Evolution of rbcL among Lathyrus and Kupicha's classification

Genet Mol Res. 2014 Oct 27;13(4):8729-39. doi: 10.4238/2014.October.27.14.

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships in the Lathyrus genus were examined using cpDNA data, particularly data attributed to the "barcode" rbcL gene to construct a possible evolutionary scenario. Plant barcoding can be used to differentiate between species within a genus and to conserve DNA within the same species. We assessed the phylogeny of 29 species of Lathyrus using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and unweighted pair-group method and arithmetic mean. The classifications did not agree with current morphological and basic Lathyrus classification. Lathyrus belinensis is a new species that was not described by Kupicha; according to rbcL analysis, the species belongs in the Lathyrus genus. Additionally, the genus Lathyrus has undergone a rapid population expansion as indicated by neutral selection indices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Classification / methods
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Lathyrus / classification
  • Lathyrus / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase / genetics*

Substances

  • RbcL protein, plastid
  • Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase