MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF ROCHELIA (BORAGINACEAE) BASED ON NRDNA ITS AND CPDNA TRNL-F SEQUENCES

We here present molecular phylogeny of the genus Rochelia (Boraginaceae-Eritrichieae). A total of 8 species of Rochelia and 2 species of Lappula as outgroups were included in analyses using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F separately and in combination. To examine evolutionary trend of morphological characters, we mapped six diagnostic characters on the combined tree using MacClade 4. The analyses revealed that sect. Rochelia due to inclusion of the monotypic section Cryptocarpa (Rochelia cardiosepala) is not monophyletic. Likewise, its subsections, Rochelia and Pedunculares are paraphyletic. Rochelia persica and R. disperma along with R. cancellata of the monospecific subgenus Neo-Rochelia, as unresolved branches, were sisters to the remaining species. One of six diagnostic characters examined (non-hamate tip of calyx hairs) had evolved as reversal in both R. persica and R. bungei and the other one (nutlets completely clasping the adaxial part of gynobase) had undergone parallel evolution between R. cancellata plus R. peduncularis and R. cardiosepala. Based on the present molecular analyses, the current infrageneric classification of Rochelia, at least at the sectional and subsectional level based upon traditional morphological characters is artificial.