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Systematics |
2Section of Integrative Biology and Plant Resources Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 USA; 3Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Plaza de Murillo, 2. 28014, Madrid, Spain; 4Allan Herbarium, Landcare Research, P.O. Box 69, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand; 5Department of Biology, The University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202 USA; 6Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
ABSTRACT
Phylogenetic relationships among genera of tribe Malveae (Malvaceae, subfamily Malvoideae) were reconstructed using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the 18S26S nuclear ribosomal repeat. Newly generated sequences were combined with those available from previous generic level studies to assess the current circumscription of the tribe, monophyly of some of the larger genera, and character evolution within the tribe. The ITS data do not support monophyly of most generic alliances as presently defined, nor do the data support monophyly of several Malveae genera. Two main well-supported clades were recovered, which correspond primarily to taxa that either possess or lack involucral bracts, respectively. Chromosomal evolution has been dynamic in the tribe with haploid numbers varying from n = 5 to 36. Aneuploid reduction, hybridization, and/or polyploidization have been important evolutionary processes in this group.
Key Words: Bayesian analysis ITS Malvaceae Malveae Malvoideae molecular phylogeny parsimony analysis
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