Abstract
Ph.D.
Relationships within the Crotalarieae are
explored using DNA sequences (ITS and rbcL) and morphological data and the
monophyly of the various genera is assessed. A literature review of chemical
characters (mainly alkaloids) was needed in order to evaluate the congruence between
molecular, morphological and chemical data and how these patterns should be
interpreted within the context of new generic and suprageneric concepts. The DNA
study was also aimed at confirming the suspected polyphyly of Lebeckia and Lotononis
(as currently circumscribed) and at improving generic circumscriptions. The aim was to
propose and formalize new generic concepts for Lebeckia s.l. and Lotononis s.l. in
order to ensure that all of the resultant genera are monophyletic.