Home /Systematic Botany, Volume 30, Number 3
The Molecular Systematics ofRhododendron (Ericaceae): A Phylogeny Based UponRPB2 Gene Sequences
Source:Systematic Botany, Volume 30, Number 3, July-September 2005, pp.616-626(11)
Publisher:American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Classification ofRhododendron species based on morphology has led to a consensus taxonomy recognizing the major subgeneraAzaleastrum, Hymenanthes, Pentanthera, Rhododendron, Tsutsusi, and three minor ones. To determine whether these subgenera are monophyletic and toinfer phylogenetic relationships betweenRhododendron sections and species, we carried out a cladistic analysis using molecular data, including all groups within the genus. For this purpose, we sequenced a large part of the nuclear geneRPB2-I, encoding a major RNA PolymeraseII subunit, from 87 species and analyzed the data by maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. The resulting phylogenies show subgeneraAzaleastrum andPentanthera to be polyphyletic and group allRhododendron species (except the two in sectionTherorhodion)into three large clades. Based upon these results, modifications inRhododendron classification are proposed, which consolidate minor subgenera and recognize monophyletic subgenera and sections.
Document Type: Regular Paper
Publication date:01 July 2005
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- Systematic Botany is the scientific journal of theAmerican Society of Plant Taxonomists and publishes four issues per year.
2011 Impact Factor: 1.517
2011 ISI Journal Citation Reports® Rankings: 87/190 - Plant Sciences
34/45 - Evolutionary Biology - Editorial Board
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