Phylogenetic analysis of Fosterella L.B. Sm. (Pitcairnioideae, Bromeliaceae) based on four chloroplast DNA regions

The about 31 species of Fosterella L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae) are terrestrial herbs with a centre of diversity in the central South American Andes. To resolve infra- and intergeneric relationships among Fosterella and their putative allies, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data from four chloroplast DNA regions (matK gene, rps16 intron, atpB-rbcL and psbB-psbH intergenic spacers). Sequences were generated for 96 accessions corresponding to 60 species from 18 genera. Among these, 57 accessions represented 22 of the 31 recognized Fosterella species and one undescribed morphospecies. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods yielded well-resolved phylogenies. The monophyly of Fosterella was strongly supported, as was its sister relationship with a clade comprising Deuterocohnia, Dyckia and Encholirium. Six distinct evolutionary lineages were distinguished within Fosterella. Character mapping indicated that parallel evolution of identical character states is common in the genus. Relationships between species and lineages are discussed in the context of morphological, ecological and biogeographical data as well as the results of a previous amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) study.     

The evolution of CAM in the subfamily Pitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae)

A molecular phylogeny for the subfamily Pitcairnioideae was inferred to examine the distribution of crassulacean acid metabolism in the subfamily. For this purpose, a neighbour-joining tree with p-distances was built using a MatK chloroplast gene data set. The phylogenetic results of our analysis confirmed the monophyletic condition of most genera examined: Brocchinia , Dyckia , Encholirium , Fosterella , Hechtia and Puya . A paraphyletic basal sequence showed Hechtia branching off from the basal node, followed by Brocchinia , Cottendorfia  +  Navia phelpsiae, and Puya . The remaining taxa were divided into two groups: (a) Deuterocohnia meziana , Dyckia , Encholirium ; Fosterella ; Deuterocohnia spp. +  Pitcairnia heterophyla ; (b) Pepinia , Pitcairnia spp. and Navia igneosicola . The basal placement of the CAM genera Hecthia indicates that CAM may be a 'primitive condition' in Pitcairnioideae and that C₃ species may have lost the ability to induce CAM. In this molecular tree, CAM metabolism appeared scattered throughout the tree. Current knowledge, however, does not exclude the possibility that CAM arose only once and it has been switching on and off in various lineages. Further detailed studies on photosynthetic metabolisms and the phylogenetic distribution of characters will provide a better basis on which to evaluate photosynthetic origins.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 80 , 261–268.     

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships in the tribe Datureae (Solanaceae)

The AFLP technique was evaluated as a tool for assessing species relationships within the tribe Datureae and genetic distances were estimated for 47 accessions of over 12 species. The phenetic trees from various analyses of the AFLP data gave very high co-phenetic correlation values, and were found to be consistent with previous trees based on the analysis of different data types, in particular ITS-1 sequences, isozymes and morphology, carried out on the same accessions. These results indicated that the AFLP technique is both an efficient and effective tool for determining genetic relationships among taxa in the Solanaceae. A new classification is proposed for the tribe Datureae, which maintains the arborescent species as a separate genus, Brugmansia, and recognises three sections within the genus Datura; Stramonium, Dutra and Ceratocaulis. D. discolor, previously placed in section Dutra, was found to be intermediate between sections Dutra and Stramonium. Received: 11 January 1999 / Accepted: 1 February 1999     

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships among the cultivated eggplant, Solanummelongena L., and wild relatives (Solanaceae)

The AFLP technique of DNA analysis was evaluated as a tool for assessing genetic relationships among the cultivated eggplant, S. melongena, and related species [Solanum L. subgenus Leptostemonum (Dunal) Bitter, section Melongena (Mill.) Dunal, series Incaniformia Bitter]. Genetic distances based on the AFLP data were estimated for 49 samples of 36 distinct accessions. Phenetic trees were constructed using Jaccard’s coefficient and UPGMA, and other clustering methods: they all had very high co-phenetic correlation values, and were found to be consistent with previous trees based on other data types, in particular ITS-1 sequences, isozymes and morphology, carried out on the same accessions. These results indicated that the AFLP technique is both an efficient and effective tool for determining genetic relationships among species of Solanum. A new classification is proposed for series Incaniformia. Received: 11 January 1999 / Accepted: 30 January 1999     

Two new species of Hechtia (Bromeliaceae,Pitcairnioideae) from western Mexico

Hechtia glauca andHechtia iltisii are described as new and illustrated. Among the Bromeliaceae H. glauca is unusual in its glabrous, glaucous leaf surfaces. Inflorescence and floral dimorphisms are discussed forH. glauca andH. iltisii. A key to species ofHechtia from Novo-Galiciana and adjacent parts of Michoacan is included.     

AFLP markers and cytotaxonomic analysis reveal hybridisation in the genus Schoenus (Cyperaceae).

Molecular, cytological, and morphological data support the existence of a hybrid population between Schoenus nigricans and Schoenus ferrugineus. This population was found in northeastern Italy, where S. nigricans is central with respect to its natural range and S. ferrugineus is marginal, being most common in the Alps and in central and northern Europe. Molecular marker data show that the putative hybrid population is genetically intermediate between nearby populations of the parent species. Cytological evidence confirmed the hybrid nature of this population, as does the almost complete sterility of plants within the population. Although no seeds were produced by the hybrid population, some possibly fertile pollen grains were produced; this suggests that the possibility of introgression between the two species through the hybrids cannot completely be excluded.     

Development of microsatellite markers in Fosterella rusbyi (Bromeliaceae) using 454 pyrosequencing

? Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Fosterella rusbyi (Bromeliaceae) to evaluate the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of natural populations of F. rusbyi and other Fosterella species in Bolivia. ? Methods and Results: 454 pyrosequencing technology was used to generate 73027 sequence reads from F. rusbyi DNA, which together contained 2796 perfect simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Primer pairs were designed for 30 loci, of which 15 were used to genotype 30 F. rusbyi plants from two geographical areas in Bolivia. All markers were polymorphic, with two to nine alleles in the overall sample. Cross-species amplification was tested in 10 additional Fosterella species. Seven loci showed consistent amplification in six or more species. ? Conclusions: The 15 SSR markers developed for F. rusbyi are promising candidates for population genetic analyses within F. rusbyi and other species of Fosterella.     

AFLP analysis of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon genetic variation.

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon (common bermudagrass) is geographically widely distributed between about lat 45 degrees N and lat 45 degrees S, penetrating to about lat 53 degrees N in Europe. The extensive variation of morphological and adaptive characteristics of the taxon is substantially documented, but information is lacking on DNA molecular variation in geographically disparate forms. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess molecular genetic variation and genetic relatedness among 28 C. dactylon var. dactylon accessions originating from 11 countries on 4 continents (Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe). A fluorescence-labeled amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA profiling method was used to detect the genetic diversity and relatedness. On the basis of 443 polymorphic AFLP fragments from 8 primer combinations, the accessions were grouped into clusters and subclusters associating with their geographic origins. Genetic similarity coefficients (SC) for the 28 accessions ranged from 0.53 to 0.98. Accessions originating from Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe formed major groupings as indicated by cluster and principal coordinate analysis. Accessions from Australia and Asia, though separately clustered, were relatively closely related and most distantly related to accessions of European origin. African accessions formed two distant clusters and had the greatest variation in genetic relatedness relative to accessions from other geographic regions. Sampling the full extent of genetic variation in C. dactylon var. dactylon would require extensive germplasm collection in the major geographic regions of its distributional range.     

