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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417830
Research Project: Enabling Mechanistic Allele Mining to Accelerate Genomic Selection for New Agro-Ecosystems

Location: Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research

Title: Reinstatement and expansion of the genus Anatherum (Andropogoneae, Panicoideae, Poaceae)

Author
item VORONTSOVA, MARIA - Danforth Plant Science Center
item PETERSON, KURT - Danforth Plant Science Center
item MINX, PATRICK - Danforth Plant Science Center
item AUBUCHON-ELDER, TAYLOR - Danforth Plant Science Center
item ROMAY, M CINTA - Cornell University
item Buckler, Edward - Ed
item KELLOGG, ELIZABETH - Danforth Plant Science Center

Submitted to: Systematics and Biodiversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/27/2023
Publication Date: 11/27/2023
Citation: Vorontsova, M.S., Peterson, K.B., Minx, P., Aubuchon-Elder, T.M., Romay, M., Buckler Iv, E.S., Kellogg, E.A. 2023. Reinstatement and expansion of the genus Anatherum (Andropogoneae, Panicoideae, Poaceae). Systematics and Biodiversity. 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2023.2274386.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2023.2274386

Interpretive Summary: This study focuses on the reclassification and expansion of the genus Anatherum within the grass family Poaceae. The genus Andropogon, previously thought to be a single group, was found to be polyphyletic, meaning it contained species that are not all closely related. To address this, researchers analyzed the DNA and physical characteristics of various species and determined that many should be reclassified under the genus Anatherum. This revised genus now includes 45 species, mainly found in the Americas and Africa, distinguished by specific traits like two-branched inflorescences and particular spikelet structures. This work helps clarify the evolutionary relationships and improves the classification of these important grass species, which are crucial for understanding and managing grassland ecosystems.

Technical Abstract: The genus Andropogon sensu lato is known to be polyphyletic. Accordingly, we here adjust part of the classification of the genus to reflect its evolutionary history and morphological diversity. A plastome phylogeny including 20 new plastome sequences confirms a well-supported clade of species broadly corresponding to Andropogon section Leptopogon. Morphological diversity was assessed across Andropogon sensu lato using specimens held at the K, MO, and A/GH herbaria, GrassBase, and photographs of spikelet pairs, with an emphasis on identifying members of this clade and their distinguishing features. The genus Anatherum is here reestablished, expanded to incorporate 45 of the 131 of Andropogon sensu lato species worldwide, and described and illustrated. Five species names in Anatherum are reinstated and new combinations are made for 40 species and one subspecies. Anatherum is most common and diverse in the Americas but also commonly found across Africa. Few species occur in Europe or Asia. Anatherum inflorescences generally have 2 branches, linear and slender internodes and pedicels with long trichomes, small elliptic to lanceolate spikelets, and flat to concave 2-keeled lower glumes with no intercarinal veins visible. Generic circumscription in this group is complicated by its polyploid history and limited understanding of the relationship between genomic composition and key morphological characters. Five species of doubtful generic affiliation are listed for future analysis.