Molecular systematics of Solanum section Lycopersicum (Lycopersicon) using the nuclear ITS rDNA region

The phylogenetic relationships of all nine known tomato species of Solanum section Lycopersicum, together with other Solanum sections and species from several related genera, were investigated using parsimony analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Most parsimonious reconstructions divided the section Lycopersicum into three clades, reflecting their mating behaviour and fruit colour. Data from sequencing studies were congruent with those from morphological and other molecular investigations, and provided detailed information concerning species relationships.