Phylogeny and systematics of the tribe Sonerileae (Melastomataceae) in Africa: A revised taxonomic classification

The tribe Sonerileae in tropical Africa and Madagascar is a morphologically diverse lineage that consists of 239 species in 10 genera. In this study, we present the first in‐depth phylogenetic analysis of African Sonerileae to test monophyly of the currently recognized genera. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using sequence data from two nuclear (nrITS and nrETS) and three plastid loci (accD‐psaI,ndhFandpsbK‐psbL). Sampling consisted of 140 accessions including 64 African, 27 Malagasy, 46 Asian, and three neotropical Sonerileae together with a broad outgroup sampling (105 spp.). Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches, and a careful reassessment of morphological characters was carried out. Our results neither support the monophyly of the Old World nor African Sonerileae. The monospecific African genusBennais partially supported as sister toPhainantha, one of the basal neotropical lineages, while African and MalagasyMedinillaare nested among the SE Asian genera.Gravesia(116 spp.), the most species‐rich and morphologically diverse genus in Madagascar, is recovered as monophyletic. The African genera of SonerileaeCalvoa,Dicellandra, andPreussiellaform well‐supported clades. In contrast,Amphiblemma(includingAmphiblemma molle) andCincinnobotryss.l. (includingCincinnobotrys felicis) are not monophyletic. To accommodate the caulescentC. feliciswe propose reinstatement of the monospecific genusBourdaria. For the distinctiveA. mollea new genusMendeliais described.Calvoa hirsutais designated here as the type of genusCalvoa, lectotypes are designated forMedinilla engleriandVeprecella lutea, and a neotype is designated forPreussiella kamerunensis.