Phylogenetic relationships of Rhododendron section Vireya (Ericaceae) inferred from the ITS nrDNA region

Abstract

Rhododendron L. taxonomy has been tested in recent times by molecular phylogenies based on several DNA regions. Most of these studies have aimed at higher-level relationships, despite the importance of lower ranks, such as sections, to most workers on the genus. Almost one-third of the species of Rhododendron are placed in one of the lepidote (scaly) sections, section Vireya (Blume) Copel.f. Results of phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region (ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2) for the genus Rhododendron, with sampling concentrated on section Vireya, are presented. The results of Bayesian and parsimony analyses were predominantly congruent. Subgenus Rhododendron is inferred to be monophyletic, while two ..