trnF Sequences Research Articles

Homoplasy rather than intergeneric hybridisation explains mammillose leaf cells in Schistidium mammillosum sp. nov. (Grimmiaceae)

We present a peculiar new species in the Grimmiaceae, Schistidium mammillosum, which is distinct in having mammillose leaf cells and pluristratose lamina. These features are rare in mosses but shared by a few Grimmia species including sympatric G. alpestris. Sporophyte characteristics of the new taxon, in contrast, indicated a species of Schistidium and suggested a possible intergeneric hybrid origin. Nuclear ITS and plastid rps4‒trnF sequence data consistently resolved the new taxon within species of Schistidium, thus contradicting the hybridogenic hypothesis. We suggest that the shared feature of mammillose cells evolved independently in the two genera in adaptation to similar environmental conditions, possibly prolonged snow cover. Supported by morphological similarity, our phylogenetic analyses indicate a sister relationship of S. mammillosum and S. marginale in the Confertum clade. Schistidium mammillosum colonises siliceous rocks in the alpine and nival zone and is to date known from the French Alps and a single locality in Switzerland.

Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece).

The Mediterranean Basin is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, harboring 25,000 plant species, of which 60% are endemic. Some of them have narrow distributions, such as Euphorbia orphanidis, which is only known from alpine screes on Mt. Parnassos in Greece. Its exact distribution in this mountain was, however, poorly known, and its phylogenetic origin was also unclear. We performed extensive field work in Mt. Parnassos and could register E. orphanidis only in five patches of limestone screes in the eastern part of this mountain range, emphasizing its very narrow distribution, which is likely limited by topography influencing water availability as indicated by environmental modeling. We also registered 31 accompanying species and thus characterized its habitat. Using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and plastid ndhF-trnL and trnT-trnF sequences, we show that it belongs to E. sect. Patellares, despite not having connate raylet leaves typical for this section, and not to E. sect. Pithyusa as previously suggested. The relationships among the species of E. sect. Patellares are poorly resolved, suggesting their simultaneous divergence that dated to the late Pliocene, which coincided with the establishment of the Mediterranean climate. The relative genome size of E. orphanidis is in the range of that for the other members of E. sect. Patellares, suggesting that it is diploid. Finally, we performed multivariate morphological analyses to generate a comprehensive description of E. orphanidis. Based on its narrow distribution and the anticipated negative impact of global warming, we consider this species endangered. Our study demonstrates how microrelief can limit the distribution of plants in topographically heterogeneous mountain environments and likely plays an important, yet neglected, role in shaping the distribution patterns of plants in the Mediterranean Basin.

A Review on Taxonomy, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Threats and Conservation of Elaeocarpus L. (Elaeocarpaceae)

The genus Elaeocarpus is considered as largest among the family Elaeocarpaceae recorded by ca. 360 species with significant distribution throughout the world except from Africa and America. This review provides elaborate and comprehensive details on taxonomy, phylogeny, Economic botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, threats and conservation of Elaeocarpus. This genus is taxonomically significant; however, the morphological variation among the species of Elaeocarpus and its allied species were ineffectually known and not even fully monographed. Phylogenetic relationships of this genus have investigated by several studies using plastid trnL, nuclear ITS and trnF sequences. Most of the species of Elaeocarpus are economically important as timber and fruits are edible, seeds used as beads for rosaries, bracelets, necklaces and also for their ostensible magico-religious purposes whereas, some trees also have reported with medicinal properties. Phytochemical studies on various species of Elaeocarpus indicated that it has reported with some biologically active phytoconstituents. Pharmacological studies attempted through crude extracts and individual phytoconstituent describe the biological efficiency of Elaeocarpus. For boosting sales of seeds of Elaeocarpus, the traders use legends and myths of the seeds by branding and telemarketing techniques. These demands on seeds raise the collection in wild, and affect seedling recruitment in the wild which lead to affect the natural population. About one-third of species was included under the IUCN red list and need immediate attention. Very few attempts have been undertaken on conservation by macro and micropropagation techniques. It is a first attempt on the compilation of taxonomy, phylogeny, Economic botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, threats and conservation of Elaeocarpus.

On polyphyly of the former section Ochlopoa and the hybridogenic section Acroleucae (Poa , Poaceae): insights from molecular phylogenetic analyses

In this study, sequence data from the inert nuclear region ITS1‐5.8S rDNA‐ITS2 and the chloroplast region trnL–F, as well as a few morphological characters, are analysed to the relationships among known annual Poa (bluegrasses). It is shown that all taxa from the Poa annua aggregate distinguished by lemma characters and growth form have identical ITS and trnL–trnF sequences, all ITS sequences of this aggregate are the same as thethose of P. supina, and all trnL–trnF sequences are homologous with those of P. infirma. Furthermore, no differences were found between unusual morphotypes of P. supina with short spinules on their panicle branches and typical plants, but Siberian samples were found to have a slightly differentiated trnL–trnF region. These results suggest a hybrid origin of the Asian annual bluegrasses. Their maternal genome is close to that of P. sect. Homalopoa, but their ITS sequences are different. Some ITS sequences from annual Asian bluegrasses are resolved among representatives of P. sect. Stenopoa while for other (morphologically closely similar) species they fall in a clade with representatives of P. sect. Malacanthae. The latter group is distant from P. sect. Ochlopoa and is better treated as a separate section, viz P. sect. Acroleucae. The American annual bluegrasses are heterogeneous and also rather distant from P. sect. Ochlopoa. Poa chapmaniana, a species with cleistogamic flowers, is nested among the basal Subantarctic sections, far away from the taxa with which it has previously been considered related. It is indeed closer to P. sect. Ochlopoa than to other annual American bluegrasses. Thus, the studied annual species in fact belong to four independent evolutionary lines (or six including the separate genus Eremopoa and the Turkish Poa jubata), one of which, Acroleucae, has gone through three reticulation events. As in previous studies, our analysis did not support the generic status of P. sect. Ochlopoa.

Scapania marsupelloides sp. nov. (Scapaniaceae, Marchantiophyta), a remarkable new species near the base of Scapania phylogeny

Scapania marsupelloides is described as new to science based on collection from Yunnan, China. The species looks different from the other known Scapania species and similar to Marsupella sphacelata. Molecular phylogenic analyses of ITS1-2 and trnL–trnF sequences suggested the close affinity of Scapania marsupelloides to S. contorta of the subgenus Ascapania. Description, line drawings, color and SEM images, and keys for differentiation of S. marsupelloides from S. cuspiduligera, S. contorta, S. pseudocontorta, S. hians and Marsupella sphacelata are provided.

Bolanthus sandrasicus sp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

Bolanthus sandrasicus Hamzaoğlu & Koç sp. nov. from the Muğla province, SW Turkey, is described. This new species resembles B. thymoides Hub.‐Mor., but differs in both macromorphology and seed micromorphology. Furthermore, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of all Bolanthus species distributed in Turkey using ITS and trnL–trnF sequence data. The results of both morphological and molecular analyses support the description of the recently discovered Muğla population as a distinct species. In addition, a diagnostic key to all Bolanthus species growing in Turkey is provided.

Tracking the geographical origin of timber by DNA fingerprinting: a study of the endangered species Cinnamomum kanehirae in Taiwan

AbstractCinnamomum kanehiraeHay. is endemic in Taiwan and is severely threatened due to intensive utilization and illegal logging. To combat illegal logging, suitable identification markers are needed, which are usable in a court of law, such as microsatellite marker for genotyping. In the present paper, a genetic fingerprinting database was generated based on 15 microsatellites, which are suitable to assess the timber’s origin and its population genetic structure. The quality of DNA extractions fromC. kanehiraetimbers was assessed by comparing cpDNAtrnL–trnF sequence lengths. The cumulative probability of identifying unrelated individuals in these microsatellites was 5.151×10−17. The results indicate that the low genetic diversity is a consequence of illegal logging and that there is a significant genetic differentiation amongC. kanehiraepopulations. It was possible to trace back the geographical origin of unknownC. kanehiraetimbers based on a genetic reference database, i.e. all blind wood samples were assigned to their true geographical origins. Accordingly, microsatellites are a useful tool to identify the population origins of timbers and can be considered as a tool for combating illegal logging ofC. kanehirae.

Out‐of‐Tibet: the spatio‐temporal evolution of Gentiana (Gentianaceae)

AbstractAimWe investigated the historical biogeography and diversification of Gentiana L. (Gentianaceae). Our study depicts the origin and dispersal routes of this alpine genus, and the role of the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) and past climate changes as triggers for its diversification.LocationTibeto‐Himalayan region and world‐wide mountain habitats.MethodsOur sampling represents more than 50% of the extant Gentiana species, including all sections across their entire geographical ranges. We investigated the evolutionary history of Gentiana using phylogenetic reconstructions (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) of ITS, atpB–rbcL and trnL–trnF sequences, as well as molecular dating with beast. We tested two approaches of ancestral area reconstructions (DEC, DIVA) in BioGeoBEARS and investigated diversification rates using BAMM.ResultsThe common ancestor of Gentiana and subtribe Gentianinae lived in the QTP region at around 34 (25–45) million years ago (Ma), and 40 (29–52) Ma respectively. From the surroundings of the QTP, Gentiana lineages dispersed to eastern China, Taiwan, Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Guinea, from mid‐Miocene onward (c. 15 Ma–present), with only one older dispersal event to Europe (c. 37–21 Ma). Diversification rates gradually increased over time, and two switches of diversification rates were identified in Gentianinae (c. 7 Ma, simultaneously in the Pneumonanthe/Cruciata lineage and in Tripterospermum).Main conclusionsGentiana existed in the QTP region throughout most of its uplift history following the India‐Asia collision. This region acted as the primary source area for dispersals to many areas of the world. Because steady increase in diversification rates coincides with the extension of the QTP, we argue that the museum theory rather than the explosive radiation theory prevails for gentians in this region, although rare shifts of diversification rates are associated with niche shifts across the alpine/subalpine ecotone.

Evolution of Australian Cryptocarya (Lauraceae) based on nuclear and plastid phylogenetic trees: evidence of recent landscape-level disjunctions

Species-level relationships within the pantropical, largely rainforest genus Cryptocarya R.Br (Lauraceae) and allied groups have long been problematic. Here, we utilise nuclear RPB2 and plastid trnL–trnF sequence data to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among Australian Cryptocarya species. We relate our findings to the previous two disparate attempts to resolve species-level relationships on the basis of traditional taxonomic tools. Our results showed that an early diversification gave rise to two lineages present in Australia and globally. The loss of cataphylls (bract-like leaves in seedlings) seems to be a derived state only found in the larger of these two clades. Ruminate cotyledons is another potentially informative character; however, it is highly likely that this condition arose through convergent or parallel evolution. Little or no molecular variation was observed between many species, which suggests recent diversification. Furthermore, the close relationships between species from two geographically disjunct centres of rainforest diversity within Australia suggests that loss of between-region connectivity is recent. A global revision of the group, incorporating molecular analyses and seedling and fruit morphology, is needed to untangle the complex evolutionary relationships within this genus.

Molecular phylogenetics and morphology support two new genera (Memoremea and Nihon) of Boraginaceae s.s.

Omphalodes (Boraginaceae s.s., Cynoglosseae s.l.) comprises ca. 29 species of annual and perennial plants distributed in three main disjunct areas: Western Palearctic, Japan and SW of North America. This paper uses micromorphological and DNA data to re-assess the monophyly and taxonomy of the genus. Morphological characters of 15 species of Omphalodes and four closely-related genera were analysed using SEM. A total of 82 ITS and 68 trnL–trnF sequences were newly sequenced, including 14 species of Omphalodes and three genera of the tribe Cynoglosseae. Phylogenetic analyses of 57 genera (186 species) of Boraginaceae indicated that Omphalodes as currently circumscribed is formed by three independent lineages, which were supported by morphological characters of the fruit. As a result, and in the interest of a more natural classification, two new genera are described to accommodate Omphalodes scorpioides (Memoremea) from Europe and the Japanese species (Nihon). Memoremea is distinguished from all the other species previously included in Omphalodes by the apical attachment scar and the hollow nutlet margin. Nihon is easily discriminated by the abrupt change of margin ornamentation towards the nutlet aperture. We also provided a taxonomic treatment that proposes the lowest number of nomenclature changes, although six new combinations are required.

