Dataset Information

Genome size in Hieracium subgenus Hieracium (Asteraceae) is strongly correlated with major phylogenetic groups.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hieracium subgenus Hieracium is one of the taxonomically most intricate groups of vascular plants, due to polyploidy and a diversity of breeeding systems (sexuality vs. apomixis). The aim of the present study was to analyse nuclear genome size in a phylogenetic framework and to assess relationships between genome size and ploidy, breeding system and selected ecogeographic features. METHODS: Holoploid and monoploid genome sizes (C- and Cx-values) of 215 cultivated plants from 89 field populations of 42 so-called 'basic' Hieracium species were determined using propidium iodide flow cytometry. Chromosome counts were available for all analysed plants, and all plants were tested experimentally for their mode of reproduction (sexuality vs. apomixis). For constructing molecular phylogenetic trees, the external transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA was used. KEY RESULTS: The mean 2C values differed up to 2.37-fold among different species (from 7.03 pg in diploid to 16.67 in tetraploid accessions). The 1Cx values varied 1.22-fold (between 3.51 and 4.34 pg). Variation in 1Cx values between conspecific (species in a broad sense) accessions ranged from 0.24% to 7.2%. Little variation (not exceeding the approximate measurement inaccurracy threshold of 3.5%) was found in 33 species, whereas variation higher than 3.5% was detected in seven species. Most of the latter may have a polytopic origin. Mean 1Cx values of the three cytotypes (2n, 3n and 4n) differed significantly (average of 3.93 pg in diploids, 3.82 pg in triploids and 3.78 pg in tetraploids) indicating downsizing of genomes in polyploids. The pattern of genome size variation correlated well with two major phylogenetic clades which were composed of species with western or eastern European origin. The monoploid genome size in the 'western' species was significantly lower than in the 'eastern' ones. Correlation of genome size with latitude, altitude and selected ecological characters (light and temperature) was not significant. A longitudinal component was only apparent for the whole data set, but absent within the major lineages. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogeny was the most important factor explaining the pattern of genome size variation in Hieracium sensu stricto, species of western European origin having significantly lower genome size in comparison with those of eastern European origin. Any correlation with ecogeographic variables, including longitude, was outweighed by the divergence of the genus into two major phylogenetic lineages.

SUBMITTER: Chrtek J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2706716 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Genome size in Hieracium subgenus Hieracium (Asteraceae) is strongly correlated with major phylogenetic groups.

Chrtek Jindrich J Zahradnícek Jaroslav J Krak Karol K Fehrer Judith J

Annals of botany 20090511 1

<h4>Background and aims</h4>Hieracium subgenus Hieracium is one of the taxonomically most intricate groups of vascular plants, due to polyploidy and a diversity of breeeding systems (sexuality vs. apomixis). The aim of the present study was to analyse nuclear genome size in a phylogenetic framework and to assess relationships between genome size and ploidy, breeding system and selected ecogeographic features.<h4>Methods</h4>Holoploid and monoploid genome sizes (C- and Cx-values) of 215 cultivate ...[more]

PMID: 19433417

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND: Hieracium s.str. is a complex species-rich group of perennial herbs composed of few sexual diploids and numerous apomictic polyploids. The existence of reticulation and the near-continuity of morphological characters across taxa seriously affect species determination, making Hieracium one of the best examples of a 'botanist's nightmare'. Consequently, its species relationships have not previously been addressed by molecular methods. Concentrating on the supposed major evolutionary units, we used nuclear ribosomal (ETS) and chloroplast (trnT-trnL) sequences in order to disentangle the phylogenetic relationships and to infer the origins of the polyploids. RESULTS: Despite relatively low interspecific variation, the nuclear data revealed the existence of two major groups roughly corresponding to species with a Western or Eastern European origin. Extensive reticulation was mainly inferred from the character additivity of parental ETS variants. Surprisingly, many diploid species were of hybrid origin whilst several polyploid taxa showed no evidence of reticulation. Intra-individual ETS sequence polymorphism generally exceeded interspecific variation and was either independent of, or additional to, additive patterns accounted for by hybrid origin. Several ETS ribotypes occurred in different hybrid taxa, but never as the only variant in any species analyzed. CONCLUSION: The high level of intra-individual ETS polymorphism prevented straightforward phylogenetic analysis. Characterization of this variation as additive, shared informative, homoplasious, or unique made it possible to uncover the phylogenetic signal and to reveal the hybrid origin of 29 out of 60 accessions. Contrary to expectation, diploid sexuals and polyploid apomicts did not differ in their molecular patterns. The basic division of the genus into two major clades had not previously been intimated on morphological grounds. Both major groups are thought to have survived in different glacial refugia and to have hybridized as a result of secondary contact. Several lines of evidence suggest the data is best explained by the presence of an extinct range of variation and a larger diversity of ancestral diploids in former times rather than by unsampled variation. Extinct diversity and extensive reticulation are thought to have largely obscured the species relationships. Our study illustrates how multigene sequences can be used to disentangle the evolutionary history of agamic complexes or similarly difficult datasets.

Project description:BackgroundArtemisia subg. Seriphidium, one of the most species-diverse groups within Artemisia, grows mainly in arid or semi-arid regions in temperate climates. Some members have considerable medicinal, ecological, and economic value. Previous studies on this subgenus have been limited by a dearth of genetic information and inadequate sampling, hampering our understanding of their phylogenetics and evolutionary history. We therefore sequenced and compared the chloroplast genomes of this subgenus, and evaluated their phylogenetic relationships.ResultsWe newly sequenced 18 chloroplast genomes of 16 subg. Seriphidium species and compared them with one previously published taxon. The chloroplast genomes, at 150,586-151,256 bp in length, comprised 133 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and one pseudogene, with GC content of 37.40-37.46%. Comparative analysis showed that genomic structures and gene order were relatively conserved, with only some variation in IR borders. A total of 2203 repeats (1385 SSRs and 818 LDRs) and 8 highly variable loci (trnK - rps16, trnE - ropB, trnT, ndhC - trnV, ndhF, rpl32 - trnL, ndhG - ndhI and ycf1) were detected in subg. Seriphidium chloroplast genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of the whole chloroplast genomes based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses resolved subg. Seriphidium as polyphyletic, and segregated into two main clades, with the monospecific sect. Minchunensa embedded within sect. Seriphidium, suggesting that the whole chloroplast genomes can be used as molecular markers to infer the interspecific relationship of subg. Seriphidium taxa.ConclusionOur findings reveal inconsistencies between the molecular phylogeny and traditional taxonomy of the subg. Seriphidium and provide new insights into the evolutionary development of this complex taxon. Meanwhile, the whole chloroplast genomes with sufficiently polymorphic can be used as superbarcodes to resolve interspecific relationships in subg. Seriphidium.

Project description:Background and aimsApomixis or asexual seed reproduction is a key evolutionary mechanism in certain angiosperms providing them with reproductive assurance and isolation. Nevertheless, the frequency of apomixis is largely unknown, especially in groups with autonomous apomixis such as the diploid-polyploid genus Hieracium.MethodsUsing flow cytometric analyses, we determined the ploidy level and reproductive pathways (sexual vs. apomictic) for 7616 seeds originating from 946 plants belonging to >50 taxa sampled at 130 sites across Europe.Key resultsDiploid seeds produced by diploids were formed exclusively by the sexual pathway after double fertilization of reduced embryo sacs. An absolute majority of tri- and tetraploid seeds (99.6 %) produced by tri- and tetrapolyploid taxa were formed by autonomous apomixis. Only 20 polyploid seeds (0.4 %) were formed sexually. These seeds, which originated on seven polyploid accessions of four taxa, were formed after fertilization of either unreduced embryo sacs through a so-called triploid bridge or reduced embryo sacs, and frequently resulted in progeny with an increased ploidy. In addition, the formation of seedlings with increased ploidy (4x and 6x) was found in two triploid plants. This is the first firm evidence on functional facultative apomixis in polyploid members of Hieracium sensu stricto (s.s.).ConclusionsThe mode of reproduction in Hieracium s.s. is tightly associated with ploidy. While diploids produce seeds exclusively sexually, polyploids produce seeds by obligate or almost obligate apomixis. Strict apomixis can increase the reproductive assurance and this in turn can increase the colonization ability of apomicts. Nevertheless, our data clearly show that certain polyploid plants are still able to reproduce sexually and contribute to the formation of new cytotypes and genotypes. The finding of functional facultative apomicts is essential for future studies focused on evolution, inheritance and ecological significance of apomixis in this genus.

Dataset Information

Genome size in Hieracium subgenus Hieracium (Asteraceae) is strongly correlated with major phylogenetic groups.

Publications

Genome size in Hieracium subgenus Hieracium (Asteraceae) is strongly correlated with major phylogenetic groups.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets