Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics最新文献

{"title":"Cytotype distribution and chloroplast phylogeography of Enkianthus chinensis complex, a mixed-ploidy species complex in subtropical China and adjacent areas","authors":"Hua Liang ,&nbsp;Cheng Zhou ,&nbsp;Wan Hu ,&nbsp;Sujuan Wei ,&nbsp;Dengmei Fan ,&nbsp;Shuang Tian ,&nbsp;Zhiyong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125909","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125909","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mixed-ploidy species, which contain individuals with different numbers of chromosome sets (e.g., diploids and polyploids), serve as exceptional natural laboratories for studying evolution in action. Previous studies have revealed that the <em>Enkianthus chinensis</em> species complex comprises tetraploid and hexaploid populations. However, whether diploid populations exist within this complex and how ploidy types are geographically distributed remain unclear. It also remains uncertain whether polyploids in this complex exhibited distinct responses to Quaternary climate changes compared to diploids in subtropical China, if they exist in subtropical China. Here, we first employed flow cytometry to assess cytotype distribution and then investigated the phylogeographic structure and demographic history of the complex using two chloroplast intergenic spacers (<em>psb</em>A-<em>trn</em>H and <em>rpl</em>32-<em>trn</em>L). The results revealed that the complex was composed solely of tetraploid and hexaploid populations with no diploid populations being detected, implying either diploid ancestor extinction or ancient polyploidization outside subtropical China. Tetraploids and hexaploids exhibited largely non-overlapping distributions possibly due to their divergent ecological tolerances. Twenty-seven chloroplast haplotypes were identified, forming six allopatric clades (Clades I–VI). <em>N</em>_ST (population differentiation based on ordered haplotypes) was significantly large than <em>G</em>_ST (differentiation based on unordered haplotypes) in this complex, indicative of significant phylogeographic structure. Molecular dating suggested the six clades diverged in the late Pliocene (∼2.74 million years ago, Ma), suggesting the <em>E. chinensis</em> complex could have diversified prior to the Quaternary and persisting in multiple glacial refugia. Demographic analyses revealed recent range expansions in two clades (IV and VI) during the Last Glaciation (ca. 0.019 Ma and 0.049 Ma, respectively). Range expansions in these clades may correlate with cooler, wetter conditions during the Last Glaciation, aligning with patterns observed in sky island organisms (high elevation organisms on isolated mountains). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that hexaploids likely originated via multiple independent events, while the absence of extant diploids complicates tracing tetraploid evolution, necessitating future genomic work. Overall, this study advances understanding of polyploid evolution in subtropical China and provides insights for conservation strategies and germplasm utilization under ongoing climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125909"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urban plant population genetics: A review","authors":"Laurent Hardion,&nbsp;Alejandro Sotillo,&nbsp;Audrey Muratet","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125920","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125920","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Modern cities are complex anthropogenic ecosystems where human activities influence ecological and evolutionary processes. These processes affect genetic diversity and gene flow of urban populations, with variable impacts depending on species’ biological traits and urban environmental constraints. This review examines the impact of urban environments on the genetics of plant populations, with a focus on the role of species' ecological traits in shaping genetic responses to urban constraints. A comprehensive analysis of existing studies challenges standard assumptions on urban ecosystems. Findings indicate that urban plant populations generally maintain genetic diversity levels comparable to those of non-urban populations. Additionally, outcrossing is not consistently reduced in cities but mainly influenced by species’ intrinsic traits. Contradicting the urban fragmentation assumption, gene flow remains high between urban populations, particularly for ruderal species dispersed on long distances by animals, including humans. Similarly, cities do not function as isolated genetic islands, since genetic exchanges persist between urban and non-urban populations. Moreover, urban plant species often maintain genetic diversity through repeated introductions and anthropogenic dispersal, while some threatened species retain a genetic structure inherited from pre-urbanization connectivity. This study highlights the complexity of interactions between urbanization and plant population genetics, challenging long-standing assumptions on fragmentation and genetic isolation in urban environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125920"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolution, biogeography, and ecological strategies of legume root nodule symbioses and their agricultural significance","authors":"Stephanie Fordeyn ,&nbsp;Euan K. James ,&nbsp;Sofie Goormachtig ,&nbsp;Anne Willems","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2026.125922","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2026.125922","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Leguminosae (Fabaceae) is one of the largest and most evolutionary diverse plant families that comprises emblematic examples of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This striking diversity is reflected across research areas ranging from taxonomy and phylogenomics to symbiosis, microbiology, biogeography, and functional traits. Insights into the genetic and molecular bases of root nodule symbiosis (RNS) are rapidly accumulating, enabling advances in agriculture and the engineering of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Nevertheless, substantial gaps remain, particularly regarding non-model species and the ecological and evolutionary drivers of RNS. This review summarises current knowledge on legume RNS and highlights that while the trait has likely contributed to legume diversification, the evolutionary trajectory of nodulation is complex, involving multiple gains, losses, and variations in symbiotic strategies across lineages. Nodule morphology and organogenesis, including determinate and indeterminate types, reveal structural and functional differences that may influence adaptability and BNF efficiency, although direct comparisons under varying environmental conditions remain limited. Ecological traits, such as drought tolerance, seed dormancy, and specialised pollination and defence mechanisms, interact with RNS to facilitate survival across diverse habitats. Case studies on <em>Lebeckia ambigua</em> and soybean wild relatives demonstrate how insights from non-model legumes can contribute to sustainable agriculture by improving stress resilience, expanding symbiotic partnerships, and broadening the genetic base for crop improvement. Future research should expand to non-model species and systematically assess nodulation, symbiotic efficiency, and environmental responsiveness to fully harness the potential of legumes for ecological and agricultural applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125922"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No evidence of rhizomatous resource sharing of Kalmia angustifolia in established heath","authors":"Azim U. Mallik,&nbsp;Philippe St. Martin","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125919","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125919","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Resource sharing in ramets located in heterogeneous environments is an important regeneration strategy for clonal plants. Primarily clonal herbs have been used as model systems in studying eco-physiological integration of clonal plants that often maintain dominance by sharing resources among ramets. Many forest understorey shrubs are clonal and their rapid expansion after canopy removing disturbance may impede forest regeneration. Such is the case with <em>Kalmia angustifolia</em> L. (hereafter called <em>Kalmia</em>), in the boreal forest of eastern Canada. <em>Kalmia</em> is known for its ability to establish a persistent heath within 6–8 years after fire. We asked if the persistent dominance of <em>Kalmia</em> is related to its resource sharing in ramets and shade tolerance. More specifically we asked if i) rhizome severing (by trenching) and shade would affect above- and belowground traits of <em>Kalmia</em> by breaking resource sharing among ramets, ii) <em>Kalmia</em> being shade-tolerant, low shade may not affect these traits, but high shade would, and iii) trenching and high shade together would have the strongest negative effect than either trenching or high shade alone. With a five-year field experiment we tested resource sharing of <em>Kalmia</em> in ramets subjected to trenching and 0, 34, 62, 79 and 98 % shade treatment in an established heath. We hypothesized that i) trenching alone and in combination with high shade will result in lower cover, stem density, and biomass of <em>Kalmia</em> ramets due to breakdown in resource sharing, ii) low shade (≤ 62 %) may not affect it’s above- and below ground traits but high shade (≥ 62 %) will, and iii) trenching and high shading together will have a strong interactive effect resulting lower cover, stem density, and biomass. We found that overall, trenching had no significant effect on individual response variables whereas only the highest shade dramatically decreased cover (82 %), number of live stems (92 %), aboveground biomass (93 %) and belowground biomass (80 %). We conclude that <em>Kalmia</em> is a very shade tolerant shrub, and it does not rely on rhizomatous resource sharing among ramets in established heath.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125919"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why are there climbing plants in the desert?","authors":"Ernesto Gianoli","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climbing plants are found in numerous plant families and play a key role in the community and ecosystem dynamics of forests worldwide. The climbing habit is often understood as allowing plants to reach better lit layers and enhance light capture. Therefore, it should be nearly absent in environments with abundant light and canopies rarely imposing significant shade on lower layers. Arid ecosystems fit the latter description, yet climbing plants are consistently present there. To address this issue, I considered their climbing mechanism. First, I explored the distribution of climbing plants in arid environments vs their climbing mechanism in Chile, a country with a marked latitudinal gradient in aridity. Results showed that root climbers are excluded –and scramblers are nearly excluded– from the desert, while both tendril-bearing and twining vines increase their relative presence in the desert compared to the forest. Second, to test whether stem twiners and tendril bearers are intrinsically more resistant to drought than scramblers, I compiled data from studies measuring physiological resistance to drought-induced embolism. Results showed that there was no difference in this trait among species with different climbing mechanisms. Finally, I discuss that twining and tendril-bearing climbers could be favored in arid environments because of their higher efficiency in finding (and attaching to) shrubs, which will grant them substantial benefits in terms of abiotic conditions and/or herbivory protection. Although there is surely no single explanation for the presence of climbing plants in deserts, I would suggest that the role of climbing mechanisms deserves further exploration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125918"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenotypic integration increases with aridity across species, independent of their life cycle or resource-use strategy","authors":"Gisela C. Stotz ,&nbsp;Ernesto Gianoli","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phenotypic integration, the pattern and magnitude of association among traits, can influence plant performance. Phenotypic integration is thought to increase under stressful conditions, yet the evidence is largely mixed. Broader, multi-species tests of this hypothesis across natural stress gradients are key to understanding the generality of phenotypic integration as a potential stress response. Importantly, how phenotypic integration associates with other functional strategies remains underexplored. Across six sites at the low end of an aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert, we evaluated in 17 plant species whether integration was higher in the populations inhabiting the more arid sites. We also tested for the association between phenotypic integration and resource-use strategy and life cycle. Across species, phenotypic integration was higher in the more arid sites. Although species showed a more resource-conservative strategy in the more arid sites, a resource-acquisitive strategy was positively associated with phenotypic integration, thus suggesting that these are complementary strategies. Lastly, the magnitude of phenotypic integration was similar in annual and perennial species. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that phenotypic integration could be a stress-response mechanism. Phenotypic integration was unrelated to the extent of exposure to stress (annual vs. perennial species). Results suggest that resource conservation and phenotypic integration are likely complementary stress response strategies, mainly adopted by those species less able to cope with drought stress. Our findings highlight the need to further study the ecological significance of phenotypic integration as a potential stress response, given its likely relevance in the current global change scenario.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125908"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145555337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardamine rivularis Schur is not the same as Cardamine rivularis auct. non Schur and why does it matter in the genomic era: Resolving the long-standing taxonomic confusion","authors":"Judita Zozomová-Lihová ,&nbsp;Hana Majerová ,&nbsp;Marek Šlenker ,&nbsp;Edina Kminiaková ,&nbsp;Gabriela Šrámková ,&nbsp;Karol Marhold","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125921","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125921","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate taxonomic treatment and classification is essential for advanced genomic research, but not always straightforward. Here, we address the long-standing taxonomic confusion regarding the names <em>Cardamine rivularis</em> Schur and <em>C. rivularis</em> auct. non Schur, which refer to different entities involved in allopolyploidization events. A number of studies from the 1970s to the present have misclassified the parental species of the Alpine neopolyploids <em>C. insueta</em> and <em>C. schulzii</em>, disregarding morphological and genetic evidence. This prompted us to search for an appropriate taxonomic solution, which has remained problematic for decades. Here, we apply whole-genome resequencing, ddRADseq, and morphometrics to support <em>C. rivularis</em> Schur and <em>C. rivularis</em> auct. non Schur as separate species and, in particular, to distinguish the latter from the widespread <em>C. pratensis</em> s.str. Despite the evidence of introgression, we demonstrate their genetic distinction with subtle morphological differentiation, indicating cryptic speciation. The Alpine populations hitherto provisionally treated as <em>C. rivularis</em> auct. non Schur are described as the new species <em>C. pseudorivularis</em> Landolt ex Marhold &amp; Lihová; those from the Eastern Carpathians are assigned to <em>C. marholdii</em> Tzvelev, and the adjacent Eastern Carpathian foothill populations are described as <em>C. ucranica</em> Marhold &amp; Lihová. We emphasize that <em>C. pseudorivularis</em>, not <em>C. rivularis</em>, was involved in the polyploidization events in the Alps that have attracted the attention of many researchers, and we appeal for the correct taxonomic classification. Notably, populations of <em>C. rivularis</em> Schur from the Rhodopes also produce allotriploids, which should not be confused with the well-studied triploid <em>C. insueta</em> in the Alps.