EDDIE, W. M.1*, R. C. HABERLE1, and R. K. JANSEN2. 1Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX78712; 2Blake Centennial Professor and Chair, Integrative Biology, Patterson Labs.141, University of Texas, Austin, TX78712. - The phylogeny of the Campanulaceae inferred from DNA sequences of the chloroplast gene matK.
DNA sequences of the chloroplast gene matK for almost one hundred taxa
of the Campanulaceae were sampled. This analysis was part of an
ongoing study of the Campanulaceae using a variety of molecular
markers, the aim of which is to provide a phylogeny of the family and
ultimately a new classification. A parsimony analysis was performed
and a strict consensus cladogram was obtained. These results were
compared to a similar dataset for the ITS of nuclear ribosomal DNA and
lend additional support for our provisional inferences on the
phylogeny of the Campanulaceae, e.g. the division of the family into
two major groups. These two groups are coincident with the bimodal
distribution of porate and colpate/colporate pollen types. In
addition, the matK data also supports the division of the porate taxa
into two major groups exemplified by the mode of capsule dehiscence,
e.g. wahlenbergioid taxa with typically valvate dehiscence and
campanuloid taxa with porate dehiscence. Furthermore, these results
support the subdivision of the campanuloid taxa into two groups as
shown by the position of the capsule pore, e.g. apical for the
"rapunculoid" taxa and basal for the "Campanula
s.str." taxa.
Key words: Campanulaceae, chloroplast, DNA sequences, matK, molecular, phylogeny