Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based phylogenetic analysis of Musa

Random genomic probes were used to detect RFLPs in 19 Musa species and subspecies. A total of 89 phylogenetically informative alleles were scored and analyzed cladistically and phenetically. Results were in general agreement with morphology-based phylogenetic analyses, with the following exceptions: our data unambiguously places M. homan in section Australimusa, and indicates M. beccarii is very closely related to M. acuminata. Additionally, no support was found for the separation of section Rhodochlamys from section Musa. A comparison of morphology-based and RFLP-based phylogenetic analyses is presented.