Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the European high mountain endemic Primula sect. Auricula (Primulaceae)

Abstract

In the present study ITS sequence variation of 44 samples representing all 24 species of Primula sect. Auricula was investigated. This analysis was rooted with representatives of all six sections of Primula from Europe and America, two sections of Primula from Asia, and two species of Douglasia. The strict consensus tree of this analysis shows that sect. Auricula is a monophyletic group with 100% bootstrap support. Furthermore, the monophyly of subgen. Auricula containing sect. Auricula, sect. Parryi and sect. Cuneifolia is also supported with 100% bootstrap support. The distribution of sect. Cuneifolia in East Asia and western North America, and of sect. Parryi in western North America only suggests an East Asian origin of sect. Auricula.