The challenge of species delimitation in the diploid-polyploid complex Veronica subsection Pentasepalae.
Mol Phylogenet Evol
; 119: 196-209, 2018 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29162552
ABSTRACT
A reliable taxonomic framework and the identification of evolutionary lineages are essential for effective decisions in conservation biodiversity programs. However, phylogenetic reconstruction becomes extremely difficult when polyploidy and hybridization are involved. Veronica subsection Pentasepalae is a diploid-polyploid complex of ca. 20 species with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 10x. Here, DNA-ploidy level estimations and AFLP fingerprinting were used to determine the evolutionary history, and species boundaries were reviewed in an integrated approach including also previous data (mainly morphology and sequence-based phylogenetic reconstructions). Molecular analyses were performed for 243 individuals from 95 populations, including for the first time all taxa currently recognized within the subsection. Phylogenetic reconstruction identified four main groups corresponding almost completely to the four clusters identified by genetic structure analyses. Multiple autopolyploidization events have occurred in the tetraploid V. satureiifolia giving rise to octoploid entities in central Europe and north of Spain, whereas hybridization is demonstrated to have occurred in several populations from the Balkan Peninsula. Furthermore, our study has established the taxonomic status of taxa, for the most part recovered as monophyletic. Cryptic taxa within the group have been identified, and a new species, Veronica dalmatica, is fully described. This study highlights the implications of polyploidy in species delimitation, and illustrates the importance to conserve polyploid populations as potential sources of diversification due to evolutionary significance of genome duplications in plant evolution.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Poliploidía
/
Veronica
/
Diploidia
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Phylogenet Evol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article