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Noncoding plastid trnT ‐ trnF sequences reveal a well resolved phylogeny of basal angiosperms
Author(s) -
Borsch T.,
Hilu K. W.,
Quandt D.,
Wilde V.,
Neinhuis C.,
Barthlott W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2003.00577.x
Subject(s) - biology , phylogenetics , evolutionary biology , clade , monophyly , chloroplast dna , sister group , phylogenetic tree , genetics , gene
Recent contributions from DNA sequences have revolutionized our concept of systematic relationships in angiosperms. However, parts of the angiosperm tree remain unclear. Previous studies have been based on coding or rDNA regions of relatively conserved genes. A phylogeny for basal angiosperms based on noncoding, fast‐evolving sequences of the chloroplast genome region trnT‐trnF is presented. The recognition of simple direct repeats allowed a robust alignment. Mutational hot spots appear to be confined to certain sectors, as in two stem‐loop regions of the trnL intron secondary structure. Our highly resolved and well‐supported phylogeny depicts the New Caledonian Amborella as the sister to all other angiosperms, followed by Nymphaeaceae and an Austrobaileya – Illicium – Schisandra clade. Ceratophyllum is substantiated as a close relative of monocots, as is a monophyletic eumagnoliid clade consisting of Piperales plus Winterales sister to Laurales plus Magnoliales. Possible reasons for the striking congruence between the trnT‐trnF based phylogeny and phylogenies generated from combined multi‐gene, multi‐genome data are discussed.