Abstract:
The southern African Miombo and Mopane ecoregions constitute a unique repository of
plant diversity whose diversification and evolutionary history is still understudied. In this work,
we assessed the diversity, distribution, and conservation status of Miombo and Mopane tree legumes
within the Zambezian phytoregion. Data were retrieved from several plant and gene databases and
phylogenetic analyses were performed based on genetic barcodes. Seventy-eight species (74 from
Miombo and 23 from Mopane, 19 common to both ecoregions) have been scored. Species diversity
was high within both ecoregions, but information about the actual conservation status is scarce and
available only for ca. 15% of the species. Results of phylogenetic analyses were consistent with
current legume classification but did not allow us to draw any conclusion regarding the evolutionary
history of Miombo and Mopane tree legumes. Future studies are proposed to dissect the diversity
and structure of key species in order to consolidate the network of conservation areas.
