Molecular phylogeny of Atripliceae (Chenopodioideae, Chenopodiaceae): Implications for systematics, biogeography, flower and fruit evolution, and the origin of C4photosynthesis

 Premise of the study : Atripliceae (Chenopodiaceae), including Atriplex (300 spp.) as the largest genus of the family, are an ecologically important group of steppes and semideserts worldwide. Relationships in Atripliceae are poorly understood due to obscure and potentially convergent morphological characters.  Methods : Using sequence variation of two chloroplast markers ( rbcL gene, atpB-rbcL spacer) and one nrDNA marker (ITS) analyzed with BEAST, we investigated the systematics and biogeography of Atripliceae. We surveyed fl ower morphology and fruit anatomy to study the evolution of fland fruits in the tribe.  Key results : Female fl owers with persistent foliar cover (the diagnosti…