title: Sex and the Catasetinae (Darwin's favourite orchids).
abstract: Two sexual systems are predominant in Catasetinae (Orchidaceae), namely protandry (which has evolved in other orchid lineages as well) and environmental sex determination (ESD) being a unique trait among Orchidaceae. Yet, the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework for Catasetinae has hampered deeper insights in origin and evolution of sexual systems. To investigate the origins of protandry and ESD in Catasetinae, we sequenced nuclear and chloroplast loci from 77 species, providing the most extensive data matrix of Catasetinae available so far with all major lineages represented. We used Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods to infer phylogenetic relationships and evolution of sexual systems. Irrespectively of the methods used, Catasetinae were monophyletic in molecular phylogenies, with all established generic lineages and their relationships resolved and highly supported. According to comparative reconstruction approaches, the last common ancestor of Catasetinae was inferred as having bisexual flowers (i.e., lacking protandry and ESD as well), and protandry originated once in core Catasetinae (comprising Catasetum, Clowesia, Cycnoches, Dressleria and Mormodes). In addition, three independent gains of ESD are reliably inferred, linked to corresponding loss of protandry within core Catasetinae. Thus, prior gain of protandry appears as the necessary prerequisite for gain of ESD in orchids. Our results contribute to a comprehensive evolutionary scenario for sexual systems in Catasetinae and more generally in orchids as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Systematic Botany and Mycology, GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Menzinger Straße 67, D-80 638 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Oscar Alejandro
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Pérez-Escobar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Systematic Botany and Mycology, GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Menzinger Straße 67, D-80 638 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gottschling
authors.affiliation: Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA.
authors.forename: W Mark
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Whitten
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Botánica, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, 70-367 Mexico D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.affiliation: Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg, Menzinger Str. 61, D-80 638 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: gerlach@extern.lrz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerlach
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000235:genetics; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D012723:Sex
keywords: Ancestral character state reconstruction; Environmental sex determination; Multilocus phylogeny; Protandry; Reproduction