A phylogenomic approach to disentangling the evolution of the large and diverse daisy tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae).

The daisy tribe Anthemideae is one of the largest and most diverse tribes within

Asteraceae. We analysed a dataset including 61 out of 111 Anthemideae genera, and all

but four of the 19 currently recognized subtribes (Inulantherinae, Lapidophorinae,

Lonadinae, and Vogtiinae) using a targeted high-throughput sequencing approach, the

first focused on the tribe. We followed different phylogenomic approaches, using

nuclear and plastid data, as well as additional analytical methods to estimate divergence

times and diversification rates, to unravel the evolutionary history and classification of

this tribe. Our results reinforce the phylogenetic backbone of the Anthemideae advanced

in previous studies, and further reveal the possible occurrence of ancient hybridization

events, plastid capture, and/or incomplete lineage sorting, suggesting that complex

evolutionary processes have played an important role in the evolution of this tribe. The

results also support the merging of subtribe Physmasperminae into Athanasiinae and

subtribe Matricariinae into Anthemidinae, and clarify previously unresolved

relationships. Furthermore, the study provides additional insights into the biogeographic

patterns within the tribe by identifying three main groups: Southern African Grade,

Asian Clade, and circum-Mediterranean Clade. These groups partially coincide with

previously identified ones. Overall, this research provides a more detailed

understanding of the Anthemideae tribe, and improves its classification. The study also

emphasises the importance of phylogenomic approaches for deciphering the

evolutionary dynamics of large and diverse plant lineages.