Phylogenetic Relationships in Vicia Subgenus Vicilla (Fabaceae) Based on Combined Evidence from DNA Sequences

Abstract

Background: Vicia L. is rich in protein and can be used as a good forage, green manure, etc., but its classification is chaotic, which is not conducive to breeding and utilization. The purpose of the study is sequencing the nrDNA ITS region the chloroplast region (matK, rbcL and trnL-F) of the Vicia species of subgenus Vicilla of Vicia to resolve taxonomic contradictions.Methods: Collecting seeds from the National Herbage Germplasm Conservation Centre of China (Beijing, China) and the germplasm bank of wild species (Kunming, China). The seedlings were cultivated in greenhouse as experimental materials. The nrDNA ITS region and the chloroplast region (matK, rbcL and trnL-F) were sequenced in 17 Vicia species of subgenus Vicilla of Vicia. Maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) for all the data sets were used to estimate the individual and multilocus phylogenetic trees are used in this study and the result showed a highly-resolved phylogeny of the Vicia species. Result: V. amurensis, V. costata and V. tibetica belong to section Vicilla. Sections Cassubicae, Americanae, Variegatae and Lenticula were monophyletic groups. The sections Vicilla, Cracca and Amurense appeared polyphyletic. Treatment of sections Lenticula and Ervumin a separate subgenus Ervum was not supported. The research evaluated the phylogenetic position of the subgenus Vicilla species and provides a theoretical basis for the precise classification of the subgenus Vicilla and the genus Vicia.