Evolution of the Sabulina verna group (Caryophyllaceae) in Europe: A deep split, followed by secondary contacts, multiple allopolyploidization and colonization of challenging substrates

0577128 - BÚ 2024 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Lipánová, Veronika - Nunvářová Kabátová, K. - Zeisek, Vojtěch - Kolář, Filip - Chrtek, Jindřich
Evolution of the Sabulina verna group (Caryophyllaceae) in Europe: A deep split, followed by secondary contacts, multiple allopolyploidization and colonization of challenging substrates.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Roč. 189, December (2023), č. článku 107940. ISSN 1055-7903. E-ISSN 1095-9513
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : evolution * polyploidisation * Sabulina
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 4.1, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107940

One of the major goals of contemporary evolutionary biology is to elucidate the relative roles of allopatric and ecological differentiation and polyploidy in speciation. In this study, we address the taxonomically intricate Sabulina verna group, which has a disjunct Arctic–alpine postglacial range in Europe and occupies a broad range of ecological niches, including substrates toxic to plants. Using genome-wide ddRAD sequencing combined with morphometric analyses based on extensive sampling of 111 natural populations, we aimed to disentangle internal evolutionary relationships and examine their correspondence with the pronounced edaphic and ploidy diversity within the group. We identified two spatially distinct groups of diploids: a widespread Arctic–alpine group and a spatially restricted yet diverse Balkan group. Most tetraploids exhibited a considerably admixed ancestry derived from both these groups, suggesting their allopolyploid origin. Four genetic clusters in congruence with geography and mostly supported by morphological traits were recognized in the diploid Arctic–alpine group. Tetraploids are split into two distinct and geographically vicariant groups, indicating their repeated polytopic origin. Furthermore, our results also revealed at least five-fold parallel colonization of toxic substrates (serpentine and metalliferous), altogether demonstrating a complex interaction between geography, challenging substrates and polyploidy in the evolution of the group. Finally, we propose a new taxonomic treatment of this complex.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0348847