XVI International Botanical Congess

Our goal is to assess generic and tribal concepts based on phylogenies inferred from sequence analysis of 2 sets of DNA sequences: chloroplast-encoded rbcL and the nuclear large-subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Congruence largely exists between the phylogenies derived from both molecular datasets. Whereas parsimony analyses for the most part support the monophyly of various Groups as currently circumscribed (Cryptopleura-group, Myriogrammeae, Schizoserideae), they point to the polyphyly of others (Delesseria-Group, Phycodrys-Group). Phylogenetic inter-relationships between Groups are poorly resolved, possibly reflecting a history of rapid radiation. We will correlate molecular-based phylogenies with developmental morphological data from representative taxa worldwide, and discuss preliminary biogeographic hypotheses for the family.