The phylogenetic position of the endemic flat-needle pine Pinus krempfii (Pinaceae) from Vietnam, based on PCR-RFLP analysis of chloroplast DNA

Pinus krempfii is morphologically very unique as compared to other Pinus sp ecies by having flat leaf-like needles. Its taxonomic position has been pro blematic ever since its discovery. In this study, an attempt was made to in fer the taxonomic status of P. krempfii through restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 12 PCR amplified chloroplast (cp) DNA regions. Ph ylogenetic analysis was conducted using 10 representatives of the two Pinus subgenera: Strobus and Pinus. In addition, to infer the position of P. kre mpfii in Pinaceae in relation with other genera, 14 representatives of eigh t additional genera were included in the analysis. Our cpDNA-based results indicate that: 1) P krempfii clearly belongs to the genus Pinus. This resul t does not favour the creation of a new genus Ducampopinus in Pinaceae for this taxon. 2) Within the genus Pinus, P: krempfii is more allied with spec ies in subgenus Strobus and differs distinctly from species in subgenus Pin us. 3) Despite the similarity in certain morphological and anatomical leaf and wood characters to Keteleeria and Pseudolarix, the cpDNA data do not su pport the hypothesis for close relationship between P. krempfii and these t wo genera.