Polyphyly of the grass tribe Hainardieae (Poaceae: Pooideae): identification of its different lineages based on molecular phylogenetics, including morphological and cytogenetic characteristics

The small pooid grass tribe Hainardieae comprises six genera with approximately ten species; however, this tribe was not accepted by all previous taxonomic treatments. To study the relationships among these genera and to infer the phylogeny and evolutionary patterns, we used sequence variation of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal and chloroplast (cp) matK DNA and morphology. Many genera of the Aveneae/Poeae tribe complex additionally were included. Both molecular datasets showed Hainardieae to be highly polyphyletic, and its genera to branch with different groups of the Aveneae/Poeae. Parapholis and Hainardia are corroborated as being closely related, and belonging to a firmly supported Eurasian clade together with Catapodium incl. Scleropoa, Cutandia, Desmazeria, Sphenopus, Vulpiella (subtribe Parapholiinae) and with Cynosurus as sister to this assemblage. The other genera of traditionally recognised Hainardieae are positioned phylogenetically distant: Mediterranean Narduroides is verified as more or less related to Festuca and relatives (subtribe Loliinae), whereas the west Eurasian Pholiurus is close to the lineage of Poa and relatives (subtribe Poinae). North American Scribneria is sister to Deschampsia and both genera should be unified under a common subtribe (Aristaveninae or Holcinae). The phylogenetic position of the Algerian genus Agropyropsis (close to Narduroides and within the Loliinae) is suggested on morphology only, because no molecular data was obtained for it. Considering classification, we support the abandonment of tribe Hainardieae and argue to abandon Poeae subtribe Scribneriinae. Poeae subtribe Parapholiinae is redefined with a novel genus content, due to the exclusion of Agropyropsis and Pholiurus and the inclusion of Vulpiella.