22The phylogenetic relationships among 76 Avena taxa, representing 14 diploids, 23 eight tetraploids, and four hexaploids were investigated by using the nuclear plastid 24 3-phosphoglycerate kinase gene(Pgk1). A significant deletion (131 bp) was detected 25 in all the C genome homoeologues which reconfirmed a major structural divergence 26 between the A and C genomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the C p genome is 27 more closely related to the polyploid species than is the C v genome. Two haplotypes 28 of Pgk1 gene were obtained from most of the AB genome tetraploids. Both types of 29 the barbata group showed a close relationship with the A s genome diploid species, 30 supporting the hypothesis that both the A and B genomes are derived from an A s 31 genome. Two haplotypes were also detected in A. agadiriana, which showed close 32 relationships with the A s genome diploid and the A c genome diploid, respectively, 33 emphasizing the important role of the A c genome in the evolution of A. agadiriana. 34 Three homoeologues of thePgk1 gene were detected in five hexaploid accessions. 35 The homoeologues that might represent the D genome were tightly clustered with 36 the tetraploids A. marrocana and A. murphyi, but did not show a close relationship 37 with any extant diploid species. 38 42 [5]. The evolutionary history of Avena species has been discussed for decades, and 43 3 remains a matter of debate despite considerable research effort in this field. 44 Cytologically, three ploidy levels are recognized in the genus Avena: diploid, 45 tetraploid, and hexaploid, with a base number of seven chromosomes [6, 7]. The 46 diploids are divided clearly into two distinct lineages with the A and C genomes. All 47 hexaploid species share the same genomic constitution of ACD, corroborated by 48 fertile interspecific crosses among each other, as well as by their similar genome 49 sizes [8]. With less certainty, the tetraploids have been designated as AB or AA, AC or 50 DC, and CC genomes [9]. It is noteworthy that the B and D genomes within the 51 polyploid species have not been identified in any extant diploid species. There are 52 three C genome diploid species, which have been grouped into two genome types 53