A new simplified method for constructing Wagner networks and the cladistics of Pentachaeta (Compositae, Astereae)

The new procedure for constructing a Wagner network presented differs from Farris’s (1970) method in that the amount of computation required is reduced. The usefulness of this procedure was examined by applying it to the 20 characters considered in a recent monograph of the seven OTUs of the genusPentachaeta. A single network was derived from some 945 or more networks possible for this group. A comparison of the network constructed by this simplified method to that constructed by Farris’ procedure revealed no differences. An attempt to reconstruct the cladistic history of this group by generating a Wagner tree based on the network resulted in four equally possible trees, suggesting that further data are needed before cladogenesis in this group is resolved.