Phylogenetic relationships of Italian Bellevalia species (Asparagaceae), inferred from morphology,karyology and molecular systematics |
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Authors: | A Borzatti Von Loewenstern T Giordani G Astuti A Andreucci |
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Institution: | 1. Museum of Mediterranean Natural History Museum, Province of Livorno, via Roma 234, I-57127, Livorno, Italy;2. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, I-56124, Pisa, Italy;3. Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Luca Ghini 13, I-56126, Pisa, Italy |
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Abstract: | The seven Bellevalia species and subspecies known from Italy, representing about 10% of the genus and three out of six sections, were studied. An integrated morphological, karyological and molecular approach was used to infer phylogenetic and systematic relationships among them. B. romana (the generitype) is the most distinctive species on karyotype asymmetry grounds. B. boissieri and B.dubia, usually considered as subspecies of one species (the latter endemic to Sicily), deserve specific status based on biparental nrDNA markers (internal transcribed spacer, ITS), since they do not form a single clade. The allotetraploid endemic B. pelagica, morphologically similar to B. romana, is sister to the latter under parsimony, both in morphological and ITS trees; it is also related with B. dubia, based on karyotype asymmetry and a uniparental cpDNA marker (trnL(UAA)–trnF(GAA) IGS (intergenic spacer)). A second allotetraploid endemic, B. webbiana, is closely related, on morphological, karyological and molecular grounds, with B. boissieri and B. ciliata, and also with B. trifoliata, three species that might all involved in its origin. B. sect. Conicae Feinbr. and sect. Nutantes Feinbr. are here typified, the former (type: B. ciliata) is most likely a synonym of the latter (type: B. trifoliata). |
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Keywords: | Asparagaceae Bellevalia internal transcribed spacers region karyology morphology trnL(UAA)–trnF(GAA) intergenic spacer |
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