Phylogeny of the tribe Cardueae (Compositae) with emphasis on the subtribe Carduinae: an analysis based on ITS sequence data

Abstract

Abstract Haffner, E. & Hellwig, F. H.: Phylogeny of the tribe Cardueae (Compositae) with emphasis on the subtribe Carduinae: an analysis based on ITS sequence data. — Willdenowia 29: 27–39. 1999. — ISSN 0511-9618. The bulk of genera within the Cardueae is placed in the subtribes Carduinae and Centaureinae, which together probably form a monophyletic group. Especially within the Carduinae, the phylogenetic relationships are unclear. The elucidation of generic affinities within the group is of both evolutionary and systematic interest: understanding the basal relationships could give insight in the diversification processes, the place of origin and the relative age of individual subgroups. It would further contribute to clarify subtribal classification, since it is not clear whether the Carduinae are monophyletic or paraphyletic with the segregation of the Centaureinae. Eventually, genus delimitation could be tested in the case of larger complexes of closely related genera. In order to reconstruct phylogene...