Atriplex mollis Desf. (Amaranthaceae), a North African endemic halophytic species, is further described in this study. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined dataset of ITS and ETS rDNA and atpB-rbcL and trnK cpDNA showed that A. mollis is closely related to the Malta- and Gozo-endemic Cremnophyton lanfrancoi Brullo & Pavone. Given this close phylogenetic relationship, A. mollis is also considered among the oldest species of Atriplex, together with C. lanfrancoi. Molecular data also suggest that A. mollis in North Africa, C. lanfrancoi on Malta Island, and Atriplex cana Ledeb. in Eurasian semideserts constitute a separate clade within the tribe Atripliceae. |
