Scotland, R. W. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2022

Molecular analyses place the genus Keraunea outside Convolvulaceae

The genus Keraunea was recently described in the Convolvulaceae Juss. family. Two species are currently recognised, both from Brazil. Molecular sequence data using three commonly applied DNA markers (matK, rbcL and the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer) show that neither species is correctly placed in Convolvulaceae but indicates that the type, K. brasiliensis, should be placed in Malpighiaceae despite several morphological anomalies. The second species, K. capixaba, should be placed in Ehretiaceae. Given the surprising nature of these results, further studies are recommended before formal reclassification of these two taxa is made.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Temporal Dynamics of the Origin and Domestication of Sweet Potato and Implications for Dispersal to Polynesia

In a study focussed on the origin of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (the sweet potato) and its close relatives [1], the authors claimed that a specimen of sweet potato collected by Banks and Solander in 1769 in Polynesia was distinct and along with some other varieties had levels of genetic variation of more than 100,000 years. This timeframe, along with several other lines of evidence, was interpreted, by the authors, as questioning human-mediated transport of the sweet potato to Polynesia within the last 1,000 years. This aspect of the paper received widespread media coverage as well as a number of critical remarks, and correspondence. The criticism questioned whether claims in the paper were justified. Here, three authors from the paper take the opportunity to fully explain the reasoning for calling into question the need to invoke human mediated transport of the sweet potato to Polynesia.

plant biology↗