Exceptionally high rates of positive selection on the rbcL gene in the genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) has a near-cosmopolitan distribution in mesic habitats from tropical to temperate lowlands and in alpine forests. It has a high rate of hybridization and plastid capture, and comprises four geographically structured plastid groups. A previous study showed that the plastid rbcL gene, coding for the large subunit of Rubisco, has a particularly high rate of non-synonymous substitutions in Ilex, when compared with other plant lineages. This suggests a strong positive selection on rbcL, involved in yet unknown adaptations. We therefore investigated positive selection on rbcL in 240 Ilex sequences from across the global range.

Results

The rbcL gene shows a much higher rate of positive selection in Ilex than in any other plant lineage studi

SUBMITTER: Yao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6805373 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature