Delimitation of Sauropus (Phyllanthaceae) based on plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA Sequence data.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

A recent molecular phylogenetic study showed that Sauropus is deeply embedded within Phyllanthus together with its allies, Breynia and Glochidion. As relationships within Sauropus are still problematic and the relationship with Breynia has long been doubted, more molecular data are needed to test/corroborate such a broad definition of Phyllanthus. This study aims to clarify the status and delimitation of Sauropus and establish its position within Phyllanthaceae.

Methods

Plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA sequence data for Sauropus and its allies were used to construct phylogenetic trees using maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods.

Key results

Within Phyllanthus, Sauropus can be split into the mainly south-east Asian Sauropus sensu stricto

SUBMITTER: Pruesapan K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2712409 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature