ABSTRACT--Andropogoneae
is a monophyletic tribe of 85 genera that includes Zea and Sorghum.
All members exhibit C4 photosynthesis and have inflorescences of paired
spikelets. Previous studies of the chloroplast gene ndhF and
the
nuclear gene GBSSI identified numerous mutations that distinguish
genera
of the tribe but do not indicate relationships among them; the deep
branches
of the trees are quite short. Here we add newly collected data from
phytochrome
B to the data from the other two genes. The same pattern holds, with
very
short branches along the backbone of the tree indicating that the tribe
resulted from rapid radiation. The phylogeny shows a single origin of a
disarticulating rachis, which is a synapomorphy for the tribe. We find
strong support for a core Andropogoneae that includes Andropogon,
Bothriochloa,
Capillipedium, Cymbopogon, Dichanthium,
Heteropogon,
Hyparrhenia, and Schizachyrium and support for its
relationship
with an expanded Saccharinae that includes Microstegium. The combined
data
reject the monophyly of subtribes Andropogoninae and Anthistiriinae and
provide evidence that subtribes Sorghinae, Saccharinae, and
Rottboelliinae
are para-or polyphyletic, as is the traditional Maydeae. A relationship
with Zea and Tripsacum is indicated for Elionurus,
while Chionachne and Phacelurus are shown to diverge
early
in the history of the tribe. Arundinella hirta and Arundinella
nepalensis can be included in an expanded Andropogoneae.