A molecular phylogenetic approach to western North America endemic Artemisia and allies (Asteraceae): Untangling the sagebrushes

Abstract

Premise of the study: Artemisia subgenus Tridentatae plants characterize the North American Intermountain West. These are landscape-dominant constituents of important ecological communities and habitats for endemic wildlife. Together with allied species and genera (Picrothamnus and Sphaeromeria), they make up an intricate series of taxa whose limits are uncertain, likely the result of reticulate evolution. The objectives of this study were to resolve relations among Tridentatae species and their near relatives by delimiting the phylogenetic positions of subgenus Tridentatae species with particular reference to its New World geographic placement and to provide explanations for the relations of allied species and genera with the subgenus with an assessment of their current taxonomic placement.

Citation

Garcia, Sonia; McArthur, E. Durant; Pellicer, Jaume; Sanderson, Stewart C.; Valles, Joan; Garnatje, Teresa. 2011. A molecular phylogenetic approach to western North America endemic Artemisia and allies (Asteraceae): Untangling the sagebrushes. American Journal of Botany. 98(4): 638-653.