广西毛竹种质资源AFLP分析

采用扩增片段长度多态性分子标记方法,对收集于广西的11个种源33份毛竹种质进行了分析.结果表明：5对引物组合用于选择性扩增,共得到198条扩增带,其中多态性带47条(23．74％);11个毛竹种源间的亲缘关系较近,但仍存在着一定的遗传变异,它们之间的遗传距离 D 在0．0006~0．1369之间;UPGMA 聚类分析,可将供试的11个毛竹种源分为4大类,其中昭平种源和南丹种源各为一类,与其它两类较易区分. PCA 分析结果与聚类分析结果相一致;Mantel 检验结果表明毛竹各种源遗传距离与地理距离间相关性显著(r ＝0．5558,P ＝0．0160).说明 AFLP 分子标记能将 11个种源33份毛竹种质区分开,是毛竹种质资源鉴别的有效手段和方法.     

Population genetic diversity and species relationships in the genus Rhinanthus L. based on microsatellite markers

The genus Rhinanthus L. is complex, containing many taxonomically unresolved taxa. In this paper we studied genetic variation and species relationships in 15 populations of six Rhinanthus species from three sections. For this purpose, we developed new microsatellite primers for R. osiliensis and used them to investigate genetic variation in two narrow endemics (R. osiliensis, R. javorkae) and in four widespread species (R. rumelicus R. wagneri, R. angustifolius and R. minor). Species‐specific private alleles were found in all species except R. osiliensis and R. angustifolius. The Bulgarian endemic R. javorkae showed the lowest genetic variation, followed by widespread R. minor and Estonian endemic R. osiliensis. Rhinanthus javorkae and R. minor were genetically most differentiated. Section Cleistolemus is weakly structured genetically, indicating close affinity between R. osiliensis, R. rumelicus, R. wagneri and R. angustifolius.     

RFLP analysis of phylogenetic relationships and genetic variation in the genus Lycopersicon

Summary Forty single-copy, nuclear probes of known chromosomal position were used to examine restriction fragment length polymorphism in the tomato genus Lycopersion. The probes were from three libraries: one cDNA, and two genomic libraries ne genomic made with EcoRI and the other with PstI. Total DNA from 156 plants representing eight species was cut with five different restriction enzymes and scored in 198 probe-enzyme combinations. Genetic distances between accessions (populations) and species were calculated from the resultant restriction patterns and proportion of shared bands. Accessions belonging to the same species largely clustered together, confirming their current classification. However, one mountain accession, classified as L. peruvianum var. humifusum (LA2150), was sufficiently distinct from the other accessions of L. peruvianum that it may qualify as a separate species L. esculentum and L. pimpinellifolium were the least clearly differentiated, possibly reflecting introgressive hybridization, known to have been promoted by man in recent history. Dendrograms constructed from cDNA versus genomic clones were nearly identical in their general grouping of species. The dendrograms revealed two major dichotomies in the genus: one corresponding to mating behavior [self-compatible (SC) versus self-incompatible (SI) species] and the other corresponding to fruit color (red versus green-fruited species). The ratio of withinversus between-accession diversity was much lower for SC species, indicating that most of the diversity within these species exists between populations, rather than within populations. Overall, the amount of genetic variation in the SI species far exceeded that found in SC species. This result is exemplified by the fact that more genetic variation could be found within a single accession of one of the SI species (e.g., L. peruvianum) than among all accessions tested of any one of the SC species (e.g., L. esculentum or L. pimpinellifolium). Results from this study are discussed in relationship to germ plasm collection/utilization and with regard to the use of RFLPs in tomato breeding and genetics.     

Polymorphic microsatellites for the study of fragmented populations of Pitcairnia geyskesii L. B. Smith (Bromeliaceae), a specific saxicolous species of inselbergs in French Guiana

Pitcairnia geyskesii is a saxicolous bromeliad endemic to the granitic inselbergs of French Guiana and Surinam. Seven polymorphic microsatellite markers were characterized to investigate the polymorphism among individuals sampled on five inselbergs in French Guiana. The total number of alleles per locus varied from four to 14. Mean observed heterozygosities at each microsatellite locus ranged from 0.114 to 0.629. This set of microsatellites offers an efficient tool for more detailed investigations on the genetic structure of fragmented populations living on such a singular and insular habitat within tropical rainforest.     

