section is described, and the phylogenetic relationships of its species are discussed briefly based on molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Applequist, W. L. 2017. Report of the nomenclature committee for vascular plants: 69. Taxon 66: 500–513.

  • Bécquer Granados, E. R., K. M. Neubig, W. S. Judd, F. Michelangeli, J. R. Abbott & D. S. Penneys. 2008. Preliminary molecular phylogenetic studies in Pachyanthus (Miconieae, Melastomataceae). Botanical Review 74: 37–52.

  • Cogniaux, A. 1891. Melastomataceae. Pp. 1–1256. In: A. de Candolle, C de Candolle (eds.). Monographie Phanerogamarum, Vol. 7. Masson, Paris.

  • Gamba, D. & F. Almeda. 2014. Systematics of the Octopleura clade of Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) in tropical America. Phytotaxa 179: 1–174.

  • ———, ——— & M. Alvear 2014. Miconia indicoviolacea (Melastomataceae: Miconieae): a new Colombian species from the western flanks of the Cordillera Occidental. Phytotaxa 177: 171–176.

  • Gleason, H. A. 1925. Studies on the flora of northern South America. VI. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 52: 325–340.

  • ———. 1932. A synopsis of the Melastomataceae of British Guiana. Brittonia 1: 127–184.

  • ———. 1958. Flora of Panama: Melastomataceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 45: 203–304.

  • Goldenberg, R., D. S. Penneys, F. Almeda, W. S. Judd & F. A. Michelangeli. 2008. Phylogeny of Miconia (Melastomataceae): Patterns of stamen diversification in a megadiverse Neotropical genus. International Journal of Plant Sciences 169: 963–979.

  • ———, Almeda, M. K. Caddah, A. B. Martius, J. Meirelles, F. A. Michelangeli & M. Weiss. 2013. Nomenclator botanicus for the Neotropical genus Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Phytotaxa 106: 1–171.

  • Goldenberg, R. & L. K. R. Hinoshita. 2017. Two new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) from the Brazilian northern border and adjacent French Guiana. Brittonia 69: 535–543.

  • Humphreys, A. M. & H. P. Linder. 2009. Concept versus data in delimitation of plant genera. Taxon 58: 1054–1074.

  • Ionta, G. M. & W. S. Judd. 2012. Miconia cordieri, a new species of Miconia sect. Sagraea (Melastomataceae) from the Macaya Biosphere Reserve, Haiti. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 6: 37–44.

  • ———, ———, J. D. Skean, Jr. & C. K. McMullen. 2012. Two new species of Miconia sect. Sagraea (Melastomataceae) from the Macaya Biosphere Reserve, Haiti, and twelve relevant new species combinations. Brittonia 64: 61–72.

  • Jaramillos, M. A. & P. S. Manos. 2001. Phylogeny and pattern of floral diversity in the genus Piper (Piperaceae). American Journal of Botany 88: 706–716.

  • Judd, W. S. 1986. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). I. Variation in inflorescence position. Brittonia 38: 150–161.

  • ———. 1989. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). III. Cladistic analysis of axillary-flowered taxa. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 76: 476–495.

  • ———. 2007. Revision of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura (Miconieae, Melastomataceae) in the Greater Antilles. Systematic Botany Monographs 81: 1–235.

  • ——— & J. D. Skean, Jr. 1991. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae) IV. Generic realignments among terminal-flowered taxa. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History, Biological Sciences 36: 25–84.

  • ——— & G. M. Ionta. 2013. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). X. Revision of the species of the Miconia crotonifolia complex. Brittonia 65: 66–95.

  • ——— & L. C. Majure. 2013. Miconia becqueri, a new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) with strongly four-lobed ovaries from the Sierra Maestra, Cuba. Brittonia 66: 75–81.

  • ———, E. R. Bécquer & L. C. Majure. 2014a. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XI. A revision of Miconia sect. Calycopteris on Hispaniola. Brittonia 66: 216–249.

  • ———, ———, J. D. Skean, Jr. & L. C. Majure. 2014b. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XII. Revision of Miconia sect. Miconiastrum, with emphasis on the Miconia bicolor complex. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 8: 457–491.

  • ———, ———, L. C. Majure, J. D. Skean, Jr. & K. M. Neubig. 2015. Miconia abscondita (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti: rediscovered in herbaria after being hidden for nearly nine decades. Rhodora 117: 317–341.

  • Macbride, J. F. 1941. Melastomataceae. Flora of Peru. Fieldiana, Botany 13: 249–523.

  • Majure, L. C. & W. S. Judd. 2013a. Miconia phrynosomaderma (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species of Miconia from the Massif du Nord, Haiti, and sixteen new names and combinations. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 7: 265–274.

  • ——— & ———. 2013b. Miconia paralimoides (Miconieae, Melastomataceae), a new species from the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Phytotaxa 131: 9–16.

  • ———, ———, G. M. Ionta, J. D. Skean Jr., E. R. Bécquer, J. Burke, D. S. Penneys, G. Ocampo, M. Alvear, R. Goldenberg, F. Almeda & F. A. Michelangeli. 2013. Evaluating morphological evolution in tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae): Homoplasy is the rule not the exception. Botany 2013. Abstract ID: 300.

  • Majure, L. C., W. S. Judd & E. R. Bécquer. 2014a. Miconia bullotricha and M. hirtistyla, two new species of Miconia sect. Lima (Miconieae, Melastomataceae) from eastern Cuba. Phytokeys 33: 61–75.

  • ———, ———, G. M. Ionta, J. D. Skean, Jr., E. R. Bécquer & K. M. Neubig. 2014b. Miconia cineana (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Systematic Botany 39: 906–914.

