Phylogenetic analysis of the Plagiotheciaceae (Musci) and its relatives based on rbcL gene sequences

Phylogenetic relationships an investigated using nucleotide sequences of th e chloroplast gene, rbcL, for members of the family Plagiotheciaceae and it s relatives. Nucleotide sequences of the rbcL were determined in 32 species (38 samples). In some species small differences in the nucleotide sequence s of rbcL were recognized between the materials from different localities. The phylogenetic tree deduced from the sequences of the rbcL loci indicates the following: (1) pleurocarpous mosses form a monophyletic clade; (2) Pla giothecium is monophyletic; (3) Taxiphyllum is not closely related to Plagi othecium; (4) the family Hypnaceae is paraphyletic; (5) Pylaisiella is hete rogeneous. (C) 1999 Adac/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.