Abstract
Miconieae are the largest tribe in the family Melastomataceae with ca. 1900 described species. The Greater and Lesser Antilles harbor an impressive number of species from the Miconieae, which occur throughout the islands. Four major clades of Miconia are represented in the Antilles, the Caribbean, Chaenopleura, Mecranium, and Sagraea clades, corresponding to five in situ radiations. The Caribbean clade consists of ca. 160 spp., the Chaenopleura clade (= Miconia sect. Chaenopleura) of ca. 55 spp., Mecranium clade (= Miconia sect. Sagraeoides) of ca. 25 spp., and the Sagraea clade (= Miconia sect. Sagraea) of ca. 45 endemic spp. and is represented by two separate radiations in the Antilles. Likewise, numerous widespread continental species (ca. 45) from disparate subclades across Miconieae occur throughout the islands (presumably originating from many long-distance dispersal events), further increasing the Melastome diversity there. Each of these major clades is briefly characterized, and the evolutionary/phylogenetic patterns within each are discussed. Based on a phylogenetic framework, we discuss the patterns of diversification among the islands, as well as some of the biogeographic patterns of these fascinating radiations within the islands. We incorporate known data regarding ecological pressures and morphological evolution that likely have aided the diversification of this clade principally throughout the mountainous areas of the islands. Three new combinations are made in Miconia for Mecranium integrifolium, Miconia neibensis (Skean) Skean, Judd & Majure, comb. nov., Miconia neibensis subsp. alainii Skean, comb. nov., and Miconia neibensis subsp. integrifolia Skean, comb. nov.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Baillon H (1887) Historie des plantes, Mélastomatacées, vol 7. Hachette, Paris
Bécquer ER (2011) Calycogonium pseudofloribundum, a new species of Melastomataceae, Miconieae, from eastern Cuba. Willdenowia 41:289–294
Bécquer Granados ER (2007) Tetrazygia decorticans (Miconieae, Melastomataceae), a new species from Cuba. Willdenowia 37:313–317
Bécquer Granados ER (2010) Calycogonium bissei, a new melastome (Melatomataceae, Miconieae) from Cuba. Willdenowia 40:281–284
Bécquer Granados ER (2012) Taxonomía de Pachyanthus (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Brittonia 64:179–207
Bécquer Granados ER, Michelangeli FA (2011) Miconia walterjuddii (Miconieae: Melastomataceae), a new species from Cuba. Brittonia 63:425–429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-011-9204-2
Bécquer ER, Michelangeli FA, Borsch T (2014) Comparative morphology of the Antillean genus Calycogonium (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) as a source of characters to untangle its complex taxonomy. Phytotaxa 166:241–258
Bécquer ER, Judd WS, Majure LC (2018) Taxonomic revision of Miconia sect. Calycopteris (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) in Cuba. Brittonia 70:90–110
Bécquer-Granados ER, Neubig KM, Judd WS, Michelangeli FA, Abbott JR, Penneys DS (2008) Preliminary molecular phylogenetic studies in Pachyanthus (Miconieae, Melastomataceae). Bot Rev 74:37–52
Borhidi A (1991) Phytogeography and vegetation ecology of Cuba. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest
Borhidi A (1993–1994) La importancia de Erik Leonard Ekman en la exploración de la flora de Cuba. Acta Bot Hungar 38:5–19
Carmenate-Reyes W, Michelangeli FA, Bécquer ER (2017) Two new species of Henriettea (Melastomataceae, Henrietteae) for the flora of the Greater Antilles. Brittonia 69:359–369
Cogniaux A (1891) Mélastomacées. In: de Candolle ALPP, de Candolle C (eds) Monographieae phanerogamarum vol 7. G. Masson, pp 1–1256
Dent-Acosta SJ, Breckon G (1989) Phenology of six species of Melastomataceae in western Puerto Rico. [Abstract] Am J Bot Suppl 77:52–53
Ekman EL (1928) A botanical excursion in La Hotte, Haiti. Sven Bot Tidskr 22:200–219
Gavrutenko M, Reginato M, Kriebel R, Nicolas AM, Michelangeli FA (2020) Evolution of floral morphology and symmetry in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae): multiple generalization trends within a specialized family. Int J Plant Sci 18:732–747
Gleason HA (1925) Studies on the flora of northern South America. VI. Bull Torrey Bot Club 52:325–340
Goldenberg R, Penneys DS, Almeda FA, Judd WS, Michelangeli FA (2008) Phylogeny of Miconia (Melastomataceae): patterns of stamen diversification in a megadiverse neotropical genus. Int J Plant Sci 169:963–979
Goldenberg R, de Fraga CN, Fontana AP, Nicolas AN, Michelangeli FA (2012) Taxonomy and phylogeny of Merianthera (Melastomataceae). Taxon 61:1040–1056
Graham A (2003) Historical phytogeography of the Greater Antilles. Brittonia 55:357–383
León, Hno, Alain, Hno (1957) Flora de Cuba. Vol. 4. Contrib Ocas Mus Hist Nat Col La Salle 10:1–556
Howard RA (1988) Charles Wright in Cuba, 1856-1867. Chadwick-Healey, Alexandria, VA
Ionta GM, Judd WS (2012) Miconia cordieri, a new species of Miconia sect. Sagraea (Melastomataceae) from the Macaya Biosphere Reserve, Haiti. J Bot Res Inst Texas 6:37–44
Ionta GM, Judd WS, Skean JD Jr, McMullen CK (2012) Two new species of Miconia sect. Sagraea (Melastomataceae) from the Macaya Biosphere Reserve, Haiti, and twelve relevant new species combinations. Brittonia 64:61–72
Judd WS (1986) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). I. Variation in inflorescence position. Brittonia 38:150–161
Judd WS (2007) Revision of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura (Miconieae, Melastomataceae) in the Greater Antilles. Syst Bot Monogr 81:1–235
Judd WS (2019) Miconia rufinervis (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), an enigmatic endemic of the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. J Bot Res Inst Texas 13:229–234
Judd WS, Ionta GM (2013) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). X. revision of the species of the Miconia crotonifolia complex. Brittonia 65:66–95
Judd WS, Ionta GM (2017) Miconia vincentiana (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a curious endemic to St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles. J Bot Res Inst Texas 11:335–341
Judd WS, Kabat CA (2005) Miconia sects. Amblyrrhena, Miconia, and Tamonea (Melastomataceae) in Hispaniola, with a note on the recognition of Miconia pyramidalis. Moscosoa 14:83–99
Judd WS, Majure LC (2014) Miconia becqueri, a new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) with strongly four-lobed ovaries from the Sierra Maestra, Cuba. Brittonia 66:75–81
Judd WS, Majure LC (2019) Miconia elaeagnoides: a morphologically distinctive species with the Caribbean clade of Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). J Bot Res Inst Texas 13:387–396
Judd WS, Majure LC (2021) A revised circumscription and clarification of the taxonomic position of Miconia tetrazygioides (Melastomataceae: Miconieae): an endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. J Bot Res Inst Texas 15:67–71
Judd WS, Penneys DS (2004) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VIII. A revision of the species of the Miconia desportesii complex on Hispaniola. Rhodora 106:124–147
Judd WS, Skean JD Jr (1991) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). IV. Generic realignments among terminal-flowered taxa. Bull Fla Mus Nat Hist Biol Sci 36:25–84
Judd WS, Penneys DS, Skean JD Jr (2004) Rediscovery of Ossaea alloeotricha, an endemic of the high-elevation Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, and its transfer to Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Brittonia 56:159–165
Judd WS, Skean JD Jr, Clase T, Ionta GM (2008) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). IX. Calycogonium formonense, a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Brittonia 60:265–270
Judd WS, Bécquer ER, Majure LC (2014a) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XI. A revision of Miconia sect. Calycopteris on Hispaniola. Brittonia 66:216–249. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-014-9326-4
Judd WS, Bécquer E, Skean JD Jr, Majure LC (2014b) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XII. Revision of Miconia sect. Miconiastrum, with emphasis on the Miconia bicolor complex. J Bot Res Inst Texas 8:457–491
Judd WS, Majure LC, Ionta GM, Neubig KM (2015a) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XIII. Systematics of Miconia subcompressa, a Hispaniolan endemic comprised of three eco-geographic subspecies. Phytotaxa 192:61–83
Judd WS, Majure LC, Skean JD Jr, Neubig KM (2015b) Miconia abscondita (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti: rediscovered in herbaria after being hidden for nearly nine decades. Rhodora 117:317–341
Judd WS, Bécquer ER, Majure LC (2017) First collection of Miconia turquinensis (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) with flowers, and comparison with M. remotiflora, a putative close relative. J Bot Res Inst Texas 11:161–167
Judd WS, Ionta GM, Majure LC (2018a) Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XIV. Species of Miconia section Sagraea that occur in the Greater Antilles and additionally in the Lesser Antilles and/or continental regions. J Bot Res Inst Texas 12:531–547
Judd WS, Ionta GM, Majure LC, Michelangeli FA (2018b) Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Miconia crenata and related species (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) in the Greater Antilles. J Bot Res Inst Texas 12:521–529
Kriebel R (2016) A monograph of Conostegia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae). Phytokeys 67:1–326
Liogier AH (2000) La Flora de la Española, vol 9. Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Santo Domingo
Macbride JF (1941) Melastomataceae (Flora of Peru). Field Mus Publ Bot 13:249–523
Majure LC, Judd WS (2013a) Miconia paralimoides (Melastomataceae), a new species from the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Phytotaxa 131:9–16
Majure LC, Judd WS (2013b) Miconia phrynosomaderma (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif du Nord, Haiti, and sixteen new names and combinations. J Bot Res Inst Texas 7:265–274
Majure LC, Judd WS, Ionta GM, Skean JD Jr, Bécquer ER, Burke J, Penneys DS, Ocampo G, Alvear M, Goldenberg R, Almeda F, Michelangeli F (2013) Evaluating morphological evolution in tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae): Homoplasy is the rule not the exception. Botany. 2013:300
Majure LC, Bécquer ER, Judd WS (2014a) Miconia bullotricha and M. hirtistyla, two new species of Miconia sect. Lima from eastern Cuba. Phytokeys 33:61–75
Majure LC, Judd WS, Michelangeli FA (2014b) Taxonomic revision of the Greater Antillean Pseudolima clade of Miconia (Miconia sect. Krugiophytum: Miconieae: Melastomataceae). Brittonia 67:11–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-014-9349-x
Majure LC, Judd WS, Ionta GM, Skean JD Jr, Neubig KM, Bécquer ER (2014c) Miconia cineana, a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Syst Bot 39:906–914. https://doi.org/10.1600/036364414X682247
Majure LC, Neubig KM, Skean JD Jr, Bécquer ER, Judd WS (2015) Evolution of the Sandpaper clade (Miconieae, Melastomataceae). Int J Plant Sci 176:607–626
Majure LC, Bécquer ER, Judd WS (2016) Revision of the Lima clade (Miconia sect. Lima, Miconieae, Melastomataceae) of the Greater Antilles. PhytoKeys 72:1–99
Majure LC, Skean JD Jr, Neubig KM, Judd WS (2018) Miconia clasei, a new species of Miconia sect. Calycodomatia (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) from the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic and a closer look at species relationships in the Sandpaper clade. Syst Bot 43:430–438
Mann P, Draper G, Lewis JF (1991) An overview of the geologic and tectonic development of Hispaniola. In: Mann P, Draper G, Lewis JF (eds) Geologic and tectonic development of the North American-Caribbean plate boundary in Hispaniola, vol 262. Geological Society of American Special Paper, Boulder, CO
Michelangeli FA, Becquer-Granados ER (2012) Melastomataceae. In: Acevedo-Rodriguez P, Strong MT (eds.). Catalogue of seed plants of the west Indies. Smithson Contrib Bot, vol 98, pp 531–562
Michelangeli FA, Penneys DS, Giza J, Soltis DE, Hils MH, Skean JD Jr (2004) A preliminary phylogeny of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) based on nrITS sequence data and its implications on inflorescence position. Taxon 53:279–290
Michelangeli FA, Judd WS, Penneys DS, Skean JD Jr, Bécquer-Granados ER, Goldenberg R, Martin CV (2008) Multiple events of dispersal and radiation of the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) in the Caribbean. Bot Rev 74:53–77
Michelangeli FA, Carmenate-Reyes W, Sosa K (2015) A revision of Meriania (Melastomataceae) in the Greater Antilles with emphasis on the status of the Cuban species. Brittonia 67:118–137
Michelangeli FA, Almeda F, Alvear M, Bécquer ER, Burke J, Caddah MK, Goldenberg R, Ionta GM, Judd WS, Majure LC, Meirelles J, Nicolas AN, Ocampo G, Penneys DS, Skean JD Jr, Ulloa Ulloa C (2016) Proposal to conserve the name Miconia against Maieta and Tococa (Melastomataceae, Miconieae). Taxon 65:892–893
Michelangeli FA, Goldenberg R, Almeda F, Judd WS, Bécquer ER, Ocampo G, Ionta GM, Skean JD Jr, Majure LC, Penneys DS (2018) Nomenclatural novelties in Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Brittonia 71:82–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-018-9546-0
