ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Plant Sci.
Sec. Plant Systematics and Evolution
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1602122
Phylogenetic placement of the mysterious Malagasy genus Ambrella H. Perrier (Vandeae, Orchidaceae)
Provisionally accepted
- University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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The monotypic genus Ambrella H. Perrier, endemic to Madagascar and traditionally placed within the subtribe Angraecinae, has long posed a challenge in terms of its phylogenetic classification.In this study, we sought to clarify the evolutionary position of Ambrella based on molecular evidence.We analyzed nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK) markers, applying maximum likelihood methods for phylogenetic inference and estimating divergence times using a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock model implemented in BEAST. Our analyses show that Ambrella forms a strongly supported clade with the Malagasy genera Cryptopus Lindl., Oeonia Lindl., and Neobathiea Schltr.. Despite this phylogenetic proximity, Ambrella remains morphologically distinct, particularly in terms of its floral architecture. According to molecular dating, the lineage leading to Ambrella diverged during the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene (ca. 8.8-3.3 Mya), a period of substantial ecological change in Madagascar.These results provide new insight into the evolutionary history of Ambrella, suggesting that some of its most striking floral features evolved independently within this group.
Keywords: Angraecinae, Divergence time estimation, molecular taxonomy, Orchidaceae, phylogenetics
Received: 28 Mar 2025; Accepted: 29 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Nowak, Górniak, Olędrzyńska, Baranow and Szlachetko. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Natalia Olędrzyńska, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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