Phylogenetics and Pollen Morphology of Sapindaceae
Summary
The Sapindaceae, a globally distributed family of flowering plants, has undergone profound reassessment through combined molecular and palynological approaches. Phylogenetic analyses utilising nuclear and plastid data have clarified relationships among its major subfamilies—Sapindoideae, Hippocastanoideae and Dodonaeoideae—and revealed instances of ancient introgression shaping lineage divergence. Conflicts between nuclear and organellar phylogenies highlight reticulate evolution in genera such as Xanthoceras and underscore the importance of coalescent frameworks for disentangling incomplete lineage sorting from hybridisation. Concurrently, detailed studies of pollen morphology, employing light and scanning electron microscopy, have catalogued apertural patterns and exine ornamentation across taxa, providing robust morphological markers for delimitation at generic and species levels. Integrative efforts have identified highly divergent plastid regions suitable for DNA barcoding, while palynological traits such as colporate versus syncolporate apertures have proven essential for resolving taxonomic ambiguities. The synergy between phylogenomics and pollen morphology not only refines the circumscription of monophyletic groups but also informs conservation strategies by pinpointing cryptic diversity and guiding restoration of tropical and temperate ecosystems where Sapindaceae play keystone roles.
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Phylogenetics and Pollen Morphology of Sapindaceae publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phylogenetics and pollen morphology of sapindaceae across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Monophyly: The condition of a group containing all descendants of a common ancestor.
Coalescent analysis: A statistical framework for inferring population history and gene flow from gene genealogies.
Introgression: The transfer of genetic material between species or lineages via hybridisation and backcrossing.
Chloroplast genome (plastome): The circular DNA molecule in chloroplasts, typically comprising large single-copy, small single-copy and inverted repeat regions.
Colporate aperture: A pollen aperture type combining a colpus (elongated furrow) with a porus (circular opening).
Exine ornamentation: The pattern of surface sculpture on the outer pollen wall, critical for taxonomic differentiation.
References
- Unraveling the Ancient Introgression History of Xanthoceras (Sapindaceae): Insights from Phylogenomic Analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025).
- Chloroplast genome assembly of Serjania erecta Raldk: comparative analysis reveals gene number variation and selection in protein-coding plastid genes of Sapindaceae. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
- Comparative genomics and phylogenetic relationships of two endemic and endangered species (Handeliodendron bodinieri and Eurycorymbus cavaleriei) of two monotypic genera within Sapindales. BMC Genomics (2022).
- Pollen types of Sapindaceae from Brazilian forest fragments: apertural variation. Acta Botanica Brasilica (2020).
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