Genetic delimitation of Oreocharis species from Hainan Island

By

Ling, Shao-Jun
Qin, Xin-Ting
Song, Xi-Qiang
Zhang, Li Na, 1971-
Ren, Ming-Xun

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

157

Pages

59--81

Subjects

genetic differentiation , genetic diversity , morphological similarity , Oreocharis

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.157.32427

 

Abstract

Hainan Island harbours an extraordinary diversity of Gesneriaceae with 14 genera and 23 species, amongst which two species and one variety are recognised in the genusOreocharis. These threeOreocharistaxa are all Hainan-endemics and show a complex geographical distribution pattern with considerable morphological intermixtures. In this study, we combined DNA (nuclear ITS sequences and cpDNAtrnL-trnF andycf1b) to evaluate genetic delimitation for 12Oreocharispopulations from the island, together with morphological similarity analysis using 16 morphological traits. The results showed HainanOreocharistaxa were monophyletic with relative low genetic diversity within populations, highly significant genetic differentiation amongst populations and a significant phylogeographical structure. The 12 populations formed three genetically distinct groups, roughly correspondent to the currently recognised two species and one unknown lineage. The PCA analyses of morphological traits indicate three distinctive groups, differing mainly in petal colour and corolla shapes. The roles of river and mountain isolations in the origin and distribution of these three lineages are discussed.