Phylogeny of the order Rodentia inferred from structural analysis of short retrotransposon B1

A large-scale study of short retroposon (SINE) B1 has been conducted in the genome of rodents from most of the known families of this mammalian order. The B1 nucleotide sequences of rodents from different families exhibited a number of characteristic features including substitutions, deletions, and tandem duplications. Comparing the distribution of these features among the rodent families, the currently discussed phylogenetic relationships were tested. The results of analysis indicated (1) an early divergence of Sciuridae and related families (Aplodontidae and Gliridae) from the other rodents; (2) a possible subsequent divergence of beavers (Castoridae); (3) a monophyletic origin of the group Hystricognathi, which includes several families, such as porcupines (Hystricidae) and guinea pigs (Caviidae); (4) a possible monophyletic origin of the group formed by the remaining families, including six families of mouselike rodents (Myodonta). Various approaches to the use of short retroposons for phylogenetic studies are discussed.     

Phylogeny of the order rodentia inferred from structural analysis of short retroposon B1

A large-scale study of short retroposon (SINE) B1 has been conducted in the genome of rodents from most of the known families of this mammalian order. The B1 nucleotide sequences of rodents from different families exhibited a number of characteristic features including substitutions, deletions, and tandem duplications. Comparing the distribution of these features among the rodent families, the currently discussed phylogenetic relationships were tested. The results of analysis indicated (1) an early divergence of Sciuridae and related families (Aplodontidae and Gliridae) from the other rodents; (2) a possible subsequent divergence of beavers (Castoridae); (3) a monophyletic origin of the group Hystricognathi, which includes several families, such as porcupines (Hystricidae) and guinea pigs (Caviidae); (4) a possible monophyletic origin of the group formed by the remaining families, including six families of mouselike rodents (Myodonta). Various approaches to the use of short retroposons for phylogenetic studies are discussed.     

Phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, with particular reference to the embryology of Euphorbiaceae sens. str.

We present phylogenetic analyses of Malpighiales, which are poorly understood with respect to relationships within the order, using sequences from rbcL, atpB, matK and 18SrDNA from 103 genera in 23 families. From several independent and variously combined analyses, a four-gene analysis using all sequence data provided the best resolution, resulting in the single most parsimonious tree. In the Malpighiales [bootstrap support (BS) 100%], more than eight major clades comprising a family or group of families successively diverged, but no clade containing more than six families received over 50% BS. Instead, ten terminal clades that supported close relationships between and among families (>50% BS) were obtained, between, for example, Balanopaceae and Chrysobalanaceae; Lacistemataceae and Salicaceae; and Phyllanthaceae and Picrodendraceae. The monophyly of Euphorbiaceae sens. str. were strongly supported (BS 100%), but its sister group was unclear. Euphorbiaceae sens. str. comprised two basally diverging clades (BS 100%): one leading to the Clutia group (Chaetocarpus, Clutia, Pera and Trigonopleura), and the other leading to the rest of the family. The latter shared a palisadal, instead of a tracheoidal exotegmen as a morphological synapomorphy. While both Acalyphoideae (excluding Dicoelia and the Clutia group) and Euphorbioideae are monophyletic, Crotonoideae were paraphyletic, requiring more comprehensive analyses.     

The middle ear of the skull of birds: the Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes

The anatomy of the middle ear region of the skull is described for the families of the Avian orders Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes. Emphasis is placed on the foramina and paths of the nerves and blood vessels. The morphology of the basicranium and quadrate is also discussed. Comparative analyses of the characters are used to assess taxonomic conclusions.
Extant Pelecaniformes consist of six families, four of which are monogenic: Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Anhingidae and Fregatidae; one is composed of two genera: Sulidae; and the last has three genera: Phalacrocoracidae. Several years ago a relationship was suggested which would ally the Phaethontidae and the Fregatidae. While these families share several non middle ear characters the anatomy of the middle ear is not compatible with any particular relationship. Indeed, several obvious differences are described. The data presented here are consistent with the idea that the Phaethontidae and the Fregatidae each form a separate group of Pelecaniform birds, with the rest of the families forming a third group. Several differences in the middle ear region of the species of Anhingidae suggest that the family may be composed of two genera.
While sharing many Ciconiiform characters the Ciconiidae have been shown not to be as closely related to the Ardeidae as they are to other families of Ciconiiformes. In addition, evidence is presented to support the recent idea that the three species of ibis (I. ibis, I. cinereus and I. leucocephalus ) be united within the genus Mycteria. Also supported is the notion that Balaeniceps is Pelecaniform in character, and not Ciconiiform.     

Phylogeny and Systematics of Multituberculate Mammals

We present a synopsis of high-rank multituberculate systematicsand a manually generated cladogram illustrating multituberculate interrelationships. We divide the Multituberculata into the paraphyletic suborder 'Plagiaulacida', an apparently monophyletic suborder Cimolodonta, and one family incertae sedis. Within 'Plagiaulacida' we recognise three informal lines: paulchoffatiid (three families), plagiaulacid (three families) and allodontid (two families and the genus Glirodon). The Cimolodonta are divided into an informal Paracimexomys group; three superfamilies: Ptilodontoidea, Djadochtatherioidea (new), and Taeniolabidoidea (restricted to Taeniolabididae); and five families (superfamily incertae sedis): Eucosmodontidae, Microcosmodontidae, Cimolodontidae, Boffiidae, and Kogaionidae; and some genera incertae sedis. New characters used in our analysis are (1) a tendency of molar cusps to coalesce; and (2) ornamentation of grooves, pits, and ridges on the molars. We argue that the Ptilodontoidea, and less certainly also the Cimolodontidae and Boffiidae, might have originated from amongthe plagiaulacid line, a possible intermediate link being the Paracimexomys group. The remaining Cimolodonta might have originated from unknown members of the Paracimexomys group with separated molar cusps and smooth enamel. The origin of two types of prismatic enamel and a relationship between them are stumbling blocks in understanding the origin of the Cimolodonta; we conclude that microprismatic enamel made its appearance only once. Revised diagnoses of high-rank multituberculate taxa, including lists of all known genera, are given.     

Molecular and morphological phylogenies of ruminantia and the alternative position of the moschidae

The ruminants constitute the largest group of ungulates, with >190 species, and its distribution is widespread throughout all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Six families are traditionally recognized within the suborder Ruminantia: Antilocapridae (pronghorns), Bovidae (cattle, sheep, and antelopes), Cervidae (deer), Giraffidae (giraffes and okapis), Moschidae (musk deer), and Tragulidae (chevrotains). The interrelationships of the families have been an area of controversy among morphology, palaeontology, and molecular studies, and almost all possible evolutionary scenarios have been proposed in the literature. We analyzed a large DNA data set (5,322 nucleotides) for 23 species including both mitochondrial (cytochrome b, 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (kappa-casein, cytochrome P-450, lactoferrin, and alpha-lactalbumin) markers. Our results show that the family Tragulidae occupies a basal position with respect to all other ruminant families, confirming the traditional view that separates Tragulina and Pecora. Within the pecorans, Antilocapridae and Giraffidae emerge first, and the families Bovidae, Moschidae, and Cervidae are allied, with the unexpected placement of Moschus close to bovids rather than to cervids. We used these molecular results to assess the homoplastic evolution of morphological characters within the Ruminantia. A Bayesian relaxed molecular clock approach based on the continuous autocorrelation of evolutionary rates along branches was applied to estimate the divergence ages between the major clades of ruminants. The evolutionary radiation of Pecora occurred at the Early/Late Oligocene transition, and Pecoran families diversified and dispersed rapidly during the Early and Middle Miocene. We propose a biogeographic scenario to explain the extraordinary expansion of this group during the Cenozoic era.     

System of the class Holothuroidea

Various interpretations of the holothurian system and phylogeny are critically reviewed and the main characters that form the basis of the existing systematics of this group are analyzed. A system of holothurians based on thorough analysis of their morphology and anatomy is proposed. Four subclasses are recognized in the class Holothuroidea: Arthrochirotacea, Synaptacea, Elpidiacea, and Holothuriacea. The subclass Arthrochirotacea includes the extinct Paleozoic order Arthrochirotida. The subclass Synaptacea includes the order Synaptida with two suborders and three families. The subclass Elpidiacea includes the order Elasipodida with four families. The subclass Holothuriacea includes four orders: Aspidochirotida with five families; Dendrochirotida with 15 families (14 extant and one extinct); Molpadiida with three families; Gephyrothuriida with one family and two genera Gephyrothuria and Hadalothuria. The order Gephyrothuriida is re-established. The order Dactylochirotida Pawson et Fell, 1965 is synonymized under the order Dendrochirotida. A new suborder Cucumariina and new family Mesothuriidae are described. The family Vaneyellidae is synonymized under the family Cucumariidae. Four subfamilies are classified as families: Cladolabidae, Sclerothyonidae, Monilipsolidae, and Thyonidiidae.     

Embryology of the Irvingiaceae,a family with uncertain relationships among the Malpighiales

The Irvingiaceae, one of 40 families of the Malpighiales, comprise a small woody family of 10 species in three genera distributed in Old World tropics. Its relationships with other families are unclear, although recent molecular analyses suggest affinities with Linaceae, Caryocaraceae, Erythroxylaceae, and Rhizophoraceae. To gain insight into family relationships, we investigated 63 embryological characters of two previously unstudied African species, Irvingia gabonensis and I. smithii, and compared them with other Malpighiales and the sister group Oxalidales. Embryologically, Irvingia is characterized by the absence of an integumentary tapetum and by having a non-multiplicative inner integument, a multiplicative testa, many discrete fascicles of vascular bundles running in the testa from the raphe to antiraphe (each fascicle comprised several strands arranged in a concentric manner), and a fibrous exotegmen. Comparisons showed that Irvingia did not resemble any of the Linaceae, Caryocaraceae, Erythroxylaceae, Rhizophoraceae, or any of the other malpighialean families for which embryological data are available. The genus rather resembled Huaceae and Connaraceae (Oxalidales) in seed coat structure. However, 18 families (45%) of the Malpighiales are still poorly understood embryologically, and therefore additional studies are required for further critical comparisons.     

从细胞色素b基因序列变异分析中国鲇形目鱼类的系统发育

采用PCR技术获得中国鲇形目鱼类11科24属27个代表种类细胞色素b基因1138bp全序列,比较分析了来自北美洲、非洲的部分鲇形目鱼类同一基因序列,并选取脂鲤目、鲤形目和鲱形目鱼类作外类群,采用Bayesian方法和最大简约法(MP)构建分子系统树。结果表明：(1)鲇形目鱼类细胞色素b基因序列中,与脂鲤目、鲤形目以及鲱形目鱼类相比存在3bp的缺失;(2)鲇形目鱼类各科代表种类形成一单系群;(3)两种建树方法均支持铫科、粒鲇科和钝头鮠科形成一单系群;而胡子鲇科、刀鲇科、海鲇科、鮰科、长臀鮠科、鲢科、鲇科、棘脂鲿科、鲿科形成一大的单系群;但鳗鲇科的系统位置两种建树方法没有取得一致结果;而其中长臀鲍科与北美的鮰科形成姐妹群,胡子鲇、鮰科、鲇科、鲿科和鮡科是较明显的单系群。     

Morphology and phylogenetic interrelationships of the Asteraceae,Calyceraceae, Campanulaceae,Goodeniaceae, and related families (Asterales)

In search for the sister group of the Asteraceae, morphological evidence was assembled for investigating the relationship between the Asteraceae and those families most frequently considered to be their closest relatives, in particular the Calyceraceae, Campanulaceae (along with the frequently included Lobeliaceae, Cyphiaceae, Cyphocarpaceae, and Nemacladaceae), and Goodeniaceae (and the sometimes included Brunoniaceae). Several other families that have been associated with this group of families, the “Asterales-Campanulales-complex,” were also considered: Pentaphragmataceae, Sphenocleaceae, Stylidiaceae, Donatiaceae, Menyanthaceae, and Argophyllaceae. In order to delineate the complex more precisely, another eight putatively related families were also included in the analysis. Cladistic parsimony analysis of 46 morphological and chemical characters for the 23 families was undertaken. Stability of the branches was estimated by the number of extra steps necessary to lose the group, as well as by the number of reweighted extra steps (using rescaled consistency indices) necessary to lose the group (a new approach). The results indicate that there is a monophyletic group of 14 families comprising those of the Asterales-Campanulales-complex as well as Pentaphragmataceae, Sphenocleaceae, Stylidiaceae, Donatiaceae, and Menyanthaceae; this group is recognized as the order Asterales. Within the order, the Asteraceae, Calyceraceae, Brunoniaceae, and Goodeniaceae form one comparatively well-supported clade and the five families of the Campanulaceae sensu lato form another well-supported clade.     

Use of the characters of trophic specialization in the taxonomy of the broad-winged moths (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae,Chimabachidae, Amphisbatidae,Depressariidae)

Trophic specialization of the larvae of Oecophorid moths from the Palaearctic Region is investigated. The former family Oecophoridae (sensu lato) is presently considered a polyphyletic group and is divided into the separate families Oecophoridae sensu stricto (with subfamilies Deuterogoniinae, Oecophorinae and Pleurotinae), Chimabachidae, Amphisbatidae and Depressariidae. Xyloryctidae, Stathmopodidae, Ethmiidae and Autostichidae are also considered as separate families. In these taxa, two main modes of feeding occur: on dead plants and on living plants. The first mode is inhered in Oecophoridae (in subfamily Pleurotinae both the modes are known) and Autostichidae. The family Amphisbatidae occupies an intermediate position as the larvae of Amphisbatini use dead leaves, whereas the larvae of Fuchsiini and Hypercalliini use green plants. The rest of the families associate with living plants. Trophic specialization in the families formerly included in Oecophoridae mostly corresponds to the taxonomic division based mainly on the morphological characters, although some exceptions are known, e. g. feeding of larvae of Carcina quercana (Oecophoridae, Oecophorinae, Carcinini) on living leaves.     

西双版纳地区六种林型地表蜘蛛多样性比较研究

为探索地表蜘蛛多样性及其变化与森林类型和管理方式的关系, 在西双版纳勐仑自然保护区选择热带季节雨林、石灰山季节雨林和山地常绿阔叶林, 在自然保护区附近选择人工纯林、胶茶群落和橡胶林, 共6种林型, 每种林型选择3块样带, 共设置研究样地18块, 分别于2006年12月上旬（雾凉季）、2007年3月下旬（干热季）和2007年7月上旬（雨季）, 以单位地表面积法收集地表蜘蛛的物种组成和数量数据, 并以蜘蛛种类和数量分布为属性进行典范对应分析（CCA）, 探讨不同类型植被与地表蜘蛛多样性的关系。共采集蜘蛛标本9 849头, 用于统计分析的成熟蜘蛛3 119头, 归属于30科, 其中幽灵蛛科、皿蛛科、球蛛科和小密蛛科是地表蜘蛛的优势类群。各林型科的数量为: 热带季节雨林24科, 石灰山季节雨林22科, 山地常绿阔叶林22科, 人工纯林20科, 胶茶群落21科, 橡胶林19科; 各林型特有科数量: 热带季节雨林2科, 山地常绿阔叶林2科, 橡胶林1科; 而仅在雨林中分布的科4个（占全部30个科的13.3%）, 仅在自然林中分布的科6个（20.0%）, 仅在人工林中分布的科1个（3.3%）。从蜘蛛的数量分布看, 个体密度在热带季节雨林显著高于其他5种林型; 橡胶林多样性指数和丰富度指数显著低于3种自然林, 而均匀度指数的最低值也同样在橡胶林出现。CCA分析和聚类分析的结果表明, 6种林型趋于分成2组, 即: 自然林和人工林; 在自然林中两种次生林的相似程度更高; 人工林中人工纯林（非橡胶林）与胶茶群落的相似程度更高。以上结果表明: （1）森林砍伐后种植人工林措施改变了该地区地表蜘蛛群落的物种分布格局; （2）蜘蛛多样性随着人为干扰程度增加有减少的趋势; （3）减少人为干扰和增加植被群落多样性（橡胶林中种植茶树）对保护和恢复物种多样性有重要意义。     

The Phylogeny of the Families Lecanoraceae and Bacidiaceae (Lichenized Ascomycota) Inferred from Nuclear SSU rDNA Sequences

Abstract: The phylogeny of the families Lecanoraceae and Bacidiaceae (Lecanorales, Ascomycota) was investigated using 29 nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences, 9 of which were newly determined. The data set contained 368 variable characters, 234 of which were parsimony-informative. Phylogenetic estimations were performed with maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood optimality criteria. In the most parsimonious and most likely reconstructions, the Bacidiaceae sensu Hafellner 1988 forms a monophyletic group and the Lecanoraceae sensu Hafellner a paraphyletic group. The genera Tephromela and Scoliciosporum appear to belong outside these families. However, the hypothesis that the Lecanoraceae sensu Hafellner is monophyletic cannot be rejected, as indicated by a Kishino-Hasegawa test. Three hypotheses were rejected by Kishino-Hasegawa tests, viz. (1) that the Lecanoraceae and Bacidiaceae together form a monophyletic group; (2) that both the Lecanoraceae (incl. Scoliciosporum ) and Bacidiaceae (incl. Tephromela ) are monophyletic; and (3) that the ascus apex anatomy reflects phylogeny. The suborder Lecanorineae is paraphyletic unless the Stereocaulaceae and Cladoniaceae are included. One or both of the Bacidia and Lecanora types of ascus have probably evolved at least twice.     

Sieve-Element Plastids,Nuclear Crystals and Phloem Proteins in the Zingiberales

The sieve-element characters of 40 species from all families making up the monocotyledon order Zingiberales have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. While phloem-proteins are a typical component of all eight families, the Zingiberaceae are characterized by nondispersive protein bodies derived from nuclear crystals. The sieve-element plastids are of the form-P2cs, i.e. contain cuneate protein crystals (as typical of all monocotyledons) and starch grains, those of the family Musaceae have protein filaments in addition (form-P2cfs). The exclusiveness of the form-P2c(f)s plastids contributed to the homogeneity of the order and its distinctness among other monocotyledon taxa. When diameters of the sieve-element plastids from leaf phloem are compared, in the “banana group” the family averages of the Strelitziaceae and the Lowiaceae have, respectively, maximum and minimum values and are clearly different from those in the Musaceae, the family in which they have been included previously. In the “ginger group”, the family averages of the Zingiberaceae, Costaceae, and Marantaceae are close to the order average, with only Cannaceae having minimum values. A comparison of species averages, however, reduces the size differences between families: the value for Ravenala (Strelitziaceae) is close to those of the five Musaceae tested, and that of Globba (Zingiberaceae) even slightly lower than the species average of Canna.     

The phylogenetic positions of the conifer genera Amentotaxus,Phyllocladus, and Nageia inferred from 18s rRNA sequences

To determine the evolutionary positions of the conifer genera Amentotaxus, Phyllocladus, and Nageia, we obtained 18S rRNA sequences from 11 new taxa representing the major living orders and families of gymnosperms. With the published Chlamydomonas as an outgroup, phylogenetic analyses of our new data and available sequences indicate that (1) the Gnetales form a monophyletic group, which is an outgroup to the conifers, (2) the conifers are monophyletic, (3) Taxaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, and Taxodiaceae form a monophyletic group, (4) Amentotaxus is closer to Torreya than to Cephalotaxus, suggesting that Amentotaxus is better to be classified as a member of Taxaceae, (5) Phyllocladus, Dacrycarpus, Podocarpus, and Nageia form a monophyletic group, and (6) Pinaceae is an outgroup to the other families of conifers. Our finding that Phyllocladus is a sister group of the Podocarpaceae disagrees with the suggestion that the phylloclade of the genus is an ancient structure and that the genus is a terminal taxon within the Podocarpaceae. The genus Nageia is more closely related to Podocarpus than to Dacrycarpus and was derived from within the Podocarpaceae. In conclusion, our data indicate that in conifers, the uniovulate cone occurred independently in Taxacaeae and Cephalotaxaceae, and in Podocarpaceae after the three families separated from Pinaceae, and support the hypothesis that the uniovulate cone is derived from reduction of a multiovulate cone.Correspondence to: S.-M. Chaw     

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in 95 families: differences and similarities between mutation-positive and mutation-negative kindreds

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) describes the condition of a disparate group of families that have in common a predisposition to colorectal cancer in the absence of a premalignant phenotype. The genetic basis of this disease has been linked to mutations in genes associated with DNA mismatch repair. A large proportion of families harbor changes in one of two genes, hMSH2 and hMLH1. Approximately 35% of families in which the diagnosis is based on the Amsterdam criteria do not appear to harbor mutations in DNA-mismatch-repair genes. In this report we present data from a large series of families with HNPCC and indicate that there are subtle differences between families that harbor germline changes in hMSH2 and families that harbor hMLH1 mutations. Furthermore, there are differences between the mutation-positive group (hMSH2 and hMLH1 combined) of families and the mutation-negative group of families. The major findings identified in this study focus primarily on the extracolonic disease profile observed between the mutation-positive families and the mutation-negative families. Breast cancer was not significantly overrepresented in the hMSH2 mutation-positive group but was overrepresented in the hMLH1 mutation-positive group and in the mutation-negative group. Prostate cancer was not overrepresented in the mutation-positive groups but was overrepresented in the mutation-negative group. In age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer, there was no difference between the hMSH2 mutation-positive group and the hMLH1 mutation-positive group, but there was a significant difference between these two groups and the mutation-negative group.     

Position of the genus Azygopterus (Stichaeidae,Perciformes) in the system of the suborder Zoarcoidei as inferred from sequence variation of mitochondrial and nuclear genes

Analysis of sequence variation in the mitochondrial and nuclear genes in Azygopterus corallinus showed that this species was genetically close to the group uniting the representatives of the families Zoarcidae, Neozoarcidae, and Anarhichadidae. The considerable genetic differences between A. corallinus and the members of the family Stichaedae, to which it was assigned earlier, are consistent with the divergence estimates between the other families of the suborder Zoarcoidei (Zaproridae, Ptilichthyidae, Pholidae, Cryptacanthodidae, Bathymasteridae).     

