Molecular phylogenetics of Eurasian Aster

The classification and phylogeny of Eurasian (EA) Aster remain poorly resolved. Li et al. use nrDNA ITS, and ETS and cpDNA trnL-F sequences to delimit EA Aster sensu stricto and to elucidate phylogenetic relationships of the species and its segregate genera. The results show that EA Aster s.s. is both paraphyletic and polyphyletic, with ten genera that should be included within Aster whilst many well-recognized species of Chinese Aster s.s. should be treated as segregate genera. The recircumscribed Aster is proposed to be divided into two subgenera and nine sections.