A phylogenetic study of Pimelea and Thecanthes (Thymelaeaceae): evidence from plastid and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data

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Contents Vol 23(4)

doi:10.1071/SB09002

A phylogenetic study of Pimelea and Thecanthes (Thymelaeaceae): evidence from plastid and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data

M. Cynthia Motsi ^A ^F, Annah N. Moteetee ^A, Angela J. Beaumont ^B, Barbara L. Rye ^C, Martyn P. Powell ^D, Vincent Savolainen ^D ^E, Michelle van der Bank ^A

^A Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.
^B School of Biological & Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
^C Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Australia.
^D Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot SL5 7PY, UK.
^E Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3DS, UK.
^F Corresponding author. Email: molebohengc@yahoo.com





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Australian Systematic Botany 23(4) 270–284 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SB09002
Submitted: 13 January 2009 Accepted: 15 June 2010 Published online: 31 August 2010

Abstract

A comprehensive molecular study, using sequence data from nuclear ITS rDNA and plastid rbcL and matK exons, rps16 intron, and the trnL-F intronic and intergenic spacer, was used to assess the taxonomic status of Thecanthes Wikstr., and to evaluate the relationships within Pimelea Banks & Sol. ex Gaertn. and Thecanthes (Thymelaeaceae). Both genera are Australasian and they constitute the subtribe Pimeleinae, which is characterised by a reduction to two stamens. Previous studies indicated a close relationship among Pimelea, Thecanthes and Gnidia L. species from tropical Africa. We conclude that Pimelea and Thecanthes form a strongly supported clade, with Thecanthes possibly included within Pimelea, although we await further data before formally proposing a series of new taxonomic combinations.