Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among members of the Festuca-Lolium complex (Poaceae) based on ITS sequence data

There have been few DNA sequence-based studies of phylogenetic relationships within the Festuca-Lolium complex. Here we infer the phylogeny of 31 Festuca-Lolium taxa with a dataset of 116 ITS sequences. The results are consistent with previous studies that resolved two major Festuca clades: one clad...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant systematics and evolution 2000-01, Vol.224 (1/2), p.33-53
Main Authors: Gaut, B. S., Tredway, L. P., Kubik, C., Gaut, R. L., Meyer, W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological taxonomies
Evolution
Genomes
Internal transcribed spacers
Memory interference
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Ribosomal DNA
Species diversity
Taxa
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Summary:There have been few DNA sequence-based studies of phylogenetic relationships within the Festuca-Lolium complex. Here we infer the phylogeny of 31 Festuca-Lolium taxa with a dataset of 116 ITS sequences. The results are consistent with previous studies that resolved two major Festuca clades: one clade of fine fescues and another clade that contains Lolium and associated Festuca species. This study is unique in suggesting a third, basal Festuca clade, but support for the basal position of this group is low. Extensive sampling permitted investigation of the effects of lineage sorting and reticulate events on the evolution of the complex. Roughly half of the taxa show evidence of lineage sorting or reticulation, and the monophyly of Lolium has likely been obscured by reticulate events. Overall, polyploid species harbor higher levels of ITS sequence diversity than diploids; ITS sequence variants may provide clues to the identity of allopolyploid parents.
ISSN:0378-2697
1615-6110
DOI:10.1007/BF00985265