HILU, KHIDIR W.1*, THOMAS BORSCH2, VINCENT SAVOLAINEN3, PAMELA S. SOLTIS4, DOUGLAS E. SOLTIS4, MARK W. CHASE3, KAI MULLER2, TRACEY SLOTTA1, MARTYN POWELL3, LARS CHATROU3, JENS G. ROHWER5, HERVE SAUQUET6, PHILIPPE CUENOUD3, CHRISTOPH NEINHUIS2, and LARRY A. ALICE7. 1Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061; 2Botanisches Institut und Botanischer Garten, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitaet Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany; 3Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew TW9 3DS, UK; 4Department of Botany, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-5826; 5Institut fuer Allgemeine Botanik und Botanischer Garten, Universitaet Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany; 6Laboratoire de Biologie et Evolution des Plantes vasculaires, Museum National d Histoire Naturelle, 16 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France; 7Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576. - Angiosperm phylogeny based on matK sequence data.
An angiosperm phylogeny based on sequence information from the
matK gene is presented. Our dataset currently comprises
representatives of most angiosperm lineages (approx. 350 taxa) and was
analyzed using maximum parsimony with gymnosperms as outgroup. The
strict consensus tree is strikingly similar to results of a recent
combined analysis (18S rDNA + rbcL + atpB) both in
topology and high statistical support of many nodes. Amborella
branches first, followed by Nymphaeales and an
Illicium-Austrobaileya-clade. The non-monocot eumagnoliids
(Chloranthales, Magnoliales, Laurales, Winterales, Piperales) appear
next as a monophyletic group. This basal grade is followed by the
monocots forming a sister group to Ceratophyllum. Within
eudicots Ranunculales branch first with the core eudicots
(Saxifragales, Gunnerales, Vitales, Santalales, Berberidopsidales,
rosids, Caryophyllales, asterids) being one of the best supported
major clades (99% bootstrap). A clade of asterids and Caryophyllales
appears as sister to Berberidopsidales. Asterids consist of a well-
supported clade composed of Ericales, Cornales, and euasterids. Within
rosids most of the currently recognized orders gain good support.
Moreover, matK sequences provide good resolution within many of
the orders of angiosperms.
Key words: angisperms, large data sets, matK, molecular systematics, phylogeny