title: Phylogenomics and taxonomy of Lecomtelleae (Poaceae), an isolated panicoid lineage from Madagascar.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An accurate characterization of biodiversity requires analyses of DNA sequences in addition to classical morphological descriptions. New methods based on high-throughput sequencing may allow investigation of specimens with a large set of genetic markers to infer their evolutionary history. In the grass family, the phylogenetic position of the monotypic genus Lecomtella, a rare bamboo-like endemic from Madagascar, has never been appropriately evaluated. Until now its taxonomic treatment has remained controversial, indicating the need for re-evaluation based on a combination of molecular and morphological data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The phylogenetic position of Lecomtella in Poaceae was evaluated based on sequences from the nuclear and plastid genomes generated by next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, a detailed morphological description of L. madagascariensis was produced, and its distribution and habit were investigated in order to assess its conservation status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The complete plastid sequence, a ribosomal DNA unit and fragments of low-copy nuclear genes (phyB and ppc) were obtained. All phylogenetic analyses place Lecomtella as an isolated member of the core panicoids, which last shared a common ancestor with other species >20 million years ago. Although Lecomtella exhibits morphological characters typical of Panicoideae, an unusual combination of traits supports its treatment as a separate group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that NGS can be used to generate abundant phylogenetic information rapidly, opening new avenues for grass phylogenetics. These data clearly showed that Lecomtella forms an isolated lineage, which, in combination with its morphological peculiarities, justifies its treatment as a separate tribe: Lecomtelleae. New descriptions of the tribe, genus and species are presented with a typification, a distribution map and an IUCN conservation assessment.
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse, ENFA, UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Besnard
authors.forename: Pascal-Antoine
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Christin
authors.forename: Pierre-Jean G
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Malé
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coissac
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ralimanana
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vorontsova
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D035264:Flowers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D023281:Genomics; D005843:Geography; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D008270:Madagascar; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D018087:Plastids / Q000235:genetics; D006109:Poaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005819:Genetic Markers
keywords: Andringitra; Lecomtella madagascariensis; NGS; PACMAD clade; biodiversity conservation; chloroplast genome assembly; endemic; grass phylogenetics; single-copy gene