An integrative framework reveals widespread gene flow during the early radiation of oaks and relatives in Quercoideae (Fagaceae).

ABSTRACT: Although the frequency of ancient hybridization across the Tree of Life is greater than previously thought, little work has been devoted to uncovering the extent, timeline, and geographic and ecological context of ancient hybridization. Using an expansive new dataset of nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences, we conducted a multifaceted phylogenomic investigation to identify ancient reticulation in the early evolution of oaks (Quercus). We document extensive nuclear gene tree and cytonuclear discordance among major lineages of Quercus and relatives in Quercoideae. Our analyses recovered clear signatures of gene flow against a backdrop of rampant incomplete lineage sorting, with gene flow most prevalent among major lineages of Quercus and relatives in Quercoideae during their initial radiati

SUBMITTER: Liu SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12016745 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature