Received: November 26, 2010 Accepted: December 8, 2010
Abstract
Crossosomatales is a recently recognized order in the rosid II clade with about 64 species in eight morphologically distinct families that have been previously classified in as many as 15 other orders. Phylogenetic relationships among the families and genera within Crossosomatales were investigated using chloroplast atpB, matK, and rbcL sequences employing maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. The phylogenetic framework was used to examine the patterns of morphological evolution and synapomorphies for subclades within Crossosomatales. The combined data with representative species from all genera in the order strongly supported monophyly of Crossosomatales. Strong support was found for the families in the Southern Hemisphere, in which Aphloiaceae is sister to the clade of (Geissolomataceae, (Ixerbaceae + Strasburgeriaceae)). The sister relationship between the Southern Hemisphere clade and families distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere was also supported. As in the previous studies, following relationships were found within the Northern Hemisphere clade: Staphyleaceae is sister to a clade of (Guamatelaceae, (Stachyuraceae + Crossosomataceae)). The pattern analysis indicates that evolutionary pattern of morphological characters is complex, requiring multiple changes within Crossosomatales. Several reproductive traits, such as inflorescence, aril, stigma, and conspicuous protrusion from pollen aperture, corroborate the molecular phylogeny.
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