  • ———, ——— & F. A. Michelangeli. 2015a. Taxonomic revision of the Greater Antillean Pseudolima clade of Miconia (Miconia sect. Krugiophytum: Miconieae: Melastomataceae). Brittonia 67: 11-18.

  • ———, K. M. Neubig, J. D. Skean, Jr., E. R. Bécquer & W. S. Judd. 2015b. Evolution of the sandpaper clade (Miconieae: Melastomataceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 176: 607–626.

  • ———, J. D. Skean, Jr., K. M. Neubig & W. S. Judd. in press. Miconia clasei, a new species of Miconia sect. Calycodomatia (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) from the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic and a closer look at species relationships in the Sandpaper clade. Systematic Botany.

  • Martin, C. V., D. P. Little, R. Goldenberg & F. A. Michelangeli. 2008. A phylogenetic evaluation of Leandra (Miconieae, Melastomataceae): a polyphyletic genus where the seeds tell the story, not the petals. Cladistics 24: 315–327.

  • Macfadyen, J. 1850. Flora of Jamaica. Vol. 2. Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans. London.

  • McNeill, J., N. J. Turland, F. R. Barrie, W. R. Buck, V. Demoulin, W. Greuter, D. L. Hawksworth, P. S. Herendeen, S. Knapp, K. Marhold, J. Prodo, W. F. Prud’homme Van Reine, G. F. Smith & J. H. Wiersema. 2012. International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. Koeltz Scientific Books. Konigstein, Germany.

  • Michelangeli, F. A. 2014. Taxonomic notes on myrmecophilous Melastomataceae: A new species, two new synonyms, and an old species reconsidered. Brittonia 66: 82–88.

  • ——— & W. Meier. 2013. A new anisophyllous species of Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) from the coastal cordillera in northern Venezuela. Phytotaxa 79: 37–44.

  • ———, D. S. Penneys, J. Giza, D. Soltis, M. H. Hils & J. D. Skean, Jr. 2004. A preliminary phylogeny of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) based on nrITS sequence data and its implications on inflorescence position. Taxon 53: 279–290.

  • ———, W.S. Judd, D. S. Penneys, J. D. Skean Jr., E. R. Bécquer-Granados, R. Goldenberg & C. V. Martin. 2008. Multiple events of dispersal and radiation of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) in the Caribbean. Botanical Review 74: 53–77.

  • ———, F. Almeda, M. Alvear, E. R. Bécquer, J. Burke, M. K. Caddah, R. Goldenberg, G. M. Ionta, W. S. Judd, L. C. Majure, J. Meirelles, A. N. Nicolas, G. Ocampo, D. S. Penneys, J. D. Skean Jr. & C. Ulloa. 2016. (2462) Proposal to conserve Miconia, nom. cons. against the additional names Maieta and Tococa (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Taxon 65: 892–893.

  • Ocampo, G. & F. Almeda. 2014. A new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) from the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes. Phytotaxa 163: 166–172.

  • Oliver, E. G. H. 2000. Systematics of Ericeae (Ericaceae: Ericoideae): Species with indehiscent and partially dehiscent fruits. Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium, No. 19. University of Cape Town. Rustica Press, Bdabeni, Western Cape, South Africa.

  • Park, K.-R. & R. K. Jansen. 2007. A phylogeny of Euphorbieae subtribe Euphorbiinae (Euphorbiaceae) based on molecular data. Journal of Plant Biology 50: 644–649.

  • Pfeil, B. E. & M. D. Crisp. 2005. What to do with Hibiscus? A proposed nomenclatural resolution for a large and well known genus of Malvaceae and comments on paraphyly. Australian Systematic Botany 18: 49–60.

  • Skean, J. D., Jr. 1993. Monograph of Mecranium (Melastomataceae–Miconieae). Systematic Botany Monographs 39: 1–123.

  • ———. 2000. Mecranium juddii (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Brittonia 52: 191–195.

  • Stafleu, F. A. & R. Cowan. 1981. Taxonomic Literature – II. Vol. 3 Regnum Veg. 105: 1–980.

  • Weese, T. L. & L. Bohs. 2007. A three-gene phylogeny of the genus Solanum (Solanaceae). Systematic Botany 32: 445–463.

  • Wilson, K. L. 2017. Report of the General Committee: 18. Taxon 66: 742–744.

  • Wurdack, J. J. 1972. Certamen Melastomataceis. XVIII. Phytologia 22: 299–418.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported, in part, by National Science Foundation Grant BSR–0818399 and the Hewlett-Mellon Fund for Faculty Development at Albion College. We are very appreciative of the informative discussions with our peers (and especially Frank Almeda, Renato Goldenberg, Ricardo Kriebel, Fabián A. Michelangeli, and Marcelo Reginato), relating to appropriate taxonomic rank of the various morphologically diagnosable clades of Miconieae. John L. Clark kindly provided photographs for the plate. The comments of two anonymous reviewers improved this paper greatly.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Albion College, Albion, MI, 49224, USA

    J. Dan Skean Jr

  2. Department of Biology, 220 Bartram Hall, P.O. Box 118526, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Walter S. Judd

  3. Florida Museum, University of Florida, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Walter S. Judd

  4. Department of Research, Conservation, and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, USA

    Lucas C. Majure

  5. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College & State University, CBX–081, Milledgeville, GA, 31061, USA

    Gretchen M. Ionta

Authors
  1. J. Dan Skean Jr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Walter S. Judd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lucas C. Majure
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gretchen M. Ionta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Dan Skean Jr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Skean, J.D., Judd, W.S., Majure, L.C. et al. Recognition of Miconia sect. Sagraeoides (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) and associated nomenclatural changes. Brittonia 70, 342–355 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-018-9531-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-018-9531-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation