DELIMITATION OF EPACRIDACEAE - PRELIMINARY MOLECULAR EVIDENCE

Comparative sequence data for the chloroplast encoded rbcL gene has be en obtained for species representing the basal lineages in the propose d phylogeny of Powell et al. (Annals of Botany 77: 305-315, 1996), wit h the aim of testing the delimitation of the family and the validity o f the supra-generic taxa proposed, and estimating relationships within the family. Cladistic analyses indicate that Epacridaceae sensu Powel l et al. (1996) is not monophyletic. Lebetanthus, a monotypic genus fr om South America commonly placed within the family, mostly near the Ta smanian endemic Prionotes. is shown to be closer to Gaultheria ia and other members of the ericaceous tribe Andromedeae. The hypothetical ph ylogeny of Powell et al. (1996) is evaluated in the light of this prel iminary analysis of relationships within the Family. The data do not s upport the recognition of the two subfamilies, Richeoideae and Epacrid oideae, of Watson (New Phytologist 66: 495-504, 1967). (C) 1996 Annals of Botany Company