细胞核质互作形成的生态与进化过程分析

细胞核质互作是形成真核生物细胞的必经步骤,细胞核质基因组在遗传方式、突变率、倍数、重组、有效群体数等方面存在根本差异,这些差异必然与生态和进化过程互作,影响和参与维持核质基因组的协同进化.本文从生态与进化过程深度阐述了形成核质互作的理论和实际研究进展,包括核质基因连锁不平衡的进化理论、核质互作效应检测、核质互作的分子证据、核质基因渐渗与遗传谱系的差异、核质不亲和与物种形成等.理论和实际结果显示,基本进化动力(突变、选择、漂变及迁移)可不同程度地改变核质互作效应.今后研究重点就是基于核质全基因组序列筛选核质互作位点,分析位点的遗传进化属性,揭示核质互作形成的分子机制;理论上解析与核质根本差异都有互作的交配系统的角色,分析交配系统怎样影响群体核质不亲和及其导致的物种形成过程.     

鱼类线粒体DNA研究新进展

线粒体DNA是分子生物学研究中的一个热门领域,已成为鱼类进化生物学和群体遗传学研究的重要分子遗传标记。本文对鱼类线粒体DNA分子生物学的最新研究进展进行了较详细的阐述。重点介绍鱼类线粒体DNA全序列的研究进展、组成及特征,鱼类线粒体DNA非编码区结构研究进展,鱼类线粒体DNA多态性及其主要的检测方法;综述了最近有关鱼类线粒体DNA在鱼类系统学、种间杂交渐渗、种群识别、起源和进化、地理分化等研究中的应用情况。     

基于叶绿体基因序列rbcL-accD研究莛子藨的分子遗传多样性和谱系地理结构

莛子藨是莛子藨属的一种多年生草本植物,主要分布在青藏高原东北部及邻近高山地区和日本,为东亚特有种。本文基于叶绿体DNA基因间隔区rbcL-accD序列,对莛子藨物种水平的序列特征、分子遗传多样性和谱系地理结构进行研究。分析结果发现该区域莛子藨种群的遗传变异主要来自于居群间（72.28%）,优势单倍型（H2）广泛分布,特有单倍型分散在多个居群。居群间遗传分化系数N_STST,没有检测到显著谱系地理结构,而且居群间基因流较低（N_m=0.096）,青藏高原及其邻近地区特殊地形和生态环境造成的地理隔离或者生境异质化可能是现有单倍型分布格局形成的原因。种群动态历史分析显示莛子藨经历过不显著的种群选择或者扩张事件,综合分析推测莛子藨居群应该是在间冰期或者冰期后从不同避难所扩散形成现在的分布格局,具体避难所还需进一步深入研究才能确认。     

新疆同域分布梭梭和白梭梭多样性格局及其形成机制

探究第四纪气候波动和地质事件对古尔班通古特沙漠同域分布的梭梭(Haloxylonammodendron)和白梭梭(H.persicum)分布、分化和演化的影响,对了解旱生植物区系的发展与演化具有重要意义。该研究测定新疆自然分布的19个梭梭种群225个个体和12个白梭梭种群106个个体叶绿体DNA间隔区(trn S-trn G和trn V)序列,整合单倍型网络分析、主坐标分析、分子方差分析、贝叶斯系统发育树、地理加权回归分析揭示种间、种内不同地理种群间的遗传多样性及其环境解释、空间遗传结构,估算种间谱系分化时间,分析群体演化历史。主要结果有:(1)共定义了21个叶绿体单倍型,梭梭和白梭梭聚为独立的支系;(2)接近80%的遗传变异发生于物种间及梭梭种内不同地理种群间,物种间分化发生于上新世晚期至更新世早期,这可能受干旱化加剧和沙漠形成、扩展的共同影响;(3)地理加权回归模型结果显示,环境因子对梭梭和白梭梭遗传多样性的影响存在明显的空间差异性,气候和土壤因子总体上主导梭梭、白梭梭的遗传多样性格局:在古尔班通古特沙漠南缘,气候因子对梭梭和白梭梭均为显著正向作用;在沙漠西南缘,气候因子对白梭梭为...     

基于mtCoI基因序列分析秦岭地区耶屁步甲(鞘翅目:步甲科)的谱系地理结构

为揭示秦岭地区耶屁步甲(Pheropsophus jessoensis Morawitz)种群的谱系地理结构,对秦岭2个地理区内25个耶屁步甲地理种群的184个个体的线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基Ⅰ (mtCoI)基因部分序列进行了分析.在879 bp个碱基中,共检测到55个变异位点,定义了67个单倍型.单倍型多样性(Hd=0.9550)较高,核苷酸多样性(Pi=0.0049)较低.东、西秦岭地区间和25个地理种群间的平均Kimura 2-parameter (K2P)遗传距离都很小,介于0.0026 ～0.0072.分子变异(AMOVA)和嵌套进化枝谱系地理学分析(NCPA)表明,耶屁步甲的分子变异主要来源于种群内个体间,而东、西两个地区间没有明显的谱系地理结构.错配分布和中性检验分析表明,单倍型之间存在一定的地理关联,距离隔离的限制性基因流以及快速或持续的种群扩张是造成该种目前遗传特征的主要因素.对秦岭地区的耶屁步甲进行种群动态推断,最近一次扩张时间发生0.05 ～ 0.23 Ma,处于更新世晚期,认为可能是第四纪冰期气候的反复变化导致了耶屁步甲现今的遗传格局.     

鸟类分子系统地理学研究进展

分子系统地理学是当代生物地理学的重要分支,是以分子生物学方法重建种内和种上水平的系统发育关系,阐释进化历史,并通过分析近缘生物类群的系统发育关系与其空间和时间分布格局间的相关性构建生物区系历史的研究,是分子生物学与生物地理学结合的产物。中性进化学说和溯祖理论分析的建立,以及线粒体DNA和微卫星标记等分子遗传标记的应用,为分子系统地理学研究的开展提供了理论和实践基础。近年来,分子系统地理方法在鸟类学研究中的应用揭示了许多不同于传统认知的发现,为准确而深入的了解鸟类分子系统地理格局的差异和不同类群的起源中心提供了新颖的证据。目前的研究多从隔离分化说和扩散说的角度对鸟类分子系统地理格局的成因进行分析,而迁徙行为不同对鸟类系统地理格局的影响为成因的解释提供了新的角度。结合区域特点的比较分子系统地理研究,在更广泛的地域和更多类群中开展研究是我国鸟类分子系统地理研究的方向。此外,展望了第二代测序技术对分子生态生物地理研究具有的潜在促进作用。     

基于系统发育分析的DNA条形码技术在澄清芍药属牡丹组物种问题中的应用

清晰的物种概念是材料正确鉴定的基础,是DNA条形码技术应用的前提.本文通过芍药属牡丹组植物DNA条形码数据的系统发育分析,揭示牡丹组植物的进化谱系及其与分类上“物种”的关系.在此基础上分析DNA条形码技术在牡丹组植物中应用的可能性.同时,以芍药科芍药属牡丹组植物为例,讨论DNA条形码技术在应用中存在的问题与解决方案.研究材料包括牡丹组植物目前已知的几乎所有的变异类型（种或种下分类群）共40份.DNA序列来自叶绿体基因组ndhF,rps16-trnQ,trnL-F和trnS-G4个基因,共有（含插入/缺失）5040个位点,包含96个变异位点,其中信息位点69个;核基因组GPAT基因2093~2197bp,变异位点（含插入/缺失）总数279个,其中信息位点148个.叶绿体基因组与核基因组所揭示的包括四川牡丹、矮牡丹、卵叶牡丹和紫斑牡丹在内的进化线与根据形态所建立的物种限定不吻合：（ⅰ）叶绿体基因分化明显但核基因没有明显分化——四川牡丹和紫斑牡丹的各居群系统;（ⅱ）核基因分化显著而叶绿体基因分化很小——矮牡丹和卵叶牡丹.因为这些居群系统之间存在一定程度的地理隔离,但不存在生殖隔离,出现这种两个基因组数据背离的现象可能是由于不同居群系统在进化历史中捕获了其他居群系统的叶绿体基因组.这些基因作为牡丹组植物DNA条形码的适合性分析显示,叶绿体基因在种间或居群系统之间的变异是种或居群系统内变异的4.82倍,GPAT基因在种间或居群系统之间的变异是种或居群系统内变异的2.21倍,说明这些基因可作为牡丹组植物的DNA条形码.种间或居群系统之间完全分化位点的统计结果表明,这些种或居群系统之间存在相互区别所必需的位点.通过牡丹组植物DNA条形码分析,认为：（ⅰ）物种概念对DNA条形码技术能否成功应用有十分重要的影响,拟应用DNA条形码的类?     

叶绿体DNA的限制性内切酶谱分析在植物系统分类学中的应用

业已证明,叶绿体DNA为一共轭闭合环状分子。绝大多数植物叶绿体DNA均含有一对反向重复序列。对于所有已检测过的植物,叶绿体基因组所编码的基因数量、基因组成和基因排列是基本一致的。这表明叶绿体DNA具有进化上的保守性。由于其进化上的保守性,叶绿体DNA常为研究层次较高的分类单位间(属间、科间、目间、纲间等)进化关系和进化历史提供较准确的信息。1976年,Vedel等首先建立了叶绿体DNA的内切酶谱分析方法,并将其应用于植物系统分类学中。Vedel等用限制酶ECoRI酶切从豌豆     

基于线粒体基因的广西变色树蜥种群分子系统关系与遗传多样性

物种分子系统关系是进化生物学领域最基本也是最重要的问题之一。本研究通过测序分析了来自广西等地90个变色树蜥Calotes versicolor的ND2-tRNA基因片段,分析了不同地理种群的单倍型、种群间的遗传分化程度(F_(st))和历史动态,构建了单倍型之间的分子系统关系。结果发现,所研究的地理种群共检测到45个单倍型,总体呈现较高的单倍型多样性(0.941 8)和较低的核苷酸多样性(0.005 5),其中有6个地理种群的个体共享1个单倍型。大部分种群间F_(st)值较高且差异显著,遗传分化程度较高。分子方差分析结果表明,遗传变异主要来自种群内的遗传差异。系统进化分析结果表明,所研究的地理种群并没有出现明显的遗传分支且在地理上没有严格的分布范围和分化,这可能是由于种群间存在渐渗杂交或不完全的谱系筛选。网络关系图也显示各采样种群间不存在明显的谱系结构。种群历史动态分析表明,各地理种群不存在扩张现象。把所有地理种群合并在一起分析表明,贝叶斯轮廓图分析与碱基错配分析方法均检测到种群在历史上发生过快速扩张,约0.05 Ma前存在种群扩张现象。     

高山特有植物丽江棱子芹的叶绿体基因组结构和系统发育关系

本文基于高通量技术对丽江棱子芹(Pleurospermum foetens)的叶绿体基因组进行测序,并对丽江棱子芹的叶绿体基因组结构特征及其系统进化关系进行了分析。结果表明,丽江棱子芹的叶绿体基因组具备典型的四分体结构,基因组全长155 057 bp,包含87个蛋白编码基因、 8个核糖体RNA基因和39个转运RNA基因。生物信息学分析结果显示,叶绿体基因组共编码26 075个密码子,编码异亮氨酸Ile的ATT数量最多,除终止子外编码半胱氨酸Cys的TGC数量最少,相对同义密码子使用度最高的为UUA,最少的是AGC; SSR位点共预测到了34个,包括单核苷酸重复序列27个,双核苷酸重复序列4个,以及复合型重复序列3个。丽江棱子芹与棱子芹属(Pleurospermum)其他植物相比较,其基因组大小、基因类型及GC含量相近。利用IQ-TREE软件构建最大似然树,结果表明丽江棱子芹与线裂棱子芹(P.linearilobum)的亲缘关系最近,棱子芹属为多系类群。该研究丰富了丽江棱子芹叶绿体基因组的遗传信息,为丽江棱子芹的分子标记的开发、遗传多样性和谱系地理研究等奠定了理论基础,同时也为构建伞形科...     

GENE FLOW AND SPECIES DELIMITATION: A CASE STUDY OF TWO PINE SPECIES WITH OVERLAPPING DISTRIBUTIONS IN SOUTHEAST CHINA

Species delimitation detected by molecular markers is complicated by introgression and incomplete lineage sorting between species. Recent modeling suggests that fixed genetic differences between species are highly related to rates of intraspecific gene flow. However, it remains unclear whether such differences are due to high levels of intraspecific gene flow overriding the spread of introgressed alleles or favoring rapid lineage sorting between species. In pines, chloroplast (cp) and mitochondrial (mt) DNAs are normally paternally and maternally inherited, respectively, and thus their relative rates of intraspecific gene flow are expected to be high and low, respectively. In this study, we used two pine species with overlapping geographical distributions in southeast China, P. massoniana and P. hwangshanensis, as a model system to examine the association between organelle gene flow and variation within and between species. We found that cpDNA variation across these two pine species is more species specific than mtDNA variation and almost delimits taxonomic boundaries. The shared mt/cp DNA genetic variation between species shows no bias in regard to parapatric versus allopatric species’ distributions. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that high intraspecific gene flow has accelerated cpDNA lineage sorting between these two pine species.     

Excessive variation in Y chromosomal DNA in Rumex acetosa (Polygonaceae)

Rumex acetosa is one of the few angiosperms that possesses sex chromosomes. The same types of abundant repetitive sequences cover both heterochromatic Y chromosomes present in males. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic variation in paternally inherited Y chromosomal DNA and in maternally inherited cpDNA, and to find out whether the examined genomic regions are suited to a phylogeographic study in R. acetosa. DNA sequence polymorphisms present in the 850-bp heterochromatic segment on the Y chromosomes were compared to variation in the 409-bp long chloroplast section (trnL- trnF spacer) in R. acetosa originating from several European locations and from the Altai mountains in Russia. A great amount of genetic variation was detected within the Y chromosomal region while only four chloroplast genotypes were detected. Although the chloroplast haplotypes possessed some geographic pattern, no clear phylogeographic pattern was detected based on the variable Y chromosomes. The mean Y chromosomal nucleotide diversity among all samples equaled 6.6 %, and the mean proportion of polymorphic sites per individual equaled 8.2 % among SNP sites and 1.7 % among all sites investigated. The high number of substitutions detected in the Y chromosomal DNA shows that this heterochromatic sequence has a high mutation rate. The diversity pattern indicates that gene flow via pollen is extensive and it blurs any geographical pattern in the Y chromosomal variation. The high number of repeats and uncertainty concerning the extent of recombination between the two Y chromosomes impair the usability of the Y chromosomal segment for phylogeographic or population genetic studies.     

MOLECULAR PHYLOGEOGRAPHY, RETICULATION, AND LINEAGE SORTING IN MEDITERRANEAN SENECIO SECT. SENECIO (ASTERACEAE)

Abstract The Mediterranean species complex of Senecio serves to illustrate evolutionary processes that are likely to confound phylogenetic inference, including rapid diversification, gene tree‐species tree discordance, reticulation, interlocus concerted evolution, and lack of complete lineage sorting. Phylogeographic patterns of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotype variation were studied by sampling 156 populations (502 individuals) across 18 species of the complex, and a species phylogeny was reconstructed based on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. For a subset of species, randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) provided reference points for comparison with the cpDNA and ITS datasets. Two classes of cpDNA haplotypes were identified, with each predominating in certain parts of the Mediterranean region. However, with the exception of S. gallicus, intraspecific phylogeographic structure is limited, and only a few haplotypes detected were species‐specific. Nuclear sequence divergence is low, and several unresolved phylogenetic groupings are suggestive of near simultaneous diversification. Two well‐supported ITS clades contain the majority of species, amongst which there is a pronounced sharing of cpDNA haplotypes. Our data are not capable of diagnosing the relative impact of reticulation versus insufficient lineage sorting for the entire complex. However, there is firm evidence that S. flavus subsp. breviflorus and S. rupestris have acquired cpDNA haplotypes and ITS sequences from co‐occurring species by reticulation. In contrast, insufficient lineage sorting is a viable hypothesis for cpDNA haplotypes shared between S. gallicus and its close relatives. We estimated the minimum coalescent times for these haplotypes by utilizing the inferred species phylogeny and associated divergence times. Our data suggest that ancestral cpDNA polymorphisms may have survived for ca. 0.4–1.0 million years, depending on molecular clock calibrations.     

Ancestral chloroplast polymorphism and historical secondary contact in a broad hybrid zone of Aesculus (Sapindaceae)

Knowledge regarding the origin and maintenance of hybrid zones is critical for understanding the evolutionary outcomes of natural hybridization. To evaluate the contribution of historical contact vs. long-distance gene flow in the formation of a broad hybrid zone in central and northern Georgia that involves Aesculus pavia, A. sylvatica, and A. flava, three cpDNA regions (matK, trnD-trnT, and trnH-trnK) were analyzed. The maternal inheritance of cpDNA in Aesculus was confirmed via sequencing of matK from progeny of controlled crosses. Restriction site analyses identified 21 unique haplotypes among 248 individuals representing 29 populations from parental species and hybrids. Haplotypes were sequenced for all cpDNA regions. Restriction site and sequence data were subjected to phylogeographic and population genetic analyses. Considerable cpDNA variation was detected in the hybrid zone, as well as ancestral cpDNA polymorphism; furthermore, the distribution of haplotypes indicates limited interpopulation gene flow via seeds. The genealogy and structure of genetic variation further support the historical presence of A. pavia in the Piedmont, although they are at present locally extinct. In conjunction with previous allozyme studies, the cpDNA data suggest that the hybrid zone originated through historical local gene flow, yet is maintained by periodic long-distance pollen dispersal.     

Cryptic interspecific introgression and genetic differentiation within Gossypium aridum (Malvaceae) and its relatives

Interspecific gene flow is increasingly recognized as an important evolutionary phenomenon in plants. A surprising observation is that historical introgression is often inferred between species that presently have geographic and reproductive barriers that would appear to prohibit the inferred sexual exchange. A striking example concerns Gossypium aridum (subsection Erioxylum); previous analyses have shown that populations from Colima (southwestern Mexico) have a chloroplast genome (cpDNA) similar to that of a different taxonomic subsection (Integrifolia) that presently is confined to Baja California and the Galapagos Islands, whereas other G. aridum populations share a cpDNA lineage with each other and with other species in subsection Erioxylum. To evaluate further the possibility that this cpDNA evidence reflects introgression as opposed to some other evolutionary process, as well as to explore patterns of genetic diversity and similarity in both subsections, we conducted amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis using 50 populations representing all seven species in the two subsections. Genetic diversity is high in G. aridum, and is strongly correlated with geography, as are similarities among the five species in subsection Erioxylum. This subsection is genetically distant from the two species in subsection Integrifolia, whose populations are highly similar inter se. Populations of G. aridum from Colima are genetically distinct from the remainder of the species, and exhibit a comparatively high frequency of AFLP fragments that otherwise are diagnostic of the Integrifolia lineage. These data implicate intersubsectional introgression between presently allopatric and genetically isolated clades, giving rise to a morphologically cryptic, introgressant entity. Biogeographic considerations suggest that this history was initiated following migration of one or more seeds from Baja California to the Colima coast, perhaps during the Pleistocene. We suggest that cryptic and seemingly improbable interspecific introgression and molecular differentiation may be more common than appreciated in angiosperm evolution.     