Taxonomic and evolutionary relationships in the genus Vella L. (Cruciferae)

Thirty-two differential characters are numerically analysed for the six existing taxa of the genus Vella L. The closely related monotypic genus Boleum Desv. is also included for comparison. Most of the characters used are morphological, but cariological, ecological and biogeographical aspects have also been studied. The results indicate that four distinct species, one ( V. pseudocytisus L.) with three sub-species, should be distinguished. The new combination V. anremerica (Lit. et Maire) Gómez-Campo (basionym: V. pseudocytisus L. subsp. anremerica Lit. et Maire) and the new name V. pseudocytisus L. subsp. paui Gómez-Campo for V. pseudocytisus L. var. glabrescens Willk., nornen nudum are presented. A key is given to aid identification of these taxa. Their conservation status is also discussed.     

Isozyme variation and species relationships in the genus Lolium L. (ryegrasses,Graminaceae)

Thirty-two natural populations belonging to the eight species of the genus Lolium (ryegrass) or to Festuca pratensis (meadow fescue) were recorded for allelic frequencies at 13 isozyme loci. Cultivated ryegrass (L. perenne and L. multiflorum), meadow fescue, and the annual L. rigidum, are true outbreeders. The other species are true inbreeders, except for L. canariense, which shows a moderate level of cross fertilisation (20%). Hierarchical clustering from Nei's unbiased distance leads to four groups. The three self-pollinating, weed species, L. temulentum, L. remotum and L. persicum, belong to the first cluster, which is the most differentiated one. The second cluster comprises L. multiflorum, L. subulatum and most populations of L. rigidum. All L. perenne populations belong to the third cluster, as do two of L. rigidum. The average genetic distance within the L. perenne group is very low. Surprisingly, the fourth cluster groups together L. canariense and Festuca pratensis. The data suggest that L. rigidum is the species with the greatest diversity, and could be a common ancestor of the genus. Knowledge of historical processes of domestication could help to calibrate the molecular clock.     

Revision of the genus Fascicularia Mez (Bromeliaceae)

The genus Fascicularia Mez is revised as part of a study of the Bromeliaceae for the Flora de Chile. Morphological and anatomical investigation of herbarium and living material from cultivation as well as DNA-studies (RAPDs) in cultivated material has led us to conclude that Fascicularia bicolor (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez, the only one species in the genus, comprises two subspecies which are distinguished by their leaf anatomy and morphology.     

Assessment of genome relationships in the genus Oryza L. based on seed-protein profile analysis

Summary Cultivated and wild Oryza species belonging to different genomic groups were studied with regard to their soluble seed-protein profiles. There is an essential uniformity in the banding patterns within various genomes and the basic patterns are not species-specific but genome-specific. O. meridionalis contains a subgenome similar to the A genome of O. rufipogon. Certain specific bands present among A genome species have been found to be useful in tracing the phylogenetic affinity between the cultivated species and their presumed wild progenitors.     

AFLP analysis of genetic polymorphism and evolutionary relationships among cultivated and wild Nicotiana species.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to determine the degree of intra- and inter-specific genetic variation in the genus Nicotiana. Forty-six lines of cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and seven wild Nicotiana species, including N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, N. otophora, N. glutinosa, N. suaveolens, N. rustica, and N. longiflora, were analyzed, using at least eight different oligonucleotide primer combinations capable of detecting a minimum of 50 polymorphic bands per primer pair. The amount of genetic polymorphism present among cultivated tobacco lines (N. tabacum) was limited, as evidenced by the high degree of similarity in the AFLP profiles of cultivars collected worldwide. Six major clusters were found within cultivated tobacco that were primarily based upon geographic origin and manufacturing quality traits. A greater amount of genetic polymorphism exists among wild species of Nicotiana than among cultivated forms. Pairwise comparisons of the AFLP profiles of wild and cultivated Nicotiana species show that polymorphic bands present in N. tabacum can be found in at least one of three proposed wild progenitor species (i.e., N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, and N. otophora). This observation provides additional support for these species contributing to the origin of N. tabacum.