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 125921"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using plant functional traits and life strategies of annual species to inform green roof plant selection","authors":"Zahra Saraeian,&nbsp;Claire Farrell,&nbsp;Nicholas S.G. Williams","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Functional traits of plant species growing on green roofs can determine their delivery of ecosystem services and help guide plant selection. Flowering plants are desirable on green roofs for aesthetic reasons and plants which quickly achieve high coverage through rapid growth and high biomass help to meet green roof construction guidelines. While most extensive green roof plants are perennial succulents due to their drought tolerance, annual species which escape drought by completing their life-cycle before drought, could be advantageous for green roofs as they also typically have acquisitive or ‘fast’ traits associated with rapid growth and flowering. To quantify plant strategies of annuals and develop a trait-based approach for selecting annuals for green roofs, we undertook a glasshouse experiment with 18 understudied Australian annual plant species to investigate relationships among traits related to drought resistance and resource acquisition (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and leaf thickness), competitiveness (plant height) and reproductive ability (seed mass and germination attributes). We also explored how these traits relate to plant performance metrics including growth rate, shoot biomass and flowering time. Species which were more acquisitive (taller species with bigger and thinner leaves and greater seed mass) were more competitive, faster growing and produced more biomass. The annual species had two different strategies in terms of flowering time and relative growth rate; in one group flowering time decreased with an increase in growth rate (earlier flowering with faster growth), while in the other group, flowering time increased with growth rate (later flowering with faster growth). There was also a trade-off between flowering time and specific leaf area (SLA) and faster flowering species with higher SLA were considered less drought resistant (drought escapers). Faster growing and resource acquisitive plants could be more desirable on green roofs as they will achieve cover rapidly during the wetter months and have higher stormwater mitigation. However, in dry periods it is preferable to select species with a range of time to flowering and SLA, to achieve a longer flowering community with different levels of drought resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"69 ","pages":"Article 125900"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond the norm: Gigantism, monstrosities, and growth control in cacti meristems","authors":"Brenda Anabel López-Ruiz,&nbsp;Gabriel Olalde-Parra,&nbsp;Salvador Arias,&nbsp;Ulises Rosas","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125889","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125889","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cacti are a diverse group of succulent plants that have captivated botanists and enthusiasts alike for centuries. Their unique characteristics and adaptations to arid environments make them fascinating study subjects. One important reason to study cacti is the particular changes in the development of the shoot apical meristem (SAM), such as the growth of giant SAMs, determinacy, fasciation, and dichotomous branching. Studying these processes in cacti might provide valuable insights into the underlying genetic and developmental processes governing normal and abnormal growth and a deeper appreciation for their adaptability in challenging environments. This review will attempt to shed light on the distinctive cacti SAM patterns and discuss how “abnormal” growth patterns might have originated and given rise to evolutionary novelties. Additionally, we will explore tentative molecular pathways and genetic factors that regulate the division and differentiation of cacti SAM cells using data primarily from the model plant <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em>. Most relevant findings show that the zonation in cacti seedlings after germination is incomplete, contrasting with what is observed in <em>A. thaliana</em>. Additionally, larger SAMs are believed to be linked to larger zones. <em>WUSCHEL (WUS), CLAVATA (CLV),</em> and <em>SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM)</em> are promising candidates that may help explain various phenomena in the cacti SAM. To understand the morphogenetic mechanisms that establish zonation and size in cacti, it is necessary to search for orthologues and employ molecular biology techniques, such as complementation analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"69 ","pages":"Article 125889"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using Gaussian Mixture Models in plant morphometrics","authors":"Manuel Tiburtini ,&nbsp;Luca Scrucca ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Peruzzi","doi":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ppees.2025.125902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Morphometrics provides a rigorous quantitative-statistical framework for assessing morphological independence among taxa in plant systematics. Despite its importance, current methods for analyzing morphological data are often not appropriate. A new workflow to conduct linear morphometric analyses in plant systematics is presented here. We introduce a Bayesian framework for species circumscription using Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs), which enables rigorous testing of alternative taxonomic hypotheses. In addition, we present a set of algorithms for morphometric analyses: a lumping-splitting algorithm, methods for computing class-wise morphometric distances, and tools for visualising admixture patterns in morphometric data. We also developed a comprehensive guide for performing linear morphometric analyses in plant systematics and exemplified the new workflow using the <em>Juniperus oxycedrus</em> group. This framework creates a meaningful link between morphology-based taxonomy and formal statistical methods, aligning with the probabilistic concept of evolutionary lineages (UPCEL).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56093,"journal":{"name":"Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics","volume":"69 ","pages":"Article 125902"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145424587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}