Phylogeny of Dorstenia (Moraceae) reveals the polyphyletic nature of its neotropical sections

Abstract Dorstenia, the second largest genus of Moraceae, comprises nine sections that are mainly found in Africa and America. Two them woody macrospermous, other seven herbaceous microspermous. There three Neotropics, all which taxonomically complex owing to their great morphological similarity. The most recent molecular phylogenetic studies Dorstenia suggested neotropical polyphyletic. These also showed species represent a sister group an African macrospermous grade rather than microspermous plants. We have now expanded number taxa sampled included markers determine whether previous phylogeny be corroborated or new taxonomic interpretations followed. This study inferred based on ITS, ETS, trnL-F regions from 40 58 added taxon, thus including 17 60 known species. Our results reaffirmed polyphyletic nature sections. sect. Acauloma emerged within main clade D. Kosaria (both species), result confirms affinity these already observed studies. suggest as only section.