Table of Contents

01 September 2025, Volume 63 Issue 5

Cover illustration: Representative taxa of “The Big Four” in East Asian subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs), Manglietia insignis (Magnoliaceae), Phoebe sheareri (Lauraceae), Quercus aquifolioides (Fagaceae), and Schima superba (Theaceae). The fruits and flowers show the progression of seasons through their phenological stages. The distribution of Quercus aquifolioides in alpine and subtropical regions suggests that relationships with adjacent regions should be considered while studying EBLFs. Meng et al. (pages 1045–1060) in this issue elucidate the past, present, and future evolution of EBLFs, and examine how they have responded to environmental changes, which facilitate the further research and flourishing development of evolution of EBLFs. Cover credit: Ren-Ping Su.
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Review
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  Evolution of East Asian subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests: When and how?

  Hong-Hu Meng, Yi-Gang Song, Guo-Xiong Hu, Pei-Han Huang, Min Li, Ou-Yan Fang, Ren-PingSu, Guan-Long Cao, Xiang Cai, Shi-Shun Zhou, Yun-Hong Tan, Xiao-Guo Xiang, Wei Wang, Zhe-KunZhou, Jie Li

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1045-1060.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.70001

  Abstract Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Understanding how East Asian subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) have evolved over time is not only vital for biodiversity conservation but also facilitates predictive modeling of ecosystem services under global change scenarios. During recent decades, numerous studies have been devoted to investigating the evolution of EBLFs. However, there are often contradictory interpretations of the different taxa associated with different geological events and environmental backgrounds. Here, we synthesize several key aspects of the spatiotemporal evolution of EBLFs. First, the EBLFs emerged concomitantly with the development of Asian monsoon systems, occurring no earlier than the Eocene. While the southernmost region was inhabited by tropical elements, EBLFs are not the direct relic of boreotropical flora because of the presence of a broad arid belt at that time. Rather, they represent a unique assemblage including boreotropical relics, tropical floras and deciduous broad-leaved forests. Second, the evolution of EBLFs should not be contextualized within an enclave, the adjacent vegetation systems to elucidate the potential connections between EBLFs and other biomes should be considered to avoid an isolated phenomenon. Third, the adaptive response of EBLFs to environmental changes caused by anthropogenic disturbance in subtropical regions remains understudied. Such a knowledge gap must be addressed to develop effective conservation strategies to sustain the ecosystem amid the dual pressure of climate change and human activity in the future. Finally, current research has predominantly focused on the dominant tree species in EBLFs, whereas comprehensive understanding requires expanding the investigation of associated flora, including understory trees and herbaceous plants. This review not only consolidates contemporary perspectives on the evolution of EBLFs but also proposes a framework to navigate the Anthropocene challenges. By bridging historical patterns with future projections, we aim to catalyze transformative research on EBLFs’ resilience and sustainable management, fostering further research and development regarding the resurgence.
  

  In this study, we not only review the evolution of East Asian subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) from the past, current to the future; but also point out when the EBLFs rose and how the EBLFs respond to the environment change. Furthermore, we aimed to catalyze transformative research on EBLF resilience and sustainable management, fostering further research and development regarding the resurgence.
  
Research Article
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  Pre- and postpollination barriers between a widespread and a narrow endemic species with one-by-one stamen movement

  Wen-Qian Xiang, Yuan-Mi Wu, Ming-Xun Ren

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1061-1074.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13184

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  The maintenance of species boundaries between widespread and narrow endemic congeneric species in sympatric sites remains a fundamental question in ecology and evolutionary biology. For plants with specialized pollination mechanisms, pre- and postpollination isolation mechanisms likely play distinct roles in reproductive isolation and species integrity. Parnassia (Celastraceae) is characterized by one-by-one stamen movement and has its distribution center in southwest China, where many widespread and local endemic species coexist. To quantify pre- and postpollination barriers and their relative roles in maintaining species boundaries, we conducted field experiments with the widespread Parnassia wightiana Wall. ex Wight & Arn. and the local endemic Parnassia amoena Diels over two separate years at Jinfo Mountain, southwest China. We examined four prepollination barriers (ecogeography, blooming phenology, stamen movement, and pollinator type) and three postpollination barriers (fruit set, seed production, and seed viability). Our findings indicate that prepollination barriers played a more significant role in reproductive isolation than postpollination barriers. For the widely distributed P. wightiana, ecogeographical isolation was the primary barrier, followed by phenology and pollinator type isolation. In the narrow endemic P. amoena, which exhibits slower stamen movement, this feature contributed significantly to isolation, with phenological isolation being the second most important factor. Among postpollination barriers, seed viability was the most significant for both species. Our results indicate that prepollination barriers are the predominant isolation mechanism for these two sympatric Parnassia species, and stamen movement may serve as a novel type of prepollination barrier, particularly for the narrow endemic species.
  

