title: Diversification of a large genus in a continental biodiversity hotspot: temporal and spatial origin of Muraltia (Polygalaceae) in the Cape of South Africa.
abstract: Phylogenetic relationships in the largely South African genus Muraltia (Polygalaceae) are assessed based on DNA sequence data (nuclear ribosomal ITS, plastid atpB-rbcL spacer, trnL intron, and trnL-F spacer) for 73 of the 117 currently recognized species in the genus. The previously recognised subgenus Muraltia is monophyletic, but the South African endemic genus Nylandtia is embedded in Muraltia subgenus Psiloclada. Subgenus Muraltia is found to be sister to subgenus Psiloclada. Estimates show the beginning of diversification of the two subgenera in the early Miocene (Psiloclada, 19.3+/-3.4 Ma; Muraltia, 21.0+/-3.5 Ma) pre-dating the establishment of the Benguela current (intermittent in the middle to late Oligocene and markedly intensifying in the late Miocene), and summer-dry climate in the Cape region. However, the later increase in species numbers is contemporaneous with these climatic phenomena. Results of dispersal-vicariance analyses indicate that major clades in Muraltia diversified from the southwestern and northwestern Cape, where most of the species are found today.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Systematics Section, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3DS, UK. f.forest@kew.org
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forest
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nänni
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Chase
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D044822:Biodiversity; D002980:Climate; D017931:DNA Primers; D003710:Demography; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D005843:Geography; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D018087:Plastids / Q000235:genetics; D029608:Polygalaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013019:South Africa; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal