Continuous Morphological Variation Correlated with Genome Size Indicates Frequent Introgressive Hybridization among Diphasiastrum Species (Lycopodiaceae) in Central Europe

0431193 - BÚ 2015 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Hanušová, K. - Ekrt, L. - Vít, Petr - Kolář, Filip - Urfus, Tomáš
Continuous Morphological Variation Correlated with Genome Size Indicates Frequent Introgressive Hybridization among Diphasiastrum Species (Lycopodiaceae) in Central Europe.
PLoS ONE. Roč. 9, č. 6 (2014), no.-e99552. ISSN 1932-6203. E-ISSN 1932-6203
R&D Projects: GA ČR GB14-36079G
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : genome size * merphometrics * Diphasiastrum
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 3.234, year: 2014

Within Central European Diphasiastrum populations, we detected a continuous pattern in both morphological variation and genome size (strongly correlated together) suggesting extensive levels of interspecific gene flow within this region, including several large hybrid swarm populations. The secondary character of habitats of Central European hybrid swarm populations suggests that man-made landscape changes might have enhanced unnatural contact of species, resulting in extensive hybridization within this area. On the contrary, a distinct pattern of genome size variation among individuals from other parts of Europe indicates that pure populations prevail outside Central Europe. Introgressive hybridization among Diphasiastrum species in Central Europe represents a unique case of extensive interspecific gene flow among spore producing vascular plants that cause serious complications of taxa delimitation.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0235809