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PHYLOGENETIC PLACEMENT OF PODOLOTUS SUGGESTS INDEPENDENT ORIGIN OF LOMENTACEOUS FRUITS IN CORONILLA AND HIPPOCREPIS (LEGUMINOSAE: LOTEAE)

GALINA V. DEGTJAREVA, TAHIR H. SAMIGULLIN^*, CARMEN M. VALLEJO-ROMAN AND DMITRY D. SOKOLOFF

Abstract: Tribe Loteae has major diversity centres in the Mediterranean region and in California. However, four monospecific genera are restricted to other parts of Africa and Asia. This paper is focused on the monospecific Asian genus Podolotus, which is crucial for understanding evolution of Loteae. Evidence from four DNA markers (nrITS, psbA-trnH, petB-petD and rps16 intron) is used to infer phylogenetic relationships of Podolotus. Analysis of the combined data set strongly suggests that Podolotus is closest to Coronilla. These two genera share several important morphological features but differ in fruit type (dehiscent vs. lomentaceous). Traditionally, Coronilla was thought to be closest to two other genera with lomentaceous fruits, Hippocrepis and Scorpiurus. Our data support the view that lomentaceous fruits evolved in Coronilla independently from all other members of Loteae that bear this fruit type. At least five independent origins of lomentaceous fruits took place in evolution of Loteae. Molecular phylogenetic rooting of the tribe Loteae is discussed.

Botanical Garden, Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow 119991 Russia

*Corresponding author: E-mail : degavi@genebee.msu.su