Molecular phylogenetics of Phyllanthaceae inferred from five genes (plastid atpB, matK, 3′ndhF, rbcL, and nuclear PHYC)

Phyllanthaceae are a pantropical family of c. 2000 species for which circumscription is believed to be coincident with subfamily Phyllanthoideae of Euphorbiaceae sensu lato (Malpighiales) excluding Putranjivaceae. A phylogenetic study of the family using DNA sequence data has delivered largely congruent results from the plastid atpB, matK, ndhF, rbcL, and the nuclear PHYC. Our analyses include sampling from 54 of 59 genera, representing all tribes and subtribes of Phyllanthoideae. The family falls into two major clades characterized by inflorescence and leaf anatomical features. Several traditional taxonomic groupings were retrieved with minor modifications, but most clades recovered are considerably different from previous non-molecular based ideas of relationships. The enigmatic genus Dicoelia and the geographically disjunct genus Lingelsheimia are shown to be embedded in Phyllanthaceae. The taxonomic status of Leptopus diplospermus (=Chorisandrachne) and the debated placement of Andrachne ovalis have been clarified, and Protomegabaria and Richeriella are newly placed. Paraphyly of Cleistanthus and Phyllanthus is confirmed, having three and four other genera embedded, respectively. Petalodiscus is also paraphyletic, including all other Malagassian Wielandieae.