Phylogenetic Information in the Mitochondrial nad5 Gene of Pteridophytes: RNA Editing and Intron Sequences

Abstract

A conserved coding region of the mitochondrial nad5 gene (1098-1107 bp of protein coding sequence) was amplified from 30 pteridophytes (26 ferns and 4 fern allies). A group II intron sequence conserved in all ferns except the eusporangiate genus Ophioglossum is also present in the whisk fern Psilotum nudum and the lycopod Huperzia selago, but absent from the horsetails (Equisetum), the seed plants and the bryophytes. Phylogenetic trees constructed with different methods consistently suggest several monophyletic units. The conserved group II intron sequence provides valuable additional phylogenetic information. Leptosporangiate ferns are monophyletic with Osmunda as the basal-most branching genus followed by Trichomanes, Matonia and Lygodium. These genera are set distantly apart from other leptosporangiate ferns, including the tree and water ferns, which branch in close proximity. Species of Polypodiaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Aspleniaceae and Blechnaceae appear in a monophyletic crown group of derived leptosporangiate ferns with Dryopteridaceae as a paraphyletic taxon. Placement of Psilotum in a class of its own receives no support from the mitochondrial sequences, which rather suggest its inclusion among eusporangiate ferns (Ophioglossales). RNA editing is required to correct the genetic information of the nad5 gene in all species investigated and includes the removal of stop codons from the reading frames. The influence of RNA editing on phylogenetic tree construction is investigated and discussed.

Key words

Ferns - fern allies - group II intron - molecular phylogeny