A review of the species of Mesopolobus (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) associated with Ceutorhynchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) host-species of European origin

Four species of Mesopolobus Westwood were reared as parasitoids of Ceutorhynchinae hosts in Europe during surveys in 2000-2004. An illustrated key is given to differentiate the four species, M. gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n., M. incultus (Walker), M. morys (Walker) and M. trasullus (Walker), plus M. moryoides Gibson, a parasitoid of the cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham), in North America. Pteromalus clavicornis Walker is recognized as a junior synonym of M. incultus syn. n., and Pteromalus berecynthos Walker (also a junior synonym of M. incultus) is considered a correct original spelling. For Disema pallipes F?rster (a junior synonym of Mesopolobus morys), a lectotype is designated. Mesopolobus morys is for the first time accurately associated with the seed weevil Ceutorhynchus turbatus (Schultze), a potential agent for classical biological control, of hoary cress, Lepidium draba L. (Brassicaceae), in North America. Mesopolobus gemellus is associated with another seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus typhae (=C. floralis) (Herbst), in pods of shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae). Implications of the host-parasitoid associations are discussed relative to the introduction of species to North America for classical biological control of the cabbage seedpod weevil.     

Host suitability and gas exchange response of grapevines to potato leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Although potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is highly polyphagous, classic host studies do not recognize grapevines (Vitis spp.), as suitable hosts. Recently, injury has been reported and reproduction documented within grape vineyards, suggesting a host expansion for the leafhopper. To document this apparent expansion in host use, we determined whether grape plants were suitable hosts for potato leafhopper reproduction, measured the consequence of feeding injury on gas exchange rates of grape leaves, and compared the susceptibility to feeding injury among cultivars. We found that potato leafhopper adults survived equally well on grape (Vitis vinifera L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and fava bean (Vicia faba L.). The total number of offspring was greater on fava bean but did not differ between alfalfa and grape. Injury to grapevines was assessed by measuring gas exchange responses of leaves in field cages and in greenhouse tests. We found marginally significant declines in photosynthesis and transpiration rates in the field (9.6 and 13.2%, respectively), and much stronger effects in greenhouse tests (ranging between 22 and 52%). Our results verify that Vitis is a suitable host, and that potato leafhopper is capable of injuring its gas exchange physiology. We discuss possible explanations for the host expansion, and its potential to damage commercial grapevines.     

Resistance of some cultivated Brassicaceae to infestations by Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Selecting insect-resistant plant varieties is a key component of integrated management programs of oligophagous pests such as diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), but rigorous research on important life history parameters of P. xylostella in relation to host plant resistance is rare. We evaluated six conventional brassicaceous species, namely, Brassica napus L. 'Q2', B. rapa L., B. juncea (L.) Czern., B. carinata L., B. oleracea L., and Sinapis alba L., and two herbicide-tolerant cultivars, namely, B. napus 'Liberty' and B. napus 'Conquest' for their resistance against P. xylostella. Brassicaceae species and cultivars varied considerably in their susceptibilities as hosts for P. xylostella. Sinapis alba and B. rapa plants were highly preferred by ovipositing females and trichome density on adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces had nonsignificant effects on P. xylostella oviposition. Larval survival was similar on the genotypes we tested, but host plants significantly affected larval and pupal developmental time, herbivory, pupal weight, silk weight, adult body weight, forewing area and longevity (without food) of both male and female P. xylostella. Larval and pupal development of females was fastest on B. juncea and S. alba, respectively. Specimens reared on B. napus Liberty and B. oleracea, respectively, produced the lightest female and male pupae. Defoliation by both female and male larvae was highest on B. rapa, whereas least herbivory occurred on S. alba. Females reared on S. alba were heavier and lived longer in the absence of food than their counterparts raised on other tested host plants. Brassica oleracea could not compensate for larval feeding to the level of the other species we evaluated. B. napus Conquest, B. napus Q2, B. carinata, B. rapa, and S. alba produced, respectively, 1.6-, 1.8-, 1.8-, 3.9-, and 5.5-fold heavier root systems when infested than their uninfested counterparts, suggesting that these species were better able to tolerate P. xylostella infestations.     

Catching a 'hopeful monster': shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) as a model system to study the evolution of flower development

Capsella is a small genus within the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Its three species, however, show many evolutionary trends also observed in other Brassicaceae (including Arabidopsis) and far beyond, including transitions from a diploid, self-incompatible, obligatory outcrossing species with comparatively large and attractive flowers but a restricted distribution to a polyploid, self-compatible, predominantly selfing, invasive species with floral reductions. All these evolutionary transitions may have contributed to the fact that Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's purse) has become one of the most widely distributed flowering plants on our planet. In addition, Capsella bursa-pastoris shows a phenomenon that, although rare, could be of great evolutionary importance, specifically the occurrence of a homeotic variety found in relatively stable populations in the wild. Several lines of evidence suggest that homeotic changes played a considerable role in floral evolution, but how floral homeotic varieties are established in natural populations has remained a highly controversial topic among evolutionary biologists. Due to its close relationship with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, numerous experimental tools are available for studying the genus Capsella, and further tools are currently being developed. Hence, Capsella provides great opportunities to investigate the evolution of flower development from molecular developmental genetics to field ecology and biogeography, and from morphological refinements to major structural transitions.     

Inheritance and expression patterns of BN28, a low temperature induced gene in Brassica napus, throughout the Brassicaceae.

Molecular genetics is becoming an important tool in the breeding and selection of agronomically important traits. BN28 is a low temperature induced gene in Brassicaceae species. PCR and Southern blot analysis indicate that BN28 is polymorphic in the three diploid genomes: Brassica rapa (AA), Brassica nigra (BB), and Brassica oleracea (CC). Of the allotetraploids, Brassica napus (AACC) is the only species to have inherited homologous genes from both parental genomes. Brassica juncea (AABB) and Brassica carinata (BBCC) have inherited homologues from the AA and CC genomes, respectively, while Sinapsis arvensis (SS) contains a single homologue from the BB genome and Sinapsis alba (dd) appears to be different from all the diploid parents. All species show message induction when exposed to low temperature. However, differences in expression were noticed at the protein level, with silencing occurring in the BB genome at the level of translation. Results suggest that silencing is occurring in diploid species where duplication may not have occurred. Molecular characterization and inheritance of BN28 homologues in the Brassicaceae may play an important role in determining their quantitative function during exposure to low temperature. Key words : Brassicaceae, BN28, inheritance, polymorphism.     

Possible role of catalase in post-dormancy bud break in grapevines

Changes in the activity of catalase (Cat) and in the levels of H2O2 were followed throughout dormancy in buds of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). In grapevines grown in the Elqui valley in Chile, a region with warm-winters, the activity of Cat increased during the recess period of buds, reaching a maximum and thereafter decreased to less than one third of its maximal activity. Three isoforms of Cat were detected in extracts of buds by native PAGE analysis, and the extracted activity was inhibited competitively by hydrogen cyanamide (HC), a potent bud-break agent. Furthermore, HC applications to field-grown grapevines in addition to the expected effect on advancing bud break, reduced the Cat activity during bud dormancy. Similar reductions were observed during dormancy in buds of grapevines grown in the Central valley in Chile, a region with temperate winters, suggesting that HC and winter chilling inhibits the activity of the main H2O2 degrading enzyme in grape buds. A transient rise in H2O2 levels preceded the release of buds from endodormancy, moreover, the peak of H2O2 and the onset of bud break occurred earlier in HC treated than in control grapevines, suggesting the participation of H2O2 as a signal molecule in the release of endodormancy in grape buds. The relationship between Cat inhibition, rise in H2O2 levels and initiation of bud break are discussed.     

A Survey of the Brassica rapa genome by BAC-end sequence analysis and comparison with Arabidopsis thaliana

Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis (Chinese cabbage) is an economically important crop and a model plant for studies on polyploidization and phenotypic evolution. To gain an insight into the structure of the B. rapa genome we analyzed 12,017 BAC-end sequences for the presence of transposable elements (TEs), SSRs, centromeric satellite repeats and genes, and similarity to the closely related genome of Arabidopsis thaliana. TEs were estimated to occupy 14% of the genome, with 12.3% of the genome represented by retrotransposons. It was estimated that the B. rapa genome contains 43,000 genes, 1.6 times greater than the genome of A. thaliana. A number of centromeric satellite sequences, representing variations of a 176-bp consensus sequence, were identified. This sequence has undergone rapid evolution within the B. rapa genome and has diverged among the related species of Brassicaceae. A study of SSRs demonstrated a non-random distribution with a greater abundance within predicted intergenic regions. Our results provide an initial characterization of the genome of B. rapa and provide the basis for detailed analysis through whole-genome sequencing.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Brassica rapa L

We report here the isolation and characterization of microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), in Brassica rapa. The size-fractionated genomic library was screened with (GA)(15) and (GT)(15) oligonucleotide probes. A total of 58 clones were identified as having the microsatellite repeats, and specific primer pairs were designed for 38 microsatellite loci. All primer pairs, except two, amplified fragments having the sizes expected from the sequences. Of the 36 primer pairs, 35 amplified polymorphic loci in 19 cultivars of B. rapa, while monomorphism was observed in only one primer pair. A total of 232 alleles was identified by the 36 primer pairs in 19 cultivars of B. rapa, and these primer pairs were examined also in nine Brassicaceae species. Most of the 36 primer pairs amplified the loci in the Brassicaceae species. Segregation of the microsatellites was studied in an F(2) population from a cross of doubled-haploid lines DH27 x G309. The microsatellites segregated in a co-dominant manner. These results indicate that the microsatellites isolated in this study were highly informative and could be useful tools for genetic analysis in B. rapa and other related species.     

Expression analysis of phytochromes A, B and floral integrator genes during the entry and exit of grapevine-buds from endodormancy

A common molecular regulatory pathway that involves PHYA, PHYB and floral integrator genes CONSTANS (CO), FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and SUPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1 (SOC1) has been suggested to participate in the regulation of photoperiod dependent processes such as flowering and dormancy. In grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.), decreasing photoperiod and low temperatures trigger the transition of buds into endodormancy (ED), a process that is accompanied by drastic changes in gene expression of VvPHYA and B in leaves. To analyse the relationship of VvPHYA, VvPHYB, and grape homologues of Arabidopsis floral integrator genes VvCO, VvFT, VvMADS8, with ED, a comparative expression analysis of these genes was performed in grapevine-leaves and buds before, during and after the transition of buds into ED. The expression of all the above genes in the bud-tissue, and the fact that photoperiod regulates differently the expression of VvPHYA and B in buds than in leaves, suggests that the bud might be an autonomous or semi-autonomous organ in perceiving and transducing the photoperiod signal. On the other hand, the coordinated down-regulation of VvFT in leaves and buds during the transition of buds into ED, and its subsequent up-regulation following the application of dormancy-breaking compounds, hydrogen cyanamide (HC) and sodium azide, suggests that VvFT could play a key role in stimulating bud-growth by repressing their entry into ED.     

The Pieris napi /bryoniae hybrid zone at Pont de Nant, Switzerland: broad overlap in the range of suitable host plants

1. The butterflies Pieris napi and Pieris bryoniae hybridize in a narrow zone at ≈ 1200 m in the Alps and Carpathians of Europe. They feed as larvae on a variety of hosts in the Brassicaceae, and few host species occur on both sides of the hybrid zone.
2. Females were captured on either side of the hybrid zone at Pont de Nant, Switzerland, eggs obtained, and larvae were offered plants from nineteen species of Brassicaceae and Reseda lutea (Resedaceae).
3. Nine of the hosts were found to have eggs or larvae already on them. Only Capsella bursa-pastoris and R. lutea were unsuitable.
4. Significant survivorship differences among suitable hosts were found. There was no interaction between butterfly species and host plant, which would indicate adaptation by these taxa to their respective suites of hosts.
5. Among suitable hosts, larvae of both taxa had higher mortality on plants with hairy leaves and on older plants beginning to senesce.
6. Differential selection on host use, if it occurs at all, is likely to be a very minor factor in the dynamics of the Pieris napi / bryoniae hybrid zone.     

Evolution of SINE S1 retroposons in Cruciferae plant species

The S1 element is a plant short interspersed element (SINE) that was first described and studied in Brassica napus. In this work, we investigated the distribution and the molecular phylogeny of the S1 element within the Cruciferae (= Brassicaceae). S1 elements were found to be widely distributed within the Cruciferae, especially in species of the tribe Brassiceae. The molecular phylogeny of S1 elements in eight Cruciferae species (Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Sinapis, arvensis, Sinapis pubescens, Coincya monensis, and Vella spinosa) was inferred using 14-36 elements per species. Significant neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic clusters, supported by high bootstrap P values and/or represented in 100% of the most-parsimonious trees, were observed for each species. Most of these clusters probably correspond to recent species-specific bursts of S1 amplification. Since these species diverged recently, S1 amplification in Cruciferae plants is proposed to be a highly dynamic process that could contribute to genome rearrangements and eventually lead to reproductive isolation. S1 sequence analysis also revealed putative gene conversion events that occurred between different S1 elements of a given species. These events suggest that gene conversion is a minor but significant component of the molecular drive governing S1 concerted evolution.      

芸薹属中几个物种碳酸酐酶活性的比较

检测芸薹属中几种植物的碳酸酐酶在根、茎、叶中的分布和活性以及叶片净光合速率和锌元素含量的结果表明：碳酸酐酶在甘蓝型油菜的根、茎、叶中均有分布,叶中的碳酸酐酶活性最大,茎中的次之,根中的最小。不同芸薹属植物中碳酸酐酶活性的大小依序为：甘蓝型油菜〉白菜型油菜〉芜菁〉埃塞俄比亚芥。以甘蓝型油菜为例,碳酸酐酶活性的日变化呈双峰曲线,在整个生育期的变化趋势是先上升后下降,抽薹期间的碳酸酐酶活性最高。碳酸酐酶活性与净光合速率以及与锌元素含量之间均呈现显著的正相关。     

Observations on a Virus Disease of Certain Crucifers in Trinidad

A virus disease of Brassica juncea Coss., B. Mnensis L. and Raphanus sativus L. var. hortensis Backer occurs in Trinidad, but is not serious. Rape (Brassica napus L.), turnip (B. rapa L.) and Lepidium virginicum L. are susceptible, but cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi and the European radish seem to be immune. Zinnia elegans Jacq. and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) are also susceptible, but no infections were obtained on six other Nicotiana species, beetroot, Swiss chard and cowpea. Tobacco gives only necrotic local lesions, whereas the other hosts give no local lesions, but a systemic mottling, usually accompanied in crucifers by leaf deformation and stunting of the plant.
The virus is transmitted by Rhopalosiphum pseudobrassicae (Davis), which is probably responsible for spread in the field. Its thermal inactivaticm-point is 58 C, dilution end-point 1:1000, and longevity in vitro 4 days at 16–18 C. and 3 days at 24–30 C. The properties and host range of this virus are compared with those of others affecting the Cruciferae. It has affinities with some of them, but is considered to be distinct.     

Alternative management tactics for control of Phyllotreta cruciferae and Phyllotreta striolata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Brassica rapa in Massachusetts

The flea beetles Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) are significant pests of crops in the Brassicaceae family. From 2001 to 2003, the efficacy of both new and commonly used treatments for the control of flea beetles in brassicas, Brassica rapa L., were evaluated in three small plot, randomized complete block design trials. Row cover and carbaryl (applied as a weekly foliar spray) were found to be the most consistent at reducing damage in comparison with untreated controls in all trials. Two new products that may provide adequate flea beetle control are spinosad (in either conventional or organic formulations) and thiamethoxam. The plant-derived compounds azidiractin and pyrethrin did not protect treated plants from flea beetle feeding. Treatment of plants with kaolin, or removal of the beetles with a vacuum, also did not reduce the level of crop damage. The level of damage at harvest was found to be correlated with population size of flea beetles in each plot, as measured by captures on yellow sticky traps and direct visual counts. Removal of the outer two leaves of individual B. rapa plants reduced the total number of holes per plant by 40%, while only removing 15% of the leaf area.     