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Families in the Hamamelidae

A cladistic analysis of the families in the Hamamelidae is made in the present paper. As a monophyletic group, the subclass Hamamelidae includes 19 families, namely, the Trochodendraceae, Tetracentraceae, Cercidiphyllaceae, Eupteleaceae, Eucommiaceae, Hamamelidaceae (incl. Rhodoleiaceae and Altingiaceae), Platanaceae, Daphniphyllaceae, Balanopaceae, Didymelaceae, Myrothamnaceae, Buxaceae, Simmondsiaceae, Casuarinaceae, Fagaceae (incl. Nothofagaceae), Betulaceae, Myricaceae, Rhoipteleaceae and Juglandaceae. The Magnoliaceae was selected for outgroup comparison after careful consideration. Thirty-two informative character states were used in this study. Three principles, namely, outgroup comparison, fossil evidence and generally accepted viewpoints of morphological evolution, were used for polarization of the characters. An incompatible number concept was first introduced to evaluate the reliable degree of polarization of the characters and, by this method, the polarization of the three character states was corrected. A data matrix was constructed by the 19 ingroup families and 32 character states. The data matrix was analysed with the Minimal Parallel Evolutionary Method, Maximal Same Step Method (Xu 1989), and Synthetic Method. Three cladograms were constructed and a parsimonious cladogram (Length= 131)was used as the base for discussing the systematic relationships of families in the Hamamelidae. According to the cladogram, the earlist group differented in the subclass Hamamelidae consists of two vesselless wood families, the Trochodendraceae and Tetracentraceae. This result supports the concept proposed by Takhtajan (1987)and Cronquist (1981, 1988)that the Trochodendrales is probably a primitive taxon in the Hamamelidae. As in a clade group, the Cercidiphyllaceae, Eucommiaceae, Balanopaceae and Didymelaceae originated apparently later than the Trochodendrales. The Cercidiphyllaceae diverged earlier in this group, which implies that this family and the Trochodendrales form a primitive group in the subclass. The Cercidiphyllaceae is either placed in Hamamelidales (Cronquist 1981, Thorne 1983), or treated as an independent order (Takhtajan 1987).This analysis suggests that the Cercidiphyllaceae is a relatively isolated taxon, far from the Hamamelidaceae but close to the Trochodendrales in relation. The Eucommiaceae and Didymelaceae are both isolated families and considered as two distinct orders (Takhtajan 1987, Cronquist 1981, 1988).The Balanopaceae is included in the Fagales (Cronquist 1981, 1988) or Pittosporales (Thorne 1983), or treated as a distinct order Balanopales (Takhtajan 1987 ).Obviously the Balanopaceae and Eucommiaceae are not closely related because of the sole synapomorphy (placentation).In fact these four families are more or less isolated taxa and it is probably more reasonable to treat them as independent orders. Cronquist ( 1981, 1988) places the Eupteleaceae, Platanaceae and Myrothamnaceae in the Hamamelidales, while Takhtajan (1987)puts Hamamelidaceae and Platanaceae into the Hamamelidales and treats the Eupteleaceae and Myrothamnaceae as two independent monofamilial orders. These three families are grouped by more synapomorphies (palmateveined, serrate or lobate leaves, deciduous and anemophilous plants)which may indicate their close phylogenetical affinity. A core group of the Hamamelidae includes ten families, among which the Hamamelidaceae originated earlier than the others, so that it is a relatively primitive family. The Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Myricaceae differentiated later than the Hamamelidaceae. The former two are very closely related, and thus thought to be two neighbouring orders by Takhtajan (1987)or included in the Fagales by Cronquist (1981, 1988)and Thorne (1983). The Myricaceae and Fagaceae are connected in the cladogram by only a single synapomorphy (endosperm absent), and therefore the close relationship does not exist between them. The Buxaceae, Simmondsiaceae and Daphniphyllaceae form an advanced group, in which they are weakly linked with each other by only one synapomorphy (pollen grains＜25μm). The Daphniphyllaceae is closely related to the Simmondsiaceae, but the Buxaceae is rather isolated. The Rhoipteleaceae and Juglandaceae share a number of synapomorphies (axile placentation, endosperm absent, embryo larger, fruit indehiscent) , forming a highly specialized group. The opinion that the Juglandales is composed of the Juglandaceae and Rhoipteleaceae(Cronquist 1981; 1988, Lu et Zhang 1990)is confirmed by this analysis. A contrary point of view, which treated them as two distinct orders by Takhtajan (1987), apparently could not be accepted. The Casuarinaceae was regarded as the primitive angiosperm (Engler 1893), but in fact it is a highly reduced and specialized group. It is united with Rhoipteleaceae and Juglandaceae by four synapomorphies, i. e. placentation type, endosperm absent, embryo large and fruit indehiscent. However, the family presents six autapomorphies, and thus the position of the Casuarinaceae as an advanced family is confirmed by this analysis. Finally a strict consensus tree, which represents the phylogenetic relationships of thefamilies in the Hamamelidae, was given as a result of the analysis.