Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Astereae (Asteraceae) in SW Asia based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA psbA-trnH sequences

Abstract Jafari F., Kazempour Osaloo S. & Mozffarian V.: Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Astereae (Asteraceae) in SW Asia based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA psbA-trnH sequences. — Willdenowia 45: 77–92. 2015. — Version of record first published online on 17 March 2015 ahead of inclusion in April 2015 issue; ISSN 1868-6397; © 2015 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.45.45108 In the present study, nucleotide sequences of the nrDNA ITS and the plastid DNA psbA-trnH region were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the tribe Astereae in SW Asia using parsimony, Bayesian and likelihood methods. The ITS analysis showed that the SW Asian representatives of the tribe divide into two groups. One group arises just above the African lineage, while the second is part of the large Australasian polytomy at the crown of the tribe. SW Asian Aster, Crinitina, Galatella, Lachnophyllum and Psychrogeton appear to be non-monophyletic, whereas Chamaegeron, Eurasian Erigeron and Myriactis are monophyletic. Dichrocep...