Cryptic gene pools in the Hypericum perforatum-H. maculatum complex: diploid persistence versus trapped polyploid melting.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In Central Europe Hypericum perforatum and Hypericum maculatum show significant hybridization and introgression as a consequence of Pleistocene range fluctuations, and their gene pools are merging on higher ploidy levels. This paper discusses whether polyploid hybrid gene pools are trapped in the ecological climatic niche space of their diploid ancestors, and tests the idea of geographical parthenogenesis.

Methods

DNA sequence information of nuclear ribosomal DNA and plastid loci, ploidy level estimates and ecological niche modelling are used to characterize the various diploid and polyploid gene pools and unravel spatio-temporal patterns of gene flow among them.

Key results

On the diploid level, the three gene pools are clearly distinct between an

SUBMITTER: Scheriau CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5710527 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature