Controversial taxonomy of Strumariinae (Amaryllidaceae) investigated by nuclear rDNA (ITS) sequences 1. Hessea, Namaquanula, Kamiesbergia, and Dewinterella

Two opposing opinions concerning the generic differentiation of Amaryllidac eae subtribe Strumariinae two taxonomic opinions were published in the last decade. According to Muller-Doblies and Muller-Doblies (1985, 1994) the St rumariinae includes eight genera, among them Hessea, Namaquanula, and Dewin terella. Snijman (1991) described the new genus Kamiesbergia and accepted N amaquanula (1992). Of the entire complex she recognized only Hessea (Snijma n 1994). The section Myophila was simultaneously described as the genus Dew interella by Muller-Doblies and Muller-Doblies. The possible phylogenetic relationships of eight species belonging to these taxa are estimated from the sequences of the ITS regions of the 18S-25S rD NA. Two species of Nerine are used as the outgroup. The sequences of these taxa are analyzed with maximum parsimony, distance, and maximum likelihood methods. In all phylogenetic reconstructions Namaquanula is confirmed to be an independant clade aside from all other six species of the Strumariinae. In this group Hessea and Dewinterella turn out to be sister groups. Hessea stenosiphon (subgenus Kamiesbergia) is the sister taxon of H. breviflora.