Abstract
The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 18S-26S nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) in seven species and one variety of Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) in Cuba has been sequenced. Although the eight taxa have been taxonomically divided into two subgenera such as Isoloba and Pinguicula with the other species grown in the other regions, and further they are divided into three sections such as Agnata, Discoradix and Homophyllum. The taxa of Pinguicula in Cuba formed a single clade, and it was not consistent with the current taxonomy based on morphology. Six taxa of Pinguicula in Cuba studied have been classified in section Agnata together with Mexican Pinguicula agnata and P. ibarrae, however, they were not ITS-phylogenetically, fully or partially supported by the data. Although the Cuban taxa of Pinguicula were quite different in morphology and life form from each other, they were ITS-phylogenetically close relatives to each other. The species of Pinguicula in Cuba were isolated phytogeographically and ITS-phylogenetically from those in the Southeastern United States and Mexico.
