A phylogenetic analysis of the plastid matK gene with emphasis on Melanthiaceae sensu lato

The presented matK tree primarily agrees well with the previously presented rbcL tree and combined rbcL + atpB + 18SrDNA tree. According to the matK tree, the monocotyledons are monophyletic with 100% bootstrap support. Acorus diverges first from all other monocotyledons (90% bootstrap support) in which two major clades are recognized: one (89%) consisting of Alismatanae and Tofieldia (Nartheciaceae), and the other (< 50%) comprising Lilianae, Commelinanae and Nartheciaceae other than Tofieldia. Within the latter major clade, Petrosavia and Japonolirion (Nartheciaceae) (82%) diverge first from the remaining taxa (< 50%) in which two clades are formed: one (81%) consisting of Pandanales, Dioscoreales and Nartheciaceae-Narthecioideae, and the other (< 50%) comprising Liliales, Asparagales and Commelinanae. In the former dade, Dioscoreales and Narthecioideae are grouped together (88%). In the latter clade, Asparagales and Commelinanae are grouped together (< 50%), Differences between the matK and rbcL tree topologies appear in the positions of Tricyrtis (Calochortaceae) and Dracaenaceae. Differences between the matK and combined rbcL + atpB + 18SrDNA tree topologies exist in the positions of the Petrosovia-Japonolirion pair (Nartheciaceae) and Pandanales. The stop codon position of the matK gene appears to be highly variable among the monocotyledons, especially in the Liliales.