Speciation and genetic diversity in Centaurea subsect. Phalolepis in Anatolia.

ABSTRACT: Mountains of Anatolia are one of the main Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots and their richness in endemic species amounts for 30% of the flora. Two main factors may account for this high diversity: the complex orography and its role as refugia during past glaciations. We have investigated seven narrow endemics of Centaurea subsection Phalolepis from Anatolia by means of microsatellites and ecological niche modelling (ENM), in order to analyse genetic polymorphisms and getting insights into their speciation. Despite being narrow endemics, all the studied species show moderate to high SSR genetic diversity. Populations are genetically isolated, but exchange of genes probably occurred at glacial maxima (likely through the Anatolian mountain arches as suggested by the ENM). The lack of corre

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Pujol J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5122891 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature