Systematic implications of chloroplast DNA VARIATION IN <i>J</i><i>altomata</i> and selected physaloid genera (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Chloroplast DNA restriction site data were used to assess relationships among the solanaceous genera Jaltomata, Hebecladus. Old and New World Physalis, Chamaesaracha, Leucophysalis, Margaranthus, Nicandra , and Saracha , and to assess interspecific relationships within Jaltomata. Cladograms rooted with Nicotiana tabacum were constructed with Wagner and Dollo parsimony. Strict consensus trees indicate that Hebecladus originated from within Jaltomata ; together these genera are monophyletic and constitute the recently circumscribed genus Jaltomata. There are two primary clades in Jaltomata: one a morphologically diverse group confined to western (largely Andean) South America, the Greater Antilles, and the Galapagos Islands; and the other a morphologically homogeneous group widely distributed from the southwestern United States to Bolivia. The controversial Leucophysalis viscosa , formerly treated as Jaltomata viscosa , is related to Leucophysalis, Physalis, Chamaesaracha , and Margaranthus ; it does not group with any of the sampled species of Jaltomata. Physalis appears to be polyphyletic since P. alkekengi of the Old World branches off prior to a clade including Chamaesaracha, Margaranthus , and the two New World Physalis species sampled.