A molecular phylogeny of the Solanaceae

TLDR

The study presents a Solanaceae phylogeny based on chloroplast ndhF and trnLF sequences. The analysis of 190 species across 89 genera confirms Solanaceae as a monophyletic family, resolves subfamily Solanoideae relationships, places Jaltomata sister to Solanum, groups Capsiceae and Physaleae together, shows Capsicum nested within Lycianthes, and indicates eight to nine Old‑World dispersal events.

Abstract

Abstract A phylogeny of Solanaceae is presented based on the chloroplast DNA regions ndhF and trnLF . With 89 genera and 190 species included, this represents a nearly comprehensive genus‐level sampling and provides a framework phylogeny for the entire family that helps integrate many previously‐published phylogenetic studies within Solanaceae. The four genera comprising the family Goetzeaceae and the monotypic families Duckeodendraceae, Nolanaceae, and Sclerophylaceae, often recognized in traditional classifications, are shown to be included in Solanaceae. The current results corroborate previous studies that identify a monophyletic subfamily Solanoideae and the more inclusive “x = 12” clade, which includes Nicotiana and the Australian tribe Anthocercideae. These results also provide greater resolution among lineages within Solanoideae, confirming Jaltomata as sister to Solanum and identifying a clade comprised primarily of tribes Capsiceae ( Capsicum and Lycianthes ) and Physaleae. Stronger evidence also is provided for the inclusion of Capsicum within a paraphyletic Lycianthes . Solanaceae are a predominantly New World group, with several lineages represented on other continents. Apart from events within Solanum (for which sampling in this study is inadequate for biogeographic interpretations) the Old World representatives of Solanaceae can be accounted for by eight or nine dispersal events.