Abstract
Luziola is a small aquatic genus consisting of nine American species and belonging to Poaceae (subfamily Ehrhartoideae, tribe Oryzeae). We surveyed 160 morphological characters and performed phylogenetic analyses to determine relationships within the genus and between it and its closest relatives, and to deduce the evolution of a number of characters in relation to the aquatic habit. Our results confirm that Luziola is a monophyletic group and that Zizaniopsis is its sister group among taxa examined but revealed only a few clades within Luziola, the best supported of which consists of Luziola fragilis Swallen, Luziola fluitans (Michx.) Terrell & H. Rob., and Luziola peruviana J.F. Gmel. We used this phylogenetic evidence to reconstruct the evolution of several characters hypothesized to be correlated to an aquatic life style, including reduction or absence of glumes, papillae arranged in horizontal rows on the lemmas, dumb-bell shaped silica bodies, and a change from hermaphrodite to unisexual florets.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
