Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)

<i>Synsepalum</i> and <i>Englerophytum</i> are two closely related genera of the sub-family Chrysophylloideae in the family Sapotaceae. It has been reported that the two genera are a monophyletic group, and their generic limitations are uncertain. <i>Synsepalum</i>...

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Main Authors: Daniel Potter, Mark Uleh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/41
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author Daniel Potter
Mark Uleh
author_facet Daniel Potter
Mark Uleh
author_sort Daniel Potter
collection DOAJ
description <i>Synsepalum</i> and <i>Englerophytum</i> are two closely related genera of the sub-family Chrysophylloideae in the family Sapotaceae. It has been reported that the two genera are a monophyletic group, and their generic limitations are uncertain. <i>Synsepalum</i> is an economically important genus that includes the medicinally and culinarily important plant, -miracle berry, <i>S. dulcificum</i>. The phylogenetic relationships among the species are poorly understood. This study has been conducted to refine the phylogenetic relationships between and within the two genera utilizing nuclear and chloroplast DNA data. Bayesian analyses and Maximum likelihood of nuclear internal transcribed spacer (<i>ITS</i>) and plastid (<i>trnH-psbA</i>) sequences were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the two genera. Phylogenetic trees generated for both regions (nuclear and plastid) resulted in the resolution of six clades. Four of the clades correspond to species in the genus <i>Synsepalum</i> and two clades include species of <i>Englerophytum</i>. The two clades of <i>Englerophytum</i> are nested within <i>Synsepalum</i> suggesting that the two genera are closely related and may not merit their current circumscription as distinct genera. Also, <i>Synsepalum</i> is confirmed to constitute more than one lineage suggesting it is not monophyletic in its current definition. Overall, the study suggests the need for a comprehensive evaluation of all species currently recognized in the two genera.
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spelling doaj-art-7339382f55af469a838489647d732f412025-01-10T13:19:34ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-12-011414110.3390/plants14010041Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)Daniel Potter0Mark Uleh1Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USADepartment of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA<i>Synsepalum</i> and <i>Englerophytum</i> are two closely related genera of the sub-family Chrysophylloideae in the family Sapotaceae. It has been reported that the two genera are a monophyletic group, and their generic limitations are uncertain. <i>Synsepalum</i> is an economically important genus that includes the medicinally and culinarily important plant, -miracle berry, <i>S. dulcificum</i>. The phylogenetic relationships among the species are poorly understood. This study has been conducted to refine the phylogenetic relationships between and within the two genera utilizing nuclear and chloroplast DNA data. Bayesian analyses and Maximum likelihood of nuclear internal transcribed spacer (<i>ITS</i>) and plastid (<i>trnH-psbA</i>) sequences were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the two genera. Phylogenetic trees generated for both regions (nuclear and plastid) resulted in the resolution of six clades. Four of the clades correspond to species in the genus <i>Synsepalum</i> and two clades include species of <i>Englerophytum</i>. The two clades of <i>Englerophytum</i> are nested within <i>Synsepalum</i> suggesting that the two genera are closely related and may not merit their current circumscription as distinct genera. Also, <i>Synsepalum</i> is confirmed to constitute more than one lineage suggesting it is not monophyletic in its current definition. Overall, the study suggests the need for a comprehensive evaluation of all species currently recognized in the two genera.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/41Phylogeny<i>Synsepalum</i><i>Englerophytum</i>Miracle berrynuclear DNAPlastid DNA
spellingShingle Daniel Potter
Mark Uleh
Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)
Plants
Phylogeny
<i>Synsepalum</i>
<i>Englerophytum</i>
Miracle berry
nuclear DNA
Plastid DNA
title Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)
title_full Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)
title_fullStr Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)
title_full_unstemmed Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)
title_short Phylogenetic Relationships in the Miracle Berry Genus, <i>Synsepalum</i>, Sensu Lato, and Relatives (Sapotaceae)
title_sort phylogenetic relationships in the miracle berry genus i synsepalum i sensu lato and relatives sapotaceae
topic Phylogeny
<i>Synsepalum</i>
<i>Englerophytum</i>
Miracle berry
nuclear DNA
Plastid DNA
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/41
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AT markuleh phylogeneticrelationshipsinthemiracleberrygenusisynsepalumisensulatoandrelativessapotaceae