Exploring diversity, evolution, and biogeography of Alsineae, Arenarieae, and Polycarpeae (Caryophyllaceae) in the Andean Region

Resumen

The Caryophyllaceae family, part of the Caryophyllales order, encompasses approximately 2 200 species distributed across about 100 genera. These plants are primarily found in subtropical and temperate regions worldwide. Recent advancements in molecular phylogenetic techniques have significantly enhanced our understanding of the tribal and generic relationships within the Caryophyllaceae family. This review focuses on the phylogeny and systematics of the Alsineae, Arenarieae, and Polycarpeae tribes, which exhibit highly diverse distributions across the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. It synthesizes information on floral biology and molecular phylogeny, with a specific emphasis on the positioning of various Andean genera. Phylogenetic trees based on plastid (trnKmatK-psbA + trnL-F) and nuclear (nrITS) markers strongly support clades that align with morphological characters. This research highlights the critical role of fieldwork and integrated morphological and molecular approaches in evaluating species diversity within Andean plant groups. Beyond phylogenetic analysis, the review offers a comprehensive taxonomic classification, including all accepted names and types for the different genera within the three tribes, along with details on their distribution and ecology. Additionally, it proposes an expansion of the number of taxa known for Peru, providing valuable insights into the study of Andean biodiversity.

Citation: Montesinos-Tubeé, D.B., Borsch, T. & Flores Olvera, H. 2025. Exploring diversity, evolution, and biogeography of Alsineae, Arenarieae, and Polycarpeae (Caryophyllaceae) in the Andean Region. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46(Número especial 1): 66.  

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Sesión Sistemática, Filogenia, Biogeografía y Evolución.