A Preliminary Molecular Phylogeny of the Rhynchosporeae (Cyperaceae).
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Thomas, Wm. Wayt; Araújo, Ana Claudia; Alves, Marccus Vinícius
- Source
- Botanical Review. Mar2009, Vol. 75 Issue 1, p22-29. 8p. 2 Diagrams, 2 Charts.
- Subject
- *PLANT phylogeny
*CLADISTIC analysis of plants
*RHYNCHOSPORA
*CYPERACEAE
*PLANT classification
*PLANT species
*BIOLOGY
*BIOLOGICAL classification
*BRANCHING processes
- Language
- ISSN
- 0006-8101
The tribe Rhynchosporeae comprises the genera Rhynchospora and Pleurostachys and has never been studied using molecular techniques. The objective of this study was to use an analysis of trnL-F sequences to evaluate the hypothesized taxonomic divisions within the Rhynchosporeae including the monophyly of the genera and the soundness of the subgenera and sections. A total of 44 ingroup species were studied, 41 of Rhynchospora representing 22 of Kükenthal’s 28 sections, and three of Pleurostachys. Five outgroup species from other genera were also included. The cladistic analysis of 50 trnL intron and trnL-F intergenic spacer sequences resulted in 16 trees and a strict consensus tree. The Rhynchosporeae form two well-supported primary clades with several well-supported smaller clades, many of which agree with previously hypothesized sections. Pleurostachys is embedded within the second primary clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]