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Type: Article
Published: 2014-12-31
Page range: 1–21
Abstract views: 152
PDF downloaded: 2

Phylogenetic reconstructions of the Hedwigiaceae reveal cryptic speciation and hybridisation in Hedwigia

Institute of Botany, Plant Phylogenetics and Phylogenomics Group, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany. Nees-Institut für Biodiversität der Pflanzen, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Edifício FC4, s/nº, 4169 – 007 Porto, Portugal.
Nees-Institut für Biodiversität der Pflanzen, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
Museu, Laboratório e Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa. Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58, 1250-102 Lisboa, Portugal.
CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Edifício FC4, s/nº, 4169 – 007 Porto, Portugal. Norwegian University for Science and Technology, NTNU, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.
Nees-Institut für Biodiversität der Pflanzen, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
Department of Botany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
Institute of Botany, Plant Phylogenetics and Phylogenomics Group, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany. Nees-Institut für Biodiversität der Pflanzen, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
Hedwigia ciliata-complex Hedwigia leucophaea Hedwigia stellata Hedwigia striata nad5 intron secondary structure molecular phylogenetics

Abstract

A molecular based study of relationships in the Hedwigiaceae, with a special focus on the genus Hedwigia in Europe was carried out. A combined approach using sequence data from all three genomes, information obtained from the secondary structures of the nad5 group I intron, and morphological data was performed in order to clarify species concepts in the Hedwigia ciliata-complex. In agreement with earlier studies the separation of Rhacocarpus in its own family Rhacocarpaceae can be rejected. The genus is related to Braunia and therefore clearly belongs to the Hedwigiaceae. Based on molecular data Pseudobraunia californica is shown to be related to Hedwigia. Since several of the morphological characters are of questionable systematic value and the remaining characters are few, a separation in its own genus is inappropriate. We transfer Pseudobraunia californica back to Hedwigia californica. We show that the Hedwigia ciliata-complex in Europe consists of at least 4 species, Hedwigia ciliata, Hedwigia stellata, Hedwigia striata (which is here transferred back to species rank) and a cryptic species of which we do not have enough information yet to identify it as one of the existing taxa or as a new species. All Australian specimens included in our analyses, which were believed to be Hedwigia ciliata s. str., belong to this taxon rendering the occurrence of Hedwigia ciliata s. str. in Australia questionable. Hedwigia ciliata var. leucophaea cannot be maintained with its current morphological circumscription. The distinguishing characters can obviously be developed independently in some taxa of the Hedwigia ciliata complex. Furthermore we found evidence for potential hybridisation in some of the specimens determined as Hedwigia ciliata var. leucophaea, as nuclear and organellar DNA is originating from different taxa.

         Based on the presented results, Hedwigia striata (Wilson) Bosw. is recognized as a distinct species with more or less distinctly plicate leaves and straight rather than flexuose perichaetial leaf cilia.

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