Phylogenetic analysis suggests early divergence followed by convergent morphological evolution in the Silene sections Odontopetalae and Sordidae (Caryophyllaceae)

By

Toprak, Zeynep

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-10-24

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

265

Pages

123--145

Subjects

convergent evolution , Phylogeny , Silene , Silene odontopetala , Silene sordida , StarBeast3

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.265.165998

 

Abstract

<br> The genus<br> Silene<br> presents significant taxonomic challenges, particularly for groups such as S. sect. Odontopetalae and the monotypic S. sect. Sordidae. This study investigates the evolutionary relationship between the narrowly endemic<br> Silene sordida<br> and the widespread<br> S. odontopetala<br> to resolve these ambiguities. Using a multispecies coalescent framework with five genetic markers and expanded taxon sampling, the species tree and divergence times were estimated. The results revealed a moderately supported sister relationship between<br> S. sordida<br> and S. sect. Odontopetalae, with their divergence estimated at approximately 5.5 million years ago, following the Messinian salinity crisis. Despite their profound morphological and ecological differences, the results suggest a shared evolutionary origin. This study underscores the limitations of morphology-based classification in<br> Silene<br> and highlights the critical roles of ecological divergence, historical biogeography, and convergent evolution in shaping the genus’s diversity. The results provide a clearer understanding of the evolutionary processes driving diversification in these complex lineages.<br>