Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Melaleuca, Callistemon and related genera (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

To resolve the relationships of taxa within the Beaufortia suballiance (Myrtaceae), 72 ingroup taxa were analysed by parsimony methods and nrDNA sequence data from the 5S and ITS-1 ribosomal DNA spacer regions. Although basal nodes in the consensus tree (combined data set) are not supported by bootstrap or jackknife values, a number of clades are well supported, showing that Melaleuca is polyphyletic. Monophyletic groups include: endemic species of Melaleuca from New Caledonia (including species of Callistemon recently transferred to Melaleuca); the tropical Melaleuca leucadendra group; Australian species of Callistemon, which relate to species of Melaleuca predominantly from the South-East;..