Phylogenetic relationships among tetraploid species of Bellevalia (Asparagaceae) endemic to south-central Mediterranean

Abstract

In the south-central Mediterranean four tetraploid species of Bellevalia occur: B. dolichophylla, B. galitensis, B. mauritanica, and B. pelagica. Another group of plants, morphologically similar to B. dolichophylla, has been recently recovered in Zembra Island (Tunisia). A phylogenetic reconstruction involving all these tetraploid taxa was performed using both plastidial and nuclear markers (trnL-trnF and ITS, respectively). For all these taxa, an allopolyploid origin involving B. romana and B. dubia is supported. Regarding plants from Zembra, they may fall within the variability of B. dolichophylla.

Keywords:

• Allopolyploidy
• ITS
• Sicily
• trnL-trnF intergenic spacer
• Tunisia

Acknowledgements

The field trips in Zembra (Tunisia) were performed thanks to the contribution of APAL (Coastal protection and planning agency of Tunisia) and of the PIM (Small Mediterranean Island) Initiative coordinated by the Conservatoire du littoral (France).