Phylogeny, Life History Evolution and Biogeography of the Rhinanthoid Orobanchaceae

摘要: Rhinanthoid Orobanchaceae form a monophyletic lineage that include the hemiparasitic genera Euphrasia, Melampyrum, Tozzia, Bartsia, Nothobartsia, Odontites (s.l.), Rhinanthus, Rhynchocorys, Parentucellia, Hedbergia and holoparasitic Lathraea. In this study, we aimed to reconstruct phylogeny, evolution of life-history traits (life cycle seed size) explain extant biogeographical patterns in group. For phylogenetic reconstruction, used molecular data obtained by sequencing nuclear ITS region chloroplast trnT-trnL intergenic spacer matK + trnK regions. The genus Melampyrum was found occupy sister position rest other were assembled Rhinanthus-Rhynchocorys-Lathraea Bartsia-Euphrasia-Odontites subclades. reconstruction life-cycle yielded ambiguous results suggesting nonetheless substantially higher likelihood perenniality compared annuality most ancestor lineages. Seed size varied across two orders magnitude (average weight per seed: 0.02–7.22 mg) tended decrease subclade Seed-size correlated with group if generally small-seeded is excluded. We formulated hypotheses relating affinities individual geological history Euro-Caucasian diversity center Notable dispersal events Euphrasia Bartsia hypothesized be allowed or at least facilitated specific combination traits.