Yield reduction in Brassica napus, B. rapa, B. juncea, and Sinapis alba caused by flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)) infestation in northern Idaho

Phyllotreta cruciferae is an important insect pest of spring-planted Brassica crops, especially during the seedling stage. To determine the effect of early season P. cruciferae infestation on seed yield, 10 genotypes from each of two canola species (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L.) and two mustard species (Brassica juncea L. and Sinapis alba L.) were grown in 2 yr under three different P. cruciferae treatments: (1) no insecticide control; (2) foliar applications of endosulfan; and (3) carbofuran with seed at planting plus foliar application of carbaryl. Averaged over 10 genotypes, B. rapa showed most visible P. cruciferae injury and showed greatest yield reduction without insecticide application. Mustard species (S. alba and B. juncea) showed least visible injury and higher yield without insecticide compared with canola species (B. napus and B. rapa). Indeed, average seed yield of S. alba without insecticide was higher than either B. napus or B. rapa with most effective P. cruciferae control. Significant variation occurred within each species. A number of lines from B. napus, B. juncea, anid S. alba showed less feeding injury and yield reduction as a result of P. cruciferae infestation compared with other lines from the same species examined, thus having potential genetic background for developing resistant cultivars.     

Characterization of Brassica nigra collections using simple sequence repeat markers reveals distinct groups associated with geographical location, and frequent mislabelling of species identity

Genetic diversity of 180 Brassica nigra (L.) Kochgenotypes from 60 different accessions was evaluated using 15 simple sequence repeat markers with known locations on the Brassica A, B, and C genomes. Two lines each from Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Brassica carinata Braunwere also included as comparator species. A total of 218 high quality alleles were used to generate a genetic distance matrix, and clustering and multidimensional scaling analyses were used to investigate genetic relationships among the accessions. Accessions from the same country of origin tended to cluster together. Surprisingly, 13 accessions declared to be B. nigra had A- and B-genome alleles and morphology consistent with them being B. juncea, which was supported by their positioning near B. juncea in the cluster analysis. Two B. nigra accessions possessed alleles associated more closely with the A genome than the B genome, and these may be Brassica rapa L. accessions. One B. nigra accession had B- and C-genome alleles and morphology consistent with it being B. carinata. The remaining 44 accessions (73%) appeared to be truly B. nigra and formed morphologically and genetically distinct groups associated with country or region of origin, notably Ethiopia, Israel, India, and Europe. Most B. nigra accessions were highly heterozygous, consistent with their obligate outcrossing habit. This study demonstrated the value of using molecular markers with known genome locations (in this case, in the Brassica A, B, and C genomes) to confirm species identity in families such as Brassicaceae where species identification based solely on morphological characters is difficult.     

Do Larvae of Bertha armyworm,Mamestra configurata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), express induced feeding responses?

The Bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous Nearctic insect known to feed on over 40 different host plant species, and can be a pest of canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the Northern Great Plains. Bertha armyworm is known to sometimes switch hosts through between‐field movements, prompting this study to investigate its adherence to a particular host plant species after completing a period of initial development on it. In a laboratory study, larvae were reared to either their fourth or sixth instars on either intact or excised leaf tissue of one of seven host species, and were then allowed to select feeding hosts from various choices that included canola, B. napus and B. rapa (Brassicaceae), Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (Compositae), flax, L. usitatissimum (Linaceae), field pea and alfalfa, Pisum sativum L. and M. sativa (Leguminosae), and lamb’s quarters, Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae). In general, Bertha armyworm larvae showed little propensity to feed on the host plant species on which they had been reared in their early life stages. Exceptions occurred for larvae reared on intact tissue of B. rapa and P. sativum, where larvae were subsequently observed feeding on these hosts significantly more frequently than on other host plants. When larvae of Bertha armyworm were reared through early developmental stages on intact plant tissue of a single host, B. rapa was frequently the choice for subsequent feeding. Movements of Bertha armyworm larvae between fields therefore appear to result from larvae that have exploited food resources in one area and are dispersing to regions of improved host plant availability.     

