Angiosperms are the cornerstone of most terrestrial ecosystems and human livelihoods^1,2. A robust understanding of angiosperm evolution is required to explain their rise to ecological dominance. So far, the angiosperm tree of life has been determined primarily by means of analyses of the plastid genome^3,4. Many studies have drawn on this foundational work, such as classification and first insights into angiosperm diversification since their Mesozoic origins^5–7. However, the limited and biased sampling of both taxa and genomes undermines confidence in the tree and its implications. Here, we build the tree of life for almost 8,000 (about 60%) angiosperm genera using a standardized set of 353 nuclear genes⁸. This 15-fold increase in genus-level sampling relative to comparable nuclear studies⁹ provides a critical test of earlier results and brings notable change to key groups, especially in rosids, while substantiating many previously predicted relationships. Scaling this tree to time using 200 fossils, we discovered that early angiosperm evolution was characterized by high gene tree conflict and explosive diversification, giving rise to more than 80% of extant angiosperm orders. Steady diversification ensued through the remaining Mesozoic Era until rates resurged in the Cenozoic Era, concurrent with decreasing global temperatures and tightly linked with gene tree conflict. Taken together, our extensive sampling combined with advanced phylogenomic methods shows the deep history and full complexity in the evolution of a megadiverse clade.

Phylogenetic relationships among all of the 47 recognised species and 10 putative new taxa of Utricularia subgenus Polypompholyx, were assessed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses of DNA sequences representing the plastid rps16 intron, trnL–F intron and spacer regions and the trnD–T intron. We found strong jackknife and posterior-probability support for a monophyletic subgenus Polypompholyx and a sister relationship between the sections Polypompholyx + Tridentaria and Pleiochasia. Within the section Pleiochasia, are two well-supported major clades, each containing three supported clades. Our S-DIVA biogeographic analysis, using five major Australian drainage basins and New Zealand as geographic areas, estimated two early vicariance events between south-western and north-western mainland regions, corresponding with known periods of increased aridity at 15 and 6 million years ago. Subsequent dispersal events were estimated between northern and south-eastern Australia, with recent dispersal of species from south-western regions to the south-east and New Zealand occurring between 4 million and 1 million years ago. There were 28 speciation events inferred within the north-western region, followed by 9 for the south-western and south-eastern regions, indicating that the north-western monsoonal savanna habitats are a biodiversity hotspot for the lineage. We also show the evolutionary shifts in growth habit, and show that lifecycle corresponds strongly with shifts in seasonality between temperate and monsoonal regions. On the basis of our molecular phylogenetic results and morphology, we here designate a new sectional ranking for subgenus Polypompholyx.

Plastid molecular phylogenies that broadly sampled angiosperm lineages imply that carnivorous plants evolved at least 11 times independently in 13 families and 6 orders. Within and between these clades, the different prey capture strategies involving flypaper and pitfall structures arose in parallel with the subsequent evolution of snap traps and suction bladders. Attempts to discern the deep ontological history of carnivorous structures using multigene phylogenies have provided a plastid-level picture of sister relationships at the family level. Here, we present a molecular phylogeny of the angiosperms based on nuclear target sequence capture data (Angiosperms-353 probe set), assembled by the Kew Plant Trees of Life initiative, which aims to complete the tree of life for plants. This phylogeny encompasses all carnivorous and protocarnivorous families, although certain genera such as Philcoxia (Plantaginaceae) are excluded. This study offers a novel nuclear gene-based overview of relationships within and between carnivorous families and genera. Consistent with previous broadly sampled studies, we found that most carnivorous families are not affiliated with any single family. Instead, they emerge as sister groups to large clades comprising multiple non-carnivorous families. Additionally, we explore recent genomic studies across various carnivorous clades that examine the evolution of the carnivorous syndrome in relation to whole-genome duplication, subgenome dominance, small-scale gene duplication, and convergent evolution. Furthermore, we discuss insights into genome size evolution through the lens of carnivorous plant genomes.

Utricularia fenshamii R.W.Jobson, U. ameliae R.W.Jobson, U. barkeri R.W.Jobson, U. grampiana R.W.Jobson, and U. lowriei R.W.Jobson (Lentibulariaceae) are described as new and are considered members of Utricularia subg. Polypompholyx section Pleiochasia. The distribution and habitat preferences of these species are discussed. The morphological differences between all five species and species to which they are allied are here discussed and identification keys provided.

Abstract—Uncovering phylogenetic diversity is important, but not simple. A species complex is defined by different taxa with close evolutionary relationships harbouring limited morphological and/or genetic gaps. One such example exists within neotropical Utricularia sect. Foliosa, which is a taxonomically problematic assemblage composed of three currently recognized species: Utricularia amethystina, U. tricolor, and U. tridentata. The section type, Utricularia amethystina, contains 27 synonymized names. Morphological variation across the three species and associated synonyms suggests that previous taxonomic studies had underestimated taxonomic diversity. To examine taxonomic limits we sampled multiple accessions representing the three currently recognized species and many of the synonymized taxa classified under U. amethystina. We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny using three plastid regions (rps16, trnL-F, trnD-T) and nuclear ribosomal ITS. The three plastid markers produced similar phylogenetic topologies, and the combined plastid and nuclear phylogenies were congruent. The combined analysis provided strong support for most taxa previously identified through morphological analysis, also containing distinct groupings that likely represent both putative new species, and synonyms that are not monophyletic under the type accessions to which they had previously been relegated. The current analysis also shows a sister relationship between U. amethystina s. s. and U. tricolor, with U. tridentata found to be nested within the sister clade. Our results uncovered previously underestimated phylogenetic diversity within Utricularia sect. Foliosa, possibly driven by isolation factors such as specific phytophysiognomy across the varied habitats of the broad distribution across Central and South America.