Phylogeny of Amaryllidaceae tribe Amaryllideae based on nrDNA ITS sequences and morphology

Abstract

We present the results of cladistic analyses of morphology, nrDNA ITS sequences, and a combination of the two for tribe Amaryllideae of the Amaryllidaceae. The morphologically based analysis supports the recognition of Amaryllis as sister to two major clades, equivalent to Snijman and Linder's (1996, Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 83: 362-386) Crininae and Amaryllidinae (less Amaryllis). A single tree is found with a successively weighted ITS sequence matrix. Amaryllis and Boophone form a grade at the base of the tree. All the other genera are included in two clades conforming to Snijman and Linder's (1996) subtribes Amaryllidinae (less Amaryllis, thus now Strumariinae) and Crininae (less Boophone). Within Strumariinae, Strumaria sensu lato is resolved as polyphyletic. Strumaria subg. Gemmaria is sister to the rest of the subtribe. Hessea is monophyletic only if Namaquanula is excluded. The monotypic Carpolyza is embedded within Strumaria sensu stricto. The consensus of the combined analysis is highly resolved, and most similar to the sequence topology. Based on the results of the combined analyses, the major clades are recognized as subtribes, and Carpolyza is placed into synonymy under Strumaria.