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Systematik, Biodiversität und Evolution der Pflanzen, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Menzinger Str. 67, 80638, Munich, Germany
evolutionary biology
biorxiv

The complex evolutionary history of Capparis L. (Capparaceae Juss.) in Australia, and the description of five new species and two new subspecies

Cooper, W. E.Open in Google Scholar•Crayn, D. M.Open in Google Scholar•Zich, F. A.Open in Google Scholar•Joyce, E. M.Open in Google Scholar

Capparis L. (Capparaceae) is a genus of approximately 145 species, many of which have an ancient history of human use. Australia harbours 21 accepted species of Capparis, including the widespread and taxonomically complex Capparis spinosa L., two phrase-named species, and two putative new species; however, the relationships of these species and their taxonomic status remains to be tested. Here, we present the first phylogenetic trees containing all species of Australian Capparis based on the nuclear Angiosperms353 loci. Paralogous gene sequences were identified and handled through ASTRAL-Pro and orthology inference to estimate three species trees using coalescent and concatenated approaches. Phylogenetic discordance was characterised and investigated with a whole-genome duplication analysis. All three trees resolve Capparis as monophyletic and indicate that a whole-genome duplication event occurred in the ancestor of all Australian Capparis species. Capparis sect. Capparis and C. sect. Busbeckea (Endl.) Hook.f. are monophyletic, but C. sect. Monostichocalyx Radlk. is non-monophyletic. We infer that Capparis likely expanded its range to Australia multiple times, resulting in markedly different patterns of diversification and evolution in different clades. The relationships of species within sect. Busbeckea differ across trees and are generally poorly supported presumably due to rapid radiation following a second whole-genome duplication event. The relationships of taxa within sect. Capparis and the clades of sect. Monostichocalyx are well-supported, with some evidence of incomplete lineage sorting. We find that the three morphotypes of Capparis spinosa subsp. nummularia (DC.) Fici across northern Australia consistently form three clades, distinct from the closely related Capparis spinosa subsp. cordifolia (Lam.) Fici found outside of Australia. Based on this phylogenomic analysis and morphological study, we describe five new species and two new subspecies of Capparis, bringing the total number of species in Australia to 26. The phrase-named taxa C. sp. Bamaga (V.Scarth-Johnson 1048A) Qld Herbarium and C. sp. Coen (L.S.Smith 11862) Qld Herbarium are formally described as C. xylofructa W.E.Cooper and C. megacarpa W.E.Cooper, respectively, and C. platyangulata W.E.Cooper & Joyce and C. splendidissima W.E.Cooper are newly described. Capparis loranthifolia var. bancroftii C.T.White ex M.Jacobs is raised to species level as C. bancroftii (C.T.White ex M.Jacobs) W.E.Cooper & Joyce. Capparis spinosa subsp. nummularia is split into three subspecies: C. spinosa subsp. minor (Domin) W.E.Cooper & Joyce, distributed in Northern Territory and inland Queensland; C. spinosa subsp. insularis W.E.Cooper & Joyce distributed on islands off northern Queensland, and C. spinosa subsp. nummularia which is restricted to Western Australia and the far north west of the Northern Territory. Descriptions and notes on habitat and distribution are included for all new taxa, and an identification key is provided for all Australian Capparis taxa.

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