Heritable variation in a family-diagnostic trait

Abstract. Derived characters that have not changed during the diversification of a clade provide traits that are diagnostic at higher taxonomic levels. The tetradynamous stamen condition (four long and two short stamens) of the Brassicaceae is an example of a diagnostic trait that has not changed during the diversification of this large flowering plant family. We investigated one hypothesis that might explain the long-term stasis of this trait–that tetradynamous stamens have persisted because of an absence of genetic variation underlying the trait. Through a sib-analysis with Raphanus raphanistrum and an artificial selection experiment with Brassica rapa , we demonstrate that significant genetic variation is present for the tetradynamous condition in both species and that the trait is therefore not constrained from evolutionary change by a lack of heritable genetic variation.     

Xylem structure of four grape varieties and 12 alternative hosts to the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidious

Background and Aims

The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), responsible for Pierce''s disease (PD) of grapevine, colonizes the xylem conduits of vines, ultimately killing the plant. However, Vitis vinifera grapevine varieties differ in their susceptibility to Xf and numerous other plant species tolerate Xf populations without showing symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the xylem structure of grapevines with different susceptibilities to Xf infection, as well as the xylem structure of non-grape plant species that support or limit movement of Xf to determine if anatomical differences might explain some of the differences in susceptibility to Xf.

Methods

Air and paint were introduced into leaves and stems to examine the connectivity between stem and leaves and the length distribution of their vessels. Leaf petiole and stem anatomies were studied to determine the basis for the free or restricted movement of Xf into the plant.

Key Results

There were no obvious differences in stem or petiole vascular anatomy among the grape varieties examined, nor among the other plant species that would explain differences in resistance to Xf. Among grape varieties, the more tolerant ‘Sylvaner’ had smaller stem vessel diameters and 20 % more parenchyma rays than the other three varieties. Alternative hosts supporting Xf movement had slightly longer open xylem conduits within leaves, and more connection between stem and leaves, when compared with alternative hosts that limit Xf movement.

Conclusions

Stem–leaf connectivity via open xylem conduits and vessel length is not responsible for differences in PD tolerance among grape varieties, or for limiting bacterial movement in the tolerant plant species. However, it was found that tolerant host plants had narrower vessels and more parenchyma rays, possibly restricting bacterial movement at the level of the vessels. The implications of xylem structure and connectivity for the means and regulation of bacterial movement are discussed.     

Evolution of genome size in Brassicaceae

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Brassicaceae, with nearly 340 genera and more than 3350 species, anchors the low range of angiosperm genome sizes. The relatively narrow range of DNA content (0.16 pg < 1C < 1.95 pg) was maintained in spite of extensive chromosomal change. The aim of this study was to erect a cytological and molecular phylogenetic framework for a selected subset of the Brassicacae, and use this as a template to examine genome size evolution in Brassicaceae. METHODS: DNA contents were determined by flow cytometry and chromosomes were counted for 34 species of the family Brassicaceae and for ten Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes. The amplified and sequenced ITS region for 23 taxa (plus six other taxa with known ITS sequences) were aligned and used to infer evolutionary relationship by parsimony analysis. KEY RESULTS: DNA content in the species studied ranged over 8-fold (1C = 0.16-1.31 pg), and 4.4-fold (1C = 0.16-0.71 pg) excluding allotetraploid Brassica species. The 1C DNA contents of ten Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes showed little variation, ranging from 0.16 pg to 0.17 pg. CONCLUSIONS: The tree roots at an ancestral genome size of approximately 1x = 0.2 pg. Arabidopsis thaliana (1C = 0.16 pg; approximately 157 Mbp) has the smallest genome size in Brassicaceae studied here and apparently represents an evolutionary decrease in genome size. Two other branches that represent probable evolutionary decreases in genome size terminate in Lepidium virginicum and Brassica rapa. Branches in the phylogenetic tree that represent probable evolutionary increases in genome size terminate in Arabidopsis halleri, A. lyrata, Arabis hirsuta, Capsella rubella, Caulanthus heterophyllus, Crucihimalaya, Lepidium sativum, Sisymbrium and Thlaspi arvense. Branches within one clade containing Brassica were identified that represent two ancient ploidy events (2x to 4x and 4x to 6x) that were predicted from published comparative mapping studies.