Refining generic limits in Hyacinthinae (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae): Conflict and concordance between morphology and phylogenomics

Abstract

The Eurasian and North African Asparagaceae subtribe Hyacinthinae Parl. comprises 15–21 genera of mostly spring-flowering bulbs with great diversity in the Mediterranean. Many genera are horticulturally important, notably hyacinths, grape hyacinths, and squills. Understanding of relationships among these genera remains limited, with widely differing classifications in use and scattered phylogenetic sampling. A comprehensive morphological investigation of the Hyacinthinae increased the number of recognized genera from nine to 21, based largely on bulb characteristics. However, this treatment has not been widely adopted despite some support from later molecular analyses. This case study on the generic limits of a horticulturally important plant group raises key issues of gaining user acceptance of a nomenclatural system where some familiar genera are substantially redefined. To date, there has not been a detailed combined molecular and morphological study of the subtribe. We reconstructed the most comprehensively sampled phylogeny of Hyacinthinae to date, using 246 low-copy nuclear genes from Angiosperms353 and plastome sequences. Morphological data were compiled from published literature and direct observations. Our nuclear and plastid phylogenies of Hyacinthinae recover 18 of 21 possible genera, while the remaining three are para- or polyphyletic. However, relationships among the genera vary between data sets. Quartet scores indicate incomplete lineage sorting or hybridization/introgression, especially where there is cytonuclear discordance. Our data provide strong support for the transfer of two species of Hyacinthus to Fessia, illustrating the problems arising from convergent floral traits. This paper offers a major step forward in the delimitation of Hyacinthinae genera.

Keywords

Angiosperms353 / Asparagaceae / generic circumscription / geophyte / Mediterranean biome / phylogenomic incongruence / plastome

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