Molecular phylogenetics of the Onobrychis genus (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae) using ITS and trnL–trnF DNA sequence data

Onobrychis, comprising more than 130 species, is a genus of the family Fabaceae. At this time, the interspecies relationship of this biologically important genus is still a subject of great discussion and debate. To help resolve this disagreement, we used molecular phylogeny to analyse internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and trnL–trnF sequences of 76 species of Onobrychis. Bayesian interference, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL–trnF DNA sequence data generated trees with strong posterior probability for two groups: Onobrychis subgen. Sisyrosema (including: Heliobrychis, Hymenobrychis, Afghanicae and Anthyllium sections) along with Laxiflorae section in Group I and Onobrychis subgen. Onobrychis (except Laxiflorae section) in the other (Group II). The Laxiflorae section roots back to the ancestral node for Sisyrosema subgen. O. viciifolia (cultivated species), which is closely associated with O. cyri var. cyri, suggesting that the latter may be a wild progenitor of O. viciifolia. The present study supported the paraphyly of subgenera Onobrychis and Sisyrosema. The study proposed the paraphyletic nature of the sections Onobrychis, Dendrobrychis, Heliobrychis and Hymenobrychis. Together with our molecular phylogenetic analyses we present a review of Onobrychis morphology and discuss and compare our results with those of earlier morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses.

Systematics of disjunct northeastern Asian and northern North AmericanAllium(Amaryllidaceae)

This study was undertaken to better understand Allium infrageneric taxonomy, character evolution, species diversification, and patterns of radiation in disjunct species between the New and Old World using morphological and molecular data. Taxonomic sampling focused on northeastern Asian (mainly Korean and northeastern Chinese) and representative disjunct northern North American (Canadian) species. Pistil and seed testa morphology was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. These characters were useful to assess degree of relationship at different taxonomic levels in Allium. Phylogenetic studies included nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL–trnF sequence data analyzed using maximum parsimony approaches. Our molecular phylogeny recovers a similar topology to that published in recent studies and confirms three major evolutionary lines and patterns of radiation regarding the ancestors of subgenera Amerallium and Anguinum in the genus. The northeastern Asian and northern North American disjunction in this genus is inferred to be the result of multiple intercontinental migrations. Seed testa sculpture attributes in combination with seed shape provide key characters to distinguish Allium’s major clades in the molecular phylogeny. The two types of ovarian processes, basal hood-like and apical crest-like in disjunct Old and New World species, respectively, are newly derived characters in each continent. Most infrageneric Allium groups are monophyletic, while subgenus Cepa is polyphyletic.

Monophyly and Phylogenetic Relationships of Neotropical Schefflera (Araliaceae) based on Plastid and Nuclear Markers

Abstract The pantropical genus Schefflera is represented by ca. 300 species in the American tropics, but due to limited sampling of the Neotropical species in previous phylogenetic studies of the genus, the monophyly of this group has remained tentative. To test this, an existing family-wide dataset of ITS and trnL—trnF sequences was expanded, and relationships were explored further by assembling new ITS and ETS datasets using a representative sampling from most of the morphological and geographical diversity of the group. These results were also used to test an informal, morphology-based classification of Neotropical Schefflera. Results of the phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Neotropical Schefflera, and its placement in the Asian Palmate clade of Araliaceae. Four clades were consistently recovered from all analyses, informally called the Calyptrate, Tremula, Jahnii, and Eastern South American clades, each of which corresponds closely to the previously recognized morphological groupings. The...

Phylogenetic placement, taxonomic revision and a new species of Nothostele (Orchidaceae), an enigmatic genus endemic to the cerrado of central Brazil

Nothostele is a rare genus endemic to central Brazil. The taxonomy of the genus is controversial and almost every taxonomist has had a different point of view regarding its generic and subtribal classification. After the first collection 138 years ago, N. acianthiformis has been collected again and we report here a phylogenetic analysis of the genus based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and plastid matK and trnL–trnF sequence data. Our results show that Nothostele belongs to subtribe Spiranthinae and is sister to Eltroplectris within the Stenorrhynchos clade. A reanalysis of gynostemium morphology shows that the presence of a hamulus was misinterpreted in Nothostele and that the placement of the genus in Cranichidinae based on morphology of the pollinarium is unwarranted. Furthermore, the flattened, sessile, prostrate leaves of N. acianthiformis, which are described here for the first time, occur in some Spiranthinae but are atypical in Cranichidinae. Specimens from Brasilia in the Brazilian central plateau are a distinct new species, which is described here as N. brasiliaensis. Currently, the genus comprises two disjunct species restricted to the cerrado and rocky field vegetation of central Brazil. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165, 348–363.

