Phylogenetic relationships of Rhododendroideae (Ericaceae)

The Rhododendroideae are usually recognized as a subfamily within Ericaceae. This group has been considered primitive (i.e., occupying the ancestral or basal position relative to all other Ericaceae) due to the occurrence of separate petals in several taxa, deciduous corollas, and septicidally dehiscent capsules. Previous molecular studies using rbcL and nr18s sequences have indicated that Rhododendroideae may be paraphyletic and cladistically derived (i.e., the relative position in the geneology of Ericaceae is not basal). The matK sequences of 42 taxa from traditional Rhododendroideae and potentially related clades were obtained via standard gene amplication and double-stranded dideoxy sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences using Actinidia chinensis as the outgroup indicate that the Rhododendroideae are paraphyletic. Trees obtained in the analyses indicate an expanded rhododendroid clade that includes four major subclades - empetroid, rhodo, ericoid, and phyllodocoid. The ericoid clade is sister to the phyllodocoid clade and the empetroid clade is sister to the rhodo clade. Relationships within the clades are generally well resolved except within the rhodo clade where matK data indicate that Rhododendron is probably paraphyletic. Daboecia and Calluna are included within the ericoid clade; Erica is paraphyletic. Cassiope lies outside the rhododendroid clade. The relationships indicated by the matK data suggest that sympetalous flowers are likely plesiomorphic within rhododendroids.