  We assessed the relative contribution of prepollination (ecogeography, blooming phenology, stamen movement, and pollinators) and postpollination (fruit set, seed production, and seed viability) isolating barriers in the widespread Parnassia wightiana and the local endemic Parnassia amoena, both characterized by one-by-one stamen movement, at Jinfo Mountain in southwest China. Prepollination barriers played a significant role in reproductive isolation in the two sympatric species. Geographical, phenological, and pollinator isolation were the main barriers for the widespread P. wightiana, whereas stamen movement and phenology contributed most significantly to reproductive isolation for the narrow endemic P. amoena. For postpollination barriers, seed viability was the main barrier for both species. Our results show that stamen movement may act as a prepollination isolation mechanism through modifying the pollen presentation rate, which can be a novel type of pollen dispensing mechanism.
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  Patterns of change in floral color and odor of Lonicera calcarata are in relation to pollinator behavior

  Xiaoyue Wang, Shunyu Wang, Yang Li, Xin Li, Quanxiu Fan, Yin Yi, Xiaoxin Tang

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1075-1090.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13185

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Floral color and odor serve as attractants for pollinators. It remains unclear how changes in these traits in color-change species interact with pollinators and impact a plant's reproductive success. Lonicera calcarata flowers change from white (Night 1 [N1] and Day 1 [D1]) through yellow (Night 2 [N2]) and orange (Day 2 [D2]) to orange-red (Night 3 [N3] and Day 3 [D3]). Our research showed that floral characters, stigma activity, nectar production and floral spectral reflectance decreased through the flowering phases. Floral odor mainly comprised fatty acids, aldehydes, monoterpenes and alcohols, especially n-hexadecanoic acid, hexadecanal and 3-carene. Floral odor peaked on N1 and N3, largely due to the presence of fatty acids. The emission of n-hexadecanoic acid was higher on N1 and N3 compared with other phases, while hexadecanal emission remained constant throughout the flowering stages. The emission of 3-carene was highest on N1. Lonicera calcarata was mainly pollinated by the moth Chorodna strixaria, the butterfly Acosmeryx naga and three bumblebees (Bombus melanurus, B. eximius, B. sonani) and they all preferred to visit white (younger) flowers. Moths had a preference for 3-carene and no significant preference for n-hexadecanoic acid and hexadecanal. Seed sets of nocturnal pollination and control treatments were not significantly different. Lonicera calcarata could produce seeds by self-pollination; cross-pollination significantly increased the seed set. Floral color guides pollinators to visit younger flowers with more floral rewards and higher stigma activity. Different chemical compounds in floral odor may not only attract pollinators but also avoid herbivore damage.
  

  Lonicera calcarata flowers change from white through yellow to orange-red. Pollinators favor prechange flowers, guided by color cues. Floral odor mainly comprised fatty acids, monoterpenes, and peaked on Nights 1 and 3, with fatty acids dominating. Moth pollinators are specifically attracted to monoterpenes, while fatty acids may deter herbivores. Floral odor compounds thus balance pollinator attraction and ecological defense.
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  Larger variation in female than male floral allocation in a sexually polymorphic herb Geranium transversale

  Wei-Bing Zhang, Jannathan Mamut, Ying-Ze Xiong, Shuang-Quan Huang, Dun-Yan Tan

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1091-1100.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13186

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  An underlying assumption for the size-dependent sex allocation (SDS) hypothesis is that the plasticity of bisexual investments in hermaphrodites would be larger in female than in male allocation, but it has rarely been critically evaluated. Among five sexual morphs in a sexually polymorphic desert herb Geranium transversale, gynomonoecious individuals were the largest, and males were the smallest, while hermaphroditic and andromonoecious plants and females did not differ significantly in plant size. The total number of flowers increased with plant size in all five sexual morphs; in gynomonoecious and andromonoecious plants this was due to an increase in the number of perfect flowers rather than pistillate or staminate flowers. Flower size increased with plant size in hermaphroditic and gynomonoecious plants (due to an increase in the size of perfect but not of unisexual flowers). The sizes of staminate flowers in andromonoecious and male plants, and pistillate flowers in gynomonoecious plants did not increase with plant size, and pistil mass increased but stamen mass decreased with plant size. The coefficient of variation (CV) in pistil and stamen mass among 210 plants in four of the sexual morphs (excluding female plants) indicated that variation in resource allocation among individuals was higher in female than male functions. Both flower number and flower size generally increased with plant size in G. transversale, supporting the SDS hypothesis. The relatively higher plasticity (CV) in female than male allocation has not been reported before, providing a cue for understanding why the female-biased allocation associated with plant size is popular in flowering plants.
  

  A sexually polymorphic desert herb Geranium transversale has five sexual morphs that vary in plant size, allowing the illustration of the relative plasticity of sex allocation to female and male function in various floral phenotypes. This study is the first to observe a larger variation (coefficient of variation [CV]) in pistil rather than stamen mass across the sexual morphs (except female).
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  Construction of five sets of synthetic allotetraploids of diploid Aegilops species, and phenotypic consequences of allopolyploidy and additional chromosomal variation

  Deshi Zhang, Han Wang, Tingting Yu, Tianying Zhang, Boshi Chen, Bao Liu, Ruili Lv

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1101-1114.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13191

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Allopolyploidy, involving whole genome duplication (WGD) of interspecific hybrids, is a driving force in the evolution of angiosperms, and has provided favored substrates for the domestication of major agricultural crops. This suggests allopolyploidy is a rich source of genetic variation amenable to natural and artificial selection. While allopolyploidy-induced chromosomal variation is common, its immediate phenotypic effects are challenging to delineate due to the confounding influence of postpolyploidy evolution. Newly constructed allopolyploids, having not yet undergone evolution, present suitable systems to address this issue. In this study, we synthesized five sets of allotetraploids, each with a unique genome constitution of S*S*DD, comprising a common paternal (DD) but distinct maternal (S*S*) parental diploid species of Aegilops. We observed that, except for one sterile synthetic allotetraploid, the remaining four allotetraploids exhibited high fertility, enabling the establishment of sexual lineages through selfing. Chromosomal variation in both number and structure occurred extensively, demonstrating moderate (though variable) effects on key morphological traits related to growth, development, and reproductive fitness of the nascent allotetraploids. All four sets of fertile allotetraploids can be crossed with bread wheat to generate pentaploid F1 hybrids, which as maternal parents can be further backcrossed to bread wheat. This approach promises a feasible strategy for the concomitant introgression of the vast repertoire of genetic variation from the D- and each of the four S* genome-containing species to bread wheat.
  

  We synthesized five sets of allotetraploid wheats containing one subgenome in common and the other distinct by interspecific hybridization using diploid Aegilops species. Four allotetraploids are fertile with progenies harboring widely occurred chromosomal variation in both number (NCV) and structure (SCV), which showed only moderate effects on key morphological traits related to growth and reproductive fitness of the nascent allotetraploids. These allotetraploids could be crossed with bread wheat to generate pentaploid F1 hybrids, enabling introgression of genetic variants of the Aegilops species into bread wheat via further backcrossing.
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  Multi-omics analyses uncovering the biosynthetic potential of novel Micromonospora species isolated from desert and marine habitats

  Jia-Rui Han, Shuai Li, Wen-Hui Lian, Lu Xu, Li Duan, Jia-Ling Li, Chu-Ying Feng, Guo-Yuan Shi, Wen-Ling Liu, Qi-Chuang Wei, Wen-Jun Li, Lei Dong

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1115-1132.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13183

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  The genus Micromonospora, a globally distributed actinomycete inhabiting diverse ecosystems, is widely recognized for its remarkable biosynthetic capacity and role as a prolific source of bioactive natural products. However, the members of the genus Micromonospora from extreme environments remain largely unstudied. In this study, we isolated 15 Micromonospora spp. strains from samples collected in desert and marine habitats. Based on polyphasic taxonomy approaches eight strains were identified and represent four novel species. Genome mining of the newly isolated strains revealed substantial biosynthetic potential for terpenes (n = 70, 22.9% of total biosynthetic gene clusters [BGCs]) and polyketides (n = 60, 19.6% of total BGCs). Subsequent pan-genomic analysis identified substantial numbers of terpene-related (n = 745, 33.8% of total biosynthetic genes [BGs]) and polyketide-related (n = 728, 33.0%) BGs in the core genome, highlighting their core biosynthetic potential. To further investigate their metabolic capacity, fermentation and metabolomic profiling were conducted to assess the secondary metabolite production capacity of all 15 strains. The results revealed a diverse array of alkaloids (averaging 75.3, 33.4% of total annotated secondary metabolites) and amino acid-derived peptides (averaging 56.3, 25.0% of total). These findings also highlight significant metabolic variations among strains and underscore the pivotal role of fermentation conditions in shaping their metabolic profiles. This study advances the taxonomic and functional understanding of Micromonospora spp. and presents a multi-omics framework combining genome mining and metabolomics to explore the biosynthetic potential of wild-type strains from extreme habitats.
  

  Fifteen new Micromonospora spp. strains were isolated from desert and marine habitats. Eight strains representing four novel species were proposed. Further integration of genomic and metabolomic analyses comprehensively characterized their biosynthetic profiles. This study expands our cognition of the genus Micromonospora, and proved that multiomics integration could effectively explore the biosynthetic potential of wild-type strains derived from extreme habitats.
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  Phylogenomic data exploration with increased sampling provides new insights into the higher-level relationships of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)

  Qi Chen, Min Deng, Xuan Dai, Wei Wang, Xing Wang, Liu-Sheng Chen, Guo-Hua Huang

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1133-1153.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13180

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  A robust and stable phylogenetic framework is a fundamental goal of evolutionary biology. As the third largest insect order, Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are central to terrestrial ecosystems and serve as important models for biologists studying ecology and evolutionary biology. However, for such an insect group, the higher-level phylogenetic relationships among its superfamilies remain poorly resolved. Here, we increased taxon sampling among Lepidoptera (37 superfamilies and 68 families containing 263 taxa), obtaining a series of amino-acid data sets from 69 680 to 400 330 aa in length for phylogenomic reconstructions. Using these data sets, we explored the effect of different taxon sampling with significant increases in gene loci on tree topology using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. Moreover, we also tested the effectiveness of topology robustness among the three ML-based models. The results demonstrated that taxon sampling is an important determinant in tree robustness of accurate phylogenetic estimation for species-rich groups. Site-wise heterogeneity was identified as a significant source of bias, causing inconsistent phylogenetic positions among ditrysian lineages. The application of the posterior mean site frequency (PMSF) model provided reliable estimates for higher-level phylogenetic relationships of Lepidoptera. Phylogenetic inference presented a comprehensive framework among lepidopteran superfamilies, and revealed some new sister relationships with strong supports (Papilionoidea is sister to Gelechioidea, Immoidea is sister to Galacticoidea, and Pyraloidea is sister to Hyblaeoidea, respectively). The current study provides essential insights for future phylogenomic investigations in species-rich lineages of Lepidoptera and enhances our understanding on phylogenomics of highly diversified groups.

  In this study, phylogenomic reconstructions were performed using a data set comprising 263 lepidopteran taxa spanning 68 families and 37 superfamilies. Taxon sampling is a critical factor influencing the accuracy and robustness of phylogenetic trees in species-rich groups. The analyses supported the sister-group relationships between Papilionoidea and Gelechioidea, Immoidea and Galacticoidea, and Pyraloidea and Hyblaeoidea.
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  Pangenome reveals large-scale gene loss as a key strategy for adaptive evolution in Agaricus bisporus

  Guotao Chen, Ruilin Zhao

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1154-1165.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13188

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Gene loss is a widespread phenomenon in species evolution, yet the evolutionary significance of large-scale gene loss—whether arising through neutral processes or adaptive evolution—remains a subject of ongoing debate. Agaricus bisporus, a globally distributed macrofungus, serves as an ideal model to investigate this phenomenon. Utilizing the “map-to-pan” method, we constructed a high-resolution pangenome comprising 30 793 genes and 143 Mb of additional sequences, including 21 370 genes absent in the reference genome. Phylogenetic and admixture analyses identified four genetic lineages: the globally distributed MIX and region-specific European, America, and Highland lineages. Core gene analyses revealed a substantially lower genetic load in MIX lineage, accompanied by a marked reduction in the frequency of deleterious mutations compared with other lineages. Presence–absence variation (PAV) analyses further demonstrated extensive gene loss in MIX lineage, with functional enrichment analyses associating these PAVs with DNA damage repair pathways. This finding suggests that gene loss could enhance tolerance to DNA damage, thereby mitigating mutation accumulation. A significantly higher proportion of lost PAVs in MIX lineage was under selective pressure, supporting gene loss as an adaptive strategy. Our findings highlight two key mechanisms facilitating the MIX lineage's broad distribution: (1) the reduction of deleterious mutations, thereby lowering genetic load, and (2) the selective loss of redundant, non-essential genes, enhancing adaptability across diverse environments. This study not only underscores the adaptive significance of large-scale gene loss in the evolution of A. bisporus but also offers a broader framework for understanding how gene loss events shape the evolutionary trajectories of other fungal species.

  This study analyzed the pangenome of Agaricus bisporus and identified four genetic lineages, revealing that the MIX lineage exhibits reduced genetic load through efficient purging of deleterious mutations. Extensive gene loss in MIX is linked to DNA damage repair pathways, suggesting adaptive tolerance to environmental stress. Higher selective pressure on presence–absence variations supports gene loss as an adaptive strategy, highlighting how reducing deleterious mutations and losing redundant genes facilitate adaptation to diverse environments.
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  Revised phylogenomic analysis and Cretaceous fossil evidence reveal new insights into evolution of Scirtinae (Coleoptera: Scirtidae)

  Yan‑Da Li, Rafał Ruta, Di‑Ying Huang, Chen‑Yang Cai

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1166-1178.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13182

  Abstract Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Recent phylogenomic studies have confirmed that Scirtidae is one of the earliest-diverging groups of polyphagan beetles. Cretaceous fossils and genome-scale data have shown promise in elucidating the evolutionary history of Scirtidae. However, knowledge about the Mesozoic diversity of scirtids remains limited, and a recent phylogenomic study of Australasian Scirtinae failed to consider among-site compositional heterogeneity. In this study, we present a refined phylogeny of Scirtinae by analyzing ultraconserved element data under the better-fitting site-heterogeneous CAT-GTR+G4 model. A new scirtine fossil, Serracyphon philipsi gen. et sp. nov., is reported from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. This fossil is characterized by serrate antennae, uncarinated antennomere 1, absence of subocular carinae, and absence of a buttonhole on subgenal ridges. The placement of Serracyphon is evaluated within our updated phylogenomic framework for scirtine evolution. Additionally, we critically reevaluate the taxonomy of the “Scirtes” fossils previously described from the Eocene of the Isle of Wight.
  

  The molecular phylogeny of Scirtinae based on ultraconserved elements is reanalyzed using the site-heterogeneous model CAT-GTR+G4. A new scirtine fossil, Serracyphon philipsi gen. et sp. nov., is reported from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, and its placement is evaluated in light of the updated phylogenomic framework of Scirtinae. Additionally, the taxonomy of the “Scirtes” fossils described previously from the Eocene of the Isle of Wight is critically reevaluated.
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  Unique morphological characters and possible mating behavior of a new species of † Praeaulacidae (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) from Cretaceous Kachin amber

  Zhen Wang, Lars Vilhelmsen, Dong Ren, Taiping Gao

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1179-1188.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13193

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Evanioidea, as a poorly known group of Hymenoptera, exhibited remarkable species diversity during the Cretaceous, especially within the basal fossil family † Praeaulacidae. Here, we describe a new genus and species, † Coronaulacus cancan gen. et sp. nov., from Cretaceous Kachin amber. Based on its unique morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, we place the new genus into † Praeaulacidae. This new genus is significantly distinct from other genera of the family: it is characterized by a ring of tubercles around the median ocellus, forewing vein 3r-m absent, an unusually enlarged terminal tarsomere of the midleg, and extremely elongated hindlegs. The ring of tubercles indicate that the new taxon was a parasitoid on wood-living insects. We discuss the morphology and function of the midlegs and hindlegs. We suggest that the males of this genus might have exhibited behavior similar to dance flies (Diptera: Empididae) or hangingflies (Mecoptera: Bittacidae). During mating, the males possibly used their mid legs with the expanded distal tarsus to effectively grasp and restrain the females and their elongate hindlegs to suspend themselves and their mate from the vegetation, providing support and stability during copulation.

  Wang et al. discovered a unique male wasp from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, characterized by a crown-like structure on its head and exceptionally long hindlegs. This distinctive morphology suggests a possible association with wood-boring insects. Its elongated hind legs may have enabled it to suspend itself from vegetation, similar to dance flies or hangingflies.
  
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  Phylogenomics of the Bupleurum in East Asia: Insights into distribution patterns and diversification

  Yong-Xiu Song, Hao He, Yu-Yang Zhou, Yan Yu

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1189-1202.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13189

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Due to the high cost of whole-genome sequencing and the sampling difficulty of transcriptome sequencing in non-model plants, evolutionary studies often depend on next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Nonetheless, current approaches typically focus on assembling chloroplast genomes or a few nuclear loci, leaving much of the genomic information from NGS underexploited. In this study, we employed multigenomic data sets and advanced analytical pipelines to reconstruct a robust phylogenetic framework for 39 Bupleurum. Nuclear gene data sets and organellar genomes derived from NGS were analyzed. We successfully reconstructed a robust phylogenetic framework for East Asia (EA) Bupleurum, in which two clades were strongly supported and all intersectional relationships were resolved. Phylogenetic discordance was mainly caused by incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization. Divergence dating estimated the origin of Bupleurum at ∼50.76 Ma, with the two subgenera (Penninervia and Bupleurum) diverging at 42.26 Ma. The EA lineages emerged around 22.85 Ma, with Group I diverging at 11 Ma and Group II at 8.72 Ma. Notably, diversification rates remained stable within both EA groups. Combined with geological events and gene–environment correlations, precipitation seasonality (PSN) showed the strongest phylogenetic signals with the Single Copy Orthologue (SCO) tree. The arid event in Central Asia may have driven the adaptation of EA Bupleurum (especially in EA Group II species) to arid, sun-exposed environments. By integrating phylogenetics, geology, and environmental data, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary history and adaptive strategies of Bupleurum in EA, offering valuable insight into the interplay between genetic and ecological factors in plant diversification.

  In this study, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for East Asia (EA) Bupleurum based on different data sets. By integrating molecular phylogenetics, geological history, and environmental analyses, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary history and adaptive strategies of Bupleurum in EA, offering valuable insight into the interplay between genetic and ecological factors in plant diversification.
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  Missing data and model selection in phylogenomics: A re-evaluation of Cicadomorpha (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) superfamily level relationships

  Bin Yan, Christopher H. Dietrich, Xiao-Fei Yu, Yan Jiang, Ren-Huai Dai, Shi-Yu Du, Chen-Yang Cai, Mao-Fa Yang, Feng Zhang

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1203-1216.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13190

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Cicadomorpha, the most diverse infraorder of hemipteran insects, is a group of plant sap-sucking insects consisting of three monophyletic superfamilies: Cercopoidea, Cicadoidea, and Membracoidea. This study aims to resolve the controversy surrounding the phylogenetic relationships between these superfamilies, specifically whether Cercopoidea is more closely related to Cicadoidea (topology H1) or Membracoidea (topology H2). To tackle this issue, we assembled four matrices, including three amino acid datasets and one nucleotide dataset, and performed comprehensive phylogenomic analyses using both coalescent and concatenation methods. Our results showed that the amino acid matrix with low ratio of missing data-based analyses strongly supported topology H2, indicating that Cercopoidea is sister to Membracoidea. However, the other three matrices yielded conflicting results. Interestingly, when site-heterogeneous models were used, the results flipped, and the datasets that previously supported topology H1 supported topology H2. Further analyses, including model comparisons, tree topology tests, and phylogenetic analyses without an outgroup, also supported the conclusion that Cercopoidea is more closely related to Membracoidea. The study highlights the importance of modeling among site compositional heterogeneity in phylogenomic analyses to mitigate systematic errors. Additionally, we noted that datasets with high missing data ratios may lead to conflicting phylogenetic relationships. Our study provides strong evidence that Cercopoidea is sister to Membracoidea and highlights the importance of careful methodological considerations in phylogenetic analyses.

  The phylogenetic relationships among superfamilies within Cicadomorpha remain unstable despite the use of genome-scale data. This study systematically investigates sources of systematic error in phylogenomic analyses of Cicadomorpha and identifies missing data, sequence type, and model selection as critical factors causing phylogenetic incongruence. By employing multispecies coalescent, site-homogeneous, and site-heterogeneous models for tree inference, our analyses strongly support Cercopoidea as the sister group to Membracoidea rather than to Cicadoidea.
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  Phylogeny and biogeography of the fern genus Hymenasplenium (Aspleniaceae), with special reference to island speciation

  Ke-Wang Xu, Meng-Dan Deng, Lin Zhou, Hui Shang, Liang Zhang, Chun-Xiang Li, Carl J. Rothfels, David Lorence, Kenneth R. Wood, Tom A. Ranker, Ngan Thi Lu, Xin-Mao Zhou, Ralf Knapp, Zhao-Rong He, Yue-Hong Yan, Xin-Fen Gao, Li-Bing Zhang

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1217-1234.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13194

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  Although considerable progress has recently been made in the phylogeny of Hymenasplenium, the genus remains poorly investigated; specifically, the diversification and historical biogeography of the genus have been little studied. Here, we infer an updated plastid DNA phylogeny and the first large-scale nuclear DNA phylogeny to understand the biogeography of the genus. The plastid phylogeny includes 312 accessions from across the genus′ distribution range (ca. 121% increase of the latest sampling), with special attention paid to island accessions from 14 Indian Ocean and Pacific islands, whereas the nuclear phylogeny includes 161 accessions of the Afro–Eurasian species. We identify one new major clade and two new subclades. Reticulate evolution was revealed both among subclades and among species in the Afro–Eurasian. Our divergence-time analyses show that most of the extant species diversity has arisen from diversification after the Oligocene despite a Cretaceous origin of the genus. Ancestral area reconstruction revealed that vicariance likely played a major role in building biogeographic patterns at deep evolutionary scales (the Afro–Eurasian clade and the American clade) in Hymenasplenium, while the intercontinental disjunctions within the Afro–Eurasian clade among Asia, Africa, and Oceania might have resulted from frequent long-distance dispersal events from Asia to Oceania and Africa.

  This study presents significant advancements in understanding the fern genus Hymenasplenium by integrating plastid and nuclear phylogenies with expanded taxon sampling, revealing four major clades and eight subclades. The results demonstrated polyphyly in island lineages, a Cretaceous origin with post-Oligocene diversification, and vicariance and long-distance dispersal as drivers of the current distribution of the genus.
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  Backbone phylogeny and evolution of Lycosidae (Araneae): New insights from phylogenomic analyses of mitogenomic data

  Li-Juan Liu, Dan Fu, Ze-Hong Tao, Yu-Fa Luo

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1235-1248.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13198

  Abstract  |  Full Text PDF  |  Save

  This study conducted phylogenomic analyses of the higher-level phylogeny and evolution of mitogenomes and characteristics of Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833 (wolf spiders) utilizing 56 complete mitogenomes. In comparison to analyses based on target-genes, the mitogenomic phylogenies revealed Tricassinae as sister to Hippasinae and positioned Tricassinae + Hippasinae as sister to Lycosinae + Pardosinae. The findings did not support Evippinae as sister to Sosippinae and indicated uncertain phylogenetic relationships among genera (Lycosa, Trochosa, Ovia, and Alopecosa) within Lycosinae. The study proposes the validation of Wadicosinae, revisions of three species, Pardosa multivaga Simon, 1880, Arctosa ningboensis Yin, Bao & Zhang, 1996, and Alopecosa cinnameopilosa (Schenkel, 1963), and recommends placing Halocosa hatanensis (Urita, Tang, & Song, 1993) into Evippinae. Contrary to previous findings, the initial diversification of wolf spiders occurred during the Earliest Oligocene Glacial Maximum, with rapid diversification during the Miocene, both interpreted as responses to significant climate changes and grassland expansion during these periods. Within Lycosidae, mitochondrial gene rearrangements (seven patterns) were observed only in Piratula of Zoicinae and P. multivaga, primarily resulting from transfer RNA transportation and loss. Ancestral state reconstruction analyses did not support web building as the ancestral trait of lycosid prey-capture strategies, instead suggesting an evolutionary progression from vagrant hunting to web building and burrowing, with shifts to web building or burrowing occurring independently multiple times.

  This study first conducted phylogenomic analyses of the higher-level phylogeny and evolution of mitogenomes and characteristics of Lycosidae (wolf spiders). New phylogenies were detected based on the mitogenomic data. Dating analyses indicated that the initial diversification occurred during the Earliest Oligocene Glacial Maximum. This study explored the evolutionary dynamics of prey-capture strategy (from vagrant to web building and burrowing), and found that the shift to web-building or burrowing was estimated to have occurred independently multiple times.
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  An integrative taxonomic approach reveals exceptional species diversity of Burmoniscus from China (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

  Chonghui Yao, Qidi Zhu, Zili Zong, Chao Jiang, Weichun Li

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1249-1274.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13192

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  Burmoniscus Collinge, 1916, the most species-rich genus within the family Philosciidae, presents significant taxonomic challenges due to interspecific morphological convergences and intraspecific variations. This study employs an integrative taxonomic framework combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses and species delimitations based on the sequence data of a mitochondrial COI gene and three nuclear genes (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and NaK) to classify Burmoniscus species. Our results reveal 21 species Burmoniscus from China, including 12 new species (Burmoniscus acutatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. obscurus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. cuneatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. rectangulatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. solus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. spinellosus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. cordatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. trispinatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. rotundus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. simplicissimus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. rubustus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., and B. variatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov.) and firstly report two species, B. schultzi Taiti, Ferrara & Kwon, 1992 and B. comtus (Budde-Lund, 1894) from China. This work highlights the critical role of integrative taxonomy in clarifying species boundaries and uncovering hidden diversity in terrestrial isopods.

  This study employs an integrative taxonomic framework combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses and molecular species delimitations to classify Burmoniscus species. Our results reveal 21 species Burmoniscus, including 12 new species and firstly report two species, B. schultzi Taiti, Ferrara & Kwon, 1992 and B. comtus (Budde-Lund, 1894) from China. This work highlights the critical role of integrative taxonomy in clarifying species boundaries and uncovering hidden diversity in terrestrial isopods.
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  A public collection of phylogenetics experiences in audio and video form

  Douglas Chesters

  J Syst Evol. 2025, 63(5): 1275-1290.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.13195

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  Multimedia representations of phylogenies can only broaden the audience experiencing results of the field. I developed a bioinformatics pipeline for representation of phylogenies as audio and video, optimized to enable conversion of an extremely wide range of phylogeny structures (from tens to tens of thousands of terminals). I also compiled and standardized a set of contemporary phylogenetics results comprising only ones that were provisioned in analyzable form supplementary to a publication and that had been assigned a Creative Commons license by the authors. Fifty-six such phylogenies were audified and the resultant media files were made easily accessible. This work provisionally addresses a problematic gap in public information on phylogenetics for nonvisual modalities, and exemplifies how evolutionary biologists might better respond to obligations in widening participation.

  I developed a bioinformatics pipeline for representation of phylogenies as audio and video, and applied it to a set of contemporary phylogenetics results. This addresses a gap in public information on phylogenetics for nonvisual modalities, and exemplifies how evolutionary biologists might better respond to obligations in widening participation.