Molecular phylogeny and Alpestris group confirmation in Myosotis L. genus based on combined nuclear and chloroplast data

Myosotis L. (Boraginaceae) consists of 15 genera in Iran and distinguished by small, black and smooth nutlets. In order to determination of Myosotis phylogenetic position in generic and subgeneric level, 14 species of Myosotis along with some Cynoglosseae species were used. Matrices consist of chloroplstic rpl32-trnlUAG and combined nrDNAITS - cpDNArpl32-trnlUAG sequences were analyzed by maximum parsimony and Bayesian Inference. Results confirmed the monophyly of the Myosotis genus. Also Strophiostoma and Myosotis subgenera, Myosotis and Exarrhena sections and Myosotis annual species are not monophyletic. Based on chloroplast rpl32-trnlUAG sequences, C, E and F groups are monophyletic. Combined nuclear and chloroplast data showed the monophyly of the six A, B, C, D, E and F groups. Fgroup with numerous diagnostic characters was monophyletic in all data. This group is introduced as a distinct and monophyletic group called “Alpestris group” in Iran, consists of four species, M.asiatica, M.alpestris, M. suaveolens and M. lithospermifolia.