Phylogenetic Studies and Taxonomic Classification in Asteraceae

The Asteraceae constitute one of the largest and most widespread families of flowering plants, encompassing over 25 000 species in more than 1 600 genera. Traditional classification has relied heavily on morphological characters such as inflorescence architecture, achene morphology and pappus structure, yet these traits can be highly homoplasious. Over the past two decades, advances in molecular phylogenetics and, more recently, phylogenomics have transformed our understanding of relationships within the family. High-throughput sequencing of hundreds to thousands of nuclear loci alongside plastid regions has enabled the resolution of deep nodes and the detection of reticulate evolution, hybridisation and incomplete lineage sorting. Integrative approaches now combine coalescent-based and concatenation methods, offering a robust framework for delimiting tribes, subtribes and genera. Phylogenomic studies have led to the circumscription of new genera, the redefinition of subtribal boundaries and a clearer picture of biogeographic history, from tropical radiations to temperate allopatric speciation. These insights not only refine the taxonomic backbone of Asteraceae but also have practical implications for conservation of endemic lineages and the utilisation of crop wild relatives in agricultural improvement.

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Phylogenetic Studies and Taxonomic Classification in Asteraceae publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phylogenetic studies and taxonomic classification in asteraceae across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phylogenomics: The use of genome-scale data (hundreds to thousands of loci) to infer evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Hyb-Seq: A targeted sequencing approach that enriches hundreds of nuclear loci by hybridisation capture, coupled with high-throughput sequencing.

Concatenation vs Coalescent methods: Two strategies for species tree inference; concatenation merges loci into one alignment, while coalescent methods model gene tree heterogeneity within a shared species tree.

Plastid genome: The circular DNA in chloroplasts, typically maternally inherited, used in plant phylogenetics alongside nuclear data.

Allopatric speciation: The process by which new species form through geographic isolation of populations.

Niche conservatism: The tendency of lineages to retain ancestral ecological traits over evolutionary time.

References

1. African Mountain Thistles: Three New Genera in the Carduus-Cirsium Group. Plants (2023).
2. Islands as a crossroad of evolutionary lineages: A case study of Centaurea sect. Centaurea (Compositae) from Sardinia (Mediterranean Basin). PLOS ONE (2020).
3. Impact of the climatic changes in the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition on Irano-Turanian species. The radiation of genus Jurinea (Compositae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (2023).