| Abstract Detail
Recent Topics Posters Hinojosa-Espinosa, Oscar [1], Schiavinato, Dario [2], Potter, Daniel [3]. An ITS phylogeny of the marigolds (Tagetes L., Asteraceae). The genus Tagetes includes about 50 species, all native to the New World. Some species are widely cultivated, notably the marigold (T. erecta) and many species are used as medicines, spices, and in rituals. These uses are related to the essential oils that the plants store in secretory cavities in their foliage. Despite several taxonomic contributions, there are still species complexes in need of much work. Moreover, comprehensive phylogenetic studies of Tagetes using molecular data have not been conducted yet. Here we present results of phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences sampling almost 50% of the species of Tagetes. The genus is resolved as a clade with Hydropectis as sister to Tagetes. A wild form of T. erecta is resolved as sister to the cultivated species T. patula, which is often treated as a synonym of the former. Tagetes lunulata, often considered closely related to T. erecta, is resolved in a different clade. Some other subclades are also strongly supported, such as one composed of mostly subaquatic and riparian species with an anise-like scent. It is necessary to sample the missing species to obtain a better understanding of the phylogeny of Tagetes, which will also allow to postulate more robust evolutionary hypotheses, such as divergence times and character evolution, as well as to guide the search for medicines or other desirable traits from the closest wild relatives of the cultivated species.
1 - 3009 Mercedes Av, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
2 - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomia, Catedra de Botanica Sistematica, Av. San Martin 4453, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
3 - DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES MAIL STOP 2, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Keywords:
none specified
Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Number: PRT016
Abstract ID:1317
Candidate for Awards:None |
