Only recently has Bayesian inference of phylogeny been proposed. The method is now a practical alternative to the other methods; indeed, the method appears to possess advantages over the other methods in terms of ability to use complex models of evolution, ease of interpretation of the results, and computational efeciency. However, the method should be used cautiously. The results of a Bayesian analysis should be examined with respect to the sensitivity of the results to the priors used and the reliability of the Markov chain Monte Carlo approximation of the probabilities of trees. (Bayesian inference; Markov chain Monte Carlo; phylogeny; posterior probability.)

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Potential Applications and Pitfalls of Bayesian Inference of Phylogeny

Convolvulaceae, a large family of worldwide distribution, exhibit a rich diversity of morphological characteristics and ecological habitats. Previous efforts to systematize this diversity without a cladistic phylogenetic framework have disagreed on the circumscription of the family as well as tribal composition and relationship. In order to circumscribe the family and assess the relationships among its major lineages, a broad data set was constructed containing representatives of all ten recognized tribes of Convolvulaceae plus representatives of putatively related families within Asteridae. This is done by using four chloroplast regions: rbcL, atpB, psbE-J operon, and trnL-trnF intron/spacer. The results indicate that Convolvulaceae are monophyletic and sister to Solanaceae. Two of the three groups that have been proposed previously as separate families, Cuscuta and Dichondreae, are nested within the Convolvulaceae in this analysis, and the third, Humbertia, is the sister to all other members of the family. The exact position of Cuscuta could not be ascertained, but some alternatives were rejected with confidence. The study identified several distinct monophyletic groups, some of which correspond to earlier taxonomic treatments. Close relationships of tribes Hildebrandtieae with Cresseae and Ipomoeeae with Argyreieae (forming Echinoconieae) were confirmed. The polyphyly of Merremieae, Convolvuleae, Poraneae, and Erycibeae is first identified in this study.

https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.3732/ajb.89.9.1510

Monophyly of the Convolvulaceae and circumscription of their major lineages based on DNA sequences of multiple chloroplast loci

Floral nectaries, nectar production dynamics and chemical composition in six ipomoea species (convolvulaceae) in relation to pollinators.

Approximately 600-700 species of Ipomoea, Convolvulaceae, are found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Several of those species have been used as ornamental plants, food, medicines or in religious ritual. The present work reviews the traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities of Ipomoea species and illustrates the potential of the genus as a source of therapeutic agents. These species are used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several diseases, such as, diabetes, hypertension, dysentery, constipation, fatigue, arthritis, rheumatism, hydrocephaly, meningitis, kidney ailments and inflammations. Some of these species showed antimicrobial, analgesic, spasmolitic, spasmogenic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, psychotomimetic and anticancer activities. Alkaloids, phenolics compounds and glycolipids are the most common biologically active constituents from these plant extracts.

/pdf/review-of-the-genus-ipomoea-traditional-uses-chemistry-and-1hxu24isd7.pdf

Review of the genus Ipomoea: traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities

Summary
Plants form mutualistic symbioses with a variety of microorganisms including endophytic fungi that live inside the plant and cause no overt symptoms of infection. Some endophytic fungi form defensive mutualisms based on the production of bioactive metabolites that protect the plant from herbivores in exchange for a protected niche and nutrition from the host plant. Key elements of these symbioses are vertical transmission of the fungus through seed of the host plant, a narrow host range, and production of bioactive metabolites by the fungus.
Grasses frequently form symbioses with endophytic fungi belonging to the family Clavicipitaceae. These symbioses have been studied extensively because of their significant impacts on insect and mammalian herbivores. Many of the impacts are likely due to the production of four classes of bioactive alkaloids – ergot alkaloids, lolines, indole-diterpenes and peramine – that are distributed in different combinations among endophyte taxa.
Several legumes, including locoweeds, are associated with a toxic syndrome called locoism as a result of their accumulation of swainsonine. Species in two genera were recently found to contain previously undescribed endophytic fungi (Undifilum spp., family Pleosporaceae) that are the source of that toxin. The fungi are strictly vertically transmitted and have narrow host ranges.
Some plant species in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) also form symbioses with endophytic fungi of the Clavicipitaceae that produce ergot alkaloids and, perhaps in at least one case, lolines. Other species in this plant family form symbioses with undescribed fungi that produce swainsonine. The swainsonine-producing endophytes associated with the Convolvulaceae are distinct from the Undifilum spp. associated with locoweeds and the Clavicipitaceous fungi associated with Convolvulaceae.
In the establishment of vertically transmitted symbioses, fungi must have entered the symbiosis with traits that were immediately useful to the plant. Bioactive metabolites are likely candidates for such pre-adapted traits which were likely useful to the free-living fungi as well. With future research, vertically transmitted fungi from diverse clades with narrow host ranges and that produce bioactive compounds are likely to be found as important mutualists in additional plants.

https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1365-2435.12076

Bioactive alkaloids in vertically transmitted fungal endophytes

The genus Ipomoea comprises the largest number of species within the Convolvulaceae. Throughout the world Ipomoea is usually estimated to contain c. 500 species (e.g., Mabberley, 1989; McDonald & Mabry, 1992). After our compilation, we believe Ipomoea is more likely to contain 600-700 species. Over half of them are concentrated in the Americas, where the total may approach 500 taxa, mostly native and a few introduced. Although there are recent publications dealing with Ipomoea in the floras of several American countries (O'Donell, 1941-1960b; Austin, 19751991b; Austin & Cavalcante, 1982; Austin & al., 1986; McDonald, unpubl. thesis 1978, unpubl. diss. 1982, 1982-1995; McDonald & Austin, 1990; McDonald & Mabry, 1992; Wilkin, 1995), there is no single reference summarizing all the species currently recognized in the western hemisphere. The purpose of this publication is to make available an updated list with relationships of American Ipomoea species examined thus far. There certainly are more species in the Americas than recognized here, especially in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, but many of these have not been studied since Meisner (1869). Moreover, there are species remaining undescribed and/or undiscovered. Infrageneric placement is given, where known, and a documented American geographical range is provided for each species.

Zósimo Huáman

Papers

A synopsis of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in the Americas