TAYLOR, DAVID WILLIAM. University of Michigan, Herbarium and Department of Biology, Ann Arbor, MI. - Systematics and phylogeny of Chione DC. (Rubiaceae).
Chione DC. is a genus of rare trees and shrubs native to neotropical
wet forests. The definition of this genus was previously unclear, it
never having been the subject of taxonomic revision. A clear
definition of Chione is necessary in order for it to be properly
represented in phylogenetic analyses at the level of tribe, subfamily,
and family. For this reason, and to improve understanding of
neotropical flora taxonomy, a monographic treatment and phylogenetic
reconstruction of Chione was undertaken. Results from morphological
and DNA sequence (ITS 1&2 region of nuclear ribosomal DNA) data have
shown Chione s.l. to be composed of two divergent lineages. The
definitions of Chione s.s. and the new segregate genus Colleteria D.
W. Taylor (unpublished) will be discussed. In addition, a phylogenetic
reconstruction of Chione s.s. (based on data from the 5S NTS region of
nuclear ribosomal DNA) will be presented.
Key words: Chione, Colleteria, neotropical, Rubiaceae, systematics, taxonomy