Abstract Detail

Systematics Section / ASPT

Leebens-Mack, Jim [5], dePamphilis, Claude W. [5], Raubeson, Linda A. [2], Cui, Liying [5], Boore, Jeffrey [3], Kuehl, Jennifer V. [3], Piffanelli, Pietro [4], Chumley, Tim [1], Jansen, Robert K. [1].

Comparative analysis of new monocot chloroplast genome sequences provides insights into grass cpDNA evolution.

Complete chloroplast genomes have been sequenced for Acorus americanus (Acoraceae), Yucca schidigera (Agavaceae), Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) and Typha latifolia (Typhaceae). These are the first chloroplast genome sequences for monocot taxa outside of the Poaceae. Comparisons of these nucleotide sequences with those available for the Poaceae (Triticum aestivum, Oryza sativa and Zea mays) revealed striking differences in substitution rates and patterns of molecular evolution in both coding and non-coding regions. Inclusion of the non-grass monocot chloroplast gene sequences in phylogenetic analyses of all complete land-plant chloroplast genomes resulted in the correct placement of the Poaceae alleviating a long branch attraction problem in previous chloroplast genome analyses involving the grasses. Changes in gene order and inverted repeat boundaries were also observed. These results indicate the utility of complete chloroplast genome sequences for investigations of molecular evolution and accurate reconstruction of deep nodes in angiosperm phylogenies.

1 - University of Texas at Austin, Section of Integrative Biology, 1 Universiy Station, #A6700, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
2 - Central Washington University, Department of Biological Sciences, MS 7537, Ellensburg, Washington, 98926-7537, USA
3 - DOE Joint Genome Institute, Department of Evolutionary Genomics, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, California, 94598, USA
4 - CIRAD-AMIS, Biotrop, 34398 Montpellier, Cedex 5, , France
5 - Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biology, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802

Keywords:
plastid genome evolution
phylogenetic inference
monocots.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 58-11
Location: Cottonwood B (Snowbird Center)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 4:15 PM
Abstract ID:825