Molecular phylogenetic and morphological evidence for the congeneric status of Goniothalamus and Richella (Annonaceae)

Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of selected Goniothalamus and Richella species (Annonaceae) are presented, based on sequences of three chloroplast markers (matK, psbA-trnH intergenic spacer, and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer). The two genera are shown to be congeneric, and the nomenclatural consequences of this are discussed. Morphological synapomorphies for individual clades are evaluated, although a detailed interpretation of morphological evolution will require more extensive species sampling.