Authors: W Wang RQ Li ZD Chen
Publish Date: 2005/07/20
Volume: 255, Issue: 1-2, Pages: 41-54
Abstract
Sequences of chloroplast gene rbcL and partial nuclear 26S rDNA were used to evaluate phylogenetic relationships of Asteropyrum Four primary clades were recognized in Ranunculaceae corresponding to subfamilies Hydrastidoideae Coptidoideae Thalictroideae and Ranunculoideae Our results place Asteropyrum in Ranunculoideae sister to the tribe Actaeeae which includes Beesia Cimicifuga and Eranthis This is supported by chromosome characters including chromosome size and basic number and the stainability of prophase chromosomes and interphase nuclei Our results do not support previous placements of Asteropyrum in either Coptidoideae or Thalictroideae Considering its uniqueness in a few characters eg simple peltate leaves accumulating benzylisoquinoline alkaloids vessel elements with only typical scalariform perforation plates we recognize Asteropyrum as a monotypic tribe of Ranunculoideae Asteropyreae W T Wang et C Y Chang
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