The correct phylogenetic position of Lotus conimbricensis Brot. (Leguminosae, Loteae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences

Abstract

The nrDNA ITS sequence determined in Lotus conimbricensis in a previous phylogenetic study was unusual, in that it was almost identical to those retrieved from the morphologically distinct species L. subbiflorus. In the present study we sequenced new specimens of both species to reassess the phylogenetic position of L. conimbricensis. We conclude that the ITS sequence of L. conimbricensis used in the earlier analyses was most likely erroneous, and in fact L. conimbricensis is not closely related to L. subbiflorus. Critical reexamination of previously published data indicates that several other similar errors may exist for other Lotus species, and these should be checked before taxonomic conclusionsare made.