B. Surek et al., RIBOSOMAL-RNA SEQUENCE COMPARISONS DEMONSTRATE AN EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ZYGNEMATALES AND CHAROPHYTES, Plant systematics and evolution, 191(3-4), 1994, pp. 171-181
The nuclear-encoded small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences were
determined for Genicularia spirotaenia, Mesotaenium caldariorum, and S
taurastrum spec. (Zygnematales) to elucidate the evolutionary position
of these green algae. Results of neighbour-joining and maximum parsim
ony phylogenetic analyses support a monophyletic origin of the Zygnema
tales within the evolutionary assemblage defined by the Charophyceae (
sensu MATTOX & STEWART) and land plants. The Zygnematales/Charophyceae
/land plants are evolutionarily distinct from the monophyletic lineage
defined by the Chlorodendrales, Pseudoscourfieldiales, and the Microt
hamniales/Chlorophyceae.