Phylogeny of the genus Potentilla (Rosaceae) in Iran based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F sequences with a focus on leaf and style characters' evolution

Abstract

Te present survey reports maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the genus Potentilla L. inIran using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the trn L-F intergenic region of chloroplast DNA. Atotal of 25 taxa from 9 sections, 2 intersectional hybrids, and 4 related genera of Iranian taxa plus 40 previously sequenced data wereanalyzed for both trn L-F and nrDNA ITS regions. Individual and combined analysis of ITS and trnL/F data revealed monophyly of thegenus Potentilla. Te Potentilla core group was composed of monophyletic subclades of the sections Persicae (T.Wolf) Juz., Potentilla ,Micranthae Sojak. , and Speciosae (T.Wolf) Juz.; unresolved branches of the sections Rivales Poeverl., Aureae (Rydb.) Juz., Terminales,(Döll) Gren. & Godr., and Pensylvanicae Poeverl.; and the American genera Ivesia and Horkelia. Te evolutionary trends of somediagnostic morphological traits were evaluated. Anther structure, and style shape and position evolved independently while multiplegains and parallel evolutions were inferred for leaf division.