Phylogenetics and taxonomic delimitation of the genus Guizotia (Asteraceae) based on sequences derived from various chloroplast DNA regions

Parsimony-based phylogenetic analyses of the genus Guizotia were undertaken based on DNA sequence data from the following chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions: trnT-trnL, trnL-trnF, trnY-rpoB, trnC-petN, psbM-trnD and rps16-trnQ intergenic spacers, trnL, rps16 and matK-5′trnK introns and matK gene. Out of the 26 primers used in this study, 14 were newly designed. The study was conducted to determine (1) the closest relative of Guizotia abyssinica, (2) the taxonomic status of some Guizotia taxa and (3) the subtribal placement of Guizotia in the tribe Heliantheae. The analyses of the sequence data showed that G. abyssinica, G. scabra ssp. scabra, G. scabra ssp. schimperi and G. villosa are phylogenetically closely related. However, G. scabra ssp. schimperi appeared as the most closely related taxon to G. abyssinica. Based on this phylogenetic analysis, we suggest that the two subspecies of G. scabra are better treated as separate species. The analysis also clearly demonstrated that “Chelelu” and “Ketcha” are distinct Guizotia species. The trnT-trnL and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer-based phylogenetic analysis of various subtribes of the tribe Heliantheae strongly supports the placement of the genus Guizotia within the subtribe Milleriinae.