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Issue: Vol. 687 No. 2: 18 Feb. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-02-18
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.687.2.2
Page range: 176-200
Abstract views: 487
PDF downloaded: 243

Phylogenetic relationships and character evolution in Yucca (Agavoideae, Asparagaceae)

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Unidad en Sistemática Vegetal y Suelo, Batalla 5 de mayo s/n, Ejército de Oriente, Mexico City, 09230, Mexico
Desert Botanical Garden, Department of Research, Conservations and Collections, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, United States of America
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biología, Jardín Botánico, Tercer circuito exterior de Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Unidad en Sistemática Vegetal y Suelo, Batalla 5 de mayo s/n, Ejército de Oriente, Mexico City, 09230, Mexico
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Centro Regional del Bajío, Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas No. 253, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, 61600, Mexico
ABK clade ancestral-characters classification fruit-type Hesperoyucca morphological evolution phylogeny yuccas Monocots

Abstract

The current classification of Yucca (Asparagaceae, Agavoideae) is based on morphological characters, mainly on fruit type, caulescence, leaf margin and inflorescence type. To investigate the evolution of these characters, and their potential taxonomic significance as synapomorphies for some groups within Yucca, a phylogenetic analysis was performed with 44 Yucca and eight outgroup species. Divergence times were estimated to produce a suitable phylogenetic framework for the investigation of morphological character evolution. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses showed closer phylogenetic relationship between Hesperoyucca and Hesperaloe than either of these two genera with Yucca. The series previously proposed within the genus were not recovered as monophyletic, but based on fruit type we recovered two main clades which we name here clade Aloifolia and clade Rupicola. The ages of the Yucca stem and crown groups were estimated at 14.34 (95% HPD: 14.64–14.2) and 7.45 (95% HPD: 11.31–3.48) million years, respectively. More recent diversification events occurred in both the species with fleshy and dry fruits. Yucca is monophyletic with two main clades, corresponding to the species with dry fruit (clade Rupicola) and fleshy fruit (clade Aloifolia). Partial geographical concordances were observed in both clades. The dispersal type could be a key character in the diversification of the genus. Leaf margin, caulescence, and inflorescence type are not consistent with phylogenetic relationships.

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How to Cite

Ayala-Hernández, M.M., Fehlberg, S.D., García-Mendoza, A.J., Solano, E., García-Sandoval, R. & Samain, M.-S. (2025) Phylogenetic relationships and character evolution in Yucca (Agavoideae, Asparagaceae). Phytotaxa 687 (2): 176–200. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.687.2.2