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Published online 20 March 2025

SB24030The Dicranemataceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) revisited: molecular data indicate polyphyly in yet another wholly or primarily Australian endemic family

Gerald T. Kraft and Gary W. Saunders

 

Australia has a rich seaweed flora with many unique but poorly known species, genera and families. We compare results of an early 1970s anatomical study of one of the families with what modern molecular methods indicate about the same suite of genera. Previously considered to be a closely related group (monophyletic), we conclude that the family is polyphyletic (separate families). The study highlights how new insights from advanced technological applications can improve often intuitive taxonomic classification based on morphological characteristics.

SB24030 Abstract  |  SB24030 Full Text  | SB24030PDF (17.7 MB)  | SB24030Supplementary Material (414 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 March 2025

SB24009A framework phylogeny of the diverse guinea-flowers (Hibbertia, Dilleniaceae) using high-throughput sequence data

Timothy A. Hammer , Ed Biffin , Kor-jent van Dijk , Kevin R. Thiele and Michelle Waycott

 

Our study, conducted as part the Genomics for Australian Plants initiative, presents the first phylogenomic study of the very diverse genus Hibbertia using hundreds of nuclear and plastid gene sequences. The subject of significant recent taxonomic work, this study delivers new insights into the evolution and relationships between Hibbertia species. Results identify support for 14 novel clades in the genus and highlight areas of phylogenetic uncertainty, which will be used as a springboard for future systematic studies into the evolution of this remarkable genus. (Photograph by T. A. Hammer.)

This article belongs to the collection: Genomics for Australian plants.

SB24009 Abstract  |  SB24009 Full Text  | SB24009PDF (2.1 MB)  | SB24009Supplementary Material (2.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 March 2025

SB24018More links in the daisy chain: morphology and molecules delimit two new species in Coronidium and two in Leucozoma (Asteraceae; Gnaphalieae)

Timothy L. Collins , Alexander N. Schmidt-Lebuhn , Rose L. Andrew , Ian R. H. Telford and Jeremy J. Bruhl

 

Australian paper daisies have diversified in isolation over the past 20 million years. We studied populations of Coronidium and Leucozoma from across their ranges. Molecular analyses and comparison with morphology recovered both broadly distributed, morphologically variable species and narrow endemics, including four new species. The new insights into biodiversity, ecology, distribution and conservation status will enable conservation and land managers to better protect Australia’s natural heritage, and the broader community to enjoy these remarkable paper daisies. (Photographs by J. J. Bruhl.)

SB24018 Abstract  |  SB24018 Full Text  | SB24018PDF (8.7 MB)  | SB24018Supplementary Material (492 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 March 2025

SB24034Conservation genomics uncovers disjunct subspecies and critically low diversity in Zieria obcordata A.Cunn. (Rutaceae)

Eilish S. McMaster , Marco Duretto , Jia-Yee S. Yap and Maurizio Rossetto

 

Zieria obcordata, an endangered species from central New South Wales, faces survival threats due to limited occurrence in two small, isolated populations. We show significant genetic divergence, suggesting that the members of each population should be recognised as separate subspecies, each with low genetic diversity. We recommend testing crosses between these populations to assess compatibility and potential fitness improvements to ehnance genetic diversity.

SB24034 Abstract  |  SB24034 Full Text  | SB24034PDF (20.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 February 2025

SB24014Australian biogeography, climate-dependent diversification and phylogenomics of the spectacular Chamelaucieae tribe (Myrtaceae)

Francis J. Nge , Ed Biffin , Barbara L. Rye , Peter G. Wilson , Kor-jent van Dijk , Kevin R. Thiele , Michelle Waycott and Matthew D. Barrett

 

Tribe Chamelaucieae (Myrtaceae), a diverse, spectacular element of the Australian flora, has over 600 species continent-wide. We sequenced more than 300 nuclear genes for over 100 tribal representatives (including all genera), covering geographic and taxonomic diversity. Our understanding of tribal evolutionary relationships and how clades evolved through time and space improved. Tribal diversification correlates with major past climatic events and many lineages are shown to have dispersed from south-west Australia to the arid zone. (Photograph by Kevin R. Thiele.)

This article belongs to the collection: Genomics for Australian plants.

SB24014 Abstract  |  SB24014 Full Text  | SB24014PDF (2.8 MB)  | SB24014Supplementary Material (2.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 February 2025

SB24033A new leaf species of Proteaceae and other Gondwanan elements from the early Paleogene Lota–Coronel flora of south–central Chile

Raymond J. Carpenter and Stephen McLoughlin

 

The Swedish Museum of Natural History houses poorly studied Chilean plant fossils that were collected >100 years ago. Among these we found leaf fossils of the Gondwanan Proteaceae family, whose closest relatives are currently found only in Australasian rainforests. These and other fossils from the same ~55-million-year-old assemblage add to evidence that a similar flora was formerly distributed across a vegetated Antarctica, and contradict a long-held view that Chilean forests of that time exclusively comprised Neotropical genera. (Photograph by R. J. Carpenter.)

SB24033 Abstract  |  SB24033 Full Text  | SB24033PDF (9.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 January 2025

SB24010Wedged between two congeners: will the real Gompholobium nitidum (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae) please stand up?

C. L. Simmons , T. G. B. McLay and M. T. Mathieson

 

We demonstrate that the current Gompholobium nitidum comprises three species. Originally described by Robert Brown in 1810 from specimens collected by Banks and Solander from the Endeavour River in 1770, the species was considered highly localised in Far North Queensland but has more recently been deemed a widely distributed plant of extremely variable leaflet form and habit. This work expands our knowledge of the diversity within this group of Gompholobium in north-east Queensland. Photograph by M. T. Mathieson (image 2B5A1345).

This article belongs to the collection: Genomics for Australian plants.

