Phylogenetic study of the New Caledonian endemic genus <i>Adenodaphne</i> (Lauraceae) confirms its synonymy with <i>Litsea</i>

The genus <i>Adenodaphne</i> is currently considered endemic to New Caledonia, but its distinction from <i>Litsea</i> is questionable based on morphological similarity. An earlier phylogenetic analysis (ITS) including one species of <i>Adenodaphne</i> and two Asian species of <i>Litsea</i> did support their close relationship but did not permit resolution of their generic boundary. We sampled the four species of <i>Adenodaphne</i> currently recognized (11 accessions) and 11 of the 13 endemic species of <i>Litsea</i> currently recognized, plus one undescribed species (24 accessions in total). Based on our extensive herbarium studies, fieldwork, and especially our molecular phylogenetic analyses (ITS), we conclude that <i>Adenodaphne</i> is not distinct from <i>Litsea</i> and that all species of <i>Adenodaphne</i> should be recognized within <i>Litsea</i>, thereby necessitating the creation of two new species synonymies and one nomen novum. In addition, <i>Litsea paoueensis</i> is here synonymized with <i>L. deplanchei</i>. Finally, our phylogenetic analysis suggests that the sole species of <i>Litsea</i> from New Zealand, which is endemic, results from a rarely documented long-distance dispersal event from New Caledonia.