Maintenance of strong morphological differentiation despite ongoing natural hybridization between sympatric species of Lomatia (Proteaceae).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

When species cohesion is maintained despite ongoing natural hybridization, many questions are raised about the evolutionary processes operating in the species complex. This study examined the extensive natural hybridization between the Australian native shrubs Lomatia myricoides and L. silaifolia (Proteaceae). These species exhibit striking differences in morphology and ecological preferences, exceeding those found in most studies of hybridization to date.

Methods

Nuclear microsatellite markers (nSSRs), genotyping methods and morphometric analyses were used to uncover patterns of hybridization and the role of gene flow in morphological differentiation between sympatric species.

Key results

The complexity of hybridization patterns differed markedly

SUBMITTER: McIntosh EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3962242 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature