Genetic population structure of the alpine species Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum sensu lato (Ericaceae) inferred from chloroplast and nuclear DNA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A complex of incipient species with different degrees of morphological or ecological differentiation provides an ideal model for studying species divergence. We examined the phylogeography and the evolutionary history of the Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum s. l.

Results

Systematic inconsistency was detected between gene genealogies of the cpDNA and nrDNA. Rooted at R. hyperythrum and R. formosana, both trees lacked reciprocal monophyly for all members of the complex. For R. pseudochrysanthum s.l., the spatial distribution of the cpDNA had a noteworthy pattern showing high genetic differentiation (FST=0.56-0.72) between populations in the Yushan Mountain Range and populations of the other mountain ranges.

Conclusion

Both incomplete lineage sorting and intersp

SUBMITTER: Huang CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3096940 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature