Blanca M Rojas-Andrés1,2,3, Nélida Padilla-García1,2, Manuel de Pedro1,4, Noemí López-González1,2, Luis Delgado1, Dirk C Albach5, Mariana Castro6, Sílvia Castro6, João Loureiro6, M Montserrat Martínez-Ortega1,2. 1. Departamento de Botánica, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. 2. Biobanco de ADN Vegetal, University of Salamanca, Edificio Multiusos I+D+i, Calle Espejo s/n, Salamanca, Spain. 3. Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics & Herbarium (LZ), Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany. 4. CREAF, E-08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain. 5. Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU), AG Plant Biodiversity and Evolution, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany. 6. CFE, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas s/n, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The distribution of cytotypes and its potential correlation with environmental variables represent a cornerstone to understanding the origin and maintenance of polyploid lineages. Although many studies have addressed this question in single species at a regional scale, only a few have attempted to decipher this enigma in groups of closely related species at a broad intercontinental geographical scale. Here, we consider approx. 20 species of a diploid-polyploid complex (Veronica subsect. Pentasepalae) of recent and rapid diversification represented in Europe and North Africa to study the frequency and distribution of cytotypes and their relationship to environmental variables. METHODS: A total of 680 individuals (207 populations) were sampled. Ploidy levels were determined using flow cytometry. Ecological differentiation among cytotypes was tested using climatic and environmental variables related to temperature, precipitation, vegetation and biogeographical region, among others, and by performing univariate and multivariate (constrained principal coordinates analysis) analyses. KEY RESULTS: Four ploidy levels (2x, 4x, 6x and 8x) were found and genome downsizing was observed to occur within the group. Plants of different ploidy level are ecologically differentiated, with hexaploids and octoploids occurring in wetter and colder habitats with a higher seasonality than diploids. A south to north distribution pattern was found, with diploids occupying southern refugial areas and octoploids being more frequent in northern regions of Europe above the permafrost boundary. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of cytotypes can be explained by ecological differentiation, the geographical position of refuge areas during the Quaternary climatic oscillations as well as by ice and permafrost retreat patterns. The Balkan Peninsula constitutes the most important contact zone between cytotypes. This work provides the first comprehensive ploidy screening within V. subsect. Pentasepalae at a broad scale and indicates that polyploidy and genome downsizing might have contributed to the colonization of new habitats in a recently diverged polyploid complex.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The distribution of cytotypes and its potential correlation with environmental variables represent a cornerstone to understanding the origin and maintenance of polyploid lineages. Although many studies have addressed this question in single species at a regional scale, only a few have attempted to decipher this enigma in groups of closely related species at a broad intercontinental geographical scale. Here, we consider approx. 20 species of a diploid-polyploid complex (Veronica subsect. Pentasepalae) of recent and rapid diversification represented in Europe and North Africa to study the frequency and distribution of cytotypes and their relationship to environmental variables. METHODS: A total of 680 individuals (207 populations) were sampled. Ploidy levels were determined using flow cytometry. Ecological differentiation among cytotypes was tested using climatic and environmental variables related to temperature, precipitation, vegetation and biogeographical region, among others, and by performing univariate and multivariate (constrained principal coordinates analysis) analyses. KEY RESULTS: Four ploidy levels (2x, 4x, 6x and 8x) were found and genome downsizing was observed to occur within the group. Plants of different ploidy level are ecologically differentiated, with hexaploids and octoploids occurring in wetter and colder habitats with a higher seasonality than diploids. A south to north distribution pattern was found, with diploids occupying southern refugial areas and octoploids being more frequent in northern regions of Europe above the permafrost boundary. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of cytotypes can be explained by ecological differentiation, the geographical position of refuge areas during the Quaternary climatic oscillations as well as by ice and permafrost retreat patterns. The Balkan Peninsula constitutes the most important contact zone between cytotypes. This work provides the first comprehensive ploidy screening within V. subsect. Pentasepalae at a broad scale and indicates that polyploidy and genome downsizing might have contributed to the colonization of new habitats in a recently diverged polyploid complex.
Authors: Katharina E Bardy; Dirk C Albach; Gerald M Schneeweiss; Manfred A Fischer; Peter Schönswetter Journal: Mol Phylogenet Evol Date: 2010-07-13 Impact factor: 4.286
Authors: Pol Fernández; Oriane Hidalgo; Ana Juan; Ilia J Leitch; Andrew R Leitch; Luis Palazzesi; Luca Pegoraro; Juan Viruel; Jaume Pellicer Journal: Plants (Basel) Date: 2022-05-02
Authors: Daniele Buono; Gulzar Khan; Klaus Bernhard von Hagen; Petr A Kosachev; Eike Mayland-Quellhorst; Sergei L Mosyakin; Dirk C Albach Journal: Front Plant Sci Date: 2021-02-01 Impact factor: 5.753