English

The water-lily genus Nymphaea exhibits a worldwide distribution with an estimated number of more than 50 extant species. Recent phylogenetic analyses resolved three major lineages, a subg. Brachyceras–subg. Anecphya clade, also including Nymphaea ondinea, a subg. Hydrocallis-subg. Lotos clade, and the temperate subg. Nymphaea as a third clade. This study extends the taxon sampling for Brachyceras, previously the least understood subgenus. Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analysis of nrITS sequence data depict a monophyletic subg. Brachyceras-clade and show a New World clade to be nested within African taxa. Plastid trnT-trnF sequence data are less conclusive. A middle Miocene origin is inferred for the New World Brachyceras lineage that must have dispersed out of Africa either via a Beringian migrational route or through immediate long distance dispersal. Within subg. Brachyceras, the West African individuals of Nymphaea guineensis form a distinct clade in both nuclear and plastid trees to which the Madagascan Nymphaea minuta is sister. Central and East African Brachyceras species appear well separated, suggesting a separating effect of the Dahomey gap to the evolution of these species. ITS sequences are more powerful in identifying Nymphaea species than trnT–trnF sequences. Nevertheless, about 15% of the known species remain to be sampled for a complete molecular tree of water-lilies. This also requires sampling of multiple populations in order to discover entities with a common evolutionary history and distinct molecular and morphological characters.

Species, genomes, and section relationships in the genus Arachis (Fabaceae): a molecular phylogeny

The economically important genus Arachis (Fabaceae) comprises 80 species restricted to South America. One monograph on the genus divided it into nine sections and included an intuitive assessment of evolutionary relationships. There is no comprehensive phylogenetic study of the genus. To test the current systematic treatment of the genus, we reconstructed a phylogeny for Arachis using nuclear ITS and plastid trnT–trnF sequences from 46 species representing all nine sections. ITS cloning of the allotetraploid species of section Arachis indicated the presence of A and B genome alleles and chimeric sequences. Our study revealed that species from section Extranervosae were the first emerging lineage in the genus, followed by sections Triseminatae and Caulorrhizae, and two terminal major lineages, which we refer to as erectoides and arachis. The lineage erectoides comprises members of sections Erectoides, Heteranthae, Procumbentes, Rhizomatosae, and Trierectoides. Species in the arachis lineage form two major clades, arachis I (B and D genomes species and the aneuploids) and arachis II (A genome species). Our results substantiated the sectional treatment of Caulorrhizae, Extranervosae, and Triseminatae, but demonstrated that sections Erectoides, Procumbentes, and Trierectoides are not monophyletic. A detailed study of the genus Arachis with denser taxon sampling, additional genomic regions, plus information from morphology and cytogenetics is needed for comprehensive assessment of its systematics.

Evolution of Iris subgenus Xiphium based on chromosome numbers, FISH of nrDNA (5S, 45S) and trnL–trnF sequence analysis

The subgenus Xiphium is one of the six infrageneric divisions of the genus Iris. Chromosome numbers of six of the seven Xiphium species are known. Here the aim was to infer genetic and phylogenetic relationships based on chromosome numbers, chromosome markers and plastid sequences. Chromosomal locations of 5S and 45S rDNA loci were determined in 19 populations of the 7 species by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Additionally, the trnL–trnF plastid spacer was sequenced and a phylogenetic analysis performed. Based on chromosome markers, subgenus Xiphium species were classified into four groups that differed in the number and locations of both types of nrDNA: (1) I. tingitana (2n = 28), I. filifolia (2n = 30, 34) and I. xiphium (2n = 34), (2) I. juncea (2n = 32) and I. boissieri (2n = 36), (3) I. serotina (2n = 34) and (4) I. latifolia (2n = 42). Although the trnL–trnF phylogeny was not fully resolved, the sequence analysis showed a well-supported subgroup of I. filifolia, I. tingitana and I. xiphium, as well as I. juncea. FISH physical maps of the Iris subgenus Xiphium taxa are species dependent. I. filifolia, I. tingitana and I. xiphium are very closely related species and share cytogenetic characteristics. Disploidy appears to have been central in the evolution of this subgenus, given a series of chromosome numbers (2n = 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 42) and our phylogenetic results. Clear differences were found among European and African populations of I. filifolia. A different taxonomic treatment of I. filifolia is supported for populations on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Species–level phylogeny of Allium subgenus Melanocrommyum: Incomplete lineage sorting, hybridization and trnF gene duplication

AbstractNoncoding chloroplast DNA sequences are widely employed markers in plant species–level phylogenetics and phylogeography. However, chloroplast capture (hybridization) and incomplete sorting of ancestral lineages could confound phylogenetic inference using chloroplast DNA. Recently, we studied the phylogeny of Allium subg. Melanocrommyum based on nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and showed that, although the subgenus is monophyletic, most sections are either para– or polyphyletic. To get insights from the chloroplast genome we sequenced the plastid trnL–trnF region in 434 individuals representing 100 species of A. subg. Melanocrommyum and found 74 chloroplast haplotypes. The sequences were analyzed using tree–based (Bayesian and maximum parsimony) and network–based (statistical parsimony network) approaches. The analyses revealed high level of chloroplast haplotype sharing among up to 15 species, as well as presence of several closely related haplotypes within single species. Several characteristics of the data violate the main assumptions of standard tree building methods that is the persistence of ancestral haplotypes and their co–existence with descendant alleles as well as multifurcating relationships among these alleles. The taxon groups inferred from chloroplast trnL–trnF sequence analyses were congruent with the nuclear phylogeny. Thus, bi– and uniparentally inherited datasets strongly contradict the morphology–based taxonomic classification of A. subg. Melanocrommyum. Also, the present study (1) reports a trnF gene duplication in A. subg. Melanocrommyum, (2) infers few putative homoploid hybrid taxa, and (3) shows that natural interspecies hybrids occur rarely in the subgenus. Generally, our data strongly advocate including multiple accessions per species in species–level phylogenetic studies, and show the advantages of networks over tree building methods for analyzing sequences from noncoding chloroplast loci in closely related species.

Molecular polymorphism of cytoplasmic DNA in Ficus carica L.: Insights from non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA

The trnL (UAA) intron and the intergenic spacer between the 3′ exon of trnL (UAA) and trnF (GAA) sequences were used as genetic markers for differentiating Ficus carica cultivars and establishing refined genetic relationships. The study was based on 20 fig cultivars, collected from south and centre of Tunisia. Since, the intron was thought to be more variable among close relatives than is the chloroplast spacer. The size of these non-coding regions varied from 554 to 589 and from 989 to 1022 bases pairs for the intron and the combined sequences correspondingly. The average of GC content was 33.9% and 34.6% in the intron and the combined intron and spacer respectively. High values of A + T contents were detected in both data sets and may explain the high proportions of transversions founded. The observed variation pattern of plastid DNA provides evidence of an important genetic diversity. The overall transition/transversion bias (R) was 0.202 in the intron and 0.27 in the combined regions. The RI index of 0.592 indicates that these combined sequences have clearly more homoplasy then the intron (RI = 0.705) and spacer (RI = 0.777) sequences separately. Phylogenetic trees were generated based on maximum parsimony (MP) and neighbor-joining (NJ) analysis of the chloroplast sequences data. Results proved that a typically continuous genetic diversity characterizes the local fig germplasm. In fact, relationships inferred from the cpDNA analysis suggest several clades, which do not show geographical or tree sex correspondence. Although the level of apparent diversity is considerable, we may conclude that non-coding regions of chloroplast genome provide a new and practical opportunity to evaluate genetic diversity and to discriminate fig cultivars. Revealed cytoplasmic DNA markers are reliable to elaborate a molecular data base to conduct management and breeding programs on local fig germplasm.

Phylogenetics and biogeography of the parasitic genusThesiumL. (Santalaceae), with an emphasis on the Cape of South Africa

Thesium is a large genus of parasitic shrubs belonging to tribe Thesieae of Santalaceae. It has a principally Old World distribution, with the greatest diversity being found in southern Africa. Little is known about the relationships within Thesium or its relationships with its closest relatives. In this article, we present a first estimate of species-level phylogenetic relationships in Thesium based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and trnL–trnF sequence data, and use this to explore the biogeographical history of the group. One hundred and four samples representing 72 Thesium spp. were included in a phylogenetic analysis. Plastid and combined data resolve Thesium as paraphyletic relative to Thesidium and Austroamericium with high posterior probability and bootstrap support. ITS sequence data place Thesidium as sister to a large Thesium clade, but with weak support. Ancestral range reconstruction and dating analysis suggest a southern African origin for the group, with a crown age of 39.1 ± 11.9 Mya, followed by dispersal into Europe and South America. A large clade of Cape species split in the Miocene from a clade comprising tropical species (25.5 ± 7.3 Mya) with the diversification of extant species beginning at 16.7 ± 6.3 Mya. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162, 435–452. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: hemiparasite – parasite – southern Africa – trans-Atlantic dispersal.