Generic realignment in primuloid families of the Ericales s.l.: A phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences from three chloroplast genes and morphology

The phylogenetic interrelationships in Primulaceae, Myrsinaceae, and Theoph rastaceae were investigated using DNA sequence data from the chloroplast ge nes atpB, ndhF, and rbcL. The three genes were analyzed separately, togethe r and in combination with morphology, using parsimony jackknifing. The sequ ence data are further explored by analyses of first and second codon positi on only, third positions only, and transversions only. The results show tha t all codon positions contribute group support to the ndhF tree, whereas th ird codon positions provide most of the structure in the atpB and rbcL tree s. Analyzed separately, transversions in atpB and rbcL have little structur e, whereas in ndhF they produce a well-resolved tree. We conclude that the most informative and robust results are obtained from analyses with all cod on positions included and that the tree resulting from the combined analysi s of ail available data provides the best estimate of phylogeny. The results show that Maesa is sister to all other taxa from the three fami lies. Theophrastaceae are well supported, but both Myrsinaceae and Primulac eae are paraphyletic. We conclude that four families should be recognized, Maesaceae, Theophrastaceae, Primulaceae, and Myrsinaceae. For all families to be monophyletic, Samolus was transferred to Theophrastaceae, and Lysimac hia, Anagallis, Trientalis, Glaux, Asterolinon, and Pelletiera were moved t o the Myrsinaceae together with the genera Coris, Ardisiandra, and Cyclamen .