Molecular phylogenetics of Thlaspi sl (Brassicaceae) based on chloroplast DNA restriction site variation and sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA

Systematics of the genus Thlaspi s.l. is difficult and controversial. Previous hypotheses have been based on morphological and anatomical data. We have analyzed sequence variation of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) among 13 Thlaspi s.l. taxa, representing all sections of the genus. Phylogenetic relationships among ITS sequences of the Thlaspi s.l. taxa studied are in general concordance with a previously published chloroplast DNA based phylogeny of this group. Most-parsimonious trees from ITS and chloroplast DNA data support three groups that are congruent with lineages (Thlaspi s.str., Noccaea-Raparia, Microthlaspi) previously described by Meyer on the basis of seed anatomy. The ITS data grouped Microthlaspi granatense outside the Microthlaspi clade and, therefore, Microthlaspi appeared paraphyletic on the ITS tree, in contrast with the chloroplast DNA phylogeny. We speculate that concerted evolutionary forces have acted among different nrDNA arrays (brought together in M. granatense by hybridization with a related taxon), resulting in the fixation of the alien species nrDNA type in M. granatense, which, however, maintains a Microthlaspi chloroplast genome type. Both molecular data sets detected intraspecific variation among Microthlaspi perfoliatum accessions of different geographic origin and different ploidy levels. Our molecular evidence would suggest the hybrid origin of polyploid M. perfoliatum from diploid M. perfoliatum and M. natolicum.