Michelangeli FA, Almeda F, Goldenberg R, Penneys DS (2020) A guide to curating new world Melastomataceae collections with a linear generic sequence to world-wide Melastomataceae. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202010.0203.v2
Penneys DS, Judd WS (2003) The resurrection and lectotypification of Tetrazygia fadyenii (Melastomataceae: Miconieae): a hummingbird-pollinated treelet endemic to Jamaica. Sida 30:877–884
Penneys DS, Judd WS (2005) A systematic revision and cladistic analysis of Charianthus (Melastomataceae) using morphological and molecular characters. Syst Bot 30:559–584
Reginato M, Vasconcelos TNC, Kriebel R, Simoes AO (2020) Is dispersal mode a driver of diversification and geographical distribution in the tropical plant family Melastomataceae? Mol Phylogenet Evol 148:106815
Skean JD Jr (1993) Monograph of Mecranium (Melastomataceae-Miconieae). Syst Bot Monogr 39:1–116
Skean JD Jr (2000) Mecranium juddii (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Brittonia 52:191–195
Skean JD Jr, Judd WS, Clase T, Peguero P (2010) Calycogonium bairdianum (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Brittonia 62:210–214
Skean JD Jr, Judd WS, Majure LC, Ionta GM (2018) Recognition of Miconia sect. Sagraeoides (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) and associated nomenclatural changes. Brittonia 70:342–355
Standley PC (1931) Erik L. Ekman. Science 73:255–256
Tiernan NM, Michelangeli FA (2018) A revision of the Miconia ulmarioides complex (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Brittonia 70:455–477
Underwood LM (1905) A summary of Charles Wright’s explorations in Cuba. Bull Torrey Bot Club 32:291–300
Urban I (1921) Plantae haitienses novae vel rariores a cl. Er. L. Ekman 1917 lectae. Ark Bot 17(7):1–72
Urban I (1923) Plantae Cubenses Ekman I. Melastomataceae. Symb Antill 9(1):111–127
Urban I (1926a) Plantae Haitienses novae vel rariores II. A cl. E. L. Ekman 1924 lectae. Ark Bot 20A(5):1–65. [Mommsenia, pp. 31–32]
Urban I (1926b) Sertum Antillanum. XXVI. Repert Spec Nov Regni Veg 22:222–241. https://doi.org/10.1002/fedr.19260221304
Urban I (1927) Plantae Haitienses novae vel rariores IV. a cl. E.L. Ekman 1924–1927 lectae. Ark Bot 21A(5):1–97
Urban I (1929) Plantae Haitienses et Domingenses VII. a cl. E.L. Ekman 1924–1928 lectae. Ark Bot 22A(17):1–115
Urban I (1931) Plantae Haitienses et Domingenses IX. a cl. E.L. Ekman 1924–1930 lectae. Ark Bot 23A(11):1–103. 97
Wurdack JJ (1972) Certamen Melastomataceis. XVIII. Phytologia 22:299–418
Acknowledgments
The authors thank numerous individuals who helped with fieldwork leading to much of the data collected to make this synopsis possible (T. Clase, R. García, A. Liogier, B. Peguero-JBSD, K. Campbell, P. Lewis-IJ, W. Cinea-Les Cayes Bot. Gard., T. Zanoni-NYBG, B. Santana, R. Lowden, G. Proctor, C. Rivera, D. Cordier, P. Paryski, F. Sergile, C. Woods). Fabian Michelangeli, PI on the NSF-funded PBI Miconieae project, was instrumental in providing resources for making this work possible. We also thank the staff of the University of Florida Herbarium (FLAS), Florida Museum of Natural History, and other herbaria that aided with specimen loans and requests: A, ALBC, F, FTBG, GH, IJ, JE, MICH, MO, NY, S, UCMM, US, as well as the Herbario del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba (HAJB), the Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática de Cuba (HAC), and the Jardín Botánico Nacional “Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso” (JBSD), which provided resources and aid during fieldwork. Eugenio Santiago-Valentín and an anonymous reviewer provided helpful comments on a previous version of the paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Majure, L.C., Bécquer, E.R., Skean, J.D., Ionta, G.M., Judd, W.S. (2022). Patterns of Diversification of Miconia (Miconieae) in the Greater and Lesser Antilles. In: Goldenberg, R., Michelangeli, F.A., Almeda, F. (eds) Systematics, Evolution, and Ecology of Melastomataceae. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99742-7_29
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99742-7_29
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-99741-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-99742-7
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)