Species delimitation and hybridization history of a hazel species complex.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Hybridization increases species adaptation and biodiversity but also obscures species boundaries. In this study, species delimitation and hybridization history were examined within one Chinese hazel species complex (Corylus chinensis-Corylus fargesii). Two species including four varieties have already been described for this complex, with overlapping distributions.

Methods

A total of 322 trees from 44 populations of these four varieties across their ranges were sampled for morphological and molecular analyses. Climatic datasets based on 108 geographical locations were used to evaluate their niche differentiations. Flowering phenology was also observed for two co-occurring species or varieties.

Key results

Four statistically different phenotypic clu

SUBMITTER: Lu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8225278 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature