Combined phylogenetic analysis of the subclass Marchantiidae (Marchantiophyta): towards a robustly diagnosed classification

Abstract

The most extensive combined phylogenetic analyses of the subclass Marchantiidae yet undertaken was conducted on the basis of morphological and molecular data. The morphological data comprised 126 characters and 56 species. Taxonomic sampling included 35 ingroup species with all genera and orders of Marchantiidae sampled, and 21 outgroup species with two genera of Blasiidae (Marchantiopsida), 15 species of Jungermanniopsida (the three subclasses represented) and the three genera of Haplomitriopsida. Takakia ceratophylla (Bryophyta) was employed to root the trees. Character sampling involved 92 gametophytic and 34 sporophytic traits, supplemented with ten continuous characters. Molecular data included 11 molecular markers: one nuclear ribosomal (26S), three mitochondrial genes (nad1, nad5, rps3) and seven chloroplast regions (atpB, psbT-psbH, rbcL, ITS, rpoC1, rps4, psbA). Searches were performed under extended implied weighting, weighting the character blocks against the average homoplasy. Clade stability was assessed across three additional weighting schemes (implied weighting corrected for missing entries, standard implied weighting and equal weighting) in three datasets (molecular, morphological and combined). The contribution from different biological phases regarding node recovery and diagnosis was evaluated. Our results agree with many of the previous studies but cast doubt on some relationships, mainly at the family and interfamily level. The combined analyses underlined the fact that, by combining data, taxonomic enhancements could be achieved regarding taxon delimitation and quality of diagnosis. Support values for many clades of previous molecular studies were improved by the addition of morphological data. The long-held assumption that morphology may render spurious or low-quality results in this taxonomic group is challenged. The morphological trends previously proposed are re-evaluated in light of the new phylogenetic scheme.