Phylogeny of the Hamamelidaceae based on the ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The phylogeny of Hamamelidaceae was constructed based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the 5.8S coding region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The monophyly of both the Altingioideae and the Hamamelidoideae was strongly supported. The tribe Kamamelideae was, however, shown to be polyphyletic. Loropetalurn of the tribe Hamamelideae formed a monophyletic group with Corylopsis of the tribe Coryopsideae. Hamamelis of the tribe Hamamelideae was closely related to Distylium, Fothergilla and Shaniodennl on of the tribe Fothergilleae. The ITS data supported Endress' treatment of merging the tribes Distylieae and Fothergilleae. Fortuneal ia of the tribe Eustigmateae was phylogenetically basal to the Hamamelis-Fothergilleae monophyletic group. The subfamily AItingioideae was cladistically basal within Hamamelidaceae. Liquidambar of the Altingioideae was paraphyletic and Altingia and Semiliquidambar formed a sister group relationship. Disanthus was highly divergent from other taxa and its subfamiliaI status was supported. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.