Applying Target Capture Sequencing to Unravel the Section (Araceae), with Emphasis on Brazilian Species.

Résumé

(Araceae) is one of the most species-rich Neotropical genera, yet its infrageneric classification remains unresolved. This study tests the monophyly of the morphologically defined sect. diagnosed by rosulate habit, involute prefoliation, and absence of a collective vein with a focus on Brazilian species. Using target capture sequencing (Angiosperms353 probe set), we generated a phylogenomic dataset for 35 species (18 from sect. ) and conducted maximum likelihood and coalescent-based analyses. Our results demonstrate that sect. is not monophyletic as traditionally circumscribed. Brazilian species previously assigned to the section are recovered in three geographically structured and strongly supported lineages: Amazonian, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga/Cerrado. The Atlantic Forest lineage is unexpectedly resolved as sister to (sect. ), revealing an evolutionary relationship not predicted by morphology. Divergence-time estimates place the origin of crown in the Paleocene (~62 Ma), with diversification of the Brazilian lineages occurring during the Miocene (20-3 Ma), coinciding with major geoclimatic events in South America. Our findings indicate that key diagnostic morphological characters are homoplastic and provide a phylogenomic framework for revising the infrageneric classification of . By identifying evolutionarily distinct lineages, this study also contributes to prioritizing conservation efforts in threatened Neotropical biomes.