Abstract

Background:  Acacia auriculiformis (earleaf acacia), an Australian perennial tree, is an increasingly problematic invasive species in Florida.

Objective:  Create a host range molecular phylogeny by generating test plant patristic distances to earleaf acacia (using rbcL sequences).

Methods:  DNA was extracted and sequenced from 98 Fabaceae species and an additional 28 sequences were downloaded from NCBI.

Results:  Molecular phylogenetics and patristic distance inform which plant species should be tested starting with closely related (usually native) plants, especially those threatened or endangered, then extending to less related plants of commercial value.

Conclusions:  We show the Mimosoideae clade, while monophyletic, appears within the Caesalpinioideae clade. We also suggest 33 mostly threatened or endangered species for the initial test list from the Mimosoideae and Caesalpinioideae, including nine Papilionoideae commercial species. Finally, as a secondary test list, if additional testing is required, we suggest 30 additional Papilionoideae species be added.

Keywords:
Fabaceae; Invasive Species; Host Range; Molecular Phylogeny; Patristic Distance