Molecular phylogeny and character-mapping support the synonymy of Cordobia and Gallardoa in Mionandra (Malpighiaceae)

Background and aims – Cordobia, Gallardoa, Mionandra, and Peixotoa (Stigmaphylloid clade, Malpighiaceae) are four small, closely related genera comprising shrubs or lianas endemic to South American savannas, dry forests, and temperate steppes. Their generic limits have significantly changed in the last century, and past molecular phylogenetic studies of Malpighiaceae have not tested the morphological characters of this group to identify synapomorphies supporting these clades/genera. Material and methods – We sampled the monospecific Cordobia and Gallardoa, one species of Mionandra (out of 2 spp.), nine species of Peixotoa (out of 29 spp.), and a single species of Camarea and Janusia as outgroups. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses were carried out for this clade based on five molecular markers (i.e. ETS, ITS, PHYC, matK, and ndhF). A set of 16 macromorphological characters was scored and coded for identifying synapomorphies under the Maximum Likelihood criteria. Key results – Our molecular phylogeny recovered Peixotoa as monophyletic and sister to the clade comprising Cordobia + Gallardoa + Mionandra, strongly corroborating previous phylogenetic studies of Malpighiaceae. The character-mapping analyses recovered two synapomorphies supporting the Cordobia + Gallardoa + Mionandra + Peixotoa clade, six supporting Mionandra s.l. (i.e. Cordobia + Gallardoa + Mionandra), and five supporting Peixotoa. Cordobia and Gallardoa are proposed as synonyms of Mionandra, alongside the necessary combinations, typifications, and identification keys. Conclusions – Morphological characters related to the degree of connation of the stipules, leaf indumentum type, petiole length, inflorescence architecture, number of flowers per inflorescence, presence of a peduncle in the 1-flowered cincinni, sepal connation, posture and texture, petal width and margin integrity, staminode presence, shape and size, and the shape of the apex of styles were key in circumscribing these lineages. Mionandra s.l. is proposed and characterised, including a new combination, an identification key to distinguish its species, a distribution map, and taxonomy notes.