Molecular phylogenetics of an aquatic plant lineage, Potamogetonaceae

  1. Charlotte Lindqvist1,*,
  2. Jan De Laet2,
  3. Robert R. Haynes3,
  4. Lone Aagesen4,
  5. Brian R. Keener3,5,
  6. Victor A. Albert1

Article first published online: 9 OCT 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-0031.2006.00124.x

Issue

Cladistics

Cladistics

Volume 22, Issue 6, pages 568–588, December 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lindqvist, C., De Laet, J., Haynes, R. R., Aagesen, L., Keener, B. R. and Albert, V. A. (2006), Molecular phylogenetics of an aquatic plant lineage, Potamogetonaceae. Cladistics, 22: 568–588. doi: 10.1111/j.1096-0031.2006.00124.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, PO Box 1172 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway

  2. 2

    Leuvenstraat 20, B-3020 Veltem-Beisem, Belgium

  3. 3

    Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA

  4. 4

    Instituto de Botánica Darwinion, C.C. 22, 1642 San Isidro, Argentina

  5. 5

    Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL 35470, USA

* * E-mail address:charlotte.lindqvist@nhm.uio.no

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 OCT 2006
  2. Article first published online: 9 OCT 2006
  3. Accepted 7 June 2006

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Abstract

Like most aquatic plants, the pondweeds (Potamogetonaceae) are among the most phenotypically reduced and plastic of all angiosperms. As such, hypotheses of structural homology present difficulties for morphological phylogenetic reconstruction. We used non-coding nuclear and plastid DNA data to address Potamogetonaceae relationships and accompanying issues in character evolution and biogeography. Genera currently assigned to Potamogetonaceae, plus Zannichellia, formed a strongly supported monophyletic group. Potamogeton and Stuckenia (Potamogeton subg. Coleogeton) were both resolved as monophyletic. Within Potamogeton proper, two major clades followed the traditional split between broad- and narrow-leaved species, with the latter condition optimized as basal. Heterophylly (submerged plus floating leaves) has evolved several times, and the ancestral distribution for Potamogeton appears to be Northern Hemispheric. Our phylogenetic results have provided a useful genetic framework from which to interpret morphological, cytological and biogeographical evolution.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2006.

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