Phylogeography of a species complex of lowland Neotropical rain forest trees (Carapa,Meliaceae)

Aim Many tropical tree species have poorly delimited taxonomic boundaries and contain undescribed or cryptic species. We examined the genetic structure of a species complex in the tree genus Carapa in the Neotropics in order to evaluate age, geographic patterns of diversity and evolutionary relationships, and to quantify levels of introgression among currently recognized species. Location Lowland moist forests in the Guiana Shield, the Central and Western Amazon Basin, Chocó and Central America. Methods Genetic structure was analysed using seven nuclear simple sequence repeats (nuSSR), five chloroplast SSRs (cpSSR), and two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) intergenic sequences (trnH–psbA and trnC–ycf6). Bayesian clustering analysis of the SSR data was used to infer population genetic structure and to assign 324 samples to their most likely genetic cluster. Bayesian coalescence analyses were performed on the two cpDNA markers to estimate evolutionary relationships and divergence times. Results Two genetic clusters (nu_guianensis and nu_surinamensis) were detected, which correspond to the Neotropical species C. guianensis (sensu latu) and C. surinamensis. Fourteen cpDNA haplotypes clustered into six haplogroups distributed between the two nuclear genetic clusters. Divergence between the haplogroups was initiated in the Miocene, with some haplotype structure evolving as recently as the Pleistocene. The absence of complete lineage sorting between the nuclear and chloroplast genomes and the presence of hybrid individuals suggest that interspecific reproductive barriers are incomplete. NuSSR diversity was highest in C. guianensis and, within C. guianensis, cpDNA diversity was highest in the Central and Western Amazon Basin. Regional genetic differentiation was strong but did not conform to an isolation‐by‐distance process or exhibit a phylogeographical signal. Main conclusions The biogeographical history of Neotropical Carapa appears to have been influenced by events that took place during the Neogene. Our results point to an Amazonian centre of origin and diversification of Neotropical Carapa, with subsequent migration to the Pacific coast of South America and Central America. Gene flow apparently occurs among species, and introgression events are supported by inconsistencies between chloroplast and nuclear lineage sorting. The absence of phylogeographical structure may be a result of the ineffectiveness of geographical barriers among populations and of reproductive isolation mechanisms among incipient and cryptic species in this species complex.     

Low levels of intraspecific genetic variation at a rapidly evolving chloroplast dna locus in North American duckweeds (Lemnaceae)

Although most previous studies on chloroplast (cp) DNA variation in plants have concentrated on systematics and evolution above the species level, intraspecific variation in cpDNA is common and has provided useful insights into population-level evolutionary processes. Polymerase chain reaction methods were used to examine restriction site and sequence variation in the chloroplast rpLI6 gene within and among populations of duckweed species (Spirodela and Lemna) from the southern and eastern United States. To our knowledge, the rpL16 region has not previously been used to investigate cpDNA variation in nature. While considerable restriction site and sequence variation were detected among species, no variation was found within populations of either of the two species (S. punctata and L. minor) selected for sequence analysis, and S. punctata showed no interpopulational variation. Two cpDNA haplotypes were identified in L. minor, with one haplotype restricted to three sites in Louisiana and the other found in all other populations sampled. This paucity of variation cannot be readily explained as the result of a low mutation rate. In general, group II introns appear to be subject to very little functional constraint, and extensive sequence differences have been found between species in the chloroplast rpL16 intron in particular. However, factors such as historical range expansions and contractions, founding effects, fluctuations in local population size, and natural selection may play a role in reducing cpDNA sequence variability in these species.     

Historical range expansion determines the phylogenetic diversity introduced during contemporary species invasion

For a species rapidly expanding its geographic range, such as during biological invasion, most alleles in the introduced range will have their evolutionary origins in the native range. Yet, the way in which historical processes occurring over evolutionary time in the native range contribute to the diversity sampled during contemporary invasion is largely unknown. We used chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) gene genealogies and coalescent methods to study two congeneric plants, Silene latifolia and S. vulgaris. We examined how phylogenetic diversity was shaped by demographic growth and historical range expansions in the native European range, and how this history affected the diversity sampled during their recent invasion of North America. Genealogies from both species depart from neutrality, likely as a result of demographic expansion in the ancestral range, the timing of which corresponds to shortly after each species originated. However, the species differ in the spatial distribution of cpDNA lineages across the native range. Silene latifolia shows a highly significant phylogeographic structure that most likely reflects different avenues of the post-glacial expansion into northern Europe from Mediterranean refugia. By contrast, cpDNA lineages in S. vulgaris have been widely scattered across Europe during, or since, the most recent post-glacial expansion. These different evolutionary histories resulted in dramatic differences in how phylogenetic diversity was sampled during invasion of North America. In S. latifolia, relatively few, discrete invasion events from a structured native range resulted in a rather severe genetic bottleneck, but also opportunities for admixture among previously isolated lineages. In S. vulgaris, lack of genetic structure was accompanied by more representative sampling of phylogenetic diversity during invasion, and reduced potential for admixture. Our results provide clear insights into how historical processes may feed forward to influence the phylogenetic diversity of species invading new geographic ranges.     

Deciphering the global phylogeography of a coastal shrub (Scaevola taccada) reveals the influence of multiple forces on contemporary population structure

The phylogeography of coastal plant species is heavily influenced by past sealevel fluctuations, dispersal barriers, and life-history traits, such as long-distance dispersal ability of the propagules. Unlike the widely studied mangroves, phylogeographic patterns have remained mostly obscure for other coastal plant species. In this study, we sampled 42 populations of Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb., a coastal shrub of the family Goodeniaceae, from 17 countries across its distribution range. We used five chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and 14 nuclear microsatellite (simple sequence repeat [SSR]) markers to assess the influence of abiotic factors and population genetic processes on the phylogeographic pattern of the species. Geographical distribution of cpDNA haplotypes suggests that the species originated in Australia, followed by historical dispersal and expansion of its geographic range. Multiple abiotic factors, including the sealevel changes during the Pleistocene, the presence of landmasses like the Malay Peninsula, and contemporary oceanic circulation patterns, restricted gene flow between geographically distinct populations, thereby creating low haplotype diversity and a strong population structure. Population genetic processes acted on these isolated populations, leading to high nuclear genetic diversity and population differentiation, as revealed from analyzing the polymorphic SSR loci. Although genetic divergence was mostly concordant between cpDNA and SSR data, asymmetrical gene flow and ancestral polymorphism could explain the discordance in the detailed genetic structure. Overall, our findings indicate that abiotic factors and population genetic processes interactively influenced the evolutionary history and current phylogeographic pattern of S. taccada across its distribution range.     

Population structure and genetic diversity in tristylous Narcissus triandrus: insights from microsatellite and chloroplast DNA variation

We investigated cpDNA sequence and nuclear microsatellite variation among populations of the wild daffodil Narcissus triandrus to examine the role of historical vs. contemporary forces in shaping population structure, morphological differentiation and sexual-system evolution. This wide-ranging heterostylous species of the Iberian Peninsula is largely composed of two allopatric varieties (vars. cernuus and triandrus), and populations with either stylar trimorphism or dimorphism. Dimorphic populations only occur in var. triandrus, are mainly restricted to the northwestern portion of the species range, and uniformly lack the mid-styled morph (M-morph). Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence variation revealed strong geographical structuring and evidence for a fragmentation event associated with differentiation of the two varieties. In var. triandrus, population fragmentation, restricted gene flow and isolation-by-distance were also inferred. Significant differences in genetic diversity and population structure between the two varieties likely reflect historical and contemporary differences in demography and gene flow among populations. Discordance between cpDNA markers and both microsatellite and morphological variation indicate that hybridization has occurred between the two varieties at contact zones. There were no differences in genetic diversity or population structure between dimorphic and trimorphic populations, and chloroplast haplotypes were not associated with either sexual system, indicating transitions in morph structure within each maternal lineage. M-morph frequencies were positively correlated with differentiation at microsatellite loci, indicating that the evolutionary processes influencing these neutral markers also influence alleles controlling the style morphs.