The evolutionary history of Cardamine bulbifera shows a successful rapid postglacial Eurasian range expansion in the absence of sexual reproduction.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Sexual reproduction is known to drive plant diversification and adaptation. Here we investigate the evolutionary history and spatiotemporal origin of a dodecaploid (2n = 12x = 96) Eurasian deciduous woodland species, Cardamine bulbifera, which reproduces and spreads via vegetative bulb-like structures only. The species has been among the most successful range-expanding understorey woodland plants in Europe, which raises the question of the genetic architecture of its gene pool, since its hexaploid (2n = 6x = 48) but putatively outcrossing closest relative, C. quinquefolia, displays a smaller distribution range in Eastern Europe towards the Caucasus region. Cardamine bulbifera belongs to a small monophyletic clade of four species comprising also C. abchasica (2n 

SUBMITTER: Ru Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9445599 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature