Molecular Phylogenetics of the Magnoliidae: Cladistic Analyses of Nucleotide Sequences of the Plastid Gene rbcL

Abstract

Nucleotide sequences of the plastid protein-coding gene rbcL from 64 species of 36 families in subclass Magnoliidae sensu Cronquist and representatives of all other major seed plant groups were analyzed by parsimony in a series of four analyses. Ceratophyllum (Ceratophyllaceae) was found to be sister to all other angiosperms. Other magnoliids formed five major groups, roughly corresponding to the Magnoliales, Laurales, Aristolochiaceae/Piperales, Nymphaeales, and Ranunculales/Papaverales. Four magnoliid lineages, those with monosulcate or monosulcate-derived pollen (Magnoliales, Laurales, Aristolochiales/Piperales, and Nymphaeales), and the monocots (with the same type of pollen) formed a weakly supported monophyletic group