New data on nrITS phylogeny of Lotus (Leguminosae, Loteae)

Some new nrITS sequences of Lotus are produced and added to the data set analysed ill DEGTJAREVA et al. (2006). Lotus burttii and L. filicaulis are revealed as members of the /Lotus corniculatus clade. Lotus conimbricensis is found to be sister to the entire/Lotus corniculatus clade; the /Lotus pedunculatus clade is more distantly related. The New Caledonian Lotus anfractuosus is closest among species sampled to two Australian endemics, though its molecular divergence is considerable. The NE African Lotus torulosus is close to some other red-flowered species from the same region; it does not group with any other Lotus species with dimorphic leaflets. In general, dimorphic vs. monomorphic leaflets is a quite homoplastic character in Lotus. Molecular divergence is weak within the /Pedrosia clade, where the morphological divergence is especially high. In contrast, molecular divergence is considerable but morphological differentiation is weak in the /Lotus corniculatus clade.