title: Molecular phylogenetics, seed morphometrics, chromosome number evolution and systematics of EuropeanElatineL. (Elatinaceae) species.
abstract: The genusElatinecontainsca25 species, all of which are small, herbaceous annuals distributed in ephemeral waters on both hemispheres. However, due to a high degree of morphological variability (as a consequence of their amphibious life-style), the taxonomy of this genus remains controversial. Thus, to fill this gap in knowledge, we present a detailed molecular phylogenetic study of this genus based on nuclear (rITS) and plastid (accD-psaI,psbJ-petA,ycf6-psbM-trnD) sequences using 27 samples from 13 species. On the basis of this phylogenetic analysis, we provide a solid phylogenetic background for the modern taxonomy of the European members of the genus. Traditionally accepted sections of this tree (i.e.,CryptaandElatinella) were found to be monophyletic; onlyE. borchoni-found to be a basal member of the genus-has to be excluded from the latter lineage to achieve monophyly. A number of taxonomic conclusions can also be drawn:E. hexandra, a high-ploid species, is most likely a stabilised hybrid between the main sections;E. campylospermamerits full species status based on both molecular and morphological evidence;E. gussoneiis a more widespread and genetically diverse species with two main lineages; and the presence of the AsianE. ambiguain the European flora is questionable. The main lineages recovered in this analysis are also supported by a number of synapomorphic morphological characters as well as uniform chromosome counts. Based on all the evidence presented here, two new subsections withinElatinellaare described: subsectionHydropiperaconsisting of the temperate species of the section, and subsectionMacropodaeincluding the Mediterranean species of the section.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; MTA-DE "Lendület" Evolutionary Phylogenomics Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sramkó
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; MTA-DE "Lendület" Evolutionary Phylogenomics Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molnár V
authors.affiliation: MTA-DE "Lendület" Behaviourial Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary.
authors.forename: János Pál
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tóth
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary.
authors.forename: Levente
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laczkó
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, Department of Cell Biology, University of Szczecin , Szczecin , Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalinka
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary.
authors.forename: Orsolya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Horváth
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, Department of Cell Biology, University of Szczecin , Szczecin , Poland.
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skuza
authors.affiliation: MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Institute, Department of Tisza Research , Debrecen , Hungary.
authors.forename: Balázs András
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lukács
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany and Nature Conservation, University of Szczecin , Szczecin , Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Popiela
keywords: Character evolution; Elatinella; Hybridization; Hydropipera; Incongruence; Macropodae; Species delimitation; Waterwort