Phylogenetic analysis of Vitaceae based on plastid sequence data

M.Sc.Five plastid regions as source for phylogenetic information were used to investigate the relationships among ten genera of Vitaceae. These comprised the tmL intron, trnL-F intergenic spacer, rpL16 intron, rbcL gene and accDpsa/ spacer. Congruent results were obtained between separate, combined and Bayesian analysis with all four major clades being shared among trees. All bootstrap consensus trees obtained from single sequences or combined analysis suggest that Vitaceae is a monophyletic group with Leea weakly supported as sister to Vitaceae. The results presented provide novel insights into the relationships within ten Vitaceae genera and suggest direction for further studies