PHYLOGENETIC-RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CAMPANULALES BASED ON RBCL SEQUENCES

Phylogenetic relationships within the angiosperm order Campanulales we re investigated by comparative sequencing of the chloroplast gene rbcL . Complete rbcL sequences were obtained for ten species in six familie s within the order. These data were analyzed along with previously pub lished rbcL sequences from other taxa (for a total of 117 species) wit hin the subclass Asteridae and outgroups, producing 32 equally parsimo nious trees. A subset consisting of 44 of these taxa was then chosen a nd more rigorous analyses performed, resulting in four equally parsimo nious trees. Results indicate that two major clades roughly correspond ing to traditionally circumscribed Asterales and Campanulales exist as sister taxa. In particular, the rbcL trees indicate that Sphenoclea i s not a member of Campanulales or Asterales, that Pentaphragma is more closely allied to Asterales than Campanulales, that the Cyphiaceae ar e not monophyletic, that Campanulaceae and Lobeliaceae are not sister taxa, and that Stylidiaceae are correctly placed within Campanulales.