Parallel polyploid speciation: distinct sympatric gene-pools of recurrently derived allo-octoploid Asplenium ferns

Although polyploidy is widespread, its significance to the generation of biodiversity remains unclear. Many polyploids have been derived recurrently. For a particular polyploid, gene-flow between the products of independent origin is typical where they come into contact. Here, we use AFLP DNA-finger...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular ecology 2010-07, Vol.19 (14), p.2916-2932
Main Authors: Perrie, Leon R, Shepherd, Lara D, Lange, Peter J. de, Brownsey, Patrick J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
Asplenium
DNA Fingerprinting
DNA fingerprints
DNA, Chloroplast - genetics
DNA, Plant - genetics
Ferns - classification
Ferns - genetics
Flowers & plants
Gene Flow
Gene Pool
Genes
Genetic Speciation
Haplotypes
hybridization
Polyploidy
Sequence Analysis, DNA
speciation
sympatry
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Summary:Although polyploidy is widespread, its significance to the generation of biodiversity remains unclear. Many polyploids have been derived recurrently. For a particular polyploid, gene-flow between the products of independent origin is typical where they come into contact. Here, we use AFLP DNA-fingerprinting and chloroplast DNA sequences to demonstrate parallel polyploid speciation within both of the ferns Asplenium cimmeriorum and A. gracillimum. Both of these taxa comprise at least two allopolyploids, recurrently derived from the same progenitor pair. Each of these allopolyploids remain genetically distinguishable even with extensive sympatry, and could therefore be considered distinct species. To our knowledge, parallel speciation on this scale amongst recurrent polyploids has not been previously reported. With their parallel origins, these 'evolutionary replicates' provide an unrivalled opportunity to investigate how the reproductive barriers and ecological differentiation necessary for speciation arise following polyploidy.
ISSN:0962-1083
1365-294X
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04705.x