Relationships of the Australo-Malesian genus Paraserianthes (Mimosoideae: Leguminosae) identifies the sister group of Acacia sensu stricto and two biogeographical tracks

Abstract

Paraserianthes (tribe Ingeae) as circumscribed by Nielsen et al. includes four species and five subspecies in two sections endemic to Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomon islands. An alternative classification, proposed by Barneby and Grimes, raised Nielsen's two sections to generic level, thereby reducing Paraserianthes to comprise just species, P. lophantha, and recognizing the genus Falcataria. Neither treatment has been adopted by all. Thus, a phylogenetic and systematic analysis of Paraserianthes is required to clarify the taxonomic circumscription of the genus and relationships among the species and subspecies. Furthermore, elucidation of the phylogenetic relationships of P..