Abstract:
Abstract The Caribbean subtribe Geseneriinae is comprised of 4 genera consisting of approximately 91 species. Most species are in Gesneria and Rhytidophyllum and fewer than five are currently recognized in Bellonia and Pheidoncarpa. Hispaniola is the most diverse region with 38 species followed by Cuba with 35 species. The Gesnerieae is nearly endemic to the Caribbean with only two species located in Venezuela and Colombia. Molecular sequence data from chloroplast (matKR) and nuclear markers (ITS and ETS) were used to generate a phylogenetic tree for evaluating the generic circumscription of Gesneria and Rhytidophyllum. Results from this study strongly support the monophyly of Rhytidophyllum and Gesneria. Phylogenetic results support and update classification for the circumscriptions of species previously recognized as Gesneria purpurascens and G. duchartreoides. Results also support the need for a re-evaluation of taxa currently recognized as Gesneria viridiflora complex