SB24010 Abstract  |  SB24010 Full Text  | SB24010PDF (7 MB)  | SB24010Supplementary Material (99 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 29 November 2024

SB24021Taxonomy of the Nicotiana megalosiphon species complex (Solanaceae; Nicotiana section Suaveolentes): analyses of RADseq data identifies a new cryptic species

Mark W. Chase , Maarten J. M. Christenhusz , Luiz A. Cauz-Santos, Steven Dodsworth , Ruth Palsson , John G. Conran , Felipe Nollet and Rosabelle Samuel

 

The Nicotiana megalosiphon species complex includes several morphologically cryptic species. We use phylogenetic and population genetic approaches (maximum likelihood, admixture proportions, Bayesian species delimitation and coalescent methods) to assess delimitations of these species and on this basis, describe a new species, N. palssonae M.W.Chase & Christenh. A map of species distributions and key to the species of the N. megalosiphon species complex are also provided.

SB24021 Abstract  |  SB24021 Full Text  | SB24021PDF (12.1 MB)  | SB24021Supplementary Material (537 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 29 October 2024

SB24004Standing on the shoulders of giants: molecular data confirm Kükenthal’s systematic placement of the Australian endemic Carex archeri (Cyperaceae)

Ana Morales-Alonso , Karen Wilson , Kerry A. Ford, Mónica Míguez, Pedro Jiménez-Mejías and Santiago Martín-Bravo

 

The systematic affinities and biogeographic history of the Australian endemic Carex archeri are assessed for the first time. This species has traditionally been associated with different sections belonging to four of the six currently recognised Carex subgenera, however our robust results imply that C. archeri is the only representative of the subgenus in Australia. We discuss the biogeographic pattern and present a complete conservation assessment following IUCN categories and criteria. (Image credit: Ana Morales-Alonso.)

SB24004 Abstract  | PDF (1.3 MB) - $60.00 

Published online 23 October 2024

SB24006An annotated checklist of Syzygium subgenus Sequestratum (Myrtaceae)

Virva M. M. Lyytikäinen, Sebastian A. Hatt , Yee Wen Low , David F. R. P. Burslem and Eve J. Lucas

 

We present an annotated checklist of the 29 species comprising Syzygium subg. Sequestratum. Commonly occurring characters include glaucescence in the hypanthium, funnel-shaped flowers <10 mm long and coriaceous leaves with dark drying petioles in contrast to a paler leaf blade. This checklist provides a foundation for future taxonomic revision of this clade, from an early branching node in the tree of life of the world’s largest tropical tree genus.

SB24006 Abstract  | PDF (7.3 MB) - $60.00 

Published online 16 October 2024

SB23032Species delimitations in the Campomanesia xanthocarpa group (Myrtaceae): insights from molecular markers and taxonomy

Marla Ibrahim Uehbe de Oliveira , João Paulo Silva Vieira, Cássio van den Berg, Ligia Silveira Funch and Reyjane Patrícia de Oliveira

 

Species of Campomanesia are economically important, being used for food and in forestry. Some of these are morphologically similar, raising doubts regarding identification. Seeking to solve this, we performed population genetic analyses with a complex of species: Campomanesia adamantium, C. costata, C. littoralis and C. xanthocarpa. Results indicated the re-establishment of Campomanesia rhombea and complexity of C. adamantium that should be explored based on additional tools. This study improves our understanding of the taxonomy of the genus. (Image credit: M. Ibrahim Uehbe de Oliveira.)

SB23032 Abstract  | PDF (8.6 MB) - $60.00   | SB23032Supplementary Material (373 KB)

More content

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

SB24022, Accepted 13 March 2025

The Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) framework initiative – developing genomic resources for understanding the evolution and conservation of the Australian flora.

Lalita Simpson, David Cantrill, Margaret Byrne, Theodore Allnutt, Graham King, Mabel Lum, Ziad Al Bkhetan, Rose Andrew, William Baker, Matthew Barrett , Jacqueline Batley, Oliver Berry, Rachel Binks, Jason Bragg, Linda Broadhurst, Gillian Brown, Jeremy Bruhl , Richard Edwards, Scott Ferguson , Felix Forest, Ove Gustafsson, Timothy Hammer , Gareth Holmes , Christopher Jackson, Liz James, Ashley Jones , Paul Kersey, Ilia Leitch, Olivier Maurin, Todd McLay, Daniel Murphy, Katharina Nargar , Lars Nauheimer , Herve Sauquet, Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn , Kelly Shepherd, Anna Syme, Michelle Waycott , Trevor Wilson and Darren Crayn

 

SB24022Abstract

SB24011, Accepted 07 March 2025

Navigating phylogenetic conflict and evolutionary inference in plants with target capture data

Elizabeth Joyce , Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn , Harvey Orel , Francis Nge , Benjamin Anderson, Timothy Hammer and Todd McLay

 

SB24011Abstract

SB24031, Accepted 02 March 2025

Morphological and molecular evidence for major re-circumscriptions and eight new species of Melichrus R.Br. (Ericaceae subfam. Epacridoideae) in eastern Australia.

Helen Kennedy , Ian Telford , Darren Crayn , Jeremy Bruhl and Rose Andrew

 

SB24031Abstract

SB24009, Accepted 15 February 2025

A framework phylogeny of the diverse guinea-flowers (Hibbertia; Dilleniaceae) using high-throughput sequence data

Timothy Hammer , Ed Biffin , Kor-jent van Dijk , Kevin Thiele and Michelle Waycott

 

SB24009Abstract

SB24030, Accepted 05 February 2025

The Dicranemataceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) revisited: molecular data indicate polyphyly in yet another wholly or primarily Australian-endemic family

Gerald Kraft and Gary Saunders

 

SB24030Abstract

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