Unraveling evolutionary relationships in the Sida generic alliance (Malvaceae, Malvoideae): a phylogenetic and cytotaxonomic overview.

Sida (Malvaceae), the largest Malveae-Abutilinae member, has poorly defined morphological limits which overlaps with 11 phylogenetically closely related genera that comprises the "Sida generic alliance". The 12 genera are distributed in the tropics especially in Brazil where one third of its species diversity is found. Evolutionary relationships within Sida generic alliance remain unresolved due to morphological convergence, limited taxon sampling, and lack of integrative approaches including cytogenetic data. We reconstructed the phylogeny of Sida and allied genera using a multilocus dataset (nuclear ITS and seven plastid loci) including 193 species classified in 19 genera and analyzed chromosome evolution using cytogenetic data (chromosome number) for 79 species of the 19 genera. The phylogeny recovered seven clades-Abutilon, Bakeridesia, Callianthe, Gaya, and three Sida clades (I-III)-and confirmed the polyphyly of Sida, the largest genera. We detected reticulate evolution, with incongruence between nuclear and plastid topologies. Chromosome number ranged from 2n = 12 to 60 and represented synapomorphies for most clades. Ancestral character reconstruction indicated that ascending dysploidy and polyploidy predominated in karyotype evolution of Sida and allied genera. Our results reveal taxonomic incongruence in current classifications probably related to reticulate evolution. A generic-level taxonomic revision is necessary and should rely on integrated phylogenetic and karyotypic evidence. This study provides a framework for phylogenetic systematics and emphasizes the role of Brazil as a hotspot for plant genomic research.