Phylogenetic relationships in Anthemis L. (Compositae, Anthemideae) based on nrDNA ITS sequence variation

Sequences of the nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were analys ed for 29 representatives of Anthemis L. and six outgroup taxa of Anthemide ae (Compositae) to study the delimitation and the infrageneric taxonomy of this large and widespread Eurasian and African genus. Species of Anthemis i ncluded all subgenera and sections traditionally used in supraspecific clas sifications of the genus. Maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML), and distance (neighbor joining, NJ) analyses were carried out for phylogene tic reconstructions. The results suggest that the genus, in its traditional circumscription, is not monophyletic due to the consistent placement of a member of Tripleurospermum amidst the Anthemis representatives. Subdivision of Anthemis into two subgenera (A. subg. Anthemis, A. subg. Cota) is suppo rted, with the exception of the placement of A. sect. Chiae and sect. Odont ostephanae which fall outside A. subg. Anthemis. Within A. subg. Anthemis, life form dependent delimitation of A. sect. Anthemis (annuals) against A. sect. Hiorthia (perennials) is not supported, whereas the monophyly of othe r sections (A. sect. Maruta, A. sect. Rascheyanae) is confirmed including t he placement of Ammanthus Boiss. & Heldr. into Anthemis subg. Anthemis.