A phylogenomic analysis of Lonicera and its bearing on the evolution of organ fusion

We carried out Restriction-site Associated DNA Sequencing (RADSeq) of 72 Lonicera species (honeysuckle; Caprifoliaceae) and five closely related outgroup taxa. This was used for inferring the phylogeny of Lonicera and to trace the evolution of five traits related to whole organ fusion. The study presents the first nuclear tree of Lonicera which remains the most well sampled and well supported phylogeny till date. It provides the first critical analyses of organ fusion in a phylogenetic context which sets the stage for understanding the functional and developmental bases of fusion.