Hidden Hybridization and Habitat Differentiation in a Mediterranean Macrophyte, the Euryhaline Genus Ruppia.

ABSTRACT: In many aquatic plant taxa, classification based on morphology has always been difficult. Molecular markers revealed that the complexity in several of these aquatic taxa could be addressed to recurrent hybridization events and cryptic species diversity. The submerged macrophyte genus Ruppia is one of these aquatic genera with a complex taxonomy due to the absence of clear distinguishable traits and several hybridization events. Two species co-exist throughout Europe, R. maritima and R. spiralis (previously known as R. cirrhosa), but recent molecular studies also found several indications of hybridization, introgression and chloroplast capture between these species. However, the full extent and frequency of hybridization and introgression in this genus has not be

SUBMITTER: Beirinckx L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7366321 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature