Systematics of Vernoniinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae): unveiling the evolutionary history of exclusive lineages of Americas with phylogenomics, biogeography and macroevolution

• Grant number: 25/13541-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Ingrid Koch
• Grantee: Polla Renon Rodrigues Machado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/28301-1 - Systematics of Vernoniinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae): unveiling the evolutionary history of exclusive lineages of Americas with phylogenomics, biogeography and macroevolution, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Throughout the evolutionary history of Asteraceae family in the Americas, climatic and geological dynamics have played a key role in the radiation and dispersal of a highly diverse and taxonomically complex lineage, the tribe Vernonieae. Vernonieae is widely distributed across the American continent, occurring from tropical to temperate zones. Its range expansion in the Americas is associated with edaphic specialization, tolerance to dry and extreme environments, and the presence of corridors that have connected South America to North America. The subtribe Vernoniinae is one of the most diverse groups within Vernonieae and is notable for including Vernonia Schreb., a well-recognized genus with great historical significance in the taxonomy of the tribe. Vernonia shares a very close relationship with Vernonanthura H.Rob. and Vickianthus H.Rob., but the boundaries between these genera are not fully defined, and the concept of Vernonia remains under discussion. The spatio-temporal evolution of the Vernonia clade is poorly understood, with uncertainties regarding the origin of its ancestral area, possible migration routes across the Americas, and the paleoclimatic and paleogeological events that have shaped its evolutionary history. Modern strategies in plant systematics, such as Hyb-Seq, have significantly increased the resolution of complex groups, enabling the reconstruction of phylogenies based on thousands of loci and target-specific capture probes. Moreover, next-generation molecular approaches have also refined biogeographic and macroevolutionary studies, providing a solid framework for more robust analyses and more realistic interpretations. In this context, this study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships and spatio-temporal evolution of Vernoniinae, with a focus on Vernonia, using high-throughput sequencing (NGS) and target enrichment techniques. In addition, we will address its macroevolutionary and biogeographic patterns and propose a stable and predictive classification system. This investigation represents an important step toward clarifying the phylogenetic relationships and evolution of the subtribe Vernoniinae, while also contributing to a broader understanding of the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the tribe Vernonieae in the American continent. (AU)