Molecular phylogeny of the family Araceae as inferred from the nuclear ribosomal ITS data

The internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA are widely used to infer phylogenetic relationships in plants. In this study, it was obtained the ITS sequences from 24 samples of Araceae in Iran, representing 3 genera: Arum L., Biarum Schott. and Eminium (Blume) Schott. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted by Bayesian inference and maximum Parsimony methods. Cladistic analysis of ITS dataset indicated that all species constituted a monophyletic clade, with no major subclades with robust support. Eminium lehmani Bge., Eminium intortum Banks and Sol. and Eminium alberti Rgl. were considered as outgroups. Biarum and Arum species were placed in a monophyletic clade as sister groups and B. platyspatum Bornm., B. Carduchorum Schott., and B. straussi Engl. were grouped in a monophyletic clade. A. maculatum L., A. giganteum Ghahreman, Some populations of A. conophalloides Schott and A. virescense Stapf. were placed in cluster I. Some populations of A. virescence and A. conophalloides were placed in cluster II, A. kotschyi Boiss. and A. korolkowii L. were placed in cluster III. All these three clades had poor supports. Arum giganteum Ghahreman was introduced as new species in Iran, but in Arum monograph it is mentioned as potentially equivalent to Arum rupicola Boiss. The data obtained from the molecular studies in this research could separate these two species and confirmed previous studies.